Combat Style

When mastering the use of a particular weapon, adopting a specific martial art, of training a unique combat discipline, you are learning a Combat Style. Each such Ability consists of a number of Actions and Augments that work together to embrace a particular approach to combat. Whether you prioritize grace and finesse, favor raw power, or follow a more unusual path, the Combat Style you choose will define how you approach the art of war.

All Combat Style Abilities rely on the use of weapons, and most cannot be used without an appropriate weapon.

Combat Stances

Each Combat Style Ability has access to one or more Combat Stances. Each stance consists of a particular posture and series of movement techniques which confer an ongoing benefit as long as the stance is maintained.

Entering and Maintaining a Stance

Entering a stance functions just as taking any other Action; you simply choose to resolve the Action when you have sufficient Count. You immediately gain any benefits from the stance, and those benefits persist until you choose to end the stance (Tempo 0) or are physically unable to do so.

A stance takes no Actions to maintain once entered.

Only one stance can be maintained at a time. If you enter a new stance, you immediately lose the effects of the previous stance and gain the effects of the new stance.

Stance Actions

In addition to the normal benefits of maintaining a stance, many stances grant access to a special Action which can only be used while maintaining that stance. This is called a Stance Action.

Stance Compatibility

Each stance is designed to enhance and benefit from the attacks and techniques of its own Combat Style. While maintaining a stance, you gain Disadvantage 1 on any Action you use from a different Combat Style Ability.

In addition, when resolving an Action from a different Combat Style, you must make a Check to maintain the stance. The DT for this Check is equal to 10 + the Ability Rank of the Action resolved. If you fail this check, then your stance immediately ends.

Combat Style Abilities