GURPS Martial Arts - Home

Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d-1/1d+2; BL 29 lbs.;
HP 12 [0]; Will 12 [0]; Per 12 [0]; FP 12 [0]; Basic Speed
6.00 [0]; Basic Move 6 [0].
Advantages: 25 points chosen from among DX or IQ +1
[20], Will +1 to +5 [5/level], Basic Speed +1 [20],
Charisma 1 or 2 [5 or 10], Combat Reflexes [15],
Enhanced Block 1 [5], Enhanced Dodge 1 [15],
Enhanced Parry 1 [5 or 10], Extra Attack [25],
Fearlessness 1-5 [2/level] or Unfazeable [15], Fit [5] or
Very Fit [15], High Pain Threshold [10], Indomitable
[15], Language (Broken) [2], Longevity [2], Reputation
[Varies], Status 1 or 2 [5 or 10], 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] and Style Familiarity
(one other style) [1].
Disadvantages: Duty (School; 12 or less) [-10]. • Either
Bully (12) [-10], for a not-so-nice master, or any two of
Code of Honor (“Fight fair”) [-5], Pacifism (Reluctant
Killer) [-5], Sense of Duty (Students) [-5], or Vow (Never
refuse a request for training) [-5], for a pleasant one. • A
further -20 points chosen from among Bad Temper
[-10*], Disciplines of Faith (Ritualism) [-5], Enemy
(Members of rival school; Rival; 9 or less) [-5], Obsession
(Perfect the ultimate style) [-10*], Odious Personal Habit
Frauds
Instructor (p. 34-35) depicts a talented martial artist who genuinely
teaches a fighting style – whatever his personal flaws. The world is full of
frauds, though. Some have little skill but pretend otherwise because
they’re dishonest or crazy. Others are skilled masters who don’t teach anything
useful out of laziness, concern that student injuries might ruin their
reputation, fear that their teachings might be turned to evil or against
them, and so on.
In a lighthearted game with little mortal combat, it can be fun to play
a phony. In any Martial Arts campaign, the GM might wish to keep players
on their toes by making some instructors charlatans. To create a convincing
fraud, consider the traits listed below. The students of such a pretender
must buy their style with the “Trained by a Fraud” lens (p. 145). For
rules on bogus martial arts in action, see Faking It (p. 130).
Advantages: Charisma, Reputation, Smooth Operator, and Voice can all
help lure students. Alternate Identity is an excellent way to avoid getting
caught! Don’t overlook the Honest Face perk.
Disadvantages: Greed is the motivation of most frauds. Laziness often
accompanies it in the case of those with real skill. Compulsive Lying,
Delusions, and Overconfidence are all common. Even true masters might
harbor Delusions about their skills – or simple Paranoia. Being a fake can
be a risky Secret.
Skills: Acting, Fast-Talk, and Performance are crucial. Complete shams
might add Stage Combat. Those trying to pass off watered-down styles as
valuable in combat have Combat Art/Sport skills. Dishonest masters may
truly possess the skills they purport to teach, even if they don’t share these
with their students. In all cases, Intimidation is a great way to discourage
prying questions.
Techniques: Total cons don’t know any techniques! Those with combat
skills, or at least Art/Sport versions, know their style’s usual techniques.
Dishonest masters may know useless techniques (p. 95). Deluded ones
likely have secret techniques (p. 86) . . . which might still be useless.
(Inscrutable, or speaks in riddles) [-5], Overconfidence
[-5*], Stubbornness [-5], or Workaholic [-5].
Primary Skills: Savoir-Faire (Dojo) (E) IQ+2 [4]-14;
Teaching (A) IQ+2 [8]-14; and 40 points in the skills and
techniques of any style (see Chapter 5).
Secondary Skills: Pick one of Diplomacy (H) IQ [4]-12,
Intimidation (A) Will+1 [4]-13, or Leadership (A) IQ+1
[4]-13. • Also select one of Body Language (A) Per+1
[4]-13 or Psychology (H) IQ [4]-12.
Background Skills: Any three of First Aid (E) IQ+1 [2]-13;
Administration, Hidden Lore (Secret Styles), Public
Speaking, or Writing, all (A) IQ [2]-12; Expert Skill
(Hoplology), Philosophy (any), or Physiology, all (H)
IQ-1 [2]-11; Meditation (H) Will-1 [2]-11; or Esoteric
Medicine (H) Per-1 [2]-11. • Also choose one of Breath
Control (H) HT-1 [2]-11, Lifting (A) HT [2]-12, or
Running (A) HT [2]-12.
* Multiplied for self-control number; see p. B120.
Lens
Cinematic (+125 points): Add 85 points chosen from among
Blunt Claws [3], Damage Resistance 1-2 (Partial, Hands,
-40%; Tough Skin, -40%) [1-2], 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], Heroic Archer [20], Innate
Attack [Varies], Inner Balance 1-4
[15/level], Resistant to Chi Abilities (+3)
[10] or (+8) [15], Striker (Crushing) [5],
Trained by a Master [30], Weapon Master
[20-45], or Wild Talent (Focused, Martial
Arts, -20%) 1-4 [16/level]. You must take
either Trained by a Master or Weapon
Master! • Add 40 points in your style’s cinematic
skills (and prerequisites) – preferably
all of them.
Customization Notes
Styles: Every style has masters,
but teachers of certain styles are more
likely to elicit strong reactions – usually
respect, fear, or disapproval – from their
community. Hoplomachia (pp. 161-162),
Kalaripayit (pp. 168-169), and Pentjak
Silat (pp. 189-191) all have this reputation.
Historically, Masters of Defence
(p. 17) were outspoken and influential,
and often enjoyed noble patronage . . . or
censure. In modern times, the menacing
drill sergeant who teaches Military Handto-Hand
(pp. 182-185) is among the
strongest of instructor archetypes.
Style Lenses: An instructor normally
practices an unmodified style – even if
what he teaches has the “Military,”
“Police,” or “Self-Defense” lens – but he
could have one of these lenses himself.
“Trained by a Fraud” is unlikely, but some
masters are frauds; see Frauds.
CHARACTERS 35