Martial Arts by the Numbers

[Mantisking]

Tai Hsing Pek Kwar Ch'uan
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 12/6 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
Chi +10
M.A. +5
P.S. +1
P.E. +1
S.D.C. +10
(Total Bonus +10 Chi/+7 Phys.&Ment. stats./+10 S.D.C.)
ApM: 2@1 (7 total)
MAP: 4@1 (including 1 Monkey Kata)(7 total, Arts of Invisibility, Body Hardening Exercises (including Demon Hunter @15th), Monkey Kata, access to Chi Mastery & Special Kata @ 4th)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +8
Parry +6
Dodge +6
Strike +0
Damage +4
Breakfall +2
Leap/Backflip/Somersault/Cartwheel +7
(Total Bonus: 54)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 10th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 7th.
Deathblow: 20 @ 11th.
Double Chi @ 12th.
Combat Moves: 34
Skills: 7

With a Combat Bonus of +54 and 34 Combat Moves, this is one of the styles that should be exclusive. Has the highest single non-Chi/Spd./S.D.C. stat. bonus of any style.

[Mantisking]

Tang Su
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 8/5 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
P.S. +2
S.D.C. +15
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+2 Phys.&Ment. stats./+15 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (7 total)
MAP: 3@1 (7 total, Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +5
Parry +3
Dodge +3
Strike +4
Damage +6
Maintain Balance +3
(Total Bonus: 24)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 4th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 7th.
Deathblow: 19+ @ 8th.
Combat Moves: 24
Skills: 6

A solid combat style.

[St. Evil]

I really like this, thanks for doing it.

[Mantisking]

I really like this, thanks for doing it.

Thanks. I hope everyone is finding the information useful.

[Mantisking]

Te
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 8/5 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
P.S. +1
P.P. +1
P.E. +1
Spd. +2
S.D.C. +10
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+5 Phys.&Ment. stats./+10 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (8 total)
MAP: 5@1 (including 2 weapon kata)(8 total, Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, Special Kata)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +6
Parry +5
Dodge +5
Strike +4
Damage +6
(Total Bonus: 26)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 6th, 18+ @ 15th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 20 @ 5th.
Deathblow: 20 @ 11th.
Combat Moves: 18
Skills: 8

A solid combat style, excellent with weapons. This should more accurately be called Okinawan Kobojutsu as Te is actually something very different.

[Mantisking]

Tien Hsieh
Ent. Req.: I.Q. 11, M.E. 8, Diabolic alignment.
Skill Cost: 20 years (Exclusive).
Stat. Bonuses:
Chi x2
M.E. +4
M.A. +2
(Total Bonus x2 Chi/+6 Phys.&Ment. stats./+0 S.D.C.)
ApM: 1@1 (2 total)
MAP: 4@1 (6 total, Arts of Invisibility, Atemi Abilities (including Advanced @ 12th), Chi Mastery (including Advanced @3rd))
Zenjorike: 1@1 (4 total)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +3
Parry +4
Dodge +6
Strike +4
Damage +1
(Total Bonus: 18)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 9th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st.
Critical Strike or K.O./Stun from Behind does Triple Damage @ 6th (damage increase).
Double Chi @ 4th, 8th, 15th.
Combat Moves: 8
Skills: 3

One of four styles to have access to Dim Mak, the only one to get it at 1st level. For a style who's name translates as "Heavenly Knowledge" it's pretty nasty. The MC version is a bit of a mess and needs to be cleaned up.

[Mantisking]

Tong Long Ch'uan
Ent. Req.: P.P. 11.
Skill Cost: None Listed.
Stat. Bonuses:
M.E. +2
P.P. +1
Spd. +3
S.D.C. +5
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+6 Phys.&Ment. stats./+5 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (6 total)
MAP: 3@1 (7 total, Atemi Abilities (including Advanced))
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +2
Parry +2
Dodge +2
Strike +2
Damage +4
Initiative +1
Pull Punch +3
(Total Bonus: 14)
Critical Strike: 19+ @ 1st, 17+ @ 6th.
Death Blow: 20 @ 1st, 19+ @ 11th.
Combat Moves: 16
Skills: 1

I'm a mantis kung fu stylist, and the bonuses on this make me cry. C'mon, Pull Punch, really?!? The Combat Moves are great, though "Hook at Eyes" under Modifiers to Attacks really needs to be a Special Attack. Also, the only style besides Shih Ba Ban Wu Yi -- and maybe Hsen Hsia -- to only have access to one type of MAP.

[Mantisking]

Triad Assassin
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: None Listed.
Stat. Bonuses:
P.P. +1
Spd. +2
S.D.C. +5
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+3 Phys.&Ment. stats./+5 S.D.C.)
ApM: 2@1 (4@3)(8 total)
MAP: 0
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +4
Parry +4
Dodge +4
Aimed Shot +8
Burst Shot +6
Pistol Whip +4
(Total Bonus: 30)
Combat Moves: 5
Skills: 0

OVER-RATED. Zanji-Shinjinken Ryu, or Li Chia with a W.P. Pistol Weapon Kata are more dangerous.

[Mantisking]

Tsui Ch'uan
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 16/8 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
M.A. +3
P.E. +1
S.D.C. +10
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+4 Phys.&Ment. stats./+10 S.D.C.)
ApM: 2@1 (5 total)
MAP: 3@1 (5 total, Arts of Invisibility, Body Hardening Exercises)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +8
Parry +4
Dodge +4
Strike +2
Damage +2
Rear Attacks +3
Somersault/Stagger/Roll/Backflip +8
(Total Bonus: 55)
Critical Strike: 19+ @ 1st, 19+ @ 6th, 18+ @ 15th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 3rd.
Critical Strike or K.O./Stun from Behind does Triple Damage @ 6th (damage increase).
Deathblow: 20 @ 12th.
Combat Moves: 38
Skills: 9

This is the other style that should really be exclusive.

[Desert Rat]

Triad Assassin

OVER-RATED. Zanji-Shinjinken Ryu, Li Chia, or Muay Thai with a W.P. Pistol Weapon Kata are more dangerous.

NOTE: The following is only an opinion based upon my gaming style. I fully acknowledge that others play differently.

Agreed so long as the house rules allow for it. While there is nothing in the books which state Modern Weapon Proficiencies are not allowed as a Kata Form, I am of the opinion that it is implied. Thus the creation of the Triad Assassin. If one was to play within an environment in which that was the only martial arts form which allowed for a Modern Weapon Proficiency Kata, it becomes something special. I looked at doing a Triad Assassin, then spend a few secondary skills to pick up a Basic HTH and then a Physical Skill Program with Boxing, Wrestling, Tai Chi and Kickboxing.

BTW, I really like what you have done here.

[Mantisking]

Triad Assassin
OVER-RATED. Zanji-Shinjinken Ryu, Li Chia, or Muay Thai with a W.P. Pistol Weapon Kata are more dangerous.

NOTE: The following is only an opinion based upon my gaming style. I fully acknowledge that others play differently.

Agreed so long as the house rules allow for it. While there is nothing in the books which state Modern Weapon Proficiencies are not allowed as a Kata Form, I am of the opinion that it is implied. Thus the creation of the Triad Assassin. If one was to play within an environment in which that was the only martial arts form which allowed for a Modern Weapon Proficiency Kata, it becomes something special. I looked at doing a Triad Assassin, then spend a few secondary skills to pick up a Basic HTH and then a Physical Skill Program with Boxing, Wrestling, Tai Chi and Kickboxing.

I've got no problem with niche protection, that's the whole point of character classes after all. What I'm really disappointed with is the game mechanics of the style. There are simpler, and in my opinion, better ways of making a style such as this.

BTW, I really like what you have done here.

Thanks. I'm into the final section, so I should be done soon.

[Mantisking]

Wrestling
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 8/6 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
P.S. +2
P.P. +1
P.E. +2
S.D.C. +15
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+5 Phys.&Ment. stats./+15 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (6 total)
MAP: 2@1 (includes Kansetsu Waza)(4 total, Body Hardening Exercises, access to Martial Arts Techniques @ 15th)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +7
Parry +1
Dodge +4
Strike +1
Damage +2
Holds/Locks +4
Maintain Balance +7
Bodyflip/Throw +4
(Total Bonus: 34)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st.
Critical Bodyflip/Throw: 18+ @ 5th.
Bodyflip/Throw 2d6 Damage @ 5th (damage increase).
Combat Moves: 25
Skills: 0

Another solid combat style.

[Mantisking]

Wui Wing Chun
Ent. Req.: Character must be Female.
Skill Cost: 15 years (Exclusive).
Stat. Bonuses:
Chi +10
M.A. +3
P.S. +2
P.P. +1
(Total Bonus +10 Chi/+6 Phys.&Ment. stats./+0 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (7 total)
MAP: 5@1 (including 2 weapon kata)(8 total, Arts of Invisibility, Martial Arts Techniques, Special Kata, Chi Mastery access added @ 3rd & dropped at 7th)
Zenjorike: 1@13.
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +5
Parry +5
Dodge +5
Strike +4
Damage +2
Maintain Balance +4
(Total Bonus: 25)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 4th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 5th.
Deathblow: 20 @ 14th.
Double Chi @ 9th, 15th.
Add 4 levels to W.P. Naginata at @ 4th (skill increase). huh???? This has got to be some sort of typo.
Combat Moves: 29
Skills: 7

Remarkably similar to Isshin Ryu in terms of numbers. Scattershot abilities though. I do like the idea that's it's only open to women, although they could call it an offshoot of regular Wing Chun in the fluff.

[Mantisking]

Wu Shu T'sung
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 12 years (Exclusive).
Stat. Bonuses:
M.A. +2
P.P. +1
P.E. +2
Spd. +4
S.D.C. +10
(Total Bonus +0 Chi/+9 Phys.&Ment. stats./+10 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (6 total)
MAP: 6@1 (includes 1 special kata and 3 weapon kata)(9 total, Arts of Invisibility, Body Hardening Exercises, Special Kata)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +7
Parry +5
Dodge +5
Strike +3
Damage +2
Leap +5 (+18 feet to Leap Distance)
Handstand/Cartwheel +5
Backflip/Somersault +4
(Total Bonus: 45)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 2nd.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 11th.
Deathblow: 20 @ 6th.
Combat Moves: 37
Skills: 6

Finally! An Exclusive style that really deserves to be, in terms of raw numbers.

[Johnathan]

C'mon Zanji Shinjiken-Ryu... Daddy wants a new pair of steel DEATH for Christmas!!

Oh yeah... By the way. Huge fan. Love your work.

[Mantisking]

C'mon Zanji Shinjiken-Ryu... Daddy wants a new pair of steel DEATH for Christmas!!

Why would you want that?

Oh yeah... By the way. Huge fan. Love your work.

Thanks!

[Mantisking]

Ying Chao Ch'uan
Ent. Req.: None.
Skill Cost: 10/4 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
Chi +10
P.S. +3
P.P. +1
(Total Bonus +10 Chi/+4 Phys.&Ment. stats./+0 S.D.C.)
ApM: 3@1 (7 total)
MAP: 3@1 (5 total, Martial Arts Techniques, Special Kata, access to Chi Mastery @ 5th)
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +4
Parry +5
Dodge +0
Strike +4
Damage +0
Leap +4 (+18 feet to Leap Distance)
Backflip/Somersault +5
Handstand/Cartwheel +6
(Total Bonus: 55)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 3rd.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 12th.
Deathblow: 20 @ 7th.
Double Chi @ 8th, 15th.
Combat Moves: 24
Skills: 3

No Dodge bonus, which is very weird for an acrobatic style. No Damage bonus either. This style really should be named Fanzi Ying Zhao Quan (Fantzu Ying Chao Ch'uan) as it's a combination of the Tumbling Boxing and Eagle Claw Boxing styles. Pure Eagle Claw is more about joint locks than jumping around.

[Mantisking]

Yu Sool
Ent. Req.: Restricted to "Service" types -- which means Military -- with a Good alignment or Bushido discipline.
Skill Cost: 12/8 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
Chi +10
P.P. +1
P.E. +2
S.D.C. +10
(Total Bonus +10 Chi/+3 Phys.&Ment. stats./+10 S.D.C.)
ApM: 2@1 (3 total)
MAP: 4@1 (7 total, Body Hardening Exercises, Chi Mastery, Special Kata (no weapon kata))
Zenjorike: 1@15.
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +4
Parry +5
Dodge +5
Strike +3
Damage +2
Backflip +1
Bodyflip/Throw +2
(Total Bonus: 55)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 5th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 7th.
Bodyflip/Throw 2d6 Damage @ 3rd (damage increase).
Double Chi @ 7th, 14th.
Combat Moves: 21
Skills: 2

Well rounded. The only style other than Mien Ch'uan to have access to Body Hardening Exercises and Chi Mastery at 1st level. Predecessor to Hapkido.

[Mantisking]

Zanji Shinjinken Ryu
Ent. Req.: Honorable alignment, I.Q.9, P.P.10, and Spd.8.
Skill Cost: 10/6 years (Primary/Secondary).
Stat. Bonuses:
Chi +10
M.E. +2
P.P. +2
P.E. +1
(Total Bonus +10 Chi/+5 Phys.&Ment. stats./+0 S.D.C.)
ApM: 4@1 (10 total)
MAP: 10@1 (includes 7 weapon kata)(13 total, Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques (dropped @ 3rd), Access to Special Kata and Chi Mastery @ 3rd)
Zenjorike: 1@15
Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact +3
Parry +4
Dodge +3
Strike +7
Damage +0
Maintain Balance +3
(Total Bonus: 24)
Critical Strike: from Behind @ 1st, 18+ @ 5th.
Knockout/Stun: from Behind @ 1st, 19+ @ 14th.
Deathblow: 18+ @ 11th.
Double Chi @ 9th.
Combat Moves: 20
Skills: 7

Second in ApM. No Damage bonus, though it does specialize in weapons. There is some argument as to whether you start with W.P. Katana & W.P. Wakizashi, or W.P. Daisho with a skill increase at first level, or you get them when you reach fourth and third levels respectively. Obviously I'm going with the first option.

[Mantisking]

Average number of Combat Moves
Original "Name" Styles: 23
New to Mystic China: 13
Rifter #3: 24
Overall Total: 20

Average number of Skills
Original "Name" Styles: 5
New to Mystic China: 5
Rifter #3: 1
Overall Total: 5

Average number of Combat Bonuses
Original "Name" Styles: 29
New to Mystic China: 16
Rifter #3: 28
Overall Total: 26

[Mantisking]

Zanji Shinjinken Ryu
...
MAP: 10@1 (includes 7 weapon kata)(10 total, Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques (dropped @ 3rd), Access to Special Kata and Chi Mastery @ 3rd)

Starting with 10 MAP, shouldn't it be more than 10 total?

If it didn't gain any after first level, yes. It's fixed.

[Mantisking]

Highest number of Combat Moves
Original "Name" Styles: Drunken style (38), Wu Shu (37), and Monkey (34)
New to Mystic China: Chao Ta (25), Gui Long (25), and Black Tiger (23)
Rifter #3: Wrestling (25), Kalaripayit (24), and Judo (24)

Highest number of Skills
Original "Name" Styles: Ninjutsu (15), Cha Ch'uan (12), and Isshin Ryu (12)
New to Mystic China: 18 Weapons (27), Hsien Hsia (7), and Chao Ta/Liang Hsiung/Balck Tiger (6)
Rifter #3: Hung Gar (3), and Kalaripayit (1)

Highest number of Combat Bonuses
Original "Name" Styles: Drunken Style (55), Monkey (54), and Wu Shu (45)
New to Mystic China: Triad (30), Liang Hsiung (28), and Han Yu (21)
Rifter #3: Wrestling (34), Judo (32), and Kalaripayit (26)

[Mantisking]

Best Chi Bonus: x2 (Aikido / Tien Hsieh / Snake)
Best Single Stat. Bonus: +5 to M.A. (Monkey)
Best Total Stat. Bonus: +10 (Ninjutsu / Pao Pat Mei)
Best S.D.C. Bonus: +30 (Sumo)
Best ApM @ 1st: 5 (Muay Thai)
Best ApM Total: 11 (Muay Thai / TKD)
Best MAP @ 1st: 33 (Moo Gi Gong)
Best MAP Total: 36 (Moo Gi Gong)
Best Zenjorike @ 1st: 2 (Hsien Hsia / Snake Style)
Best Zenjorike Total: 5 (Hsien Hsia)
Best Roll w/Punch/Fall/Impact Bonus: +9 (Jujutsu / Judo / Lee Kwan Choo)
Best Parry Bonus: +8 (Lee Kwan Choo / Sankukai)
Best Dodge Bonus: +8 (Lee Kwan Choo / Sankukai)
Best Strike Bonus: +8 (Muay Thai)
Best Damage Bonus: +12 (Ch'in Na)
Best Breakfall Bonus: +7 (Aikido)
Best Bodyflip/Throw Bonus: +8 (Aikido)
Best Disarm Bonus: +7 (Chi Hsuan Men)
Best Maintain Balance Bonus: +8 (Sumo)
Best Leap Bonus: +11 (Lee Kwan Choo)
Best Addition to Leap Distance: +34 Feet (Cha Ch'uan)
Best Jump Bonus: +9 (Cha Ch'uan)
Best Initiative Bonus: +3 (18 Weapons)
Best Somersault Bonus: +8 (Drunken)
Best Backflip Bonus: +8 (Drunken)
Best Cartwheel Bonus: +7 (Monkey)
Best Handstand Bonus: +6 (Eagle Claw)
Best Rear Attack Bonus: +3 (Bagua / Hwarang Do / Kuo Ch'uan / Pao Pat Mei / Drunken)

[Regularguy]

Best Zenjorike @ 1st: 2 (Hsien Hsia)

Shouldn't this be a tie with Snake Style?

[Mantisking]

Best Zenjorike @ 1st: 2 (Hsien Hsia)

Shouldn't this be a tie with Snake Style?

Good catch. I've edited the original post to show this.

[The Oh So Amazing Nate]

Best MAP @ 1st: 33 (Moo Gi Gong)

1st. off, let me apologize to the Mods for Necroposting

@2nd. How in the world do you get 33/36 Martial Arts Powers at Level 1?

In Ninja's & Super Spies revised pg 98, 2nd column at the bottom of the page it says, "Martial Art Powers: Select One (1) Power from among Body Hardening Exercises or Martial Art Techniques. If desired, a Power can be traded one-for-one for any Basic Skill Programs (excluding physical)."

That's 1, not 33. Please explain to me (like the complete NSS noob that I am) how you came up with 33.

Thanks, TOSA Nate

[Regularguy]

How in the world do you get 33/36 Martial Arts Powers at Level 1?

In Ninja's & Super Spies revised pg 98, 2nd column at the bottom of the page it says, "Martial Art Powers: Select One (1) Power from among Body Hardening Exercises or Martial Art Techniques. If desired, a Power can be traded one-for-one for any Basic Skill Programs (excluding physical)."

That's 1, not 33. Please explain to me (like the complete NSS noob that I am) how you came up with 33.

Weapon katas: a moo gi gong stylist starts play with WP Knife, and with WP Knives (Paired); and with WP Nunchaku, and WP Nunchaku (Paired), and so on, and so on.

[The Oh So Amazing Nate]

So you are counting the weapon katas as martial arts powers?

[Regularguy]

So you are counting the weapon katas as martial arts powers?

For the record, I’m not Mantisking — heck, if he were still posting here, I’d have a question for him about why he thinks Drunken Style should be exclusive — but (a) that’d presumably explain how he arrived at that number, and (b) as far as I can tell, nothing else in the writeup could plausibly add up to that; and (c) Special Katas in general, including Weapon Katas in particular, do seem to be listed that way in the book.

[The Oh So Amazing Nate]

So you are counting the weapon katas as martial arts powers?

For the record, I’m not Mantisking — heck, if he were still posting here, I’d have a question for him about why he thinks Drunken Style should be exclusive — but (a) that’d presumably explain how he arrived at that number, and (b) as far as I can tell, nothing else in the writeup could plausibly add up to that; and (c) Special Katas in general, including Weapon Katas in particular, do seem to be listed that way in the book.

Noted, not Mantisking.
No idea about drunken style.
If you exclude the idea of weapon katas, which form then actually has the most martial arts powers to start out with?

[Regularguy]

No idea about drunken style.
If you exclude the idea of weapon katas, which form then actually has the most martial arts powers to start out with?

Looks like Tien Hsueh, but I’d say there’s an argument to be made for a tie with Tai Chi’s writeup in MYSTIC CHINA — well, unless a stylist is using one of their powers on a Weapon Kata.