GURPS Martial Arts - Home

Lens
Cinematic (+100 points): Add 80 points chosen from among
Enhanced Dodge 1-3 [15/level], Enhanced Parry 1-3 [5 or
10/level], Enhanced Time Sense [45], Extra Attack 1 or 2
(Multi-Strike, +20%) [30 or 60], Forceful Chi 1-4
[15/level], Gadgeteer [25], Gizmos [5/level], Heroic
Archer [20], Higher Purpose [5], Innate Attack [Varies],
Resistant to Chi Abilities (+3) [10], Trained by a Master
[30], Weapon Master [20-45], or Wild Talent 1-3
[20/level]. You must take either Trained by a Master or
Weapon Master! • Add 20 points in your style’s cinematic
skills (and prerequisites); Hypnotic Hands, Kiai, and
Pressure Points are handy for taking prisoners.
Customization Notes
Styles: Taihojutsu (p. 201) merits special mention
because it was invented for law enforcers. Most grappling
styles – including Aikijutsu (p. 149), Judo (p. 166), Jujutsu
(pp. 166-168), and Wrestling (pp. 204-206) – are well-suited
to subduing crooks. Being able to hit hard is also useful.
Fictional 19th-century detectives might use Bartitsu (p. 167)
or Savate (pp. 193-194); pulp heroes and practical cops prefer
Boxing (pp. 152-153); modern vigilantes go for styles
with “street cred,” such as Capoeira (pp. 153-154), Jeet Kune
Do (p. 164-165), and Kajukenbo (p. 168); and everyone is
familiar with the Shurikenjutsu (pp. 195-197) skills of a
famous crime-fighting “dark knight.”
Style Lenses: “Police” is probable for an actual law officer.
A vigilante might have “Self-Defense” or “Street,” depending
on how aggressive his methods are.
Duelist
100 points
You’ve studied the fighting arts, typically a knightly or
sword style, in order to win duels for profit. You champion
moneyed folk who wish to settle affairs of honor with blood
– just not theirs. You’re adept at remaining cool enough to
strike not necessarily first but best. Dueling attracts hotheads,
may be illegal, and often leaves corpses behind, so
you must stay on the road to avoid those who would seek
glory, vengeance, or justice at your expense.
Attributes: ST 11 [10]; DX 13 [60]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 11 [10].
Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d-1/1d+1; BL 24 lbs.;
HP 11 [0]; Will 10 [0]; Per 10 [0]; FP 11 [0]; Basic Speed
6.00 [0]; Basic Move 6 [0].
Advantages: 20 points chosen from among DX +1 [20],
Basic Speed +1 [20], Ambidexterity [5], Enhanced Block
1 [5], Enhanced Dodge 1 [15], Enhanced Parry 1 [5 or
10], Fearlessness 1-5 [2/level] or Unfazeable [15], Hard to
Kill 1-5 [2/level], Luck [15], Rapid Healing [5], Style
Familiarity (any) [1/style], Style Perks [1/perk], Wealth
(Comfortable) [10] or (Wealthy) [20], or Weapon Bond
[1].
Perks: Style Familiarity (own style) [1].
Disadvantages: -20 points chosen from among Enemy
(Glory-seeker or rival duelist; Hunter; 6 or less) [-5] or (9
or less) [-10], Enemy (Past victim’s vengeful relatives;
Hunter; 6 or less) [-5] or (9 or less) [-10], Reputation -1 or
-2 (Ruthless killer) [-5 or -10], Secret (Illegal dueling
deaths) [-20], or Social Stigma (Criminal Record) [-5].
• An additional -20 points chosen from among Bloodlust
[-10*], Callous [-5] or Low Empathy [-20], Code of Honor
(Professional) [-5] or (Gentleman’s) [-10], Distinctive
Features (Dueling scars) [-1], Greed [-15*], Loner [-5*],
or Overconfidence [-5*].
Primary Skills: 30 points in the skills and techniques of a
combat style (see Chapter 5). Unlike most martial artists,
a duelist can justify putting most of these points into just
one skill!
Secondary Skills: Armoury (Melee Weapons) (A) IQ [2]-10;
Current Affairs (People) (E) IQ [1]-10; First Aid (E) IQ
[1]-10; and Savoir-Faire (High Society) (E) IQ [1]-10.
Background Skills: 4 points chosen from among Area
Knowledge (any) or Savoir-Faire (Dojo), both IQ/E;
Connoisseur (Weapons) or Merchant, both IQ/A;
Diplomacy, Expert Skill (Hoplology), or Law (Criminal),
all IQ/H; or Intimidation, Will/A.
* Multiplied for self-control number; see p. B120.
Lens
Cinematic (+100 points): Add 80 points chosen from among
Enhanced Block 1-3 [5/level], Enhanced Dodge 1-3
[15/level], Enhanced Parry 1-3 [5 or 10/level], Enhanced
Time Sense [45], Extra Attack 1 or 2 (Multi-Strike, +20%)
[30 or 60], Forceful Chi 1-4 [15/level], Innate Attack
[Varies], Resistant to Chi Abilities (+3) [10], Trained by a
Master [30], or Weapon Master [20-45]. You must take
either Trained by a Master or Weapon Master! • Add 20
points in your style’s cinematic skills (and prerequisites);
Flying Leap is extremely useful for surprising adversaries
and getting the first strike.
Customization Notes
Styles: Sword styles dominate the profession. These include
Fencing (pp. 156-159), Kenjutsu (pp. 173-175), Longsword
Fighting (pp. 180-182), Shortsword Fighting (p. 195), Swordand-Buckler
Play (p. 199), and Sword-and-Shield Fighting
(pp. 199-200). Historical duelists might instead know Glaive
Fighting (p. 187), Pollaxe Fighting (p. 191), or Quarterstaff
(pp. 192-193). A duelist might supplement any of these styles
with Combat Wrestling (pp. 204-205) and/or Dagger Fighting
(p. 155). An alternative for the well-rounded 15th- through
17th-century European duelist is the very complete Masters of
Defence Weapon Training (p. 182).
Style Lenses: Usually none, because the unmodified
forms of most styles suitable for duelists are meant for dueling.
“Trained by a Fraud” is conceivable for a wannabe
duelist taught by an unscrupulous master, though.
Instructor
34 CHARACTERS
175 points
You’re a martial-arts master with your own dojo, salle,
gym, etc. While you’re an accomplished fighter, your real
expertise lies in inspiring students to train and in figuring
out where they most need to improve. How you do this is up
to you. You might favor newfangled “scientific” methods
(e.g., geometric patterns on the floor or gleaming machines)
or old-fashioned ones. You might patiently tutor your
charges or beat them until they get it right . . .
Attributes: ST 12 [20]; DX 12 [40]; IQ 12 [40]; HT 12 [20].