Why learn a martial art?

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

Originally Posted by tbone

My question: In this specific situation, wouldn't you be better off having no style at all, thus becoming less "readable" to your foe?

No style, or all styles, so you can read them but they can't read you.

Originally Posted by tbone

If that's so, is there anything you can do about this during the battle? Can you declare, "I throw a Deceptive Attack, but it's with generic Karate skill, not my style"?

Did you learn it without a style? No instructor, no history, no readable technique? If your GM says that's okay that you did so, yes. It's pretty cinematic, though. Even the guys who said they learned from watch birds or monkeys or whatever ended up with styles. Bruce Lee's goal was a way, not a style, but you can tell people who try to fight like him and you can see his influences in his approach.

In game, I wouldn't let someone take Muay Thai and then say "I throw a totally non-Muay Thai punch!" anymore than let someone say "I speak English, but with no accent or regional pronunciation!" It just doesn't seem possible, realistically, and it's clearly meant to be an abuse in game (You're trying to dodge a disadvantage that came with your advantages, while still taking full advantage of your advantages.)