Discussion: Martial Skills

[Mantisking]

A few of the martial arts styles (Ch'in Na and Ninjutsu for example) can select a "Martial Art Skill" as a Level Advancement Bonus. But there is nothing in the book to explain what they are. So, as a point of discussion I'm soliciting your opinions.

My take? All Ancient Weapon Proficiencies, all Temple Skills, all Cultural Skills, and all Physical Skills fall under the "Martial Art Skill" heading.

[Guest]

doesn't that mean like, a martial art power?

or is that just being wishful?


does ninjutsu really need more skills?

[Slag]

Sounds like it might be a holdover from pre-revised N&S. Anyone have a copy of the old book?

[Mantisking]

Originally posted by Dork Vader.
Doesn't that mean like, a martial art power?

Yes, it's really a typo.

Originally posted by Slag.
Sounds like it might be a holdover from pre-revised N&S. Anyone have a copy of the old book?

It's in the Un-Revised edition as well.

Originally posted by pulphero.
Chi'na gets 1 additonal power at 4-8-&-12.

Check level 8 again.

Okay, ignoring the fact that it's really a typo, what skills do you think would fit in the "Martial Art Skill" category?

[Guest]

Actually, several of the martial art power categories refer to them as "Martial art Skills". I used to have the complete list for these somewhere, but I don't remember where it is now.

[Mantisking]

Let's try this again.

Okay, ignoring the fact that it's really a typo, what skills do you think would fit in the "Martial Art Skill" category?

[Borast]

Anything that would be of benefit to the martial artist...this could be flower arranging or meditation for building of patience, to boxing or wrestling to build-up his combat abilities.

[Guest]

Let's try this again.

Okay, ignoring the fact that it's really a typo, what skills do you think would fit in the "Martial Art Skill" category?

*sigh* I should have known better than to ignore my own FAQ.

22. Question: 1) What does it mean in the level advancement charts (ch'in-na at level 8, for example) when it says "choose one martial art skill?" Is it supposed to mean "choose one martial art technique?" or "choose one martial arts power from any category?" or does it mean that one should choose another skill from the same category as those listed for the martial art (i.e. cultural, physical, w.p., etc.)?
2) So, would one choose a power from any of those four categories, or just from whichever of the four is made available at other levels in that same martial arts form?
Answer: 1) "Martial Art Skill" is a poorly defined term meaning certain Martial Art Powers that can be selected by a particular style. The only clearly labeled Martial Art Powers that are Martial Art Skills would be the Atemi Abilities, Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Art Techniques, and Chi Mastery (each of these MAPs has the word skill, and in the case of BHE, the actual use of 'martial art skills' in the description of that type of martial art power.... the description of Martial Art Techniques also uses the term "martial art skills", but doesn't use them to specifically refer to Martial Art Techniques).
2) You just choose whichever martial art powers are available to that sytle.

[Sentinel]

Personally, I'd like to see a way the dedicated martial artist OCC could take boxing or wrestling.
I prefer the Education bonus/skill program system of N&SS to the OCC style of MC, but the DMA really gets the shaft here. Even if you apply the stereotype of a hermit/monk/whatever, Shaolin temple monks wopuld have more than 2 secondary skills at level one, outside of whatever skills your martial art may provide (if any).

[Sentinel]

Cool. Not stressin' over it, m'man.
I don't see how the DMA would be overbalanced with a few scholastic skills, compared to some of the OCCs available, but I suppose that could have been a >bogus< consideration.