Hand-to-Hand Combat Actions

(Version 1.03 - Last Modified: 08/10/2007)

• Introduction
• Combat Action Descriptions
  
  
• Offensive Combat Actions
  • Advanced Attack
  • Automatic Death Blow
  • Automatic Knockout / Stun
  • Back Flip Attack
  • Basic Attacks
  • Body Block / Tackle
  • Body Flip / Throw
  • Body Flip / Throw - Critical
  • Cartwheel Attack
  • Choke
  • Combination Action - Grab / Kick
  • Critical Strike
  • Critical Strike - Behind
  • Crush / Squeeze
  • Death Blow
  • Disarm
  • Entangle
  • Grab
  • Handstand Attack
  • Hold
  • Improve Combat Action
  • Joint Lock
  • Knockout / Stun
  • Knockout / Stun - Behind
  • Leap Attack
  • Paralysis Attack
  • Pin / Incapacitate
  • Pull Punch
  • Strike
  • Weapon Kata
  
  
• Defensive Combat Actions
• Automatic Body Flip / Throw
• Automatic Dodge
• Automatic Hold
• Automatic Joint Lock
• Automatic Parry
• Back Flip
• Circular Parry
• Combination Action - Drop Kick
• Combination Action - Parry / Hand Attack
• Combination Action - Parry / Power Block
• Combination Action - Reverse Turning Kick
• Disarm
• Dodge
• Entangle
• Grab
• Improve Combat Action
• Multiple Dodge
• Parry
• Simultaneous Attack
• Somersault


• Deflection Combat Actions
  • Break Fall
  • Improve Combat Action
  • Maintain Balance
  • Roll with Impact
  
  
• Movement Combat Actions
  • Back Flip
  • Move
  • Somersault

Introduction

There are four main types of combat actions used in this revised combat system. The first is the offensive action, which is generally used as an attack or in place of an attack. The second is the defensive action, which only can be used against a single incoming attack when applicable, both Parry and Dodge are defense actions. The third is the deflection action, which attempts to deflect or reduce incoming damage if it is not deflected, Roll with impact falls into this category, as does Break Fall and Maintain Balance. The forth is the movement action, which allows a character to move or perform a movement actions.

Unless otherwise states, A character can only use a single offensive action per melee attack, although some require more the one melee attack to finish. Actions that require more then one melee attack to perform prevent the character from using any other action during that time unless the character interrupts the offensive action. A character can perform only a single defensive action against each offensive action. If an offensive action hits a character, a single deflection action can be used.

Combat Action Descriptions

1. Advanced Attack: (Offensive)
   • Requires: Basic Attacks
   • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, each time providing access to a different advanced attack.
   • Description: Greater skill in hand-to-hand combat provides access to advanced forms of attacking. Most advanced attacks cause a greater amount of damage, but some are useful under special conditions. When selecting this action, the character selects and can use a single advanced attack from Hand-to-Hand Combat Attacks.
   
   
2. Automatic Body Flip / Throw: (Defensive)
   • Requires: Body Flip / Throw and hand-to-hand combat level 10.
   • Description: This defensive action is used in place of a normal parry and does not require a melee attack to perform. Using this action means that instead of blocking or deflecting the blow, the character attempts to leverage the attacker's own force into throwing the attacker. Success requires beating the attacker's roll to strike using bonuses to Body Flip / Throw and Automatic Body Flip / Throw. A successful roll means that the character has grabbed his opponent and sent him flying according to Body Flip / Throw. Failure means the character takes full damage from the attack without the opportunity to use a deflection action. This action does not require a melee attack to use.
   
   
3. Automatic Death Blow: (Offensive)
   • Requires: Death Blow (17-20) and hand-to-hand combat level 15.
   • Description: This powerful and deadly offensive action allows the character to inflict a Death Blow with every attack.


4. Automatic Dodge: (Defensive)
   • Requires: Dodge, Multiple Dodge, and hand-to-hand combat level 12.
   • Description: This powerful combat action allows a character to perform a Dodge action without using an attack per melee. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Automatic Dodge. A successful roll means that the character has completely avoided the incoming attack. Failure means the character is hit by the incoming attack. Anything that would prevent the Dodge action from being used also prevents Automatic Dodge from being used. This action does not require a melee attack to use.
   
   
5. Automatic Hold: (Defensive)
   • Requires: Hold and hand-to-hand combat level 8.
   • Description: This action is a defensive move that attempts to disrupt an incoming attack by grasping part of the attack and placing him in a hold. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Hold and Automatic Hold. A successful roll means that the character has grabbed his opponent and placed him in a hold of the character's choice (see Hold for details on each type of hold). Failure means the character takes full damage from the attack without the opportunity to use a deflection action. This action requires one melee attack to use.


6. Automatic Joint Lock: (Defensive)
   • Requires: Joint Lock and hand-to-hand combat level 10.
   • Description: This action is a defensive move that attempts to disrupt an incoming attack by grasping part of the attack and locking a joint. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Joint Lock and Automatic Joint Lock. A successful roll means that the character has grabbed his opponent and placed him in a joint lock of the character's choice (see Joint Lock for details on each type of joint lock). Failure means the character takes full damage from the attack without the opportunity to use a deflection action. This action requires one melee attack to use.
   
   
7. Automatic Knockout / Stun: (Offensive)
   • Requires: Knockout / Stun (20) and hand-to-hand combat level 5.
   • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, but a character cannot select this action more times than he has selected Knockout / Stun.
   • Description: This powerful action allows the character to automatically inflict a Knockout / Stun action without having to declare it by making a natural roll of equal to or greater than 21 - the number of times this action has been selected. For example, if this action is only selected once, then a natural 20 is needed to trigger it, but if it was selected three times, then any natural roll from 18 to 20 would trigger it.
   
   
8. Automatic Parry: (Defensive)
   • Requires: Parry
   • Description: A defender can attempt to parry an incoming attack without using a melee attack. This is done by blocking the attacker's blow with a weapon or a hand or a limb. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Parry and Automatic Parry. A successful roll means that the character has completely blocked the incoming attack. Failure means the character is hit by the incoming attack. Anything that would prevent the Parry action from being used also prevents Automatic Parry from being used. This action does not require a melee attack to use.

     An unarmed character can only parry blunt attacks, such as punches, kicks, and clubs. A character with a weapon of any kind can parry any kind of attack. Unless otherwise noted, ranged weapons, such as arrows, bullets, and energy blasts, but not thrown objects, cannot be parried. It is possible to parry an attack aimed at someone else, but the target of the attack must be within Grappling Range of the character attempting the to parry the attack.

   
   
9. Back Flip: (Defensive / Movement)
   • Requires: Dodge
   • Description: This back flip involves throwing oneself backwards with the arms and shoulders, flipping the legs completely up, over, and back down on the ground into a standing position. If used as a movement action, the combatant moves the same distance as a Cautious Move (see Move action) and gains a bonus of +4 to any defensive action he takes until his next turn. If used as a defensive action, success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Dodge and Back Flip. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely evaded the the incoming attack and moved to Long Melee Range. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack without the opportunity to use a deflection action, does not move, and is knocked down. This action requires one melee attack to use.
   
   
10. Back Flip Attack: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Back Flip and one of Advanced Attack (Axe Kick), Advanced Attack (Backhand Strike), or Advanced Attack (Snap Kick)
    • Description: The combatant flips backwards, directly into an opponent who had been moving to attack from behind. This attack allows the combatant to perform an Axe Kick, a Backhand Strike, or a Snap Kick against a target within Long Melee Range behind the combatant. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Back Flip. A successful roll means that the combatant has hit the target, dealing damage if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the combatant misses the target. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
11. Basic Attacks: (Offensive)
    • Description: There are a certain types of attacks that are considered to be very basic and everyone knows how to perform them. While not especially powerful, these attacks are handy, especially for those with a high physical strength. With this action, the combatant knows all basic attack from Hand-to-Hand Combat Attacks.
    
    
12. Body Block / Tackle: (Offensive)
    • Description: This is a combination of moves that involves a body block and a knockdown attack. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Body Block / Tackle. A successful roll means that the combatant has hit the target, inflicting 1D4 points of damage plus 1/2 of the combatant's normal damage bonus and the opponent is knocked down if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. The parry defensive action cannot be used to against the Body Block / Tackle action. Failure means the combatant misses the target. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
13. Body Flip / Throw: (Offensive)
    • Description: A judo style throw or flip that allows the combatant to pivot and "flip" or "throw" an opponent off his feet and onto the ground. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Body Flip / Throw. A successful roll means that the combatant has thrown the target, inflicting 1D6 points of damage plus 1/2 of the combatant's normal damage bonus and the opponent is knocked down and moved to Long Melee Range with the combatant if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. The parry defensive action cannot be used to against the Body Block / Tackle action and the combatant must be able to lift, but not necessarily carry, the weight of opponent to be thrown. Failure means the combatant misses the target. This action requires one melee attack to perform.

      It is possible to throw an opponent into something or someone with this action. To determine success, the first victim must be successfully thrown, but before the opponent rolls any deflection actions, the combatant that used the Blody Flip / Throw action must make use the Strike action to have the thrown opponent hit a specific place. If the opponent is being thrown at another combatant, then the second combatant can attempt a defensive action as normal, but if the action fails, the second combatant is hit by the thrown opponent, taking 1D4 points of damage +1 per 100 lbs (45.5 kg) that the thrown opponent weighed and is knocked down.

    
    
14. Body Flip / Throw - Critical: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Body Flip / Throw
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, but a combatant cannot select this action more times than he has levels divded by 3. For example, a 9th level character could only have selected this action at most three times.
    • Description: This action allows the combatant to inflict triple damage on a natural roll of equal to or greater than 21 - the number of times this action has been selected. For example, if this action was taken three times, then a natural 18, 19, or 20 is needed to trigger it.
    
    
15. Break Fall: (Deflection)
    • Requires: Roll with Impact
    • Description: Also known as "ukemi," this is an advanced version of the Roll with Impact action. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Break Fall. A successful roll means the combatant takes no damage from the attack. Failure means the combatant takes only half damage from the attack. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      This action can be used on all attacks that Roll with Impact can be used with and it can also be used in response to a successful Knockout / Stun action. If the roll is successful, the combatant is not knocked out or stunned.

    
    
16. Cartwheel Attack: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Advanced Attack (Axe Kick), Advanced Attack (Knife Hand), or Advanced Attack (Wheel Kick)
    • Description: Holding the body rigidly extended, the character rolls like a wheel by using the arms and legs as spokes. This attack allows the combatant to perform an Axe Kick, Knife Hand, or Wheel Kick against a target within Long Melee Range. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Cartwheel Attack. A successful roll means that the combatant has hit the target, dealing damage if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the combatant misses the target. After the action is complete, the combatant has moved to Melee Range with the target of the action. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
17. Choke: (Offensive)
    • Description: A combatant can attempt to grab onto an opponent's neck using this action. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Choke and Strike. A successful roll means that the combatant has grabbed his opponent and can to strangle him if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the opponent has not been grabbed. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      While being strangled, an opponent takes 1D6 points of damage direclty to hit points for each melee attack the combatant maintains the choke. For as long as the choke is maintained, the combatant being choked can attack the combatant that began the choke and receives +4 to all offensive actions against him. Only actions and attacks that can be used at Grapple Range can be used while a combatant is being choked. The combatant that used the Choke action can maintain it for as long as he desires or until the opponent breaks free of it. To break free of the hold, the opponent must force his way out of it by beating a PS attribute check, PP attribute check, or succeeding on an Escape Artist skill roll. After being choked for a number of melee attacks equal to the opponent's PE attribute, the opponent must make a save vs. pain with a cumulative -1 penalty for each additional melee attack that the choke is maintained. If the save is failed, the opponent falls unconscious and if the choke is maintained, dies one melee attack later.

    
    
18. Circular Parry: (Defensive)
    • Requires: Parry and hand-to-hand combat level 4.
    • Description: A defender can attempt to parry all incoming attacks without using a melee attack. This is done with sweeping movement to block attacks with a weapon or a hand or a limb. When this action is used, a single Parry roll is made using bonuses to Parry and Circular Parry and that roll is applied to all attacks that the combatant wishes to parry. This action can be used to parry incoming attacks until the next defensive action used by the combatant. Success requires beating an attacker's strike roll. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely blocked an incoming attack. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. This action can be used to parry attacks from behind, but anything else that would prevent the Parry action from being used also prevents Circular Parry from being used. This action does not require a melee attack to use.

      An unarmed character can only parry blunt attacks, such as punches, kicks, and clubs. A character with a weapon of any kind can parry any kind of attack. Unless otherwise noted, ranged weapons, such as arrows, bullets, and energy blasts, but not thrown objects, cannot be parried. It is possible to parry an attack aimed at someone else, but the target of the attack must be within Grappling Range of the character attempting the to parry the attack.

    
    
19. Combination Action - Drop Kick: (Defensive)
    • Requires: Dodoge, hand-to-hand combat level 4, and either Advanced Attack (Snap Kick) or Advanced Attack (Crescent Kick).
    • Description: This action combines falling to the ground to dodge an incoming attack and launching a kick attack on the way down. To use this combination action, the combatant must first succeed with a Dodge action. If the dodge was successful, the combatant then uses the Strike action to make either a Snap Kick or Crescent Kick attack against the original attacker. If the dodge roll failed, the combatant cannot use a deflection action against the original attack. Whether any part of this action is successful or not, the combatant becomes prone. This action requires a melee attack to use.
    
    
20. Combination Action - Grab / Kick: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Grab, Advanced Attack (Snap Kick), and hand-to-hand combat level 6.
    • Description: This action combines grabbing an opponent and pulling him towards the attacker while bringing the foot up for a kick attack. To use this combination action, the combatant must first succeed with a Grab action. If the grab was successful, the attacker then uses the Strike action to make a Snap Kick attack. Due to the speed of this action, the opponent takes a penalty of -5 on any defensive actions he uses against the Strike action. If the strike is successful, it automatically counts as a critical strike. This action requires a melee attack to use.
    
    
21. Combination Action - Parry / Hand Attack: (Defensive)
    • Requires: Hand-to-Hand combat level 4, Parry or Automatic Parry, and one of Advanced Attack (Backhand), Advanced Attack (Knife Hand), or Advanced Attack (Palm Strike).
    • Description: This action combines parrying an incoming attack with one hand and striking with a hand attack at the same time. To use this combination action, the combatant must first succeed with a Parry action. If the parry was successful, the combatant then uses the Strike action to make a Backhand, Knife Hand, or Palm Strike attack against the original attacker. Due to the speed of this action, the opponent takes a penalty of -3 on any defensive actions he uses against the Strike action. If the parry roll failed, the combatant cannot use a deflection action against the original attack. This action requires a melee attack to use.
    
    
22. Combination Action - Parry / Power Block: (Defensive)
    • Requires: Body Block / Tackle, hand-to-hand combat level 6, and Parry or Automatic Parry.
    • Description: This action combines parrying an attack with a sudden burst of speed to plow into the attacker. To use this combination action, the combatant must first succeed with a Parry action. If the parry was successful, the combatant then uses the Body Block / Tackle action against the original attacker. Due to the speed of this action, the opponent cannot use any defensive actions that require a melee attack to perform against the Body Block / Tackle action. If the parry roll failed, the combatant cannot use a deflection action against the original attack. This action requires a melee attack to use.
    
    
23. Combination Action - Reverse Turning Kick: (Defensive)
    • Requires: Dodoge, hand-to-hand combat level 6, and Advanced Attack (Snap Kick).
    • Description: This action combines spinning to avoid an incoming attack and striking back with a kick attack at the same time. To use this combination action, the combatant must first succeed with a Dodge action. If the dodge was successful, the combatant then uses the Strike action to make a Snap Kick attack against the original attacker. If the dodge roll failed, the combatant cannot use a deflection action against the original attack. This action requires a melee attack to use.
    
    
24. Critical Strike: (Offensive)
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, but a character cannot select this action more times than he has levels divded by 3. For example, a 12th level character could only have selected this action at most four times.
    • Description: This action allows the combatant to inflict a critical strike, dealing extra damage. The combatant inflicts a critical strike on a natural roll of equal to or greater than 21 - the number of times this action has been selected. For example, if this action was taken twice, then a natural 19 or 20 is needed to trigger it.

      When a critical strike occurs, the number of dice rolled for the attack is doubled and any damage bonus is doubled. For example, if a punch normally inflicts 1D4+3 points of damage, then it would inflict 2D4+6 points of damage on a critical strike.

    
    
25. Critical Strike - Behind: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Critical Strike and hand-to-hand combat level 6.
    • Description: This ability allows an attack from behind an unsuspecting target to automatically be a critical strike.
    
    
26. Crush / Squeeze: (Offensive)
    • Description: A combatant can give a "bear hug" to an opponent, immobilizing him and causing considerable damage. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Crush / Squeeze and Strike. A successful roll means that the combatant has grabbed his opponent and can to begin to crush him if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the opponent has not been grabbed. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      While being crushed, an opponent takes 1D4 points of damage plus any damage bonuses the combatant has for each melee attack the combatant maintains crushing the opponent. However, for as long as the crush is maintained, neither combatant cannot perform offensive, defensive, deflection, or move actions. To break free of the crush, the opponent must force his way out of it by beating a PS attribute check or succeeding on an Escape Artist skill roll.

    
    
27. Death Blow: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Hand-to-Hand combat level 8.
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, but a character cannot select this action more times than he has levels divded by 5. For example, a 12th level character could only have selected this action at most two times.
    • Description: A special attack designed to kill an opponent in one or two hits. The combatant uses this action by declaring his intention to deal a Death Blow and then makes a normal strike roll against the target, but if the combatant hits, he does not apply any bonuses to damage. Success requires a natural roll of equal to or greater than 21 - the number of times this action has been selected. For example, if this action was taken twice, then a natural 19 or 20 is needed to trigger it. A successful roll means that the attack inflicts triple normal damage, directly to the target's hit points. If the target has natural regeneration powers, this damage cannot be regenerated for 1D4 hours, but it can still be healed with magic or psionics. Failure means the combatant deals normal damage without any damage bonuses. This action does not require a melees attack to perform.

      This attack can be used with punches, kicks, or hand-held weapons such as swords, clubs, etc, but it cannot be used with ranged weapons. This attack is not applicable against targets that are not alive, like robots or cyborgs, and it does not work against power armor or body armor and the target must have an antomy familiar to the character, so it might not work on some alien creatures.

    
    
28. Disarm: (Defensive / Offensive)
    • Description: The act of disarming is simply getting rid of an opponent's weapon. The Disarm action is a strike, hold, or grappling maneuver that causes an opponent to drop his weapon or whatever he is holding and it can be used as an offensive or a defensive action. If used as an offensive action, the combatant selects a weapon held by the opponent and success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Disarm. A successful roll means that the combatant has disarmed the opponent of one of his weapons if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. If the opponent attempts to parry the Disarm action with the targeted weapon, the opponent's attempt automatically fails. Failure means the opponent is not disarmed. If used as a defensive action, success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Disarm. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely avoided the incoming attack from the weapon and it is disarmed. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      A disarmed weapon is either held by the combatant if he had an available hand or the weapon fell to the ground at the combatant's feet. This action can only be used against weapons that are being held and are not secured to the opponent's body. For example, an opponent could be disarmed of a sword or a knife, but a weapon built into the opponent's body could not by disarmed.

    
    
29. Dodge: (Defensive)
    • Description: A combatant can attempt to dodge an incoming attack by spending his next melee attack. This is done by avoiding the attack. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Dodge. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely avoided the incoming attack. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. This action requires one melee attack to use.
    
    
30. Entangle: (Defensive / Offensive)
    • Description: A combatant can entangle an to incapacitate him. The Entangle action is a special grappling maneuver that traps an opponent's weapon or limb and it can be used as an offensive or a defensive action. If used as an offensive action, success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Entangle. A successful roll means that the one of the opponent's limbs or weapons is entangled if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. If the opponent attempts to parry the Entangle action with the targeted limb or weapon, the opponent's attempt automatically fails. Failure means the limb or weapon is not entangled. If used as a defensive action, success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Entangle. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely avoided the incoming attack from that limb or weapon and it is entangled. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      While a limb or weapon is entangled, it cannot be used to attack with. The combatant that used the Entangle action can maintain it for as long as he desires or until the opponent breaks free of it. However, for as long as the entangle is maintained, the two combatants receive +2 to all offensive actions against each other and -2 to all defensive actions. If the combatant that used the Entangle action attempts to disarm the opponent while the weapon is entangled, the combatant receives a bonus of +3 to disarm. To break free of the Entangle, the opponent can drop an entangled weapon or he must force his way out of it by beating a PS attribute check or succeeding on an Escape Artist skill roll.

    
    
31. Grab: (Defensive / Offensive)
    • Description: A combatant can attempt to grab onto an opponent or an incoming projectile using this action. If used as an offensive action, success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Grab and Strike. A successful roll means that the combatant has grabbed his opponent and can begin to grapple him if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the opponent has not been grabbed. If used as a defensive action, success requires beating the attacker's strike roll +4 using bonuses to Grab. A successful roll means that the combatant has grabbed the incoming projectile and it is now in his hand. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. Projectiles fired at high speeds cannot be grabbed, but weapons like arrows, spears, javelins, and sling shots can all be grabbed. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      Once a grapple starts, both combatants are considered to be grappling each other, so the combatant that initiated the grapple cannot simply end it whenever he wants to. For as long as the grapple is maintained, the two combatants receive +3 to all offensive actions against each other and -4 to all defensive actions. Only actions and attacks that can be used at Grapple Range can be used while a combatant is in a grapple. To break free of the grapple, a combatant must force his way out of it by beating a PS attribute check or succeeding on an Escape Artist skill roll.

    
    
32. Handstand Attack: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Advanced Attack (Axe Kick) or Advanced Attack (Snap Kick)
    • Description: The combatant flips over and stands on his hands enabling him to attack in an unexpected way. This attack allows the combatant to perform an Axe Kick or a Snap Kick against a target within Melee Range. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Handstand Attack. A successful roll means that the combatant has hit the target, dealing damage if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action, which is made with a -2 penalty. Failure means the combatant misses the target. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
33. Hold: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Hand-to-Hand combat level 4.
    • Description: Using both hands, a combatant can grasp a part of an opponent's body in an attempt to immobilize him. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Hold. A successful roll means that the opponent is held in one of the holds listed below if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the opponent is not held. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      When an opponent is held, he is immobilized and cannot move or use physical attacks. The combatant that used the Hold action can maintain it for as long as he desires or until the opponent breaks free of it. However, for as long as the hold is maintained, neither combatant cannot perform offensive, defensive, deflection, or move actions. To break free of the hold, the opponent must force his way out of it by beating a PP attribute check or succeeding an Escape Artist skill roll. When a hold ends, both combatants are in Grappling Range.

      This action allows the combatant to use any of the following holds:

      • Arm Hold: This involves twisting the arm around to the victim's back. Any items in the hand of the arm being held can be easily removed. The combatant that began the Hold can use the Disarm action while maintaining the hold and receives a bonus of +4 to disarm.
      • Leg Hold: The victim is on the ground with his leg held up, but the attacker is still standing or kneeling in a way as to allow the attacker to stand quickly and without using a melee action. When the hold ends, the combatant being held is prone.
      • Body Hold: Any number of wrestling holds fall into this category. The victim can be held on the ground or in a standing position, but the combatant that began the hold must also be on the ground if they are holding the victim on the ground. When the hold ends, if the combatant being held was prone, than the combaban that began the hold is also prone.
      • Neck Hold: The victim is held around the neck from behind. The combatant that began the Hold can use the Choke action while maintaining the hold.
    
    
34. Improve Combat Action: (Defensive / Deflection / Offensive)
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, each time providing a bonus to the same or a different action. The bonus provided by Improve Combat Action cannot be applied to the same action more times than he has levels divded by 3. For example, a 12th level character could only have selected the bonus to apply to one type of action, such as Grab, at most four times.
    • Description: Each time this action is selected, the combatant chooses another action he knows that requires a roll and it receives a bonus of +1. For example, a combatant could choose the Handstand Attack action, and it would receive a bonus of +1 whenever it is used. Actions that require a natural roll, such as Death Blow or Critical Strike, and actions that do not require a specific roll, such as Simultaneous Attack, cannot be selected to receive a bonus by this action.
    
    
35. Joint Lock: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Hold
    • Description: These are often considered to be advanced holds and are used in a very similar manner, except a joint lock inflicts damage when the victim attempts to break free. Using both hands, the attacker grabs on to some part of the opponent's body and attempts to immobilize him. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Joint Lock. A successful roll means that the opponent is held in one of the joint locks listed below if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the opponent is not held. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      When an opponent is held, he is immobilized and cannot move or use physical attacks. The combatant that used the Hold action can maintain it for as long as he desires or until the opponent breaks free of it. However, for as long as the hold is maintained, neither combatant cannot perform offensive, defensive, deflection, or move actions unless otherwise stated in the joint lock's description. To break free of the hold, the opponent must force his way out of it by beating a PP attribute check or succeeding on an Escape Artist skill roll. When a joint lock ends, both combatants are in Grappling Range.

      Joint Locks that only require one hand enable the combatant that began the lock to perform offensive and defensive actions. Any offensive actions the combatant takes must only require one hand and they gain a bonus of +2 if used against the opponent in the joint lock. All defensive actions taken by the combatant that began the joint lock are made with a -4 penalty.

      This action allows the combatant to use any of the following holds:

      • Finger Lock: One of the victim's fingers has been twisted around in a painful and immobilizing manner. If the held combatant breaks free of the joint lock, the finger is broken and results in 1D4 points of damage directly to hit points and requires a save vs. pain or the combatant loses consciousness. Using this joint lock provides a bonus of +2 to joint lock. This joint lock requires only one hand.
      • Wrist Lock: The wrist is twisted away from the victim's body. If the held combatant breaks free of the joint lock, the wrist is broken and results in 1D6 points of damage directly to hit points and requires a save vs. pain or the combatant loses consciousness. Anything held in the hand with the broken wrist is dropped. This joint lock requires only one hand.
      • Elbow Lock: This lock requires the attacker to use both hands and can cause considerable damage if the opponent attempts to break free. If the held combatant breaks free of the joint lock, the elbow is broken and results in 1D8 points of damage directly to hit points and requires a save vs. pain with a penalty of -4 or the combatant loses consciousness. Anything held in the hand with the broken elbow is dropped. This joint lock requires two hands.
    
    
36. Knockout / Stun: (Offensive)
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, but a character cannot select this action more times than he has levels divded by 2. For example, a 12th level character could only have selected this action at most four times.
    • Description: A special attack designed to temporarily incapacitate an opponent in a single, powerful blow. The combatant uses this action by declaring his intention to knockout or stun his opponent and then makes a normal strike roll against the target, but if the combatant hits, he does not apply any bonuses to damage. Success requires a natural roll of equal to or greater than 21 - the number of times this action has been selected. For example, if this action was taken twice, then a natural 19 or 20 is needed to trigger it. A successful roll means that the target must succeed a save vs. pain. If the target fails the roll, then they fall unconscious for 1D6 melee rounds, but if they succeed then they are only stunned for 1D4 melee rounds. While dazed, the victim cannot take any offensive or deflection actions, and all defensive actions suffer a penalty of -4 to all combat rolls. Failure means the combatant deals normal damage without any damage bonuses. This action does not require a melees attack to perform.

      This attack can be used with punches, kicks, or hand-held weapons such as swords, clubs, etc, but it cannot be used with ranged weapons.

    
    
37. Knockout / Stun - Behind: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Knockout / Stun and hand-to-hand combat level 6.
    • Description: This ability allows an attack from behind an unsuspecting target to automatically inflict a Knockout / Stun attack. This action does not require a melees attack to perform.
    
    
38. Leap Attack: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Hand-to-Hand combat level 4.
    • Description: this action causes the combatant to launch an airborne assault where the weapons and/or fists are wielded in mid-leap. This attack allows the combatant to perform a Strike action against up to three targets within Long Melee Range as long as each target is within Grappling Range of the other targets. The combatant deals an additional +3 to damage against each target of this action. After the action is complete, the combatant has moved to Melee Range with the targets of the action. This action requires three melee attacks to perform.
    
    
39. Maintain Balance: (Deflection)
    • Description: When an attack that would knockdown a combatant has succeeded, the combatant can use this action to attempt to recover and remain standing. Success requires beating the roll made that would knockdown the combatant using bonuses to Maintain Balance. A successful roll means that the combatant remains standing. Failure means the combatant is knocked down. This action does not require a melee attack to use.
    
    
40. Move: (Movement)
    • Description: This is a very basic action that allows a character to move in a combat situation. If using a grid system, round all fractions up to the size of the grid to determine how many squares a character can move with each melee attack. For example, if a character can move 67.5' per melee attack and if using a grid based on 5' (or 2 m) squares, then the character could move 14 squares (67.5 / 5 = 13.5 -> 14) per melee attack. There are four types of movement that a character can perform during combat:
      • Shuffle: A Shuffle requires one melee attack to perform and the combatant moves one level of combat range, such as moving from Grappling Range to Melee Range or from Long Range to Melee Range. A Shuffle is slow and deliberate and provides a bonus of +5 to all defensive actions taken until the combatant's next turn. If using a grid combat system, a Shuffle moves the character one square of movement in any direction. This type of movement requires one melee attack to perform.
      • Combat Move: A Combat Move is the movement that a combatant makes as a normal part of combat. It is slower then a Cautious Move, but allows for more mobility then a Shuffle. This type of movement can be conbined with an offensive action, with the action taking place before or after the movement. Using a Combat Move, a combatant can move a number of feet equal to his Spd attribute x5 divided by his number of attacks per melee. For example, a character with a Spd attribute of 18 and four attacks per melee could move 22.5' (6.9 m) with each Combat Move. This type of movement does not require a melee attack to perform.
      • Cautious Move: A Cautious Move allows the character to move much faster then a Combat Move, but he cannot combine it with an offensive action. Using a Cautious Move, a combatant can move a number of feet equal to his Spd attribute x15 divided by his number of attacks per melee. For example, a character with a Spd attribute of 18 and four attacks per melee could move 67.5' (20.6 m) with each Cautious Move. This type of movement requires one melee attack to perform.
      • Run: A Run occurs when a combatant throws caution to the wind and runs very quickly. A run is fast and careless and provides a penalty of -3 to all defensive actions taken until the combatant's next turn. While running, a combatant can move a number of feet equal to his Spd attribute x30 divided by his number of attacks per melee. For example, a character with a Spd attribute of 18 and four attacks per melee could move 135' (41.1 m) with each Run action. This type of movement requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
41. Multiple Dodge: (Defensive)
    • Requires: Dodge and hand-to-hand combat level 6.
    • Description: This combat action allows a combatant to dodge all incoming attacks by using only one melee attack. This is done with sweeping movement to avoid the incoming attacks. When this action is used, a single Dodge roll is made using bonuses to Multiple Dodge and that roll is applied to all attacks that the combatant wishes to dodge. This action can be used to dodge incoming attacks until the next defensive action used by the combatant. Success requires beating an attacker's strike roll. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely evaded an incoming attack. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. Anything that would prevent the Dodge action from being used also prevents Multiple Dodge from being used. This action requires one melee attack to use.
    
    
42. Paralysis Attack: (Offensive)
    • Description: A low level version of special martial arts techniques, this action is used to temporarily paralyze the victim without rendering them unconscious. Success requires a 14 or better on a roll using bonuses to Paralysis Attack. A successful roll means that the target is paralyzed for his next 1D6 melee actions. Failure means the combatant misses the target. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
43. Parry: (Defensive)
    • Description: A combatant can attempt to parry an incoming attack by spending his next melee attack. This is done by blocking the attacker's blow with a weapon or a hand or a limb. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Parry. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely blocked the incoming attack. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack. This action cannot be used on attacks from behind the combatant. This action requires one melee attack to use.

      An unarmed combatant can only parry blunt attacks, such as punches, kicks, and clubs. A combatant with a weapon of any kind can parry any kind of attack. Unless otherwise noted, ranged weapons, such as arrows, bullets, and energy blasts, but not thrown objects, cannot be parried. It is possible to parry an attack aimed at someone else, but the target of the attack must be within Grappling Range of the combatant attempting the to parry the attack.

    
    
44. Pin / Incapacitate: (Offensive)
    • Requires: Body Block / Tackle
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, but a character cannot select this action more times than he has levels divded by 3. For example, an 8th level character could only have selected this action at most two times.
    • Description: This action is used in conjunction with a Body Block / Tackle action, and allows a combatant to pin an opponent with a good natural roll. The combatant uses this action by declaring his intention to pin his opponent and then uses the Body Block / Tackle action. Success requires a natural roll of equal to or greater than 21 - the number of times this action has been selected. For example, if this action was taken four times, then a natural 17, 18, 19, or 20 is needed to trigger it. A successful roll means that the combatant has put his opponent in a body hold as per the normal rules for the Hold action. This action does not require a melee attack to perform.
    
    
45. Pull Punch: (Offensive)
    • Description: The ability to control the force of a melee attack, whether it is a punch, kick, or a hand weapon can be very important. This action is used to reduce the strength of any offensive action that inflicts damage to less than killing force. A combatant must declare that he is using the Pulled Punch action before making an attack and proceeds to roll normally. Success requires an 11 or higher using bonuses to Pull Punch and any bonuses to the other action, such as to strike if the other action is a normal attack. A successful roll reduces the damage inflicted by half of its rolled damage and the no other damage bonuses except those from a weapon apply. Failure means the attack was at full strength. This action does not require a melee attack to use.

      Creatures with incredible strength, such as Exceptional, Robotic, and Supernatural strength, inflict damage from a reduced attack differently, please see Strength Categories for more details on how much damage they inflict with a successful Pulled Punch. As with creatures with normal strength, on a successfully Pulled Punch, a creature with incredible strength does not apply any damage bonuses.

    
    
46. Roll with Impact: (Deflection)
    • Description: The purpose of this simple combat action is to reduce the damage that a combatant would take from an incoming attack. Success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Roll with Impact. A successful roll means the combatant takes only half damage from the attack. Failure means the combatant is hit by the full attack. This action does not require a melee attack to use.

      The Roll with Impact action can only be used on certain types of attacks. It can be used against all types of melee attacks and against explosions, but it cannot be used against energy blasts, bullets, fire, arrows, or similar attacks. This action can also be used to reduce falling damage by half, but the combatant must roll a 14 or higher using bonuses to Roll with Impact.

    
    
47. Simultaneous Attack: (Defensive)
    • Description: This action allows the defender to perform a Strike action against the attacker in place of attempting to avoid the incoming attack. The defender can only use a normal attack with this action, but the original attacker cannot perform a defensive or deflection action in response to the defender's attack unless the attack has W.P. Paired Weapon and has not attacked with both weapons. In this case, the original attacker could use one of the weapons to attempt to parry the incoming attack. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
48. Somersault: (Defensive / Movement)
    • Requires: Dodge
    • Description: This is an escape maneuver used to get into or out of combat range. If used as a movement action, the character moves two levels of combat range, such as from Long Melee Range to Grappling Range or from Grappling Range to Long Melee Range. If used as a defensive action, success requires beating the attacker's strike roll using bonuses to Dodge and Somersault. A successful roll means that the combatant has completely evaded the the incoming attack and moved two combat ranges further away from the attacker. Failure means the combatant is hit by the incoming attack without the opportunity to use a deflection action and moves one combat range further away from the attacker. This action requires one melee attack to use.
    
    
49. Strike: (Offensive)
    • Description: A combatant attempting to hit an opponent with an attack, either with a hand-to-hand combat attack or with a weapon, uses one melee attack and must roll to strike. Success requires a 5 or better on a roll using bonuses to Strike. A successful roll means that the combatant has hit the target, dealing damage if the opponent does not succeed with a defensive action. Failure means the combatant misses the target. This action requires one melee attack to perform.
    
    
50. Weapon Kata: (Offensive)
    • Special: This action can be selected multiple times, each time providing access to a different ancient weapon proficiency.
    • Description: Many martial arts incorporate the use of weapons into the combat training. This action provides the character with an ancient melee weapon proficiency that begins at first level and advances as the character gains new levels.