11-09-2017, 11:28 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Question: Off-Hand Striking
So I'm looking over the Basic Set and I'm wondering:
Do punches receive the -4 for using the off-hand? Reading the descriptions for Brawling, Boxing, and Karate seem to imply that using Karate has no penalty. However, the description for Off-Hand Weapon Training only lists Melee Weapon skills as a valid specialization. So which is it? -4 or no? |
11-09-2017, 11:41 PM | #2 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
By default no, there is an optional rule in GURPS Martial Arts, however.
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11-12-2017, 04:05 AM | #3 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
I'm just gonna leave this here:
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11-12-2017, 07:52 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
I agree. Unarmed combat does not suffer from off-hand penalties because there is no fine manipulation with unarmed combat. GURPS also does not give a -4 to Brawling for animals who have No Fine Manipulators, but No Fine Manipulators gives a -4 to fine manipulation.
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11-12-2017, 04:58 PM | #5 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
There is in real life, but Gurps uses a much more granular definition, obviously.
So, for the most part, learning Gurps' Karate teaches all such striking skills and techniques including training off side use.
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11-13-2017, 12:31 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
It's been years since I trained in karate, and the training was only some months - But I can still punch about as proficiently with my left hand as my right. If there is a skill penalty, I can't detect it in casual testing. All of my punches, left or right, seem to go pretty much where I aim them.
The -2 ST penalty, though, seems about right. Using a plastic Halloween sword hanging around, my left hand does seem not as nimble as my right. Overall, it does seem reasonable - Although I'm very far from an expert. |
11-13-2017, 03:53 AM | #7 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
I'm exceptionally left handed, and I don't need to study anything to know that I will be noticeably worse with my right. I would also strike more weakly with righty even though under basic "dumb" lifting, it has the same strength.
I'm sure many people are slightly ambidextrous just only with certain tasks.
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Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
11-13-2017, 06:28 AM | #8 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
But most unarmed martial arts styles teach you to use each side of your body equally. If you go to any reputable dojo, regardless of the style, they will train your off side until it equals your dominant side because they are not training fine manipulation. A punch or kick is much different than a weapon strike.
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11-13-2017, 11:31 PM | #9 | |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
Quote:
You seem to be naturally ambidextrous. That's great, but not the norm.
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Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
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11-14-2017, 03:20 AM | #10 | |
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Brighton
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Re: Question: Off-Hand Striking
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I've done some boxing, and yeah you are taught to punch, block and deflect with both arms, roll both shoulders, step and slide with both feet etc, etc*. The key ethos being IMO coordination between all parts, i.e not just both hands, but your feet, your posture and so on. But while throwing a good punch is a skill (and involves more than just the hand or arm) it's not one of fine manipulation like writing with you off hand. IME this isn't even seen as a separate thing to isolate and train in. But an inherent thing that is always in effect, so that just training to box in general will quickly begin to compensate for deficiency in your off hand (when it comes to boxing). So in GURPS terms while I generally agree with the harsh realism box on MApg124, I definitely agree that the off hand training Perk is pretty common once you've trained for a bit. In reality there is a range of left/right dominance, but there is also a range in difficulty when it comes to a range of actions with your off hand/foot/eye. Both seem to be below the threshold of GURPS to distinguish, but you could make certain skill specific off hand training perks cost more than others* if you wanted, and maybe a 1pt quirk "extreme left/right handedness = OHT perks cost double". Now using two weapons is something I have far less direct experience with, but from what I gather there's a similar ethos to what I described in boxing in stuff like Escrima. If I had to make a distinction I would say Escrima like boxing relies on both hands to attack and defend equally, and it's not that one action is favoured by one hand and the other by the other, but I really don't have enough experience with two weapon martial arts to really make that point with any authority. However it does seem to match the various thing Douglas Cole's been saying about shield fighting recently and how shields are constantly moving between attack and defence, and FWIW what little experience of that I have, seems to match his as well. *for instance I might be tempted to make off hand training for single handed pistol shooting (ie when not using weaver/harris braced stances) cost a little bit more than OHT baton/short sword. Last edited by Tomsdad; 11-14-2017 at 09:00 AM. |
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Tags |
off hand parries, retcon |
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