Martial Art: Empty Hand

Martial Art: Empty Hand

GURPS does not have many fictional martial arts to use in fantasy games. I've already converted the styles from D&D 3.5 Tome of Battle and Pathfinder Path of War and Path of War Expanded (see here), but most of those styles are intended for melee weapon users. It is time to expand the unarmed martial arts with some simple/generic styles. D&D 3.0 Oriental Adventures presents us 5 martial arts, but their descriptions are very vague and short. Maybe it's a good starting point?

Empty Hand – 4 points

Empty Hand practitioners emphasize strikes with the hand, concentrating chi to release powerful kiai shouts, and exotic hand strikes.

Skills: Karate, Kiai, Power Blow.

            Techniques: Aggressive Parry; Exotic Hand Strike; Feint (Karate).

Cinematic Techniques: Lethal Strike.

            Perks: Chi Resistance (Kiai); Iron Hands; Rapid Retraction (Punches).

Optional Traits

            Primary Characteristics: Improved ST and DX.

            Advantages: Enhanced Parry (Bare Hands); Striking ST.

            Disadvantages: Overconfidence; Vow (Always fight unarmed).