Shotokan Karate
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment Restrictions.
Skill Cost: 12 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

The word Shotokan is composed of three kanji characters in Japanese. The sho character is taken from the word matsu which means pine tree. To is the character for waves. Pine Waves is supposed to mean "the sound that pine trees make when the wind blows through their needles." Some people also translate this to mean the waves that pine trees seem to make visually when bending in the wind. The founder of the style, Funakoshi Gichin, signed his works of calligraphy with the pen name Shoto. That is where the first part of the name of this type of karate came from. The word kan means building. Together, Shotokan refers to the building in which Funakoshi taught karate. Shotokan is recognizable by its linear, direct punching, blocking, and kicking from low stances. Shotokan emphasizes correct posture, correct joint alignment, and formality of basic technique above all else.

Costume: Karate Gi.
Stance: Side stance with one leg forward, the other slightly back, about shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. One hand is outstretched at eye level, the other is a hands's width in front of the stomach, both hands are held open with the fingers close together.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to Chi
Add +2 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +5 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defensive Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Backhand, Fore-Knuckle Fist, Hammer Fist (New!), Palm Strike, Spear hand (New!).
Basic Foot Attacks: Axe Kick, Crescent Kick, Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick, Trip/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick.
Special Attacks: Death Strike (New!), Elbow, Knee, Sweeping Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: None.
Modifiers to Attack: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Body Hardening, or Special Kata. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Language: Japanese.
Philosophical Training: Zen
If this is your Primary Martial Art Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Shuri Te (5 Years), Tomari Te (3 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1^st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Damage.
2^nd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Parry Dodge.
3^rd: +1 to Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
4^th: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
5^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Harding or Special Kata.
6^th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
7^th: +2 to Damage, +1 to Strike.
8^th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
9^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Harding or Special Kata.
10^th: +1 Attack Per Melee.
11^th: +1 to Strike, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
12^th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Death Strike on a Natural 20.
13^th: +2 to Damage, +1 to Strike.
14^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Harding or Special Kata.
15^th: +1 Attack Per Melee.
WHY STUDY Shotokan Karate?
The Shotokan view is that purity of raw technique is most important. The idea behind this is that one elegant technique will finish off the opponent quickly and efficiently. In situations where there are multiple opponents, such an ability is believed essential because there may not be time to throw more than one technique per opponent, and grappling and getting tangled up with your adversary when two others are also trying to harm you is probably unwise. Therefore, each karate technique is maximized at the expense of learning more complicated defenses in Shotokan training.