Why learn a martial art?

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Peter V. Dell'Orto

Is that a problem? They don't get any upsides, but no downsides. There are lots of upsides and one downside, basically. People without a style have no downside but none of the upsides.

Depends heavily on whether the PC relies on having many Combat/Stylish Perks, and whether said PC has the full list of desired Techniques already above default. Alas, the one example I can immediately bring up is a non-combat one.

Originally Posted by Peter V. Dell'Orto

Saying people with a style can claim they don't have it just when it the disadvantage comes up ("He knows Muay Thai? I throw a plain karate punch!") seems unfair and nonsensical to me.

Yeah, it's silly. Which does bring about an amusing desire to get as obscure a style as one can get hands on, as long as it fits other criteria. Not sure if it's awesome or silly.