New Martial Arts

[Mateus]

Originally Posted by Cheomesh

Messer, certainly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHEs2m0IXAk

M.

For me there are a lot of Agressive Parry in this demonstration and some Combinations.

[DeathFromAbove]

I've never tested GURPS mechanics, only studied them.

I think that GURPS could be better refined for European martial arts.
Sure its far superior to many other RPGs.

[Dangerious P. Cats]

I've put up a few more styles here http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread...40#post1006240 including Highland broadsword and nepoleonic era English Bayonet.

[davidtmoore]

Originally Posted by DeathFromAbove

I've never tested GURPS mechanics, only studied them.

I think that GURPS could be better refined for European martial arts.
Sure its far superior to many other RPGs.

I suppose nothing's going to please everyone, but Martial Arts for 4e goes miles further than 3e as regards European martial arts. By my rough count, it includes 41 European styles (including Russia, but not including America) out of 113. Which, for a book featuring styles native to every continent except Australia and Antarctica, isn't bad.

The European emphasis is on historical styles, with only one or two modern and sport styles, but then a) most roleplayers are going to be looking at the historical styles, and b) the majority of contemporary European styles outside boxing, wrestling and fencing are imports.

And the historical styles could be done in more detail - only four fencing styles, one polearm style and one longsword style, for example - but then it faces limitations like that throughout the book; there's only so much space! And the descriptive text occasionally offers suggestions for fine-tuning styles to different masters and locales.

As you say, it's a lot better than most RPGs.

[davidtmoore]

Originally Posted by DeathFromAbove

Sure its far superior to many other RPGs.

Hell, I've always loved Ars Magica's assumption that the caber was a Scots throwing weapon...

[Not another shrubbery]

Originally Posted by davidtmoore

Hell, I've always loved Ars Magica's assumption that the caber was a Scots throwing weapon...

I did not remember that... I know I would not want to be hit by one X(

[macphersonrants]

Originally Posted by davidtmoore

And the historical styles could be done in more detail - only four fencing styles, one polearm style and one longsword style, for example - but then it faces limitations like that throughout the book; there's only so much space! And the descriptive text occasionally offers suggestions for fine-tuning styles to different masters and locales.

I recall Kromm saying he wouldn't mind seeing a whole E23 supplement of just longsword styles. There is certainly the potential to flesh out some of the historical European styles in Martial Arts 4e in further detail.

One of the things I've noticed is that while real life renaissance masters seem to have taught multiple weapons, most of the 4e styles are optimized for a primary weapon. What was actually taught may have been closer in nature to the Masters of Defense style.

I'd definitely like to see a whole book along the lines of the old Pyramid article that detailed the Saviola and some of the other Elizabethan fencing styles. Maybe 96 pages focused on European styles from 1400 to 1870 or so.

[LoneWolf23k]

I think this guy's got a good handle on what sword and shield fighting should look like in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiab6...os=6qGg4l0xNVk