[MA] Monkey Style Kung Fu

[Popov]

How would you model this ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Kung_Fu

No style in the book seems to be close to this one.

[Popov]

Is that nobody has an idea, or nobody wants to answer ?

(It's the third times I create a subject and it doesn't get answer posts until I've raised it from the dead. Aren't my ideas interesting ? Or certain people consider that before posting X times, I don't deserve their attention ? Or really, Do I have questions that are so tricky that people can't answer that easily ?
I don't understand, because I see no other posts going to the "dead" without being answered. So bad...)

[Arazael]

I happen to think its an interesting and bizarre question. Unfortunately I don't have Martial Arts, and can't currently afford it, so I can't help much...

[Kamickalo]

Well, your question is a bit unusual and open-ended - However it's also a totally awesome idea in my opinion. Unfortunately I don't have Martial Arts, but from what I've seen I can try to help anyhow.

Although I don't have MA, from the examples I've seen, I think that a GURPSification of this style might look something like this:

(Keep in mind that this is a generalization, as there are many different styles of Monkey Kung Fu from different times/areas)

Monkey Style Kung Fu

Skills: Karate; Acrobatics; Staff; Staff Art
Techniques: Acrobatic Stand; Evade (Acrobatics); Exotic Hand Strike (Karate); Feint (Karate); Low Fighting; Targeted Attack (Exotic Hand Strike/Eyes); Targeted Attack (Exotic Hand Strike/Neck); Targeted Attack (Kick/Groin); Targeted Attack (Kick/Knee);
Cinematic Skills: Pressure Points
Cinematic Techniques: Pressure Point Strike (Karate); Springing Attack (Karate);
Perks: Acrobatic Kicks; Drunken Fighting; Falling Dodge; Skill Adaptation (Acrobatic Feints); Technique Mastery (Feint)


I have to go shovel snow, I'll update this later.

[Popov]

Yes ! I think it's very accurate ! The Feint seems to be the center of this style's strategy. But what is this Perk "Falling Dodge" ? And this target "Knee" ?

Good job !

[Kamickalo]

Thanks, I'll add more to it now actually.

Yeah, I made up the "knee" target. *abashed* Maybe you can create a new target area for it? Or just not use the technique.

Also, the falling dodge is something I got from another person here on the forums. It's the ability to use the Dodge and Drop rules (from Campaigns, can't remember the page) for melee combat instead of ranged. I think it gives +2 to dodge, but you're lying prone. From there you could use ground attacks.

[sir_pudding]

A little bit of necromancy, I'm afraid...

I'm working on my new GURPS game and trying to write up a Tai Shing Pek Kwar stylist.

Tai Shing Pek Kwar 5 points
Skills:Climbing, Karate, Acrobatics, Staff, Staff Art
Techniques:Acrobatic Stand; Breakfall (Acrobatics),Evade (Acrobatics), Eye-Rake, Feint (Acrobatics, Karate or Staff); Ground Fighting; Low Fighting; Targeted Targeted Attack (Karate Kick/Groin); Targeted Attack (Karate Kick/Joints),Sweep(Karate or Staff)
Cinematic Skills:Lizard Climb, Sensitivity
Cinematic Techniques: Pole-Vault Kick, Springing Attack (Karate)
Perks: Chi Resistance (Any), Drunken Fighting, Skill Adaptation (Acrobatic Feints), Unusual Training (Pole Vault Kick)

Optional Traits:
Advantages: Enhanced Dodge, Inner Balance
Skills: Acting, Climbing, Judo, Spear Art, Polearm Art, Meditation
Techniques:Scissors Hold, Trip
Cinematic Skills:Body Control, Pressure Points, Immovable Stance
Perks: Cotton Stomach, Iron Body Parts (any), Ground Guard, Skill Adaptation (Acting Feints), Technique Mastery (Feint),

Some issues:

1. I'm not sure that the different "forms" of Tai Shing Pek Kwar should be folded into the same style description. Perhaps each should have it's own writeup? Or at least a Lens? I went with a compromise above and included Drunken Monkey as part of the main writeup and the rest as Optional. Does this make sense?
2. It is apparently one of the few real styles that teaches the Pole-Vault Kick. I can't seem to find any good step by step photos or descriptions of this move being preformed however. Does anybody have any idea how the Unusual Training perk should work for this?
3. "Lost Monkey" and "Crafty Monkey" both seem to use Acting based Feints from their descriptions. Is this the Skill Adaptation Perk?

[pawsplay]

Lost Monkey" and "Crafty Monkey" both seem to use Acting based Feints from their descriptions. Is this the Skill Adaptation Perk?

I think I would call that "overthinking things." As the basic set states, faking people out in combat is a normal part of feinting. I don't think adding Acting as another core skill is going to help stylists.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by pawsplay

Lost Monkey" and "Crafty Monkey" both seem to use Acting based Feints from their descriptions. Is this the Skill Adaptation Perk?

I think I would call that "overthinking things." As the basic set states, faking people out in combat is a normal part of feinting. I don't think adding Acting as another core skill is going to help stylists.

It's different from normal Feints and Ruses however, the stylist doesn't fake an attack, he feints acting like a lost or frightened monkey, then attacks. This depends (in theory anyway) on the stylists ability to convince the opponent that he is lost, confused or frightened, this shouldn't IMO depend on Weapon Skill.

[Highland_Piper]

I don't have my copy of MA handy right now (having morning coffee and its upstairs) but did they not include Monkey Style? I find that very odd indeed. Have you ever seen a Kung Fu show with real Shaolin Monks doing Monkey Style? It's awesome. I'm amazed at the move where they 'perch' on top of their staff. It's amazing.

I'm surprised I did not come across this earlier. I'm a big fan of "Journey to the West" which is about the Monkey King (see my avatar). I want to add a character (NPC) based after Brother Sun WuKong in my current campaign.