Additional Martial Arts Styles
by Eric Polovich [ thepolo@adelphia.net ]

Several years ago, I found an online supplement that added specific martial arts to Shadowrun. After playing with and refining them, my group and I had added, subtracted and basically massacred the original rules to the point that there were little of them left in our day-to-day gameplay. The main thing that we changed was the styles. They were great, but after playing each once or twice, we wanted more. Included in this article are several of those styles that have been altered to work with the Advanced Melee Combat rules from p. 85, Cannon Companion.

The New Styles

The new styles included in this supplement are Choy-Li-Fut Kung Fu, Fan Tzi Pai Kung Fu, Feng Ying Kuen Kung Fu, Fu Ying Kuen Kung Fu, Hao Pai Kung Fu, Hou Ying Kuen Kung Fu, Judo, Short-hand Kung Fu, Loong Ying Kuen Kung Fu, 8 Step Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Tsui Pa Hsien Kung Fu and Wing Chun. They broaden the base of styles that the Cannon Companion covers by adding more eccentric styles of combat from all over the globe. Several styles are forms of Kung Fu (primarily the animal styles); they expand upon the simple ‘hard/soft’ distinction in the original rules.

Choy-Li-Fut Kung Fu
Created in 1838 as one of many offshoots of Shao-Lin Kung Fu. The form is very aggressive, concentrating on long hand techniques like roundhouse and overhand swings. A Choy-Li-Fut master, when confronted with a fight, will immediately attack, plunging right into the middle of any group of opponents. Using the circular parry, she will fend off any attacks while lashing out with a flurry of hand strikes, snap kicks and back sweeps.
Advantages: Choy-Li-Fut martial artists receive +2 power to all Whirling and Multi-Strike maneuvers.
Disadvantages: Characters using Choy-Li-Fut receive -2 dice to the Subduing Combat and Called Shot options.
Maneuvers: Blind Fighting, Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Vicious Blow, Whirling

Fan Tzi Pai Kung Fu
(The Boxing of the Eagle)
One of the several animal styles of Chinese Kung Fu, the Eagle style is swift and unforgiving.
Advantages: Characters using Eagle Style Kung Fu receive +1 reach when using the Full Offense maneuver.
Disadvantages: Fan Tzi Pai martial artists suffer a -3 to the power of all Called Shots.
Maneuvers: Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Herding, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Vicious Blow, Whirling

Feng Ying Kuen Kung Fu
(The Style of the Phoenix)
One of the several animal styles of Chinese Kung Fu, the phoenix is a symbol of joy and rebirth. The Phoenix style is one that combines both hard and soft techniques.
Advantages: Characters using the Style of the Phoenix may negate 1 point of opponent's reach.
Disadvantages: Characters using the Style of the Phoenix suffer -1 die to the Knockdown Attack and Charging Attack options.
Maneuvers: Blind Fighting, Focus Will, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Whirling

Fu Ying Kuen Kung Fu
(The Style of the Tiger)
One of the several animal styles of Chinese Kung Fu, the Tiger style is characterized by power and determination.
Advantages: Characters using Fu Ying Kuen Kung Fu receive a +1 to the power of all attacks.
Disadvantages: Characters using the Style of the Tiger suffer -3 dice to Subduing Combat option.
Maneuvers: Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Whirling, Zoning

Hao Pai Kung Fu
(The Style of the Heron)
One of the several animal styles of Chinese Kung Fu, the Heron style uses both hard and soft techniques. Some typical movements are, for instance, positions on one leg only or attacks with joined fingers in the eyes, and so on.
Advantages: Characters using Hao Pai Kung Fu receive -2 to the TN of all Called Shots.
Disadvantages: Characters using the Style of the Heron suffer -2 to the power of all Subduing Combat attacks.
Maneuvers: Close Combat, Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Herding, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Whirling

Hou Ying Kuen Kung Fu
(The Style of the Monkey)
Another of the several animal styles of Chinese Kung Fu. The Monkey is a figure of trickery in Chinese folklore, and the Monkey style uses fast and deceptive footwork to confuse foes.
Advantages: Characters using Hou Ying Kuen Kung Fu receive +2 dice to the Disorient maneuver.
Disadvantages: Characters using the Style of the Monkey suffer an additional -2 to the TN of all Called Shots.
Maneuvers: Blind Fighting, Close Combat, Disorient, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Whirling

Judo
(Shao-Lin Kung Fu)
Judo originates from ancient styles, but has developed into a modern sport and martial art. Its name can be translated as "soft, flexible way." It focuses on ways to fall safely, and also on grapples and throws.
Advantages: Characters can use half their judo skill rating as armor against the Throw technique and when taking damage from falls.
Disadvantages: Characters using Judo suffer -1 dice to the Charging attack and Called Shot options.
Maneuvers: Close Combat, Evasion, Ground Fighting, Kip-Up, Sweep, Throw, Zoning

Li-Chi
(Short-hand Kung Fu)
Short-hand Kung Fu gets its nickname from the fact that most of the movements are based on a boxing distance; close enough for hand movements but too close for anything but snap kicks. Other strengths are rapid stance changes and intricate hand movements. The Li-Chi master will enter combat steadily and deliberately, advancing to combat range. Then it becomes a simple matter of outfighting the opponent with as many blows as possible.
Advantages: Characters using Li-Chi receive +1 die to attacks made while using the Close Combat Maneuver.
Disadvantages: Characters using Short-hand Kung Fu suffer -3 dice to Charging Attacks.
Maneuvers: Blind Fighting, Close Combat, Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike

Loong Ying Kuen Kung Fu
(The Style of The Dragon)
One of the several animal styles of Chinese Kung Fu, the Dragon is a figure of strength, concentration and fertility. The dragon style combines fluid movements with powerful strikes.
Advantages: Characters using Loong Ying Kuen Kung Fu add an additional +1 bonus to the Focus Will and Focus Strength maneuvers.
Disadvantages: Characters using the Style of Dragon suffer -2 to the TN when using the Subduing Attack and Pulled Punch options.
Maneuvers: Focus Strength, Focus Will, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Vicious Blow, Whirling

Shyun Style Praying Mantis Kung Fu
The Shyun Style is one of the last pure fighting styles left in the world. It has been passed down master to student for well over 350 years. It is a very well-rounded style, emphasizing lightning-fast strikes and efficiency of movement. It is also known as the Eight Step Praying Mantis Style.
Advantages: Characters using Shyun Style Kung Fu gain +2 dice to all Called Shots.
Disadvantages: A character must begin play with Praying Mantis Kung Fu; he cannot learn the art after the character has been created. A level 2 contact must also be purchased, and maintained at twice the normal cost in order to improve the skill.
Maneuvers: Blind Fighting, Focus Will, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Herding, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Sweep

Tsui Pa Hsien Kung Fu
(The Style of the Drunken Man)
This is the style of the drunk man made popular by Jackie Chan and created by Li Po. The goal of this style is to have reactions that are totally unforeseeable. The expert falls to the ground, hesitates, rolls, changes his rhythm, and so on.
Advantages: Those who attack the character never benefit from the ‘Superior Position’ target modifier.
Disadvantages: Characters who are students of Drunken Boxing automatically gain the addiction flaw (Alcohol, Mild). If their skill in Drunken Boxing rises above 5, the flaw proceeds to Moderate.
Maneuvers: Evasion, Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Herding, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Sweep, Whirling

Wing Chun
The objective of Wing Chun is acquiring the skill to deliver the right technique at the right time, negating the opponent’s attacks and using his incoming momentum against him. It relies on softer attributes such as timing, natural power and sensitivity to maintain advantageous positioning. It uses strategies to trap the opponent and limit his maneuverability.
Advantages: Wing Chun practitioners gain an effective +1 to reach when counterattacking.
Disadvantages: Characters using Wing Chun suffer -2 dice when using the Charging Attack and Called Shot options.
Maneuvers: Close Combat, Disorient, Evasion, Focus Will, Herding, Kip-Up, Sweep, Throw, Zoning

Wrestling
The traditional sport, which is not really a martial art, but included here anyway to go along with Boxing. The combatants attempt to pin each other to the ground using a combination of holds and takedowns.
Advantages: Wrestlers gain +2 dice when using the Subduing Combat option.
Disadvantages: Characters using wrestling suffer -3 dice when using the Called Shot option.
Maneuvers: Close Combat, Focus Strength, Full Offense, Ground Fighting, Herding, Zoning