Hand to Hand Combat Comparison Round 2

This session will cover the differences in the four basic hand to hand combat styles available to N&S, HU2, PF2, and the RGMG (AtB2 will not be looked at since it's just copy and paste, word for word, from the RGMG). "Two Attacks for Living" Note: Unless the book has the hand to hand system listed that way and specifically says that they get two extra attacks, they have not been added to the hand to hand combats. Note: Revised N&S clearly states that it's styles DO NOT RECEIVE two extra attacks (page 165).

We will also cover the differences between the original and revised edition of Ninjas & Superspies, delving into exclusive and non-exclusive styles.

Explanation of tables:

APM. Attacks per Melee

NA means Not Applicable/Not Available.

Strike, Dodge, Parry, Roll, Damage, Pull Punch, Initiative, and Disarm are all standard bonuses received from styles and will be listed with the bonus or lack thereof. Some martial art styles have other bonuses besides these, and those will be listed as well. Damages listed after the bonus indicate a damage bonus to the move. Numbers with a tick mark after a bonus indicate the number of additional feet for that move (typically a Leap or Jump).

Critical, KO/Stun, and Death Blow. Most of these are modifiers to attack that receive a natural number for them to work. If there is a number and a '+' symbol, it indicates that the number listed, and all numbers above it are acceptable natural numbers for the modifier to succeed. There is also the 'B' notation, meaning that the modifier is applied to attacks from Behind or the Rear. Unrestricted is a term from PF and HU where a Death Blow requires no Natural number to succeed (this version also costs two attacks).

Chi Modifiers. These are the modifiers to a character's chi that are added by a martial arts style.

Character Bonuses. These are bonuses to attributes and S.D.C. (exclusive of the occasional Chi Modifier, see above), the first number listed is for attribute bonuses, the second is for S.D.C. bonuses.

Martial Art Powers. The total number of martial art powers available to that style

Martial Art Power Categories. The total number of martial art power categories the style can choose from. There are seven basic martial art power categories; Arts of Invisibility, Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, Chi Mastery, Martial Art Techniques, Special Kata(s), and Zenjorike (Mystic China adds four new categories; Advanced Atemi, Advanced Chi Mastery, Demon Hunter Body Hardening Exercises, and Chi Kata(s)). Note: Zenorike is often spelled as "Zenjoriki" throughout the books. Erick Wujcik has stated that Zenjorike is the spelling he intended (however, Japanese linguistic research shows us that Zenjoriki would be more accurate). Martial Art Skill, a term that often pops up in the Level Advancement Bonuses is just another term for Martial Art Power (loosely).

Escape Moves, Attack Moves, Basic Defense Moves, Advanced Defense Moves, Hand Attacks, Foot Attacks, Jumping Foot Attacks, Special Attacks, Holds/Locks, Weapon Kata, and Modifiers to Attacks. All of these are combat moves listed for a particular martial art style. Not every style has all of these (even in cases where they should).

Hand to Hand Basic

Hand to Hand Expert

Hand to Hand Martial Arts

Hand to Hand Assassin

As we can see, except for some specific minor differences, there is little to differentiate these styles from one another, even from system to system. With the vast changes and inclusions in post-N&S hand to hand combat (See Hand to Hand Combat Comparison 1) it is obvious that we need to take a more detailed look at and new approach to making these styles individual. I'd also like to address the applicability of attribute bonuses and hand to hand combat, since this has gone through many revisions.
I feel that each hand to hand combat style should be unique. There should be a reason to choose a more advanced hand to hand combat style over a more basic one. The first area I'd like to see changed is number of attacks. With the exception of Hand to Hand Assassin, all hand to hand combats are fundamentally the same in this department. That just doesn't make any sense. It makes even less sense when you compare it to the No Hand to Hand notation included in later books such as the RGMG and AtB2. I feel that Hand to Hand: Basic should have two attacks (rather than four), whereas Hand to Hand: Expert should have three attacks (rather than four). Martial arts I think should be removed entirely and replaced with a selection of 'Quickie' Martial Art styles (see my notes on creating 'Quickie' martial arts for more information on that). These 'Quickie' styles will have wildly varying attacks, with more internal styles receiving low number of attacks, while more external styles would have more attacks. For initial number of attacks, this could range from one (1) attack to possibly four (4) attacks, although I feel that some styles should have possibly more, in a setup similar to Hand to Hand: Assassin, where a portion of the attacks are granted at first level, with the remainder being applied at second level. Hand to Hand: Assassin is already different enough from the standard hand to hand combats that it works with the number of attacks it has (three at first level, two more at second). Even more advanced combats (such as Hand to Hand: Commando, included in the RGMG) should start with four attacks.
I would also like to see a more coherent system of modifiers and bonuses to the hand to hand combat styles. The inclusion of Initiative, Pull Punch, Disarm, Maintain Balance, and other combat moves into styles (which would mean the inclusion of a starting list of styles similar to N&S, though I think for these simplified combat forms, more in line with the RGMG would be more sensible) means the need for listed bonuses (and of course this would lead to their addition in the cases of Initiative and Pull Punch (possibly Disarm) in N&S styles). Critical Strikes, KO/Stun, Death Blow, and Critical Strike/KO/Stun from Behind/Rear Natural numbers and the inclusion of Unrestrained Death Blows also needs to be reworked. Having more basic styles of combat with these modifiers gained before more advanced styles makes little sense.
All in all, bonuses, modifiers, and number of attacks all need to be revised for the basic hand to hand combats. Of course, the inclusion of new moves, both initially and as level advancement bonuses should be looked at. In no way should these styles possess more moves than full blown N&S martial art style versions, but they should have a competent and clearly defined selection of them.

Attributes (and to a lesser degree Weapon Proficiencies) and hand to hand combat. There are a few areas of note that need to be taken into account when applying attribute bonuses to hand to hand combat. First let's define which attributes add effects in hand to hand combat. Of the eight standard attributes, only a select few will have any impact on combat, most notably P.S. and P.P., though to a lesser degree, P.E. and Spd. do play a roll in combat.
Physical Strength (P.S.) is important to combat because it modifies the amount of damage done on a attack. Fairly simple so far, however with the inclusion of a wide variety of P.S. types from Normal to Supernatural, this is wildly different from system to system. For instance, N&S uses a bizarre system that bases P.S. off the attribute level, changing the weight allowances for characters simply due to their P.S. (though not changing damage in the slightest), this system is clunky and useless and should be discarded. Other systems such as PF use a semi-simple system of Normal, Strong, and Supernatural Strength, with the only damage difference being in having Supernatural Strength. The RGMG uses a bizarre system that breaks strength down into Normal, Strong, "Augemented", Supernatural, and Robotic, with different damages for each as well as bizarre weight allowance modifiers. AtB2 uses a somewhat independent system of Normal, Brute (Strong), Beastly (Extraordinary), and Crushing (Supernatural) Strength that seems to be based off the HU2 standard. HU2 uses a fairly well defined system of Normal, Strong, Extraordinary, Superhuman (Robotic), and Supernatural Strength, with fairly well defined damages (though I dislike the idea of adding a damage base to the P.S. damage modifier table for Supernatural P.S.). Overall these systems often don't mesh well, creating havoc for people trying to convert things from one system to another.
Physical Prowess (P.P.) is important in combat because it adds a bonus to strike, parry, and dodge. Though some systems add this bonus to other combat moves, I find it should be simplified into two things, a strike or attack bonus that determines if you hit the target or opponent with a combat move (regardless of the move in question, it could be a punch, kick, weapon strike, grab, hold, lock, what have you), and a defensive bonus that adds a bonus to your defensive move (regardless of whether or not it's a dodge, parry, auto dodge, entangle, disarm, or back flip). Of course, with specialized hand to hand combat styles, where a bonus is granted to moves other than dodge or parry, this doesn't mean that you should add your dodge or parry bonus received from hand to hand combat training to the other moves, just that your P.P. bonus helps. Besides, it's much easier to list the bonus as "+# to Attack(Strike)/Defense." Another thing of note is that the P.P. bonus should NOT be added to Attack/Escape moves. These moves, while P.P. related, should have their own bonuses from hand to hand combat and/or skills that should be independent of attack or defense.
Physical Endurance (P.E.) and Speed (Spd) and hand to hand combat. Neither of these currently adds a bonus to combat (though older books such as N&S had a dodge bonus from Spd), and they don't factor into the combat moves involved except in a few instances. P.E. determines how long you can engage in combat without getting fatigued. This is most important when you are engaged with an opponent in a contest of strength, where your P.E. will determine how long you can hold your own in the contest (somewhat less important if the opponent is stronger or weaker than yourself). Spd determines how fast you can move in combat. The most simple way to determine how far you can move is to multiply your speed by five (5) and divide by number of attacks. Of course, while current books no longer give a bonus to dodge from Spd, you can still apply the attack penalty for striking at a moving target (typically -3, occasionally -4, faster moving targets up to -6).
Weapon Proficiencies and hand to hand combat. Weapons, particularly melee weapons, give combatants an edge in combat. The only real things of note is the question of whether or not to add weapon proficiency bonuses to hand to hand combat bonuses. While this works and is fairly simple in games other than N&S, the inclusion of Weapon Kata in N&S makes this problematic for conversions. Another thing of note is the Paired Weapons skill that is gained in HU2, where, when gained as a hand to hand combat ability applies to all weapons, but when chosen as a skill, only applies to a specific set of weapons. I think this idea needs to be looked at more, as in some games the limited number of skills available makes it prohibitive to take W.P. Paired Weapons for each type of Paired Weapon group the character wants to use. In N&S this is somewhat more reasonable, especially with the higher number of skills often available to characters.

Ninjas & Superspies comparison

No Modifiers to attack are listed. KO/Stun can only be performed with Knife Hand Knockout, Critical Strikes can only be performed with Body Flip/Throw

The only thing of note is the exceptional level of Death Blow ability.

Note the Leap distance and bonus. Also, the Critical Strike From Behind is listed in the Level Advancement Bonuses as, "Critical Strike on Sneak Attacks."

Nothing of note.

Note the Damage bonus. Note the changes in KO/Stun in the revised edition.

Nothing of note.

SSRBf is a compilation of moves; Somersault, Stagger, Roll, and Back Flip. The bonus for these is multiplied for the total number of bonuses. Note the triple damage for critical strikes from behind. I should point out, that for not being an Exclusive style, this has a lot of power available (42 combat moves and the incredible number of bonuses makes this uber powerful).

Nothing of note.

Note the vast change in modifiers from the original to the revised edition. Especially interesting since the Knock Out/Stun modifier is still listed in the modifiers to attack.

No Natural Number is listed for Death Blow or Knockout/Stun.

Note the vast change in modifiers from the original to the revised edition. Especially interesting since the Knock Out/Stun modifier is still listed in the modifiers to attack

Jujutsu has Body Flip/Throw and Critical Flip/Throw listed as modifiers to attack. Jujutsu is also missing one finger attack, needed to deliver Dim Mak, which is available at 11^th level. Note the loss of the Death Blow special attack in the revised edition, yet the Level Advancement Bonus remains the same. Also note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind.

BfSCH is a bonus applied to several moves; Back Flip, Somersault, Cartwheel, and Handstand, the bonus is multiplied by number of moves for total bonuses. Note the lack of KO/Stun from behind in the revised edition.

No Natural Number is listed for Death Blow in the Level Advancement Bonuses. Critical Strike has two places listing it as 18+, 6^th level where it states, "Critical Strike on a Natural 18 or better," and 11^th level, where it states, "Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20." Note that the revised edition doesn't need a Natural Number for Death Blow as it was removed from the special attacks, however the KO/Stun natural numbers are missing. Note that Tamashiwara is automatically gained at "5^th level skill," yet Tamashiwara doesn't have level advancement bonuses, making that an extraneous and useless note (the wording makes it clear that the ability isn't received at fifth level).

No Modifiers to Attack are listed, yet there is a bonus to Knockout Stun listed in the Level Advancement Bonuses.

Note the removal of the Knockout/Stun from Behind, and the increased character bonuses (from +3 to Spd to +4) in the revised edtion.

Critical Strike from Behind and Knockout/Stun are listed in the Modifiers to Attack, but no Level Advancement Bonus is given for either. No Natural Number is listed for Death Blow.

LBfSC is the abbreviation for Leap, Back Flip, Somersault, and Cartwheel. This bonus is multiplied by the number of moves for the total number of bonuses.

Moo Gi Gong's specialized weapon katas means that Moo Gi Gong teaches how every "Ancient" weapon is used. Critical Strike from Behind and Knockout/Stun are listed in the Modifiers to Attack, but no Level Advancement Bonus is given for either.

BfC is the abbreviation for Back Flip/Cartwheel, bonus is doubled to get the total number of bonuses.

Note the number of attacks in the original version, and the number of character bonuses in the revised edition.

Note the loss of the Knockout/Stun from Behind in the revised edtion.

BfL is an abbreviation for Back Flip/Leap, bonus is doubled to represent both moves. Note the loss of the Knockout/Stun from Behind in the revised edtion.

KO/Stun doesn't have a Natural Number Listed. Note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition.

Note the Body Flip/Throw modifiers. Note that a Critical Flip/Throw would do a whopping 6D6 damage since at 14^th level the normal Body Flip/Throw does "Critical/Double Damage" at 15^th level.

Note the loss of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition.

Critical Strike and Knockout from Behind are listed in the Level Advancement Bonuses, but not in the Modifiers to Attack. At 12^th level, the bonus states, "+1 to parry or Dodge," making this a selection for the character. Note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition.

Note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition. PS: The special technique names in the description are misspelled.

Other than wondering why a Korean style has Bushido as a philosophy, nothing of note in the original edition. Note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition.

Weapon Skills reads, "W.P Bo Staff, W.P. Sai-Paired, W.P.. Kama-Paired, W.P. Tuifa-Paired, or W.P. Nunchaku-Paired. But no where does it state, "Pick one (or more)." Note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition. Tuifa and Kama are removed from the skills selection in the revised edition.

Nice Strike bonus, other than that it's general setup makes one wonder why it costs two martial arts to learn. Note the changes to KO/Stun in the revised edition.

Critical Strike, Critical Strike and Knockout from Behind are not listed in the Modifiers to Attack (probably because there aren't any listed at all), yet they appear in the Level Advancement Bonuses. Dim Mak is listed as "Dim Mak (Death Blow)" in the Level Advancement Bonuses.

The weapon kata listed under Combat moves are Butterfly Knives-Paired and Bo Staff, yet the Level Advancement Bonus for 4^th level states, "Add 4 Levels to W.P. Naginata." Of course since this neither appears as a Weapon Kata or Weapon Proficiency (in the skills section) (or as a weapon in China for that matter), one has to wonder how this note got entered. Note the removal of KO/Stun from Behind in the revised edition.