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There are two GURPS Martial Arts books: Classic and the current 4e.

Classic: Martial Arts[]

GURPS 3e Martial Arts cover

Classic: Martial Arts (1996, 1998) has two sections of advantages, skills, and maneuvers for most styles: realistic and cinematic. A Maneuver is a specific type of attack or defense and is treated like a skill with each one each one defaulting to one or more prerequisite skills, or to DX ("Kicking, for instance, is a Hard maneuver defaulting to Karate-2")

Styles are broken up into

  • Primary Skills: reflects the main focus of the individual style
  • Secondary skills: are either taught only at higher levels, or are not given as much attention throughout
  • Optional Skills: may or may not be taught in any particular school
  • Maneuvers: Techniques in 4e
  • Cinematic Skills: only available in Cinematic Settings
  • Cinematic Maneuvers: Cinematic Techniques in 4e
  • Special: eliminated in 4e

Styles[]

Many of the styles in this sections have realistic and cinematic totals. Scattered through this section is information on two belt systems as well as information on specific styles and thinking like External vs. Internal and Hard vs. Soft.

Weapons and Equipment[]

Contains Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Indonesian, Korean, Philippine, European Fencing, Modern, and Ultra-tech weapons as well as Ninja and Training equipment and armor.

Campaigns[]

  • Cinematic vs Realistic Campaigns, Setting, Themes

GURPS Martial Arts (4e)[]

GURPS 4e Martial Arts cover

A 2007 reworking of Classic: Martial Arts for 4e with major changes to the list of "Historical and Modern Styles" (several styles are replaced with other styles) and "Fictional, Alien, Fantasy, and Futuristic styles" being grouped together under "Fictional styles". Also there is no division between Primary and Secondary skills and only the realistic point totals for each style is given.

Some styles were put in information boxes throughout the style section resulting a list by page number not being entirely alphabetical. As with the classic edition, general concepts (like Marma or pressure points) are scattered through the style section.

The Historical Styles[]

Due to the changes and large overlap the styles of both books have been combined into this single table. Styles with a * may only exist in a cinematic campaign and those in bold appear both in Classic and 4e GURPS Martial Arts. Those in italics are not in alphabetic order in the book. Classic costs were based on Primary skills and "maneuvers" (in 4e these became Techniques with a similar cost structure) in the style; 4e reduced the cost to just mundane skills + Style Familiarity perk.

All costs are per 4e rules (Classic conversions count both Primary and Secondary skills as part of the style and include the Style Familiarity perk in the total)

Key[]

Styles exclusive to Classic: Martial Arts have their own pages showing the conversion. With the exception of the Ultimate Combat Style, all other links are to wikipedia articles on that type.

Style 4e Cost T CS CT P Source and Notes
Ultimate Combat Style [9]+ All All All All GURPS Martial Arts 4e
The fictional basis for all martial arts styles
Aikido
Aiki-jutsu
[3]
[2]
6 2
4
5
4
2
3
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Combined into one school in Classic: Martial Arts
An Ch'i* [8] 2 3 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Archery
* Foot Archery
* Kyudo
* Yabusame
Varies
[3]
[4]
[3]
V
2
1
3
V
3
3
1
V
1
0
0
V
3
0
0
GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Kyudo appears in Classic: Martial Arts
Armatura [6] 3 3 0 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Fighting style of the Roman legions during the 1st through 3rd centuries CE
Armatura Equestris [6] 5 1 0 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
cavalry based martial art of Rome
Armed Styles
* Banshay
* Krabi Krabong
varies
[7]
[8]
V
6
6
V
3
1
V
0
4
V
0
3
GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Bajutsu [3] 4 3 0 1 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
can be merged with Armatura Equestris, Furusiyya, Knightly Mounted Combat, and Yabusame
Bando (Burmese Martial Arts)
* ABA Bando
* Kachin Bando
varies
[4]
[3]
V
9
18
V
3
1
V
1
2
V
4
7
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Bartitsu [4] 4 3 0 1 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Boxing
* Ancient Greek Boxing
* Bare-Knuckle Boxing
[4]
[3]
[3]
5
6
6
1
0
0
1
0
0
5
3
3
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Listed under Professional Boxing in Classic: Martial Arts
Capoeira [4] 12 2 2 4 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Chin Na [3] 2 1 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Dagger Fighting [3] 8 2 2 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Escrima [4] 12 3 2 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Fencing Styles
* Italian School
* La Verdadera Destreza
* Transitional French School
* French Smallsword
* Sport Fencing
**Épée, Foil, Schläger
varies
[5]
[4]
[4]
[4]
[3]
[3]
V
8
8
6
6
2
2
V
1
4
1
1
0
0
V
6
3
2
3
0
0
V
2
3
0
2
0
0
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
French Fencing in Classic: Martial Arts
Furusiyya [5] 7 1 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Hapkido [5] 11 3 2 1 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Hashishin Style [12] 3 1 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Style of the Order of Assassins
Hoplomachia [5] 5 2 0 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Armed combat style of the ancient Greek city-states
Hsing-Yi Chuan (Hsing I Chuan) [3] 6 8 4 2 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Hung Gar Kung Fu (Tiger-Crane Style) [4] 6 5 1 4 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Hwa Rang Do [5] 11 5 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Jeet Kune Do [3] 9 4 4 4 GURPS Martial Arts
Judo [4] 3 5 1 2 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Jujutsu
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
[3] 8
14
5
2
3
1
3
3
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Kajukenbo [3] 7 2 2 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Kalaripayit [14] 4 4 2 1 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Karate
* Te
* Shotokan
* Goju Ryu
* Isshinryu
* Kyokushin
Varies
[3]
[4]
[5]
[4]
[4]
V
12
10
10
8
12
V
7
7
7
3
7
V
6
3
7
2
3
V
3
2
4
3
5
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Made into a single style in Classic: Martial Arts as well as some schools being listed under their names.
Kempo [7] 6 5 1 1 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Kendo
Kenjutsu
* Iaijutsu
** Iaido
* Nito Ryu
[3]
[5]
[4]
[5]
[3]
7
8
7
1
7
5
5
2
1
2
1
3
2
1
4
1
1
2
3
2
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Combined under one category in Classic: Martial Arts
Knightly Mounted Combat
* Early (600-1100) Medieval
* High (c 1100 - c 1390) Medieval
* Late (c 1390 -1453) Medieval
varies
[6]
[7]
[5]
V
6
4
12
V
2
2
2
V
0
1
1
V
2
1
3
GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Kobujutsu [8] 3 1 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Kuk Sool Won [6] 7 7 5 2 Classic: Martial Arts
Kung Fu
"Kung Fu"
See note NA NA NA NA blanket term for all Chinese martial arts and not an formal style
Kuntao [6] 8 3 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Kusarigamajutsu [3] 7 1 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Kusarijutsu [2] 7 1 2 1 GURPS Martial Arts
Japanese art of the kusari-fundo
Kyujutsu [4] 4 3 1 1 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Longsword Fighting [5] 16 2 2 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Masters of Defense Weapon Training [12] 6 2 3 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Military Hand-to-Hand
* Fairbairn Close Combat Training
* Krav Maga
* MCMAP
* Sambo
Varies
[3]
[3]
[5]
[4]
V
6
11
6
14
V
2
4
0
3
V
2
3
0
2
V
1
1
1
4
GURPS Martial Arts(both)
Combined under one school in Classic: Martial Arts
Muay Thai
* Lethwei
[3]
[4]
11
12
1
0
1
0
6
8
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Naginatajutsu [3] 6 3 2 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Ninjutsu [15] 26 14 19 10 Classic: Martial Arts
More a profession meta-trait in 4e then an actual style
Pa Kua Chuan [5] 3 7 1 1 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Pak Hok ("White Crane") [3] 7 2 4 2 GURPS Martial Arts (Both);

called "White Crane Kung Fu" in Classic: Martial Arts

Pakua [5] 4 1 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Pancratium (Pankration)/Mu Tau [5] 11 2 2 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both); the Mu Tau name is not used in GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Pao Chuan (Leopard Fist Kung Fu) [11] 10 2 1 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Pentjak Silat
* Kumango Silat
* Tapak Sutji Pentjak Silat
varies
[4]
[6]
V
17
12
V
6
6
V
2
1
V
2
2
GURPS Martial Arts (both)
combined under Pentjak Silat in Classic: Martial Arts
Polearm Fighting
Chinese Horse-Cutter Fighting

Glaive Fighting
Naginatado (orAtarashii Naginata)

[4] V

8

9

6

V

0

2

0

V

0

0

0

V

2

2

2

GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Police Hand-to-Hand [6] 3 0 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts; effectively eliminated in 4e with Styles for Cops where departments choose a certain existing style
Pollaxe Fighting [4] 7 1 2 0 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Praying Mantis Kung Fu [4] 9 6 4 4 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Professional Kickboxing [4] 4 0 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Quarterstaff [2] 7 4 5 1 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
overlap with Staff Fighting
Savate
La Boxe Francaise
[3] 8 2 4 2 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Self-defense Hand to Hand [2 or 3] V 0 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Shaolin Kung Fu [6] 16 15 12 8 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Shortsword Fighting [4] 13 0 2 4 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Shurikenjutsu [4] 4 1 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Sojutsu [3] 7 3 2 3 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Spear Fighting
* Chinese Spear Fighting
* Heroic Spear Fighting
* Iklwa Fighting
*Jukenjutsu (Bayonet Fighting)
* Viking Spear Fighting
varies
[4]
[4]
[5]
[5]
[4]
V
9
5
7
5
7
V
4
3
0
0
3
V
2
3
0
0
3
V
0
0
0
0
3
GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Staff Fighting
* Bojutsu
* Jojutsu
* Sport Quarterstaff
Varies

[2]
[3]
[2]

V
7
4
1
V
4
4
0
V
5
5
0
V
1
1
0
GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Bojutsu described elsewhere
Stickfighting
* African Stickfighting
* La Canne de Combat
* Victorian Singlestick
[2] V
10
2
1
V
0
0
0
V
0
0
0
V
0
0
0
GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Streetfighting [12] 11 0 0 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Sumo [4] 3 2 1 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Sword-and-Buckler Play [5] 9 0 2 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Sword-and-Shield Fighting [4] 2 0 3 2 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Tae Kwon Do [5] 9 3 1 2 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
T'ai Chi [2] 0 2 1 0 GURPS Martial Arts 4e; meditative version
T'ai Chi Chuan [6] 3 5 2 1 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Taihojutsu [6] 6 2 3 4 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Taijutsu [6] 15 14 8 5 GURPS Martial Arts 4e
The "core" of the Ninjutsu meta-trait.
Uechi Ryu [9] 6 4 1 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Wrestling
* Combat
* Greco-Roman
* Indian Wrestling
* Professional
* Submission
Varies
[4]
[3]

[4]
[4]
[3]

V
18
3
2
6
10
V
2
0
5
2
0
V
2
0
0
4
0
V
1
1
2
4
3
GURPS Martial Arts (both)

Some are listed under their names in Classic: Martial Arts

Wing Chun Kung Fu [4] 9 7 5 4 GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Wudong [6] 5 7 2 0 Classic: Martial Arts
Taoist style from Wudong mountains, China
Wushu Kung Fu [6] 9 6 5 3 GURPS Martial Arts (both)

Fictional Styles[]

Classic costs were based on Primary skills and "maneuvers" - in 4e these became Techniques with a similar cost structure) in the style; 4e reduced the cost to just mundane skills + Style Familiarity perk.

Style 4e Cost T CS CT P Type Source and Notes
Aerie Fighting (Winged folk Martial Art) [6] 4 4 0 0 Fantasy Classic: Martial Arts
Cyberninjutsu [15] 9 0 0 0 Future Classic: Martial Arts
Death Fist [12] 5 5 1 2 Legendary GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Dragon-Man Kung Fu [10] 9 9 6 7 Fantasy GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Engaijutsu [10] 11 12 3 0 Alien Classic: Martial Arts
Force-Swordmanship [5] 4 7 2 7 Future GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Freefighting [5] 3 2 2 1 Future GURPS Martial Arts 4e
Kronin Karate [11] 5 3 0 0 Alien Classic: Martial Arts
Smasha (Orc Combat Style) [4] 15 4 3 6 Fantasy GURPS Martial Arts (both)
Spacer Kung Fu [7] 4 4 0 0 Fantasy Classic: Martial Arts
Sylvan War Lore [6] 4 5 1 0 Fantasy Classic: Martial Arts

Beyond Sylvan War Lore[]

Six New GURPS Martial Arts Styles for Elves (8/3/2001)

Style 4e
Cost
T CS CT P Type Source and Notes
Blade Dancing [10] 9 1 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (8/3/2001)
Cloud Shadows [13] 4 9 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (8/3/2001)
Bow Singing [11] 1 4 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (8/3/2001)
The Way of the Tree [9] 3 7 5 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (8/3/2001)
The Forest Runners [11] 11 4 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (8/3/2001)
Eternal Devenders [12] 5 7 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (8/3/2001)

Martial Arts Styles for Mages[]

These have both "mundane" and spell sklls. Spell cost has been reduced to 1 for simplisity

Style 4e
Cost
T CS CT P Type Source and Notes
Stone Missie Fighting [6] 3 2 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (6/6/2003)
Death Fist [7] 5 4 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (6/6/2003)
Fire Swordsmanship [5] 5 1 1 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (6/6/2003)
Elven Archery [10] 1 3 o 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (6/6/2003)

Transhuman Martial Arts, Classic[]

Style 4e
Cost
T CS CT P Type Source and Notes
Bantu Boxing (Bantujutsu) -- Warriorstyle [8] 13 0 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (3/5/2004)
Bantu Boxing -- Chiefstyle [9] 13 0 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (3/5/2004)
Freefighting [8] 3 1 4 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (3/5/2004)
Hishôjutsu ("Flight Art") [8] 5 5 4 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (3/5/2004)
Military Zero-G [9] 10 0 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (3/5/2004)
Shan Chuan (Killer Fist Kung Fu) [7] 18 4 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (3/5/2004)

Martial Arts of Yrth, Classic[]

Style 4e
Cost
T CS CT P Type Source and Notes
Ars Clemens [7] 5 0 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)
Beserker Raging [10] 5 0 1 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)
Dwarven Bladecraft [6] 5 6 1 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)
Emulating the Dragon [7] 5 4 0 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)
Harmony [9] 4 5 1 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)
Imperial Battle Wizard Training [7] 1 0 1 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)
Tahtib [8] 5 0 2 0 Fantasy Pyramid 2 (2/18/2005)

Ranma 1/2 Martial Art Styles[]

  • Mousse's style: An Ch'i variant (some White Crane thrown in)
  • Joketsuzoku style: Chin Na with some T'ai Chi Chuan added
  • Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū (Anything goes): Jujutsu-like foundation with Jeet Kune Do-like philosiphy. Likely has techniques borrowed from Bando, Capoeira, Goju Ryu, Kapkido, Kempo, Ninjutsu, Pentjak Silat, Shaolin, and Wing Chun.
  • Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics, practiced by Kuno Kodachi

Special Cases[]

  • Mixed Martial Arts: "umbrella term for modern sportive martial arts used in limited-rules, full-contact striking and grappling matches"
  • Style!: the Wildcard Skill version of a style. At the bare minimum it will contain all the main skills of the style, generally all the techniques, and all the Cinematic Skills in the style.
  • Martial Artist!: The Wildcard Skill of martial arts.

Character Write-up Examples[]

Adventures[]

See Also[]

Japanese Books[]

GURPS Martial Arts April 1994 in Japan

The book cover of Japanese edition Classic: Martial Arts, "ガープス・マーシャルアーツ―汎用RPG格闘技ガイド" is published in April 1994 This book is Bunkoban edition for Third Edition.

GURPs Martial Arts August 2002

The book cover of Another Japanese edition Classic: Martial Arts, "ガープス・マーシャルアーツ完訳版" published in August 2002. This book has covered the untranslated part of "ガープス・マーシャルアーツ―汎用RPG格闘技ガイド" and for Third Edition.

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