Martial Arts: Judo

4 points

Judo is a Japanese combative sport that focuses on grapples and throws. It was one of the first martial arts taught on a large scale in the West. It became popular in Europe in the 1920s and '30s, and in America after World War II. Today, Judo is an Olympic sport that attracts competitors from around the world.

While Judo evolved from Jujutsu, it's definitely a sport. It concentrates on throws, not on locks or chokes, and has many modifications aimed at reducing the likelihood and severity of injuries. Judo doesn't teach counters to punches and kicks, either, and many moves that work well against another judoka (Judo player) on a mat would be dangerous at best in a real fight. Some schools use kata to walk through various throws and holds, and competitions often feature artistic displays of kata. Judo training isn't gentle, though; competitive players use randori – a form of freestyle sparring – to prepare for matches.

Judo was partly responsible for the Western myth that a small-but-skilled martial artist could defeat any foe, no matter how large. In reality, many techniques legal in Judo matches depend as much on strength as on skill. Judo tournaments have weight classes for a reason!

If Judo has a body of larger-than-life lore, it’s the exotic techniques, strange abilities, and unlikely victories of weak over strong depicted in Western television and movies – notably in the 1960s – with no explanation other than "I know Judo!" Wildly inaccurate depictions sometimes even included "Judo strikes," especially chops with the edge of the hand. The cinematic skills and techniques below assume that legends about the style's founder and the movies' wildest claims are all true. Cinematic judoka should always buy Judo in addition to Judo Sport.

Early Judo included a full repertoire of punches, kicks, and throws, and both standing and ground-fighting techniques. For this kind of Judo, use Jujutsu.

Skills: Games (Judo); Judo Sport; Savoir-Faire (Dojo).
Techniques: Arm Lock; Breakfall; Ground Fighting (Judo Sport).
Cinematic Techniques: Roll with Blow.
Perks: Power Grappling; Technique Mastery (Judo Throw); Technique Mastery (Sacrifice Throw).

Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Improved FP.
Advantages: Fit or Very Fit; Hard to Subdue.
Disadvantages: Delusions.
Skills: Choke Hold; Feint (Judo Sport).