Forums of the Megaverse®

macksting wrote:Bassai Kata is most useful to those with Weapon Katas, since the penalty it applies to parries is offset by the WP bonuses. This may apply doubly to a martial art with WP Sword used by any OCC capable of taking Fencing (Worldly Martial Artists, or really pretty much any able to take a single MA), since Fencing when stacked with a WP (the Kobu-Jutsu kata "automatically gives the character full WP," so I figure this stacks) provides a strike and parry penalty. Note also that this is the best of both worlds: the parry penalty is offset, and the strike bonus is increased.

macksting wrote:Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu, which sounds much like an onomatopoeia for a sword fight, provides a very difficult decision. At 4 attacks base and with weapon proficiency in swords, this is a clear candidate for Bassai Kata. However, at first level that is not available. It is, however, available at 3rd, 7th, and 11th levels, but these are also the first and only opportunities for a Bugei to take a Chi Mastery skill.
So what do you choose? Bassai Kata would allow you to penetrate any defense, and your weapon proficiencies (especially if you took Fencing) will shore up your very noteworthy defenses while in melee (your preferred range.) Chi Mastery could also shore up a defense, but will not guarantee a kill the same way, especially since Shi Jin doesn't create damage through weapons.
I think a Bugei's best bet would be to take Kokyu (Body Chi) to increase weapon damage by pumping up the PS stat, then perhaps Bassai at 7th (what a long time to wait) and make the 11th level skill another Chi Mastery ability. I don't care to ponder which one. Note such a character isn't a one-trick pony; just reliable at his expertise.