Martial Arts Styles for Animals and Hybrids

[WingedKagouti]

Originally Posted by griffin

Biting Grapple, Wing Bash, and Death from Above (DfA) seem appropriate, though griffins lack the size and mass of dragons to really be good at DfA.

Tangentially related, but I'd expect DfA to appear in any decent combat style for mecha with (limited) flight capabilities.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by WingedKagouti

Tangentially related, but I'd expect DfA to appear in any decent combat style for mecha with (limited) flight capabilities.

How is it different from Attack From Above anyway?

[WingedKagouti]

Originally Posted by Molokh

How is it different from Attack From Above anyway?

DfA is a heavy flying character slamming a target on the ground (by landing hard), using the maneuverability from flight (along with great size) to hit a target that is aware of an attack. AfA is dropping down to attack or slam someone from ambush, hoping for an unaware target.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by WingedKagouti

DfA is a heavy flying character slamming a target on the ground (by landing hard), using the maneuverability from flight (along with great size) to hit a target that is aware of an attack. AfA is dropping down to attack or slam someone from ambush, hoping for an unaware target.

But AfA can be used without an ambush, resulting in -2 to defenses . . . Right?

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Molokh

But AfA can be used without an ambush, resulting in -2 to defenses . . . Right?

Yep. If you had to achieve total surprise to use it, the defense penalty would be irrelevant.

A martial arts style that I wrote up for intelligent apes can be found here.

[vicky_molokh]

Sooo, what's special about DfA? Are there any modifications AfA needs to become DfA?

[WingedKagouti]

Originally Posted by Molokh

Sooo, what's special about DfA? Are there any modifications AfA needs to become DfA?

DfA allows you to either land at full speed and take some damage yourself or slow down for less damage to the target and no impact damage to yourself. DfA also includes a ST contest to check for knockdown (and potential for subsequent trampling).

Only change I'd make for 4E is switching the base skill to Aerobatics instead of Flight, which is now used for long distance travel instead of maneuvering.