There are two GURPS Martial Arts books: Classic and the current 4e.
Classic: Martial Arts[]
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)[]
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[]
- T: number of Techniques in a style
- CS: number of Cinematic Skills
- CT: number of Cinematic Techniques
- P: number of Perks
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 |
[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] |
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] |
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[]
- E. W. Barton-Wright (Historical)
- Mousse (Fictional)
Adventures[]
- Classic Martial Arts Adventures
- GURPS Silencer adventure (11/25/1999)
See Also[]
- Feint
- List of Techniques
- Designers' Notes: GURPS Martial Arts (7/13/2007)
- GURPS Martial Arts: Fairbairn Close Combat Systems
- Action 3: Furious Fists
- GURPS Martial Arts: Gladiators
- GURPS Martial Arts: Technical Grappling
- GURPS Martial Arts: Yrth Fighting Styles
- Melee Academy: Martial Arts Training (Christopher R. Rice's Ravens n Pennies)
- Category:Martial Art Styles
Japanese Books[]
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.
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.