Martial Arts Style Talent

[Infornific]

Originally Posted by Ejidoth

I think there's a misunderstanding here. I wasn't talking about stacking talent and wildcard skills.

What I meant was more like this:

There are no martial arts style talents currently priced. There are martial arts wildcard skills. From the wildcard skills, we know that 12/level is considered a fair price for 'improve your rolls at everything in the style by +1', so it seems like a reasonable starting point for figuring out how to price an equivalent talent that improves your rolls at everything in the style by +1.
There's definitely room for argument there. After some of the debate here I'm leaning toward a combination of 1) this isn't really what talents are for, but 2) if it is allowed, 10/level is probably closest to fair. Unlike the wildcard guy you're not getting all the free techniques and, as has been pointed out, 15/level is probably too much for a DX-focused talent even if you do consider the reaction bonus and training speed buffs as part of the value of the talent.

This came up in the previous thread. The problem is that styles vary enormously in scope - Masters of Defense covers a lot more skills than some of the Karate variants. So Wildcard skills might be well priced for broader styles but overpriced for something like Boxing. Talents would be more easily scaled to the breadth of his style.

Pricing Talents is pretty simple. The Talent should include all the Skills of the style and possibly some of the optional skills. So a Talent for La Verdadera Destreza would include Expert Skill (Natural Philosophy), Mathematics TL2 (Pure) and Rapier. That's 3 skills or a 5 point/level Talent. Maybe toss in Body Language as well.

[maximara]

Originally Posted by Infornific

This came up in the previous thread. The problem is that styles vary enormously in scope - Masters of Defense covers a lot more skills than some of the Karate variants. So Wildcard skills might be well priced for broader styles but overpriced for something like Boxing. Talents would be more easily scaled to the breadth of his style.

Pricing Talents is pretty simple. The Talent should include all the Skills of the style and possibly some of the optional skills. So a Talent for La Verdadera Destreza would include Expert Skill (Natural Philosophy), Mathematics TL2 (Pure) and Rapier. That's 3 skills or a 5 point/level Talent. Maybe toss in Body Language as well.

The style tables on the GURPS Martial Arts page shows this. Not only is there the main style cost with Ninjutsu (more a profession than a style) clocking in at 15, Techniques (26) and cinematic skills (14 with Ninjutsu)

Some styles have so few skills that a Talent is not much good and is actually counter productive.

[AlexanderHowl]

And then you have Ultimate Combat which, while it requires Trained by a Master and a 20 CP Unusual Background, makes an awesome Style!. A 500 CP unpowered superhero character with DX 20 and Style! (Ultimate Style) at DX+10 will probably destroy most combat situations against other 500 CP characters.

[kirbwarrior]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

And then you have Ultimate Combat which, while it requires Trained by a Master and a 20 CP Unusual Background, makes an awesome Style!. A 500 CP unpowered superhero character with DX 20 and Style! (Ultimate Style) at DX+10 will probably destroy most combat situations against other 500 CP characters.

that they can get in range of

One of my players is going to love this idea and will totally use it.

[AlexanderHowl]

The great thing about DX 20 is that the character can be a world class sniper with just 4 CP. While it would not be their preference, it is good to have options.

[Infornific]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

The great thing about DX 20 is that the character can be a world class sniper with just 4 CP. While it would not be their preference, it is good to have options.

Oddly enough, that was an argument made for Martial Arts Talent. They let you be masters of a given style without making you automatically brilliant at anything DX based.

[Infornific]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

And then you have Ultimate Combat which, while it requires Trained by a Master and a 20 CP Unusual Background, makes an awesome Style!. A 500 CP unpowered superhero character with DX 20 and Style! (Ultimate Style) at DX+10 will probably destroy most combat situations against other 500 CP characters.

Kind of. DX 20 [200], Ultimate Style! DX+10 [144], Trained by a Master [30] & Unusual Background (Universal Style) [20] costs 394. That leaves a little over 150 to 200 points for everything else. So the PC will have relatively low striking power & durability. Assuming Ultimate Style! includes the cinematic skills he'll be capable of amazing stunts and can mow through low level mobs but will definitely have limitations. And note that Brawling at DX+15 costs only 56 points so a more conventional powerhouse (high DR & Striking ST) could shrug off blows and need just one good hit to take out Kung Fu guy. Still an interesting option.