Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

So I've got a copy of Martial Arts, and I've given it a quick read through. It looks good, but I am not very experience with the system so I cannot pass any meaningful judgment. It seems to expand on the core mechanics of the game, adding weapon grips and making the basic attack/defense modes do more. The history seems relatively solid, if the Western stuff seems to have gotten a wave into Generia (they didn't even talk much about Johannes Liechtenauer).

As I'm running an Urbanpunk campaign with some east asian influences, I felt it would add a few things, but at the moment all we're using is a single perk - weapon bond - which seems to be a nice little boost for a single point. Oh, and grip mastery, as we're simulating iaijutsu. Quick draw -> Attack (one handed using Bradsword skill) -> switch to two handed grip (or whatnot) -> end turn.

So who's used it and how good is it overall? The cinematic stuff doesn't interest me much, but the "realistic" bits I see myself using a lot. Does it expand the core mechanics well, or is it not so hot? Are there any game breakers I need to be aware of that come out of this book?

M.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

I believe that there is a general consensus that GURPS Martial Arts is jolly good. A right corker, so to speak. Full of vim, verve and all that. A good egg.

The realistic bits are just what the doctor ordered, as well. Realistic and playable both.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

IMO, it's very good (and dense), but does add a fair bit of complexity to an already-complex game system. I haven't run into any game-breakers yet, things seem to be well thought out and tested. Out of the supplemental* GURPS books, it's probably my favorite.


ps: also, if you start a thread asking questions about MA, it's fairly likely that one of the authors will stop by and elaborate (or at least comment).



*I don't really consider Magic to be supplemental, around 75% of the GURPS games I play in are fantasy, so IMO Magic might as well be a core book.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

I didn't use it a lot in my games, because there are already a lot of rules in the Basic Set to cover almost everything required... But everything I read make sense with what I learned in my Dojo (Karate Gojuryu Shoreikan - a traditional karate, full of lock and throw techniques). Martial Arts rules look both realistic and playable. A great work.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

GURPS (4e) Martial Arts is a critical hit to the game table.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

Best RPG suppliment I ever bought. Would have been worth it for just Committed Attacks, Defensive Attacks, Style Perks, and the "What is a Rapid Strike" box but it's sooo much more.

GURPS Martial Arts is just plain excellent.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

I'm not so sure about that. Powers, Martial Arts, Low Tech, and to a lesser extent Low Tech all compete for that slot. Hell, I have yet to see a bad GURPS supplement. I have seen my share of absolutely horrid RPG sourcebooks from other publishers (Plenty from big names like WotC and WW, and don't get me started with Palladium or the no-name d20 publishers)

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

It saw little real use in my last campaign but that was one where we didn't tend to use as much detail in combat as even Basic provides.

There appeared to be a preference for speed over realism. I don't really think I have more than 1 gamer in my current circle who would want the level of detail MA provides for.

We did use it once to clear up how hunting ogres by using dogs with ST 30 should work.

On the other hand it's an excellent book overall and good for reference on many subjects.

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

The book is very very good, as others said. Well-researched, playable, full of nice details.

There are no game-breakers that I know of.

My only warning is: do not use ALL the optional rules presented, or your game will become a dirty mess.

Just use the rules that interest you most / that are the focus of your game...
E.g. there is no need for the "Spine" hit location in most RPGs, unless one of your character happens to be specialized in lethal strikes to the spine...

Re: Community opinion of Martial Arts?
 

We used it extensively in a TL2 Fantasy/Martial Arts campaign. As others have said, it gives you lots of things you can add to combat. If that interests you, then GURPS Martial Arts is indispensable. As a player in that campaign, I think I used it as much as any other core book.

If combat is not an import aspect of your game, then it's one you can personally skip. However, there is so much good stuff in GURPS Martial Arts, I recommend that every gaming group have at least one copy.