[MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

As the title. What exactly IS a springing attack? Is it a jump attack of some kind? If I combine Spinning Attack and Uppercut with Springing Attack, does it become a Shoryuken of sorts?

I understand the mechanics of the attack. Wait a turn crouching and get the all-out attack (strong) bonus at no defensive penalties or FP costs, but what does it do visually to the attack?

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

You crouch down low like a cat and then leap upward into your foe. It's basically a semi-cinematic way to say, "I get +2 damage for the same reason why Stamp Kick gets +2 damage vs. a punch: I'm directing my full body weight and leg strength onto the target in a straight line. Except that I'm doing it in the opposite direction from gravity, and it's my weapon or hand that's connecting." Or maybe you leap straight up and then crash down on your foe. Either way, the extra second is a bit like the extra time needed to make a full-powered jump in combat (p. B352).

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Ah ha! That's exactly what I was looking for!

I'm trying to simulate an attack like one of many attacks Seigfried (of soul calibur fame) performs or Samurai Jack's Horse-Cutter Technique, an attack that slashes down on an opponent from above. But there's just too many different ways to do it with Martial Arts. I wanted this to have some sort of preperation to it too and Springing Attack seems to handle all of that well.

How does Springing Attack mesh with Super Jump and Flying Leap?

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

And can it be combined with Attack From Above if one jumps instead of a regular Step (using SJ/FL)?

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Or leap forward, or just an attack that explodes from a deep (usually meaning low) stance - notice we gave it to Sumo, where it makes sense for cinematic fighters. That full, low squat before the start of a match (the tachi-ai) is a good "Springing Attack." It's also on Iajutsu, for samurai who explode out of their low stance to fast draw and cut. It's on Capoeira for jumping attacks. It's on Hsing I Chuan for its deep stances that are said to be so powerful.

So yeah, it can be a leap upward, but it's not restricted to that. It's a deep stance...think situations where the attack crounches down or squats deep (like, hamstrings to calves) briefly and then explodes outwards.

You could combine it with Attack From Above*, but I'm not sure I'd allow someone to use Flying Leap and call this a Springing Attack. It seems like two ways around the same thing. Either you're leaping up and coming down on them using Flying Leap, or you're using a Springing Attack to explode into them from a deep stance. I'd certainly allow Power Blow and Springing Attack together, they seem a very natural combination! This is my judgment, however, your judgment may vary.

* "You may combine Springing Attack with another striking technique. See Using Techniques Together (p. 64) to find effective skill level." That sounds like they can be combined if you can create the situation.

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Could Springing Attack be used for the "Super Man Punch" of Ultimate Fighting fame?

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

If by Super Man Punch you mean Superman's reeling back tank crushing punch of doom, it's probably a combination of Telegraphic Attack, Commited Attack (Strong), All-Out Attack (Strong), and/or Mighty Blow, but I can definitly see using the Springing Attack assuming I've got a good enough grasp of what it is.


Speaking of which...Could I make an All-Out (Strong) Springing Attack, spending an FP for Mighty Blows? A whopping +3 per die of damage that.

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

By default, no, but check the designer's notes, which I don't remember (but there's a Perk in them . . .).

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Something like this?

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Just like this.

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Not Superman, I'm talking about in the UFC when a guy sort of hops and throwes a cross punch while he's in the air. Or even a leaping backfist like you see in point karate where a guy performs a lunge/leap and trowes a back fist? Would those be springing attacks?

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Ahh. I understand. I'd assume so. Mechanically I wouldn't give 'jumping a humanly realistic distance in the air' much more of a damage bonus than +1 or 2. Infact, before I got MA, if the opportunity arose for me to implement such an attack as a rule, I'd have just called it an AoA Strong.

Not that I'm proud of those moments, but the closest thing I've ever gotten to a fight in highschool was running at some fat kid who went out of his way to trip me. I ran a short distance and kneed him in the back of the head (would have been his face if he didn't turn) and he learned not to do it again. I guess I'd call that a springing attack.

Ever see those professional fights where the kick boxer does a little more than just grab and smash his opponent? When they crouch down then hop into the knee strike? I believe that's a springing attack. Saying you leap forward instead of up is almost the same thing.

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Keep in mind that Springing Attack cinematic. You can use it by default in a realistic campaign, but it's not terribly realistic to do so...I mean, you could default Whirlwind Attack in a realistic game, too, and get lucky and take down 6 guys with it but it's probably not realistic to do so.

Keep in mind that GURPS already assumes that attacks are done with proper stance and explosion and effective use of your strength. So crouching down and exploding up quickly to take advantage of your stretch reflex, jumping punches to take advantage of forward springing momentum, etc. are just examples of full-power attacks. They are better represented realistically by using Committed Attack (Strong) or All-Out Attack (Strong), not Springing Attack. So jumping knee strikes aren't Springing Attack...not in a realistic game, anyway.

In a cinematic game, Springing Attack is more useful and more reasonable.

Re: [MA] Springing Attack, what is it exactly?
 

Whoever let a silly thing like reality get in the way of their fun? ;)