Lightsaber combat forms

Seraphim · 11-16-2007, 08:13 PM

Has anyone tried to model Star Wars lightsaber combat forms into GURPS combat styles?

I've written up a rough draft of most of them, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm having a hard time making some of the forms unique from one another, especially since a lot of them are using the exact same main skills. I'm thinking I might have to model my take on the Force before I'll be able to have a working set of lightsaber styles.

Anyhow, I'd like to see some other people's takes on it. If there's interest, I'll share what I have.

Here's the link I'm using as my main source of information on the forms.

Wookiepedia: Lightsaber combat

Maz · 11-16-2007, 09:48 PM

Do you have GURPS: Martial Arts?
It can give you a lot of help.

What I would do is turn each Combat form into a Combat Style.
They would all include a Force sword skill but some would probably include Force sabre (a fencing variant) as their main skill instead of the normal Force sword skill.

Then you customise with Additional skills and most importantly Techniques and Perks.

Also it seems to me (did a quick looking through the link) that each Combat Form is not just about the swordsmanship but also about the force. So each style might unlock different cinematic abilities or advantages (just like some Martial Arts styles do).

All in all, if you got Martial Arts I don't think you'll find it that difficult. All you need to do is decide what's special about each Combat form and fir that you just have to read each of them carefully.... and even then. Does your players know those styles well? It might be more fun to give each Combat form a speciality so they are more unique, instead of staying 100% accurate to the information on that site.

PK · 11-16-2007, 10:02 PM

Step One: Buy GURPS Martial Arts.

Step Two: Read the Force Swordsmanship style.

Step Three: Eat a nice hearty meal.

Done.

Dangerious P. Cats · 11-16-2007, 10:14 PM

It would be better to make different Light Sabre styles to add flavour and variety. I've been thinking of making a couple of different Katana styles for the next Samurai themed game I do. There's just something nice about the style people have being that slight bit different.

Seraphim · 11-16-2007, 10:29 PM

Yeah, I have Martial Arts and I've used Force Swordsmanship a lot in working on the lightsaber forms. I want to have more than just the one style, though.

I will probably have to write up some stuff on the Force first, since the styles do incorporate various Force abilities. Hoo boy, that's going to be a lot of fun.

Pmandrekar · 11-16-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Yeah, I have Martial Arts and I've used Force Swordsmanship a lot in working on the lightsaber forms. I want to have more than just the one style, though.

I will probably have to write up some stuff on the Force first, since the styles do incorporate various Force abilities. Hoo boy, that's going to be a lot of fun.

You're right, you are going to want to have different styles that are differentiated by emphases on this or that technique, and different force abilities.

That's probably the way to go.

Good luck.

-P.

LoneWolf23k · 11-16-2007, 10:41 PM

Take Forceswordsmanship, then modify it accordingly for each different style by selecting different techniques for each style.

Pragmatic · 11-17-2007, 11:07 AM

The trouble with the Lightsaber Forms as presented in WOTC rulebooks is that they list one benefit. You'll have to match the feats up to try to stat up a style, and even then, it's going to be mostly just trying to match the online analyses of the screen caps (something I seem to remember seeing once...) to different techniques.

Does the WEG version of Star Wars have Lightsaber Forms? Or was that something statted up after they lost the license?

Seraphim · 11-17-2007, 11:57 AM

I'm not using WotC or WEG, just whatever information I can find online about the different styles, then using the styles presented in Martial Arts as a basis and going from there.

Seraphim · 11-17-2007, 03:02 PM

I'm not done yet, but here's what I have so far. Please feel free to share your thoughts on what I have or what I should change and so on.

Form I: Shii-Cho
2 points
Flavor text.

Skills: Force Sword.
Techniques: Disarming (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Weapon).
Cinematic Skills:
Cinematic Techniques:
Perks:
Optional Traits
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Skills:
Techniques:

Form II: Makashi
3 points
Flavor text.

Skills: Rapier; Rapier Art.
Techniques: Close Combat (Rapier); Counterattack (Rapier); Disarming (Rapier); Feint (Rapier); Retain Weapon (Rapier).
Cinematic Skills:
Cinematic Techniques: Initial Carving (Force Sword).
Perks: Weapon Adaption (Force Sword to Rapier).
Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Improved Basic Speed.
Advantages: Enhanced Parry (Rapier); Perfect Balance; Status; Wealth.
Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Gentleman’s); Overconfidence.
Skills: Acrobatics; Force Sword; Jumping; Savoir-Faire.

Form III: Soresu
4 points
Flavor text.

Skills: Force Sword; Force Sword Art; Parry Missile Weapons.
Techniques: Close Combat (Force Sword); Counterattack (Force Sword); Ground Fighting (Force Sword); Low Fighting (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Hand); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Weapon);
Cinematic Skills: Precognitive Parry;
Cinematic Techniques: Timed Defense (Force Sword);
Perks: Grip Mastery (Force Sword);
Optional Traits
Advantages: Enhanced Parry (Force Sword); Fit;
Disadvantages:
Skills:
Techniques:
Perks:

Form IV: Ataru
4 points
Flavor text.

Skills: Acrobatics; Force Sword; Force Sword Art.
Techniques: Acrobatic Stand; Back Strike (Force Sword); Evade; Feint (Force Sword); Spinning Strike (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Arm); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Leg); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Neck).
Cinematic Skills: Blind Fighting.
Cinematic Techniques: Springing Attack (Force Sword); Whirlwind Attack (Force Sword).
Perks: Acrobatic Feints; Grip Mastery (Force Sword); Off-Hand Weapon Training (Force Sword); Quick-Swap.
Optional Traits
Advantages: Enhanced Dodge;
Disadvantages:
Skills:
Techniques:

Form V: Shien/Djem So
3 points
Flavor text.

Skills: Force Sword; Parry Missile Weapons.
Techniques: Back Strike (Force Sword); Counterattack (Force Sword); Feint (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Hand); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Arm); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Leg); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Neck);
Cinematic Skills: Blind Fighting; Immovable Stance; Mental Strength; Power Blow.
Cinematic Techniques:
Perks: Special Setup (Power Blow works with Force Sword); Grip Mastery (Force Sword).
Optional Traits
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Skills:
Techniques:

Form VI: Niman
3 points
Flavor text.

Skills: Force Sword; Parry Missile Weapons.
Techniques: Close Combat (Force Sword); Ground Fighting (Force Sword); Low Fighting (Force Sword).
Cinematic Skills: Precognitive Parry.
Cinematic Techniques:
Perks: Grip Mastery (Force Sword).
Optional Traits
Advantages: Fearlessness.
Disadvantages:
Skills:
Techniques:

Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad
? points
Flavor text.

Skills: Force Sword
Techniques: Counterattack (Force Sword); Feint (Force Sword);
Cinematic Skills:
Cinematic Techniques:
Perks:
Optional Traits
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Skills:
Techniques:

11-16-2007, 08:13 PM	#1
Seraphim Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ringgold, GA	Lightsaber combat forms Has anyone tried to model Star Wars lightsaber combat forms into GURPS combat styles? I've written up a rough draft of most of them, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm having a hard time making some of the forms unique from one another, especially since a lot of them are using the exact same main skills. I'm thinking I might have to model my take on the Force before I'll be able to have a working set of lightsaber styles. Anyhow, I'd like to see some other people's takes on it. If there's interest, I'll share what I have. Here's the link I'm using as my main source of information on the forms. Wookiepedia: Lightsaber combat Last edited by Seraphim; 11-16-2007 at 08:17 PM.

11-16-2007, 09:48 PM	#2
Maz Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denmark	Re: Lightsaber combat forms Do you have GURPS: Martial Arts? It can give you a lot of help. What I would do is turn each Combat form into a Combat Style. They would all include a Force sword skill but some would probably include Force sabre (a fencing variant) as their main skill instead of the normal Force sword skill. Then you customise with Additional skills and most importantly Techniques and Perks. Also it seems to me (did a quick looking through the link) that each Combat Form is not just about the swordsmanship but also about the force. So each style might unlock different cinematic abilities or advantages (just like some Martial Arts styles do). All in all, if you got Martial Arts I don't think you'll find it that difficult. All you need to do is decide what's special about each Combat form and fir that you just have to read each of them carefully.... and even then. Does your players know those styles well? It might be more fun to give each Combat form a speciality so they are more unique, instead of staying 100% accurate to the information on that site.

11-16-2007, 10:02 PM	#3
PK Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dobbstown Sane Asylum	Re: Lightsaber combat forms Step One: Buy GURPS Martial Arts. Step Two: Read the Force Swordsmanship style. Step Three: Eat a nice hearty meal. Done. __________________ Reverend Pee Kitty of the Order Malkavian-Dobbsian (Twitter) (LJ) MyGURPS: My house rules and *GURPS* resources. #SJGamesLive: I answered questions about *GURPS After the End* and more! {Watch Video} - {Read Transcript}

11-16-2007, 10:14 PM	#4
Dangerious P. Cats Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Lightsaber combat forms It would be better to make different Light Sabre styles to add flavour and variety. I've been thinking of making a couple of different Katana styles for the next Samurai themed game I do. There's just something nice about the style people have being that slight bit different. __________________ There is no "i" in team, but there is in Dangerious!

11-16-2007, 10:29 PM	#5
Seraphim Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ringgold, GA	Re: Lightsaber combat forms Yeah, I have Martial Arts and I've used Force Swordsmanship a lot in working on the lightsaber forms. I want to have more than just the one style, though. I will probably have to write up some stuff on the Force first, since the styles do incorporate various Force abilities. Hoo boy, that's going to be a lot of fun.

11-16-2007, 10:41 PM	#7
LoneWolf23k Join Date: Sep 2004	Re: Lightsaber combat forms Take Forceswordsmanship, then modify it accordingly for each different style by selecting different techniques for each style.

11-17-2007, 11:07 AM	#8
Pragmatic Ceci n'est pas une tag. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver, WA (Portland Metro)	Re: Lightsaber combat forms The trouble with the Lightsaber Forms as presented in WOTC rulebooks is that they list one benefit. You'll have to match the feats up to try to stat up a style, and even then, it's going to be mostly just trying to match the online analyses of the screen caps (something I seem to remember seeing once...) to different techniques. Does the WEG version of Star Wars have Lightsaber Forms? Or was that something statted up after they lost the license?

11-17-2007, 11:57 AM	#9
Seraphim Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ringgold, GA	Re: Lightsaber combat forms I'm not using WotC or WEG, just whatever information I can find online about the different styles, then using the styles presented in Martial Arts as a basis and going from there.

11-17-2007, 03:02 PM	#10
Seraphim Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ringgold, GA	Re: Lightsaber combat forms I'm not done yet, but here's what I have so far. Please feel free to share your thoughts on what I have or what I should change and so on. Form I: Shii-Cho 2 points Flavor text. Skills: Force Sword. Techniques: Disarming (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Weapon). Cinematic Skills: Cinematic Techniques: Perks: Optional Traits Advantages: Disadvantages: Skills: Techniques: Form II: Makashi 3 points Flavor text. Skills: Rapier; Rapier Art. Techniques: Close Combat (Rapier); Counterattack (Rapier); Disarming (Rapier); Feint (Rapier); Retain Weapon (Rapier). Cinematic Skills: Cinematic Techniques: Initial Carving (Force Sword). Perks: Weapon Adaption (Force Sword to Rapier). Optional Traits Secondary Characteristics: Improved Basic Speed. Advantages: Enhanced Parry (Rapier); Perfect Balance; Status; Wealth. Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Gentleman’s); Overconfidence. Skills: Acrobatics; Force Sword; Jumping; Savoir-Faire. Form III: Soresu 4 points Flavor text. Skills: Force Sword; Force Sword Art; Parry Missile Weapons. Techniques: Close Combat (Force Sword); Counterattack (Force Sword); Ground Fighting (Force Sword); Low Fighting (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Hand); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Weapon); Cinematic Skills: Precognitive Parry; Cinematic Techniques: Timed Defense (Force Sword); Perks: Grip Mastery (Force Sword); Optional Traits Advantages: Enhanced Parry (Force Sword); Fit; Disadvantages: Skills: Techniques: Perks: Form IV: Ataru 4 points Flavor text. Skills: Acrobatics; Force Sword; Force Sword Art. Techniques: Acrobatic Stand; Back Strike (Force Sword); Evade; Feint (Force Sword); Spinning Strike (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Arm); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Leg); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Neck). Cinematic Skills: Blind Fighting. Cinematic Techniques: Springing Attack (Force Sword); Whirlwind Attack (Force Sword). Perks: Acrobatic Feints; Grip Mastery (Force Sword); Off-Hand Weapon Training (Force Sword); Quick-Swap. Optional Traits Advantages: Enhanced Dodge; Disadvantages: Skills: Techniques: Form V: Shien/Djem So 3 points Flavor text. Skills: Force Sword; Parry Missile Weapons. Techniques: Back Strike (Force Sword); Counterattack (Force Sword); Feint (Force Sword); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Hand); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Arm); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Leg); Targeted Attack (Force Sword Swing/Neck); Cinematic Skills: Blind Fighting; Immovable Stance; Mental Strength; Power Blow. Cinematic Techniques: Perks: Special Setup (Power Blow works with Force Sword); Grip Mastery (Force Sword). Optional Traits Advantages: Disadvantages: Skills: Techniques: Form VI: Niman 3 points Flavor text. Skills: Force Sword; Parry Missile Weapons. Techniques: Close Combat (Force Sword); Ground Fighting (Force Sword); Low Fighting (Force Sword). Cinematic Skills: Precognitive Parry. Cinematic Techniques: Perks: Grip Mastery (Force Sword). Optional Traits Advantages: Fearlessness. Disadvantages: Skills: Techniques: Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad ? points Flavor text. Skills: Force Sword Techniques: Counterattack (Force Sword); Feint (Force Sword); Cinematic Skills: Cinematic Techniques: Perks: Optional Traits Advantages: Disadvantages: Skills: Techniques: