Power Blow Usage Question

[Son of a Submariner]

Hello, all. I'm very new to GURPS, and actually new to tabletop RPGs in general. I was introduced to DFRPG, and I've rolled a martial artist. I've searched around for specifics on Power Blow, and found much debate about it, but no answers to my specific questions, so I hope you can help.

Basically, how do you use it in combat? When combat starts, I'd like to use it, and wait a few turns as the penalty decreases. I can't seem to find any info on what I'm allowed to do while waiting. Can I move, dodge, parry? Can I attack, but "save" the Power Blow for when I really want it, i.e. kick a few minions first, then Power Blow has charged a few turns and use it on a bigger foe? Thanks for your help.

[MIB.6361]

Look up Concentrate in Exploits p31.

During those turns you're doing a Concentrate Maneuver.

[Son of a Submariner]

Thank you, Jessie.

Sincerely,
No one you know in real life who may be new to GURPS, tabletop RPGs in general, recently introduced to DFRPG and rolled a martial artist. :)

[MIB.6361]

Always happy to help complete strangers that I meet randomly online that were introduced to DFRPG by someone that isn't me.

[Kromm]

You have two options: (1) use Power Blow with no prep but at -10, which only works for crazy-powerful characters, or (2) take N Concentrate maneuvers, attack on the turn immediately after those (you cannot "hold" the prep), and then roll at a reduced penalty. For instance, if I decide I can deal with -4, I'll take Concentrate for two turns followed immediately by, say, Attack. While taking Concentrate maneuvers, I'm allowed to step (which typically means "move one hex") each turn. I absolutely can make active defenses such as Dodge or Parry rolls, but if I do, each defense requires a Will roll at -3, with failure meaning I lose the benefits of concentration up to that point.

[sir_pudding]

Note that martial artist is tricksy and may be not the best choice for first character ever.

[zuljita]

Martial artist will take a while earning points to come into his own in terms of doing damage no matter which way you go. Consider him more of a utility Jack of all trades with a melee focus. More like a Bard. Not great at any one thing but bringing a variety of occasionally useful traits.

Power blow should be used for it's utility in terms of lifting and breaking and moving objects at first. Later you can use it in combat.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by zuljita

Power blow should be used for it's utility in terms of lifting and breaking and moving objects at first. Later you can use it in combat.

Exactly, at first you're just really going to use Power Blow to kick open doors and chests and shove grates and portcullis open.

It's not useful in combat unless you're really up against something you cannot hurt without it, but can pretty easily defend against.


However once you've dropped 5-10 more sill ups into it (some from Chi Talent undoubtedly) it becomes a real combat finisher.

[Bruno]

The starting martial artist in our game is a crowd control specialist; her high mobility and harassing attacks can peel bad tempered enemies out of formation to go fruitlessly chasing her around.

Of course, right now she's a little fragile if they get past her defenses.