[Basic] [MA] Using Pressure Points with Judo

[vicky_molokh]

Greetings, all!

I'm trying to figure whether Pressure Points are a good deal, so I'm looking into some of the less obvious aspects of its use.

Originally Posted by B215

You can also use Pressure Points
with Judo. Roll the Quick Contest
described above after successfully
applying a lock. This is in addition to
any other effects of the lock.

The above statement doesn't seem to include any -2 penalty for non-striking uses of Pressure Points; likewise with the statements in MA that I've seen. Am I correct to understand that PP use just grants an extra Quick Contest when combined with locks, without penalising neither the roll to initiate the lock nor the roll of applying the lock's effect after it is already established . . . or is there a line to the contrary, i.e. pointing out a -2 for some aspect of lock rolls?

Suppose I'm keeping an NPC in a choke hold, and want to apply the neck Bad Stuff from the Lasting and Permanent Injuries (MA138) rules each turn, as per MA58. Are Lasting and Permanent Injuries cumulative? I.e. is it possible for the same '-1HT' effect to be applied more and more, resulting in -5 HT as long as all the durations of the 'injury' hold?

If I choke the neck and choose a result of an 'injury', do I get to choose the result on a derivative table (e.g. Neck effect 3 redirects to the list of Skull injuries - do I get to choose the latter, or roll it?).

Is it possible to target the Spine with Judo locks for purposes of Pressure Points? If yes, with what technique(s)?

What about the torso? Also, while we're at it, what's the point afflicting Suffocation for a few seconds (very unlikely to be more than 3 for someone with normal/better HT), if a person can hold one's breath for HT/2 seconds in combat?

Thanks in advance!

[Kromm]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

The above statement doesn't seem to include any -2 penalty for non-striking uses of Pressure Points; likewise with the statements in MA that I've seen. Am I correct to understand that PP use just grants an extra Quick Contest when combined with locks, without penalising neither the roll to initiate the lock nor the roll of applying the lock's effect after it is already established

That is correct. Establishing a lock is already harder than landing a strike – you not only have to make an attack roll and face a defense roll, but must also generally roll for the lock on a later turn, facing the prospect of someone breaking free in the interim.

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Suppose I'm keeping an NPC in a choke hold, and want to apply the neck Bad Stuff from the Lasting and Permanent Injuries (MA138) rules each turn, as per MA58. Are Lasting and Permanent Injuries cumulative?

No. You may pick and apply one effect from the relevant table or list, once. You cannot keep stacking on new effects, be they different or the same

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

If I choke the neck and choose a result of an 'injury', do I get to choose the result on a derivative table (e.g. Neck effect 3 redirects to the list of Skull injuries - do I get to choose the latter, or roll it?).

Since the rule is prefaced with "The GM might want to let martial artists who know this skill attack pressure points that produce some of the effects under Realistic Injury (pp. 136-139)," it's up to the GM whether result 4, 5 (not 3) is even an option . . . but if it is, you would have to roll on the Skull Wounds Table, as "roll" – not "choose" – is the effect of result 4, 5.

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Is it possible to target the Spine with Judo locks for purposes of Pressure Points? If yes, with what technique(s)?

Head Lock, as implied (though not stated) under "Neck" on p. 137 of Martial Arts. A kind GM might let Backbreaker or Wrench Spine initiated after a Judo grapple count. I probably would.

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

What about the torso?

Not an option here. That's mainly for striking.

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Also, while we're at it, what's the point afflicting Suffocation for a few seconds (very unlikely to be more than 3 for someone with normal/better HT), if a person can hold one's breath for HT/2 seconds in combat?

Well, you can't hold your breath if you can't breathe, which is the actual effect. As the rule says, you inflict the effects of Suffocation, not the effects of being unable to breath, passing HT/2 seconds, and eventually experiencing Suffocation. Thus, you skip right to the 1 FP/second part if this works.