Re: Why doesn't Brawling have a Default?
Anybody can punch or bite at DX for thrust-1 crushing, kick at DX-2 for thrust crushing, or wield brass knuckles, a blackjack, or a stun gun at full DX; see p. B271. Likewise, anyone can parry barehanded at (DX/2)+3; see pp. B376-377. These things don't require any special skill.
Brawling is specifically the ability to do that well, allowing you to replace "DX" with "Brawling" in those formulas, if higher, and possibly gain a small damage bonus if you know it at DX+2 or better. It also encompasses a few dirty-fighting tricks that require actual training; many techniques that default to Brawling at some penalty don't default to DX.
In effect, everyone has default Brawling equal to DX, but it isn't written that way in an effort to differentiate training that gives access to techniques from untrained unarmed ability that doesn't allow those moves.
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