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11-09-2014, 01:36 AM | #1 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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[MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
Greetings, all!
I'm looking at the Finger Lock technique, and I'm trying to figure why anyone living in our world (without ogres etc.) would want to learn it: it is a Hard technique that defaults to Arm Lock -3, and cripples the hand at >(HP/3) instead of >(HP/2). It requires an enemy with HP18+, to require 6 instead of 9 damage for a crippling, i.e. an economy of 3 damage done . . . but at this point you still deal 3 less damage due to the -3 default. And it's a Hard technique, meaning that you need to throw [2] at it to get a +1 to it, [4] for +3. And if you don't improve it to the maximum, you also have to account for the fact that you still have a lower chance to succeed at the initial grapple-lock than if using Arm Lock. Since Arm Lock is Average, you only ever want to improve Finger Lock after you maxed out Arm Lock, and if you have access to Technique Mastery (Arm Lock), you take that instead of a Hard secondary-default technique, because it provides greater versatility at the same cost. Oh, and the technique penalty means worse armour penetration, where relevant, too. Oh, and FL takes fewer total HP, even when it is as good for crippling purposes, which also translates to less Shock too. Worse for Causing Pain With Locks too. And harder to use Pressure Points, which fully disable the whole arm anyway. Oh, and a crippled hand still means the enemy can use elbow strikes and other handless tricks. So: why would anyone want to learn Finger Lock? And why would anyone use it at default either? Thanks in advance! Last edited by vicky_molokh; 11-09-2014 at 01:59 AM. |
11-09-2014, 04:10 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
A Finger Lock can be extremely painful if applied correctly and it only takes one hand to apply/maintain, leaving your other arm free. You need much more control and/or strength to apply the same amount of pain with an Arm Lock, and even more if you attempt to do it one handed.
You generally don't use a Finger Lock to damage, you use it to control. That's at least my experience from back when I was practicing Jujutsu several years ago. |
11-09-2014, 07:34 AM | #3 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
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11-09-2014, 07:45 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
Is this reflected mechanically, though? The lower crippling threshold doesn't model this situation. You'd want the lock to inflict a Condition for the pain.
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11-09-2014, 07:47 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
That possibility is covered in TG as well. :D
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11-09-2014, 07:39 AM | #6 | ||
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
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11-10-2014, 03:12 AM | #7 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
Well let's face it: MA and TG are at least as big, likely bigger, than between 4e and 3e. I was hoping to understand finger locks in the context of MA, not throw away MA mechanics and replace them with different ones.
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11-09-2014, 08:25 AM | #8 | |
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
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This is the raison d'etre for many Techniques in Gurps.. Dumping more cp into the primary Skill almost always makes ore sense pointswise.
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Fred Brackin |
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11-09-2014, 02:39 PM | #9 | |
Fightin' Round the World
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New Jersey
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
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I hope you mean "putting points in them" not "Technique Mastery." Somehow I doubt it, though. I know some people belong to the "never buy any Techniques" school of character design.
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11-09-2014, 05:43 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Re: [MA] Finger Lock - what's the point?
I probably would put cp into a Technique and possibly even multiple Techniques but I would primarily do, it for reasons of characterization or at least unique capabilities like Choke Hold. The math seldom adds up compared to building up the base skill..
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Fred Brackin |
Tags |
arm lock, arm or hand lock, finger lock, grappling, hand lock, martial arts |
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