View Single Post
Old 09-08-2022, 11:14 AM   #7
Pursuivant
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Default Re: GURPS Star Trek - Martial Arts Techniques

The Vulcan Nerve Pinch

This is a famous variant of the Nerve Strike maneuver which is unique to Vulcans and those who have had intimate contact with the species. It is a Nerve Strike based on Judo skill, which requires a hand grapple to the defender’s shoulder or the base of his neck. It inflicts no damage unless the attacker wishes it to do so and involves a psionic component.

In Star Trek canon, all the major Vulcan characters (Spock, T’Pol, Tuvok) have used the Vulcan Nerve Pinch; it is presumably a standard part of Vulcan martial arts training.

Non-Vulcans who have learned the nerve pinch technique include Captain Jonathan Archer, Commander Michael Burnham, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Lieutenant Commander Data, Constable Odo, and Seven of Nine.

Note: This take on the Nerve Pinch makes it cheap for a high-value character to purchase it at a functional level for surprise attacks.

Assuming DX 12 [40]; IQ 12 [40]; Judo (H) DX [4] - 12; Pressure Points (H) IQ-2 [1] - 10; and TBaM [30], you can buy Nerve Strike (H) Judo-2 [3] (buying it up from the default of Judo-4 to maximum level).

If the GM allows Prerequisite Substitution (Pressure Points for TBAM, only for Nerve Strike) [1], total cost invested in the technique is just 4 points. (The other traits have additional utility, even if you just use Pressure Points to deliver a relaxing Vulcan massage.)

Given +4 for AoA (Determined), -5 to target the neck, and a grappling attack from behind (no defense), even without TBAM you hit on 9 or less.

A heavy hitter like Spock, with Judo-15 and Nerve Strike-13, hits on anything but a CF when attacking from surprise with AoA, even when zapping two foes at once. He even has a decent chance using the technique in combat vs. a previously-grappled foe. With ST bonuses to Nerve Strike vs. a typical foe, he's got a very good chance of dropping his victims in just one second.

Compare to Affliction (Enhancement: Unconsciousness, +200%; Limitations: Contact Agent (Only blocked by rigid DR, weakened by flexible DR), -25%; Melee Attack (C), -30%; Takes Extra Time 1x, -10%; Telepathic, -10%) [23].

Alternately, compare to Innate Attack (Crushing (1d), Enhancement: Side-Effect (Unconsciousness), +250%; Limitations: Accessibility (Must target neck), -20%; Missing Damage Effect (No Blunt Trauma, No Knockback), -30%; Melee (C), -30%; Takes Extra Time, -10%; Telepathic, -10%) [13].

Last edited by Pursuivant; 09-09-2022 at 01:32 PM.
Pursuivant is offline   Reply With Quote