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Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 2:07 pm
by Nightmaster
Ok guys I got an idea sometime ago involving Psyscape that deals with the use of Psi-Swords. :)

Like, every psychic that have it uses the sword in a diferent way, but what if the people of Psyscape, that are so more psychic advanced, developed a way of fighting using psi-swords? Like a kendo/kenjustsu martial arts that requires the person to have the psi-sword abilitie. Since Psyscape does have non-psichics as main allies, I though that sometimes normal people do learn that sword style but they require some sort of weightless blade to be able to use the style.

I got thinking about it and didnt found any faults in the idea but i never have wrote any type of martial arts for my games so i am coming here to have opinions on the matter. So far i have write what follow.

Psi Sword Fencing

Attributes Bonuses: +1D6 SDC, +2 M.E., +1 P.P.

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 attacks per melee, +1 to strike, +2 to parry, +1 to initiative, +2 to roll with punch/fall/impact Basic Moves and Special Techniques: Disarm, break fall, roll with punch/fall/impact, pull punch, knee and elbow strikes (1D6 damage) and the usual strike, parry and dodge.
2nd: +1 to dodge, +1 to pull punch, +1 to maintain balance, Automatic Parry
3rd: +1 attack per melee, +1 to disarm, +1 to break fall, palm strike
4th: +1 to dodge, +1 to initiative, Kick Attack
5th: Tripping/leg hook and backward sweep kicks
6th: +1 to parry, +1 to maintain balance, +1 to pull punch, Critical strike on a natural roll of 18, 19 or 20
7th: +1 attack per melee, +1 to strike, +2 to break fall
8th: +1 to dodge, +1 to initiative
9th: +1 to pull punch, +1 to disarm
10th: +1 to dodge, +1 to roll with punch/fall/impact, , Death Blow on a natural 20
11th: +1 attack per melee, +1 to maintain balance
12th: +1 to parry, +1 to initiative
13th: +1 to strike
14th: Double existing ISP (inner spirit)
15th: +1 attack per melee

Total Bonuses
Strike: +3
Parry: +4
Dodge: +4
Initiative: +4
Pull Punch: +3
Roll with punch/fall/impact: +4
Maintain balance: +3
Disarm: +2
Break Fall: +3

Please be gentle with me its my first time :lol:

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 5:54 pm
by Captain Shiva
Are you intending for this to supplement the regular HTH skills or replace them? If the latter, I would make it more like an NSS martial art, adding new powers to distinguish it from regular psi-swords,maybe something like Phantom Blade,where the sword can strike the intangible(including vampires in mist form) and/or bypass body armor.Also, you might want to have a look at Rifter#30( A Cut Above) for ideas about special attack manuevers.Of course,there is always deflecting energy blasts.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 7:23 pm
by G
If you are contemplating putting special moves in there, If you come p with a lot of them, I suggest you create a list of all the special moves and just let people choose from them at certain levels. You might need to create say 3 lists depending on how powerful the move is and if it has a prerequisite of a previus special move.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 8:25 pm
by Nightmaster
Captain Shiva wrote:Are you intending for this to supplement the regular HTH skills or replace them? If the latter, I would make it more like an NSS martial art, adding new powers to distinguish it from regular psi-swords,maybe something like Phantom Blade,where the sword can strike the intangible(including vampires in mist form) and/or bypass body armor.Also, you might want to have a look at Rifter#30( A Cut Above) for ideas about special attack manuevers.Of course,there is always deflecting energy blasts.


Dont know if I got what you mean but the main idea is to create a HtH style that can be picked by psi characters that have psi swords, or any type of weightless blade (there are some examples of then in the game, some not much difficult to get) to use instead of the traditional HtH styles.

Think of it about like the HtH styles of Rifts Japan, they dont give any new powers, just bonuses and moves. New powers come with new OCCs.

Anyway, what you think? balanced, weak, munchkin?

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:10 pm
by Captain Shiva
Nightmaster wrote:
Captain Shiva wrote:Are you intending for this to supplement the regular HTH skills or replace them? If the latter, I would make it more like an NSS martial art, adding new powers to distinguish it from regular psi-swords,maybe something like Phantom Blade,where the sword can strike the intangible(including vampires in mist form) and/or bypass body armor.Also, you might want to have a look at Rifter#30( A Cut Above) for ideas about special attack manuevers.Of course,there is always deflecting energy blasts.


Dont know if I got what you mean but the main idea is to create a HtH style that can be picked by psi characters that have psi swords, or any type of weightless blade (there are some examples of then in the game, some not much difficult to get) to use instead of the traditional HtH styles.

Think of it about like the HtH styles of Rifts Japan, they dont give any new powers, just bonuses and moves. New powers come with new OCCs.

Anyway, what you think? balanced, weak, munchkin?

Ever read Ninjas and Superspies? What I am talking about is an actual martial art form,so you could do the stuff like you see in kung fu movies,not the watered down stuff you see in Rifts Japan.But I infer that you intend this to replace the regular HTH skills.Okay,fine. Let me suggest a couple more special powers.How about Psychic Attack Strike(minor) and Psychic Attack Strike(super) These two powers would enable the psisword wielder,upon scoring a successful hit, to channel a another psychic power through the blade,at normal ISP cost.Of course,knowing the other power would be a prerequisite.Minor techniques could include Telekinetic Punch or Push, while super techniques might include Bio-Manipulation,Telemechanic paralysis,Pyrokinesis or Electrokinesis.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:24 am
by Nightmaster
Captain Shiva wrote:
Nightmaster wrote:
Captain Shiva wrote:Are you intending for this to supplement the regular HTH skills or replace them? If the latter, I would make it more like an NSS martial art, adding new powers to distinguish it from regular psi-swords,maybe something like Phantom Blade,where the sword can strike the intangible(including vampires in mist form) and/or bypass body armor.Also, you might want to have a look at Rifter#30( A Cut Above) for ideas about special attack manuevers.Of course,there is always deflecting energy blasts.


Dont know if I got what you mean but the main idea is to create a HtH style that can be picked by psi characters that have psi swords, or any type of weightless blade (there are some examples of then in the game, some not much difficult to get) to use instead of the traditional HtH styles.

Think of it about like the HtH styles of Rifts Japan, they dont give any new powers, just bonuses and moves. New powers come with new OCCs.

Anyway, what you think? balanced, weak, munchkin?

Ever read Ninjas and Superspies? What I am talking about is an actual martial art form,so you could do the stuff like you see in kung fu movies,not the watered down stuff you see in Rifts Japan.But I infer that you intend this to replace the regular HTH skills.Okay,fine. Let me suggest a couple more special powers.How about Psychic Attack Strike(minor) and Psychic Attack Strike(super) These two powers would enable the psisword wielder,upon scoring a successful hit, to channel a another psychic power through the blade,at normal ISP cost.Of course,knowing the other power would be a prerequisite.Minor techniques could include Telekinetic Punch or Push, while super techniques might include Bio-Manipulation,Telemechanic paralysis,Pyrokinesis or Electrokinesis.


Actually I do have the N&SS book.

I based that style after the HtH styles presented in the Rifts Japan book, so the style is just a set of routines, katas and exercises like all the normal HtH styles (Tengu-jutsu don’t count).

To add new abilities and powers to the style would prevent it from being used by non-psichics and my intention from the start was to create a sword style that although was designed for psychics that have the psi-sword power it could be used by non-psichics if they use a weightless blade of some sort.

Otherwise the style would give non-psichics psi powers powers and that is a bit munchkin for my taste.

However your ideas have give me a new inspiration for a campaign of mine in Phase World. :)

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:18 pm
by Captain Shiva
Nightmaster wrote:
Captain Shiva wrote:
Nightmaster wrote:
Captain Shiva wrote:Are you intending for this to supplement the regular HTH skills or replace them? If the latter, I would make it more like an NSS martial art, adding new powers to distinguish it from regular psi-swords,maybe something like Phantom Blade,where the sword can strike the intangible(including vampires in mist form) and/or bypass body armor.Also, you might want to have a look at Rifter#30( A Cut Above) for ideas about special attack manuevers.Of course,there is always deflecting energy blasts.


Dont know if I got what you mean but the main idea is to create a HtH style that can be picked by psi characters that have psi swords, or any type of weightless blade (there are some examples of then in the game, some not much difficult to get) to use instead of the traditional HtH styles.

Think of it about like the HtH styles of Rifts Japan, they dont give any new powers, just bonuses and moves. New powers come with new OCCs.

Anyway, what you think? balanced, weak, munchkin?

Ever read Ninjas and Superspies? What I am talking about is an actual martial art form,so you could do the stuff like you see in kung fu movies,not the watered down stuff you see in Rifts Japan.But I infer that you intend this to replace the regular HTH skills.Okay,fine. Let me suggest a couple more special powers.How about Psychic Attack Strike(minor) and Psychic Attack Strike(super) These two powers would enable the psisword wielder,upon scoring a successful hit, to channel a another psychic power through the blade,at normal ISP cost.Of course,knowing the other power would be a prerequisite.Minor techniques could include Telekinetic Punch or Push, while super techniques might include Bio-Manipulation,Telemechanic paralysis,Pyrokinesis or Electrokinesis.


Actually I do have the N&SS book.

I based that style after the HtH styles presented in the Rifts Japan book, so the style is just a set of routines, katas and exercises like all the normal HtH styles (Tengu-jutsu don’t count).

To add new abilities and powers to the style would prevent it from being used by non-psichics and my intention from the start was to create a sword style that although was designed for psychics that have the psi-sword power it could be used by non-psichics if they use a weightless blade of some sort.

Otherwise the style would give non-psichics psi powers powers and that is a bit munchkin for my taste.

However your ideas have give me a new inspiration for a campaign of mine in Phase World. :)

If you fleshed out your ideas on this style,it might make a fun addition to the Psi-Warrior,but you would need to change things so that they have Psi-Sword at first level,and I would not make it available to non Psi-Sword users,nor to Cyber-Knights.They already have their own thing.And please share your ideas with me via email, if you would. bengrimmatbaxterbuilding@yahoo.com

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:41 am
by Nightmaster
Captain Shiva wrote: If you fleshed out your ideas on this style,it might make a fun addition to the Psi-Warrior,but you would need to change things so that they have Psi-Sword at first level,and I would not make it available to non Psi-Sword users,nor to Cyber-Knights.They already have their own thing.And please share your ideas with me via email, if you would. bengrimmatbaxterbuilding@yahoo.com


The idea I had was that the creators of the style in Psyscape designed this style to take advantage of the fact that the psi-sword is weightless.

Normally all other ways of fighting with a sword or melee weapon try to compensate for the weight of the weapon in its techniques. For this reason those styles dont really use the psi-sword to its full potencial simple because the techniques dont take that fact in account.

That is the only reason I believe a normal person can learn the style, because aside from the psi-sword, the style can be used with any type of sword that for a reason or another dont have weight. An example of it is the wilks laser sword and the TW lightblade sword that are blade weapons that dont have a weight and can be used by anyone, psichic or not.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 5:11 pm
by Captain Shiva
Nightmaster wrote:
Captain Shiva wrote: If you fleshed out your ideas on this style,it might make a fun addition to the Psi-Warrior,but you would need to change things so that they have Psi-Sword at first level,and I would not make it available to non Psi-Sword users,nor to Cyber-Knights.They already have their own thing.And please share your ideas with me via email, if you would. bengrimmatbaxterbuilding@yahoo.com


The idea I had was that the creators of the style in Psyscape designed this style to take advantage of the fact that the psi-sword is weightless.

Normally all other ways of fighting with a sword or melee weapon try to compensate for the weight of the weapon in its techniques. For this reason those styles dont really use the psi-sword to its full potencial simple because the techniques dont take that fact in account.

That is the only reason I believe a normal person can learn the style, because aside from the psi-sword, the style can be used with any type of sword that for a reason or another dont have weight. An example of it is the wilks laser sword and the TW lightblade sword that are blade weapons that dont have a weight and can be used by anyone, psichic or not.

Understood, but the some of the special techniques and powers I had in mind could only be used with a Psi-Sword, such as using Bio-Manipulation on a successful strike.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:00 pm
by Killer Cyborg
No.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 11:31 am
by Nightmaster
Killer Cyborg wrote:No.


Care to elaborate?

What tha no means?

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 3:51 am
by Killer Cyborg
Nightmaster wrote:
Killer Cyborg wrote:No.


Care to elaborate?

What tha no means?


No, it's a bad idea. It doesn't require or merit any investment of time, and it doesn't fit the Palladium system.
They already have fencing as a skill, and it (along with WP Sword) encompasses all forms of training in swordplay.

If the system were detailed enough that every kind of sword had its own Hand to Hand combat skill, then your notion might fit, but it's not, so it doesn't.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 4:42 pm
by Nightmaster
Killer Cyborg wrote:
Nightmaster wrote:
Killer Cyborg wrote:No.


Care to elaborate?

What tha no means?


No, it's a bad idea. It doesn't require or merit any investment of time, and it doesn't fit the Palladium system.
They already have fencing as a skill, and it (along with WP Sword) encompasses all forms of training in swordplay.

If the system were detailed enough that every kind of sword had its own Hand to Hand combat skill, then your notion might fit, but it's not, so it doesn't.

Interressing but by your logic the Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu (N&SS, Rifts Japan), Kendo (Rifts Japan) and all other martial arts besides HtH Basic/Expert/Martial Arts/Assassin dont fit in the palladium system then.

Just because the authors of the various books of the palladium system have not taken their time to write HtH styles that use some especifiic type of weapon dont mean that they cant exist.

You may say that those other HtH styles are especific to some regions or locations and that those styles were created for a given book but then again that goes against your own logic that HtH styles besides the ones presented before dont fit in the game. After all if you already have HtH basic/Expert/Martial Arts/Assassin why then the creation of Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Ninjitsu, Commando and other HtH styles in the other books? :roll:

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 9:50 pm
by Killer Cyborg
Nightmaster wrote:
Killer Cyborg wrote:
Nightmaster wrote:
Killer Cyborg wrote:No.


Care to elaborate?

What tha no means?


No, it's a bad idea. It doesn't require or merit any investment of time, and it doesn't fit the Palladium system.
They already have fencing as a skill, and it (along with WP Sword) encompasses all forms of training in swordplay.

If the system were detailed enough that every kind of sword had its own Hand to Hand combat skill, then your notion might fit, but it's not, so it doesn't.

Interressing but by your logic the Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu (N&SS, Rifts Japan), Kendo (Rifts Japan) and all other martial arts besides HtH Basic/Expert/Martial Arts/Assassin dont fit in the palladium system then.


In order:
1. a) Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu covers a variety of weapons, not just the katana.
b)The martial art form overall worked great in N&S, but Rifts isn't N&S. For good or for bad, they've moved away from the more complicated version of their HTH skill system used in N&S and go with more generic stuff.
2. Rifts Japan is garbage.
3. Correct, sort of, that no other HTH styles besides Basic, Expert, Martial Arts, and Assassin currently fit Palladium's system. Those styles are generic enough to cover pretty much anything and everything. If you want something really detailed, then you can translate the more specific (and more powerful) martial arts from N&S, but the system that Rifts uses is overall a lot more generic.

Just because the authors of the various books of the palladium system have not taken their time to write HtH styles that use some especifiic type of weapon dont mean that they cant exist.


Agreed.
And if you come up with an idea that is worth writing up, I'll let you know.
This is not that day.

And no, I don't want to hear about Vibro-sword fencing, chainsaw fencing, flaming sword fencing, or any other martial art that is limited to a single simple weapon that is already covered by existing skills.
Just to save us some time.

Edit:
Oh, and I'll also respond to this bit:
After all if you already have HtH basic/Expert/Martial Arts/Assassin why then the creation of Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Ninjitsu, Commando and other HtH styles in the other books?


For the same reason we have a dozen or more superfluous OCCs; the writers don't always know when to let well enough alone, and bad ideas that don't work all-too-often see print.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 10:21 pm
by Nightmaster
Killer Cyborg wrote:
Nightmaster wrote:
Killer Cyborg wrote:
Nightmaster wrote:
Killer Cyborg wrote:No.


Care to elaborate?

What tha no means?


No, it's a bad idea. It doesn't require or merit any investment of time, and it doesn't fit the Palladium system.
They already have fencing as a skill, and it (along with WP Sword) encompasses all forms of training in swordplay.

If the system were detailed enough that every kind of sword had its own Hand to Hand combat skill, then your notion might fit, but it's not, so it doesn't.

Interressing but by your logic the Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu (N&SS, Rifts Japan), Kendo (Rifts Japan) and all other martial arts besides HtH Basic/Expert/Martial Arts/Assassin dont fit in the palladium system then.


In order:
1. a) Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu covers a variety of weapons, not just the katana.
b)The martial art form overall worked great in N&S, but Rifts isn't N&S. For good or for bad, they've moved away from the more complicated version of their HTH skill system used in N&S and go with more generic stuff.
2. Rifts Japan is garbage.
3. Correct, sort of, that no other HTH styles besides Basic, Expert, Martial Arts, and Assassin currently fit Palladium's system. Those styles are generic enough to cover pretty much anything and everything. If you want something really detailed, then you can translate the more specific (and more powerful) martial arts from N&S, but the system that Rifts uses is overall a lot more generic.

Just because the authors of the various books of the palladium system have not taken their time to write HtH styles that use some especifiic type of weapon dont mean that they cant exist.


Agreed.
And if you come up with an idea that is worth writing up, I'll let you know.
This is not that day.

And no, I don't want to hear about Vibro-sword fencing, chainsaw fencing, flaming sword fencing, or any other martial art that is limited to a single simple weapon that is already covered by existing skills.
Just to save us some time.

Edit:
Oh, and I'll also respond to this bit:
After all if you already have HtH basic/Expert/Martial Arts/Assassin why then the creation of Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Ninjitsu, Commando and other HtH styles in the other books?


For the same reason we have a dozen or more superfluous OCCs; the writers don't always know when to let well enough alone, and bad ideas that don't work all-too-often see print.

Dude tell all that to Siembieda then because he is the one (along with the Erick Wujcik) responsable for the Rifts Japan and Coaliting War Campaign books, where those martial arts were presented for the Rifts setting.

Also there is that passage in the N&SS book, page 165.

"Martial Arts in Rifts!
As always, characters from Ninjas & Superspies and any of our other RPGs can be brought into the world of Rifts. Any of these characters would adapt fine to its hostile environment.

As for using the martial art forms of combat for Rifts characters, we'd have to say no. The reason is simple, most human life, history, and knowledge was obliterated. What exists in the current world of Rifts has been rebuilt from bits and pieces of information. The rest has been forever lost. Without a doubt, most of the martial arts found in this book ancient, lost secrets! The only exceptions might include the four Agent combat skills (Basic, Expert, Martial Arts and Assassin), Aikido, Jujutsu, Tai-Chi Ch'uan, and Tae Kwon Do Karate.

This is not to say that you won't find oriental martial arts and mysticism appearing in future Rifts supplements, in fact you can count on it, but in the dominant world of North America, South America, England, and Atlantis, these forms of combat are not available."

That part, along with the rest of the section that begins in page 163 clearly indicates that other forms of HtH styles besides the four basic ones can be used in Rifts and other settings as well.

If you dont like the idea that is fine and you can house rule in your games as you see fit, but dont try to say what fit and what dont in the palladium system even more Rifts setting that by itself is a amalgama of all other settings in the Palladium Megaverse.

PS: I am not talking about a martial arts for every type of weapon, that is silly. I am talking about a style created for a type of weapon that is unique compared to other weapons. After all there is a LOT of diference between a sword that weights around 4-5 lbs and a sword that have zero weight. Both are swords but one is much more light and thus the way to control it is entirely different. It would require a new way of swordplay so that the user dont cut himself or others he dont wish during a fight.

As for specific styles for some weapon categories I am completely in favor, like lances.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 10:42 pm
by Killer Cyborg
Nightmaster wrote:Dude tell all that to Siembieda then because he is the one (along with the Erick Wujcik) responsable for the Rifts Japan and Coaliting War Campaign books, where those martial arts were presented for the Rifts setting.


I already have, though I likely phrased it differently.
But I believe that the original Japan manuscript was written by Patrick Nowak, Kev tinkered with it, cleaned it up, and came up with the finished result.
But that doesn't mean he 100% approves of everything in the book.
Some of the text was Carella, whom Kev disagreed with frequently, for example.
And Wujick was just a "special consultant," which probably means that Kev talked over some ideas with him on translating the N&S martial arts.

Also there is that passage in the N&SS book, page 165.

"Martial Arts in Rifts!
As always, characters from Ninjas & Superspies and any of our other RPGs can be brought into the world of Rifts. Any of these characters would adapt fine to its hostile environment.


Yup. And they CAN be used. But that doesn't mean they're always a great fit, especially after the Two Attacks For Living were added, and especially especially after Rifts Japan was written and screwed around with Chi.

All of which ignores the point that your skill is more limited than anything in N&S, with the possible exception of Chi Hsuan Men, but at least that one has a historical reason behind it.

If you dont like the idea that is fine and you can house rule in your games as you see fit, but dont try to say what fit and what dont in the palladium system even more Rifts setting that by itself is a amalgama of all other settings in the Palladium Megaverse.


You asked me for my views. Don't blame me if you don't like them.
You can either argue with me about them (and lose) or you can listen to them and move on with your life.
Rifts may be a collage, but some stuff does indeed fit better than other stuff, and some stuff doesn't fit at all.
An entire martial art based around psi-swords, but that doesn't include anything unique to that power?
That doesn't fit a bit.
Whether you like it or not.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 11:38 pm
by Nightmaster
I already have, though I likely phrased it differently.
But I believe that the original Japan manuscript was written by Patrick Nowak, Kev tinkered with it, cleaned it up, and came up with the finished result.
But that doesn't mean he 100% approves of everything in the book.
Some of the text was Carella, whom Kev disagreed with frequently, for example.
And Wujick was just a "special consultant," which probably means that Kev talked over some ideas with him on translating the N&S martial arts.

If he dont approves then why he didnt cut it out from the book before sending it to print? or change it entirely? If he let it there is because he accept it as valid.


Yup. And they CAN be used. But that doesn't mean they're always a great fit, especially after the Two Attacks For Living were added, and especially especially after Rifts Japan was written and screwed around with Chi.

All of which ignores the point that your skill is more limited than anything in N&S, with the possible exception of Chi Hsuan Men, but at least that one has a historical reason behind it.

Rifts japan taken on two martial arts is not reason for your dislike of the book. Only ninjitsu and Zanji were translated into mystical form and thus the reference to chi was changed to PPE.

All others were striped of their special powers and changed into "mundane" styles. The ones most persons in late 21th century would be praticing around the world before the Cataclysm happened. They dont have any power and thus are like the four classic styles.

Also even N&SS do have the fantastic four (sorry about the joke), take your time to read the book.

Its really sad that Wujcik died because I would have been one of the first ones to buy the next Rifts China book if it included new N&SS martial arts changed to the format that Rifts Japan portraited Aikido and the others.


An entire martial art based around psi-swords, but that doesn't include anything unique to that power?
That doesn't fit a bit.
Whether you like it or not.

No new power because adding power would be a munchkin thing.

The few OCC/RCC that have access to psi-sword already have access to other super-psionic powers or have other powers created for then already. Creating a martial arts that would add new powers is way to much for the tastes of anyone with a reasonable mind.

Also the main idea of the style was not to add power to psi-sword users but to create a style that deal with the unique aspect of the psi-sword: it dont have weight. An aspect that is shared with other energy blade weapons in the game.

That is why that style could in my mind be used by non-psychics. They will just need a teacher and some sort of blade weapon that dont have weight. Otherwise the style dont work.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 11:58 pm
by Killer Cyborg
Nightmaster wrote:
I already have, though I likely phrased it differently.
But I believe that the original Japan manuscript was written by Patrick Nowak, Kev tinkered with it, cleaned it up, and came up with the finished result.
But that doesn't mean he 100% approves of everything in the book.
Some of the text was Carella, whom Kev disagreed with frequently, for example.
And Wujick was just a "special consultant," which probably means that Kev talked over some ideas with him on translating the N&S martial arts.

If he dont approves then why he didnt cut it out from the book before sending it to print? or change it entirely? If he let it there is because he accept it as valid.


Money. The man has a business to run.
And because he will allow stuff that he doesn't think is right, but that he thinks that customers might like, or that he's willing to at least give a shot (i.e., most of Carella's stuff).

All of which ignores the point that your skill is more limited than anything in N&S, with the possible exception of Chi Hsuan Men, but at least that one has a historical reason behind it.

Rifts japan taken on two martial arts is not reason for your dislike of the book. Only ninjitsu and Zanji were translated into mystical form and thus the reference to chi was changed to PPE.


Still ignoring the point, I see.

All others were stripped of their special powers and changed into "mundane" styles. The ones most persons in late 21th century would be praticing around the world before the Cataclysm happened. They dont have any power and thus are like the four classic styles.


They're a nerfed-down, simplistic version of the originals that is more compatible with the generic combat system of Rifts versus N&S.
Unless you're arguing that the skill you're working on here is also generic, I'm not sure of your point.

Also even N&SS do have the fantastic four (sorry about the joke), take your time to read the book.


I've read the book.
If you look around the forums, you should notice that I've read almost all of the books, frequently, and spent years discussing them on this website. I'm not entirely versed in some of the newer books, or with certain books that I strongly dislike, but with the older stuff- especially the good stuff like N&S- you can make a safe bet that I've read it quite a few times.

If you take the time to read my points, you'll notice that I never said anything about N&S not having those skills.

Its really sad that Wujcik died because I would have been one of the first ones to buy the next Rifts China book if it included new N&SS martial arts changed to the format that Rifts Japan portraited Aikido and the others.


I would not. While I love Wujick's work, I couldn't give a rat's behind about China.
But that's pretty tangent to this thread.

An entire martial art based around psi-swords, but that doesn't include anything unique to that power?
That doesn't fit a bit.
Whether you like it or not.

No new power because adding power would be a munchkin thing.


Depends on what, when, how, and why you add it.
It might be power creep, but it might not.
You skill as-is might be power-creep, though, if it's better than HTH Martial Arts (and isn't appropriately balanced, say by requiring 4-5 skill slots).

The few OCC/RCC that have access to psi-sword already have access to other super-psionic powers or have other powers created for then already. Creating a martial arts that would add new powers is way to much for the tastes of anyone with a reasonable mind.


Yet creating a needless martial art that has no new powers and that focuses on a single weapon IS for the tastes of a reasonable mind?
I disagree.

Also the main idea of the style was not to add power to psi-sword users but to create a style that deal with the unique aspect of the psi-sword: it dont have weight. An aspect that is shared with other energy blade weapons in the game.


An irrelevant aspect that doesn't matter jack in the Palladium system.
Psi-Swords don't require a different WP, or a different level of Fencing, or have any other effect in any way, shape, or form based on the "fact" that they're weightless.
There's no real way it would affect combat significantly enough to merit notice, much less a new HTH skill.

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 8:33 pm
by Carindel
My post goes somewhat off the former topic; I consider this permissible seeing as the topic could use some revitalization anyway.

The current system doesn't make allowances for the differing weights of weapons (not counting the PS requirements for some of the heavier ones) That does not mean that the weight of weapons might not significantly influence combat, even under current rules. Many, many weapons factor in bonuses depending on the weight/balance/craftsmanship of certain weapons;two examples that come to mind are the host of pistols with "+1 to strike due to superior balance" in New West, and the bonus that the Flaming Shield tattoo provides to parry. These are inherent in the weapon, yes - but Psi-swords are not only already weightless (and presumably perfectly balanced, etc.), they are extensions of the will of the wielder. If a combat system existed that trained that will in a specific form, centered around the swords, why shouldn't we expect both the weapon and the combat form to reflect those bonuses?

Now, I would do this particular suggestion very differently - focusing on the mental and spiritual aspects of the form at least as much as the physical. But Psi-Swords are (or can be) commonplace enough that a combat style designed around them is at least plausible. A game as rich and storied as Rifts deserves, and can accommodate, more than four or five major H2H combat forms; while the "Fencing" skill may be necessary, since there isn't the space to lavish detail on every individual weapon, it is also inadequate. There are different combat forms for suits of power armor as opposed to giant robots; it is reasonable to expect that different combat forms for radically different sword styles might also make sense.

Note, also, that there might be several ways to manage this idea. A few different skills, for example, or a couple new psionic powers or abilities, or an OCC ability exclusive to Psi-warriors. Et cetera...

Re: Psi Sword Fencing - Need Opinions

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:31 am
by Ziggurat the Eternal
I think it needs a fair amount of work. But I could see it. KC kinda has a point tho, the whole no new abilities is bad. I do see some merit however.