View source for Combat Art or Sport

{{Skill}}{{DX/Varies}}

''Defaults:'' Special.

You can opt to learn most combat skills in nonlethal forms aimed at either exhibition (Combat Art skill) or competition (Combat Sport skill). Combat Art skills emphasize graceful movements and perfect stances. Since these skills still give a default to full-fledged, lethal combat skills (see below), they are a logical choice for [[Pacifism|Pacifist]]s who want ''some'' combat ability.

Combat Sport skills concentrate on speed of movement and nondamaging attacks. A failed skill roll means a foul that might disqualify you from a tournament! You can make an [[IQ]]-based roll against Combat Sport to recall basic tournament rules, but to become a qualified judge or referee, learn the relevant [[Games]] skill.

Combat Art and Sport skills are [[DX]]-based, with the same difficulty level and defaults as the corresponding combat skill. A combat skill, its Art form, and its Sport form default among themselves at -3. For instance, Staff Art and Staff Sport are [[:Category:DX/Average|DX/Average]] skills that default to [[:Category:DX-5|DX-5]], just like [[Staff]] skill. A fighter with [[Staff]] at 15 would have default Staff Art and Staff Sport skills of 12, while an athlete with Staff Sport at 15 would have Staff and Staff Art skills at 12 by default.
==Martial Arts==
In a real fight, martial artists with Combat Art or Sport
skills function as if their skill were three levels lower. This is
because of the -3 default penalty between Art/Sport skills and
combat skills. If a combat skill enjoys special benefits – such
as the +3 for a retreat when parrying with Boxing, Judo,
Karate, or a fencing skill – these do apply to its Art and Sport
forms. When these benefits depend on skill level, though, use
the level after the -3 default penalty. For instance, to claim +1
damage for knowing Karate at DX level, a karateka with
Karate Sport would need DX+3 level.

The reason why Combat Art skills aren’t as effective as
combat skills in a real fight isn’t always that they “emphasize
graceful movements and perfect stances,” however. Just as
often, these skills teach techniques that look impressive in a
staged fight without regard for combat effectiveness or traditional
aesthetics! Stunt fighters learn such Combat Art skills to
put on an entertaining show for the camera or a live audience.

Even so, stunt fighters are still fighters. They may use
combat and Combat Sport skills at the usual penalty (-3). To
create an actor who knows nothing about fighting but who
can simulate a fight by following directions, take Stage
Combat (p. B222). This gives no default to combat skills. For
more on simulated combat, see
Faking It (p. 130).

The distinction between
combat, Combat Art, and
Combat Sport skills is a realistic
one. It doesn’t always
suit fantastic and cinematic
settings. The GM is free to
waive the -3 default penalty
between these skills and
allow martial artists who
know one skill to use the
other two at the same level.
This is suitable for action
heroes, who use the same
moves to pose and show off
(Combat Art), compete in
tournaments (Combat
Sport), and wipe the floor with the bad guys (combat skills).

See Techniques and Combat Art/Sport Skills (p. 64) and
Untrained Fighters (p. 113) for other important rules
pertaining to Art/Sport skills.

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[[Category:Martial Arts]]

{{Athletic Skill}}