Martial arts for and against Neanderthals

[ericthered]

Unarmed or Armed? we call both Martial arts around here.

Honestly, only if you need flavor. The two species (or not, interbreeding may have occurred) are so similar it shouldn't effect combat much.

But if you want to have differences, go for it!

[Dangerious P. Cats]

Originally Posted by ericthered

Unarmed or Armed? we call both Martial arts around here.

Honestly, only if you need flavor. The two species (or not, interbreeding may have occurred) are so similar it shouldn't effect combat much.

But if you want to have differences, go for it!

I'm going with both. When you get to the middle ages there's not the same division that you get with modern martial arts.

[ericthered]

And what is the difference between the two in this setting? the exact differences have so much wiggle room it can be hard to say. Are these hulking brutes that are dumber than Cro-mangons, or do they mostly have a thicker face and perhaps heavier musculature?

[gilbertocarlos]

Assuming Neanderthals are tougher and stronger, but a little dumber:
The biggest difference would be that Neanderthals would have a higher ratio on the warrior class.
The higher ST would make it a little easier against armor, but, since they also wear armor, it would cancel it. However, humans would have a slighter higher incentive to use two handed/heavier weapons.
Neanderthals being adapted to cold, would only live in the north, everywhere else they would be very rare, and normal history would progress normally. They wouldn't be considered a different race, only as tough guys/gals.


Of course, we're ignoring interracial breeding, with is what happened and would happen if they still existed.

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by gilbertocarlos

Assuming Neanderthals are tougher and stronger, but a little dumber:
The biggest difference would be that Neanderthals would have a higher ratio on the warrior class.
The higher ST would make it a little easier against armor, but, since they also wear armor, it would cancel it. However, humans would have a slighter higher incentive to use two handed/heavier weapons.
Neanderthals being adapted to cold, would only live in the north, everywhere else they would be very rare, and normal history would progress normally. They wouldn't be considered a different race, only as tough guys/gals.


Of course, we're ignoring interracial breeding, with is what happened and would happen if they still existed.

Well, they lived in the Near East and Mesopotamia, too.

Maybe there are Neanderthal hillmen in the Zagros and Taurus Mountains of the OP's setting?

I like the idea of the Neanderthals being seen as 'tough guys.'

[Phantasm]

I'd give the Neanderthals "Smasha". ;)

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by tbrock1031

I'd give the Neanderthals "Smasha". ;)

Awww, yeah!

GURPS Martial Arts for 3E, ORC-FU

[Peter Knutsen]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

I like the idea of the Neanderthals being seen as 'tough guys.'

As you probably already know, but which some others in this thread might not, the "Orcs" in my Ärth setting are Neanderthals. I got the idea from Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead", where they're the "grendels" from the Beowulf legend.