[Martial Arts] Berserkergang

[aesir23]

I was inspired by this website to try and capture the spirit of the fledgling martial art called Berserkergang.

Before you ask, yes, I'm aware that this is pure bullshido--it's just more fun for game purposes to pretend otherwise.

Please let me know what you think.

Berserkergang 4
Berserkergang is a modern martial art, inspired by the Norse berserkers and other historical (and legendary) warriors who entered a trance-like state in battle. Therefore, berserkergang is an “internal” martial art—it's primary focus is on increasing wod and entering an altered state that is advantageous to fighting. How effective this is is a matter left up to the GM.
Whatever practices or techniques the historical berserkers used have been lost to history, this style was constructed from whole cloth very recently, using a combination of research, speculation, and experimentation.
Therefore, berserkergang really comes into it's own in cinematic campaigns. The berserk state is often described as possession, often by an animal spirit. Beserkergangers claim to be able to ignore pain, summon additional strength, and even to control their involuntary body functions. Some berserkergangers claim that these effects are scientifically based (related to adrenaline production, etc...) If the GM decides that this is the case, he may be generous with Unusual Training perks.
Berserkergang also includes some practical combat training—in techniques borrowed from other martial arts in the world. There are no official teachers or schools of berserkergang, rather every practitioner is expected to study and practice on their own, or establish an apprenticeship with another practitioner. Since most berserkergangers have training in other martial arts, the style tends to be very eclectic, but the emphasis is usually on practical and aggressive techniques. It is common for berserkergangers to also train in some medieval weapons. Practicioners meet at least annually to compete in full-contact contests and to share advice and techniques.
Conditioning usually emphasizes using the natural environment (running, climbing, throwing rocks) and high intensity interval training with a focus on developing explosive power.
Despite the name, Berserkergangers almost never have the Berserk disadvantage.

Skills: Autohypnosis, Brawling, Wrestling
Techniques: Berserker Trance (Autohypnosis)*, Negate Pain/Fatigue (Autohypnosis)**
Cinematic Skills: Body Control, Blind Fighting, Flying Leap, Kiai, Mental Strength, Power Blow
Cinematic Techniques: Springing Attack, Whirlwind Attack.
Perks: Special Exercise (Striking ST +1), Style Adaptation (Any, but Bare-Knuckle Boxing and Brazilian Jujutsu are common), Unique Technique (Berserker Trance)

Optional Traits:
Advantages: Energy Reserve (Chi or Extra-Effort), Fearlessness, Forceful Chi, High Pain Threshold, Trained by a Master.
Disadvantages: Delusion (I can enter a Berserk trance that gives me special powers), Overconfidence.
Skills: Axe/Mace, Boxing, Broadsword, Carousing, Climbing, Judo, Jumping, Karate, Running, Theology (Asatru).
Perks: Drunken Fighting.

*Berserker Trance Hard

Default: Autohypnosis -6
Prerequisite: Autohypnosis, cannot exceed prerequisite skill.

After concentrating for 20 -Skill seconds, roll against this technique. If successful you gain High Pain Threshold and +1 to all Will roles (including rolls to use Extra-Effort) for as long as this trance lasts. However, you are also at -2 to IQ rolls. After the trance ends, you lose 1 fatigue for every 10 rounds you were in the trance (in addition to normal fatigue lost from combat or extra-effort).
It is common in cinematic campaigns for certain advantages to be purchased with the limitation Only while in Berserk Trance (-10%). Note that if Trained by a Master is purchased with this disadvantage, all chi skills are also only available while in a Berserk Trance.

**Negate Pain/Fatigue Hard
See Basic page 179. This technique allows you to buy off the -4 penalty to use Autohpynosis to ignore the results of being below 1/3 FP or HP.

[jacobmuller]

Darn near sounds like breaking the First and Second Rules.
I'd love to use it "realistically"

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

Darn near sounds like breaking the First and Second Rules.

I'm sorry, to what are you referring? The first and second rules of what?

[Mailanka]

Originally Posted by aesir23

I'm sorry, to what are you referring? The first and second rules of what?

I'd tell you, but the first rule is that you don't talk about it.

[zoncxs]

Originally Posted by aesir23

I'm sorry, to what are you referring? The first and second rules of what?

you are not suppose to talk about it :)

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by Mailanka

I'd tell you, but the first rule is that you don't talk about it.

Aha! Thanks, I get it now.

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

I'd love to use it "realistically"

Thanks, that was part of my goal: by giving them the benefit of the doubt about their claims I was hoping that it would turn out somewhat useful, even in realistic campaigns.

After all, altered states of consciousness are real, and it's plausible that some altered states are advantageous in combat. The vikings certainly thought so!


What are your thoughts on the new Techniques for Autohypnosis? I struggled to come up with something that felt balanced, plausible, and consistent with the claims made by the website.

[Anthony]

I have no real issues with just directly buying high pain threshold as a trained technique. It's also a side effect of many drugs, including alcohol, pcp, and opiates.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Anthony

I have no real issues with just directly buying high pain threshold as a trained technique. It's also a side effect of many drugs, including alcohol, pcp, and opiates.

If you look at the Optional Traits for many of the "Hard" styles in MA (Kyokushin Karate, Kajukenbo and many others) HPT is lsited with suspecious frequency if HPT is inborn only.

I beleive that it is MA's assumption that HPT can be "learned" through sufficiently rough training.

[alimantando]

I think Intimitation would be a good Skill and Combat Shticks.

[Mailanka]

Originally Posted by alimantando

I think Intimitation would be a good Skill and Combat Shticks.

If you're going to go that route, give it Flourish (but call it something else). That way, when a Berserkerka utterly crushes his opponent, he can muscle out and growl and get an intimidation +4 roll against his remaining opponents.