Martial Arts: Polearm/Quarterstaff/Weapon Adaptation

bearit · 01-27-2016, 07:19 PM

I going through my first GURPS campaign right now and have become stumped while reading through the weapons/skills sections of both Characters and Martial Arts. I hope this is not seen as long-winded, but thorough.

Ultimately i wish to design a fighting style similar to what i can assume Matrim Cauthon uses in the Wheel of Time series: using a Naginata weapon with the Staff skill.

Based off of defaults in Characters, the Naginata is a Polearm, and as such, defaults from Staff skill at -4.

The first question i have is: are the benefits and drawbacks listed by the weapon lists in Characters inherent to the use of the actual weapon or the skill? (e.g if i use a naginata with the staff skill, do i get +2 parry and free action reach change because the skill is staff? -or- if i use a quarterstaff with the polearm skill, do i get +2 parry and free action reach change because the weapon is a staff?)

The confusion comes from two differing perspectives.

1. The first is found under the Staff skill in Characters (p. 208) where it defines the skill (and subsequent +2 parry benefit) by defining the weapon used (balanced pole without striking head).

2. The second is found as an example in Martial Arts on p.50 under Form Mastery where it is implied that (using a spear) it would be advantageous to switch to Staff skill to defend (presumably to gain the +2 parry).

The second example promotes the idea that the +2 parry is innate to the use of the skill despite the actual weapon (a spear) having a striking head. This clashes with the first definition.

On a more practical note, even if my character could use a Naginata with the Staff skill and gain the +2 parry and free action reach change, that default is at -4 for polearms. This negates the bonus to parry while also lowering the skill to hit, giving (in my mind) no benefit over just using the Polearm skill other than the free action reach change.

So...

How am I to understand the Weapon Adaptation perk (Martial Arts p.52) and does this solve my problem?

By my understanding, this would allow me to use a Naginata (for cutting and impaling damage) with the benefits of the Staff skill (+2 parry, free action reach change) without a -4 default for Polearms.

Again, sorry for the essay here. I am trying to consolidate several threads for a more holistic understanding.

Edit: I feel like there are two issues here...

1. Does defaulting from the Staff skill grant staff-like qualities (e.g. +2 parry) or are those inherent in specific weapons (e.g. the quarterstaff)?

-and-

2. Does the Weapon Adaptation (Polearm to Staff) provide the +2 parry to a polearm used with the Staff skill?

Thanks for the responses so far. Just be sure to specify to which issue you are adressing.

01-27-2016, 07:19 PM	#1
bearit Join Date: Nov 2015	Martial Arts: Polearm/Quarterstaff/Weapon Adaptation I going through my first GURPS campaign right now and have become stumped while reading through the weapons/skills sections of both Characters and Martial Arts. I hope this is not seen as long-winded, but thorough. Ultimately i wish to design a fighting style similar to what i can assume Matrim Cauthon uses in the Wheel of Time series: using a Naginata weapon with the Staff skill. Based off of defaults in Characters, the Naginata is a Polearm, and as such, defaults from Staff skill at -4. The first question i have is: are the benefits and drawbacks listed by the weapon lists in Characters inherent to the use of the actual weapon or the skill? (e.g if i use a naginata with the staff skill, do i get +2 parry and free action reach change because the skill is staff? -or- if i use a quarterstaff with the polearm skill, do i get +2 parry and free action reach change because the weapon is a staff?) The confusion comes from two differing perspectives. 1. The first is found under the Staff skill in Characters (p. 208) where it defines the skill (and subsequent +2 parry benefit) by defining the weapon used (balanced pole without striking head). 2. The second is found as an example in Martial Arts on p.50 under Form Mastery where it is implied that (using a spear) it would be advantageous to switch to Staff skill to defend (presumably to gain the +2 parry). The second example promotes the idea that the +2 parry is innate to the use of the skill despite the actual weapon (a spear) having a striking head. This clashes with the first definition. On a more practical note, even if my character could use a Naginata with the Staff skill and gain the +2 parry and free action reach change, that default is at -4 for polearms. This negates the bonus to parry while also lowering the skill to hit, giving (in my mind) no benefit over just using the Polearm skill other than the free action reach change. So... How am I to understand the Weapon Adaptation perk (Martial Arts p.52) and does this solve my problem? By my understanding, this would allow me to use a Naginata (for cutting and impaling damage) with the benefits of the Staff skill (+2 parry, free action reach change) without a -4 default for Polearms. Again, sorry for the essay here. I am trying to consolidate several threads for a more holistic understanding. Edit: I feel like there are two issues here... 1. Does defaulting from the Staff skill grant staff-like qualities (e.g. +2 parry) or are those inherent in specific weapons (e.g. the quarterstaff)? -and- 2. Does the Weapon Adaptation (Polearm to Staff) provide the +2 parry to a polearm used with the Staff skill? Thanks for the responses so far. Just be sure to specify to which issue you are adressing. Last edited by bearit; 01-28-2016 at 04:49 AM.