Fwurg

[Brend]

This thread is for posting design ideas, inspiration, and discussion on:

Combat Styles

Combat Styles are sets of techniques and maneuvres that allow the Jedi to cope with situations that come up in combat. Combat styles relevant for Jedi require the use of a lightsaber.

See also Combat Styles.

We need at least the basic Shii Cho style. Next to that one, we want a few other "starting" styles.

(Do not worry about the details, implementation, or numbers you give. Those are subject to change anyway since we must balance them with the other things that are being designed.)

[Chriz]

I would love to see Ataru or some form of it back :)

[Elmer]

I think that the three original styles are a nice point to start.

all round okay
defence style
offensive style.

[Brend]

I would strongly like to not go back to the "allround, defensive, offensive" split. I understand that sometimes this is how the default styles are presented in the Star Wars setting, so we should reinterpret a little there. We have an opportunity to make better and more exciting combat styles, and I think we should take it! Obviously, some styles will be better in defence than others, but I think their main quality should be how they interact with the world.

To put this philosophy of designing combat styles to work, I present my interpretation of the themes of the basic styles (these four are, I think, the most representative of the Jedi styles):


Shii-Cho is simple and persistent. It dislikes complex situations, and seeks to simplify them. In any situation it just keeps on going, and sees little reason to change its proven ways. It views the lightsaber simply as a sword; no more and no less.


Makashi is precise, fluid and focussed. It seeks to defend with minimal effort and prefers to not be where the attacks land. It wants to focus on a single opponent to the exclusion of others. It fails to see attacks from distance coming. It views the lightsaber as a surgeon's knife, to be used with care and control.


Soresu is wide and unmoving. It seeks to protect its allies, and work with them to end the battle. It laughs at blasters and refuses to move even under heavy fire. It attempts to protect even against coordinated attacks, yet it cannot be in two places at once. It views the lightsaber as a very narrow shield.


Ataru is swift and light. It likes open spaces, and seeks to fill them with movement. It loves heights and will jump up and down without end. It dislikes groups in its space, as they hinder its joyous mobility. It vies the lightsaber as a twig; used to tap the enemy until they give up.


These descriptions all take into account the nature of the style, but express it in terms of its environment.

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Oh boy. With the four basic styles interpreted, I wanted to try my hand at some of the more esoteric styles we have in OldFWURG:


Juyo is unstoppable and fierce. It sees any obstacle as an advantage not yet taken. It is amused by the temerity of a sole opponent, but eviscerates them nonetheless. It seeks out a challenge, and dislikes easy targets. It views the lightsaber as needing more blades. (This style requires a saber staff)


Niman is neutral and reactive. It desires to push and pull, to speed here and there, to jump up and down; yet by itself does not know how. It knows desires to be used, but needs examples to emulate. It needs to see its opponent coming. It views the lightsaber as a weapon best left unused.


Paraan Talim is unexpected yet with rhytm. It likes things in motion, and turns and twists to accomodate them. It seeks the company of enemies, and uses one opponent's attack against the other. It dislikes its rhytm being disturbed by anything that slows or impedes it. It views the lightsaber as only needing motion to be lethal.


Tràkata is tactical and deceptive. It seeks to be the center of attention, yet to come from behind. It likes obstructions to hide behind, so much the better if those obstructions are opponents. It strongly dislikes opponents that use "simple" weapons such as blasters or explosives. It views the lightsaber as an intricate device to be manipulated.


I do not think that we need to implement all these styles right of the bat, but I like how this strange way of describing them works out for giving me ideas on actual maneuvres in these styles.