Defeating grapplers with a striking skill

[nanoboy]

Kicking characters can use some of the same tactics that spearmen can use against swordsmen. Since kicks can hit reach 1, and grapples require reach C, kickers can do retreating parries (or dodges) and kick and step back on a turn. This, of course, requires space. UFC cages are often used by grapplers to trap strikers. Boxers and the like can't use the retreat and step back tactic, of course, but as others mentioned earlier, both punchers and kickers can use the wait maneuver to some effect against grapplers.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by gmillerd

Is this prior to grappling or after being successfully grappled? (parry, dodge, block, + evaluate or feint, change SM/posture)

or during grapple? (anything that doesn't involve the grappled limb or body area, likely some movement restrictions as well)

I should point out (or re-emphasize, really) how important this really is.

Being grappled in GURPS is a "switch." You're either grappled or you're not, and if you are, it's bad juju, with a -4 DX penalty that makes life very hard. If this is followed with a takedown or something that puts a non-grappler on the ground, that can be -8 (-4 for on the ground, -4 for being grappled).

The only real recourse, at the moment, is NOT BEING GRAPPLED. So the high Parry and whatever stats, skills, and advantages that allow you to avoid being taken to the ground (or know how to fight in CC while you're there) are crucial for RAW.

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

I
The only real recourse, at the moment, is NOT BEING GRAPPLED. So the high Parry and whatever stats, skills, and advantages that allow you to avoid being taken to the ground (or know how to fight in CC while you're there) are crucial for RAW.

For this reason, the Rapid Retraction perk is CRUCIAL if you're going to be striking at grapplers.

[Anders]

Head butting?

[PK]

In general, your goal is to hurt your opponent as much as possible, as quickly as possible. If you know he's a grappler but not a striker, then you don't have to worry quite as much about taking damage, so you should fight aggressively.

If you're not yet grappled, you have no reason to stay in close combat with him, so attack and retreat -- dance back and forth. Rapid Retraction is a very useful perk. Attack high-value hit locations, especially ones that will force knockdown rolls: Vitals, face, and skull. If you think you can pull it off, attack the hand or leg joints; either are easy to cripple (if you can hit 'em!) and taking out even one will usually mean you can win the fight.

Once you're grappled, All-Out Attack to get out of it. Bite if you know Brawling or have Biting Mastery; otherwise, head butt, knee strike, kick, punch -- whatever does the most damage and doesn't take a close-combat penalty. If you're about as strong as your foe and he only has you with one hand (or he has you with two, but you're much stronger), use an All-Out Attack (Double) to strike, then break free. If he has High Pain Threshold (and thus the shock penalties aren't hurting him) or if you aren't strong enough to have a chance of breaking free, use either All-Out Attack (Double) or All-Out Attack (Strong) to consistently inflict as much damage as you possibly can. A major wound to the vitals, face, or skull can easily stun him. Oh, and you had better know Ground Fighting in case he takes you down.

A striker's primary advantage over a grappler is the ability to inflict damage quickly. Take advantage of that.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

Once you're grappled, All-Out Attack to get out of it.

Really?

Your All-Out Attack is at a -4 for being grappled and the opponent can Parry with his grappling skill, representing moving you aside to spoil your attack. So you're attacking at your best skill -4 while he's Parrying with his best skill.

If you fail to stun or kill your opponent in that one turn, you will be automatically subject to whatever 'Action After a Grapple' he likes, without being able to resist. Anyone competent enough to be called 'a grappler', i.e. someone with martial arts training in a grappling style, will probably be able to easily perform an AoA (Double) for a Takedown and Pin if you can't resist at all.

And then you've lost.

[Lord Azagthoth]

Good strikers in a All-round match should know how to defend themselves against takedowns (i.e., Sprawl).

But once they're taken down and the strikers doesn't know how to defend against a grappler and therefore isn't able to get up, he most probalbly will lose.

[Anatosuchus]

Hi, probably a dumb question: I can't actually find a reference to "sprawl" in Basic or MA. Is this just subsumed into a parry vs. a grapple or is there a specific manoeuvre or technique?

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by mattsavigear

Hi, probably a dumb question: I can't actually find a reference to "sprawl" in Basic or MA. Is this just subsumed into a parry vs. a grapple or is there a specific manoeuvre or technique?

Spawl isn't there. Exactly what it should be I leave to people who watch more MMA than I do.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Spawl isn't there. Exactly what it should be I leave to people who watch more MMA than I do.

Huh? Martial Arts, p119.