Martial Artist

The Martial Artist is a master at fighting unarmed. They learn multiple techniques to increase their damage output even without weapons. They also learn how to master exotic weapons and can fight with some proficiency even with a weapon they have just picked up.

Base Abilities

Steel Hands: The basic ability of the Martial Artist, this technique allows them to harden their limbs almost to the hardness of steel. This makes their base unarmed attack dice 3 instead of 1, and it also allows them to Parry attacks with their bare hands instead of with a Weapon. Without this ability, a character cannot Parry barehanded. Parrying High-Tech weapons is less effective (-2 dice pools against these weapons).
Distel Maasento [Stance]: As an Action the Martial Artist assumes this Stance. Until they change stances they can spend 1 Motivation to perform a Quick Unarmed Attack as a Free Action against a target in range. The Weapon Damage Base for this attack is equal to the character's base unarmed attack (3), and utilizes any bonus damage from this class' talents (Unarmed Bonus Damage). This ability can be chained together any number of times as part of a single Action, but the Motivation cost must be spent for each use. The defender rolls an appropriate defense against each attack.

Ultimate Ability

Death Weave [Finesse / Attack]: As an Action and by spending 2 Motivation, the Martial Artist strikes special pressure points on the target. If the attack has at least 1 uncancelled Hit, then the target must make a Very Hard (5) Resistance Check or suffer an Injury directly. This move has no effect on Droids. The less human a character is, the more of a reduction in difficulty the character gets (the baseline pressure points are based on humans), Human-like gaining a -1, Humanoid gaining a -2, and Non-Humanoid get a -3. If the target succeeds in resisting, this ability will not work on them at all.

Knowledge

Meditation: The Martial Artist has learned a deep form of Meditation and can take an Action to restore their own Hit Points using this technique. They can also cleanse themselves of poisons and diseases.

Motivators

Honorable Duel: Whenever the Martial Artist has defeated another character in a one-on-one duel with no cheating, they regain 2 Motivation. This need not be a duel to the death.
Daily Training: Whenever the Martial Artist spends at least 10 minutes performing their daily training routine, they regain 1 Motivation. This is not cumulative for multiple 10-minute increments in a row.

Knowledge: Meditation

The Martial Artist can use an Extended Action (10 Minutes) to restore their own Hit Points and cleanse themselves of Poisons and Diseases. To do this they must roll their Confidence + Meditation in a safe and quiet space. Each Hit restores 1 Hit Point. Critical Hits cleanse 1 Poison or Disease.

A Martial Artist can only use Meditation to heal themselves once per day.

Hit Points

The Martial Artist gains 1 Hit Point per level.

Leveling Table

Class Level	Class Features for Level
0	Steel Hands Distel Maasento
1	Knowledge: Meditation Exotic Weapon Proficiency
2	Melee Weapon Proficiency Thrown Weapon Proficiency
3	Teras Kasi Special Move Unarmed Fighting Damage Bonus
4	Athlete Skill Point Teras Kasi Special Move
5	Knowledge: Meditation Exotic Weapon Proficiency
6	Melee Weapon Proficiency Scout Skill Point
7	Teras Kasi Special Move Unarmed Fighting Damage Bonus
8	Athlete Skill Point Guard Skill Point
9	Knowledge: Meditation Exotic Weapon Proficiency
10	Melee Weapon Proficiency Scout Skill Point
11	Teras Kasi Special Move Unarmed Fighting Damage Bonus
12	Athlete Skill Point Guard Skill Point
13	Knowledge: Meditation Exotic Weapon Proficiency
14	Melee Weapon Proficiency Thrown Weapon Proficiency
15	Teras Kasi Special Move Unarmed Fighting Damage Bonus
16	Scout Skill Point Survivalist Skill Point
17	Knowledge: Meditation Exotic Weapon Proficiency
18	Athlete Skill Point Survivalist Skill Point
19	Teras Kasi Special Move Unarmed Fighting Damage Bonus
20	Death Weave

Talent Tree(s)

Teräs Käsi Talent Tree

Exotic Weapon Mastery (x6): The Martial Artist can master one of many special Exotic Melee Weapons that are specific to a species. If the Martial Artist has both a Weapon Proficiency and Exotic Weapon Mastery with an Exotic Weapon, they can use the Unarmed Damage Bonus with the weapon in addition to their Proficiency bonus.
Nerve Strike (x4): The Martial Artist's unarmed strikes hit with stunning precision, granting them a +1 attack die for each rank. These dice can only be added to a Stress attack.
Increased Movement (x2): The Martial Artist's permanent Movement speed increases by 1 square.
Teräs Käsi Special Move (x5): The Martial Artist learns another Teras Kasi special move.
Increased Stealth Pool: The Martial Artist's Stealth Pool size is increased by 1.
Increased Strength: The Martial Artist's permanent Strength score increases by 1.
Increased Agility: The Martial Artist's permanent Agility score increases by 1.
Increased Toughness: The Martial Artist's permanent Toughness score increases by 1.
Improved Haymaker: The Martial Artist learns the Haymaker Special Move if they don't already know it. In addition, the Haymaker move now does 3x Weapon Damage when used, but causes the Martial Artist to immediately fall Prone (no Acrobatics roll made).
Improved Balance: The Martial Artist's Acrobatics improves by 2, which allows it to be as high as 7. In addition their Acrobatics gains a +2 skill bonus.
Controlled Fall: The Martial Artist learns how to control their body as they fall, avoiding lethal obstructions and reducing falling damage by ½.
Grapple Mastery: The Martial Artist learns how to seamlessly integrate a Grapple Action with the Grapple-Attack. They roll once for the Grapple Action, and can then pick one of the three Grapple-Attacks: Pin, Trip or Throw. The defender rolls an appropriate Defense. If the Martial Artist gets at least 1 uncanceled Hit, then this Grapple-Action takes place immediately. The excess uncanceled Hits become extra damage for some of these Grapple-Attacks.
Improved Passive Defense (x2): The Martial Artist learns how to anticipate danger, improving their ability to avoid attacks without expending a great deal of energy. Each time this talent is purchased, the Martial Artist's Passive Defense goes up by 1.
Exotic Weapon Familiarity: The Martial Artist has mastered so many weapons that they can use any Exotic Weapon with ½ of their Proficiency Bonus, without needing to actually have Proficiency in that weapon. This works with the Exotic Weapon Mastery talents.
Beskar Hands [Cybernetics or Force]: The Martial Artist is able to fully Parry Modern and High Tech weapons. Even Lightsabers can be Parried with their bare hands. This may be due to some subtle Force Power, or the practitioner having Beskar/Cortosis/Phrik Cybernetics or Droid parts in their arms and legs.
Distel Maasento Mastery: The Martial Artist can link together any Teräs Käsi Special Moves, so long as they are in the Distel Maasento Stance and have enough Motivation to pay for the costs of the moves. These Teräs Käsi moves also gain the cumulative +1 bonus attack die from the Distel Maasento stance as normal, but the Special Moves retain their original Types instead of becoming Finesse moves.

Special Features

These features are included in the leveling table for the Martial Artist and are described below.

Teras Kasi Special Move

The Martial Artist learns one of the Teras Kasi Special Moves (see the list below).

Unarmed Fighting Bonus Damage (x5)

The Martial Artist improves their damage output while unarmed. Each level of this talent grants the Martial Artist another +1 bonus Attack Die when fighting unarmed.

Exotic Weapons

This is a list of the Exotic Weapons that are commonly available in the galaxy. These can be selected with the Exotic Weapon Proficiency Talent along with the Exotic Weapon Mastery talent. These weapons are detailed in the Equipment and Economy section.

Ryyk blades - the Wookiee paired swords
Gaderffii - the Tusken Raider "gaffi stick", can do Slashing, Piercing or Bludgeoning
Arg'garok - the large Gammorean vibro-ax
Shyarn - light, curved magnetic swords used by Cereans
Atlatl - a Gungan throwing stick to lob Energy Balls (Photonic Energy)
Cesta - a long wooden Gungan staff, which can also lob Energy Balls
Tehk'la blade - the small vibro-daggers used by the Nagai, can be used as an offhand weapon or thrown (surprisingly powerful)
Sith Blade - a metal weapon infused with the Dark Side of the Force.
Wan-shen - a halberd infused with the Light Side of the Force, created by the Matukai people.
Fira Sword - a curved sword able to inflict grievous wounds, it was the traditional weapon of Selkath warriors belonging to Order of Shasa
Felucian Skullblade - a primitive weapon used by Felucian shamans in ceremonies and combat alike
Nightsister Sickle-and-Chain - a special combination weapon employed by Nightsisters that uses a long chain and a sickle on the end.

Teräs Käsi Special Moves

The following is the list of special moves that the character can select. None of them have prerequisites, so a player can select whichever they like.

Move Name	Duel Type	Special Qualities	Motivation Cost	Dice
Aryx Slash	[Quick / Attack]	Cleaving(3)	1	+2
Charging Wampa	[Power / Attack]	Knockback(5)	1	+3
Dancing Dragonsnake	[Finesse / Attack]	Accurate (3), Disarming (2)	0	+2
Dewback Tumble	[Quick / Attack]	Defensive(5)	1	+2
Dianoga Grab	[Finesse / Attack]	Grapple(5)	1	+2
Diplopod Deflect	[Finesse / Defense]	Ranged-Deflect	1	+0
Fading Taozin	[Quick / Defense]	Auto-Hide	1	+1
Förräderi	[Stance]	-	-	-
Gorax Smash	[Power / Attack]	AOE:Burst (2), Spread(5)	3	+6
Gronda Stomp	[Power / Attack]	AOE:Burst (2), Knockdown(5)	1	+1/3
Gundark Slap	[Power / Defense]	Reflective(5)	1	+1
Leaping Veermok	[Quick / Attack]		0	+1 to +4
Mynock Drop	[Finesse / Attack]		0	+1 to +5
Nexu Grin	[Finesse / Defense]	Auto-Grapple, Defensive(4)	1	+0
Rancor Rising	[Quick / Attack]	Launch(4)	1	+2
Riding Bantha	[Quick / Defense]	Mobile(5)	2	0
Screaming Squill	[Power / Attack]	AOE: Splash(3), Deafening	1	+3
Shenbit Bonecrusher Blow	[Power / Attack]	Vicious(3)	0	+1
Shiro Spine	[Power / Defense]	Spiked(5)	1	+1
Slashing Wampa	[Power / Attack]	Auto-Grapple	2	+3
Sleeping Krayt	[Stance]	Knockback(2), Knockdown(2), Launch(2)	-	+2
Spitting Rawl	[Quick / Attack]	Knockback(3), Knockdown(2)	3	+7
Stinging Drethi	[Finesse / Attack]	Burning(5)	0	+1
Striking Sarlacc	[Finesse / Attack]	Vicious(2), Impale(3), Piercing(2)	3	+5
Vornskr Whip	[Quick / Attack]	Disarming(5)	1	+3
Womprat Scratch	[Finesse / Attack]	Defensive(3), Accurate(2)	1	+3

Aryx Slash [Quick / Attack] Cleaving(3)

This special move is a wide, sweeping open-handed slash, which can hit multiple targets.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and makes a +2 slashing attack against three adjacent targets. The same number of Hits is applied to each of the targets, who can defend as normal. The Martial Artist can move half their movement before or after the attack. Finally up to three Focus Results can be converted into Cleave results.

Charging Wampa [Power / Attack] Knockback(5)

The Charging Wampa move allows the Martial Artist to move their full Movement and then perform an Unarmed Attack. The Martial Artist charges at their opponent, attempting to hit them in the jaw, followed by a simultaneous hit of both arms on the opponent's neck.

The Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and uses an Action to move their full Movement and then roll an Unarmed Attack with a +3 Attack bonus. If the Attack has at least one uncancelled Hit, then any Focus Results can be used to push the target back that number of squares.

Dancing Dragonsnake [Finesse / Attack] Accurate(3), Disarming(2)

The Martial Artist moves rapidly, savagely attacking in between dance steps.

As an Action, the Martial Artist can move ½ their Movement, then rolls an Unarmed Attack with a +2 bonus, and then can move another ½ of their Movement. Up to three Focus Results can be converted into Hits for this accurate strike. Two Focus Results can also be used as an attempt to Disarm the opponent. They must make an Grappling check (against Disarming results) to avoid having their weapon knocked from their hands. The Martial Artist cannot use the same Focus Results for both effects. In order to use both they must roll that many Focus results or choose which results get converted to what.

Dewback Tumble [Quick / Attack] Defensive(5)

The Martial Artist rushes towards their target, dropping to the ground and crashing into their lower body at the last moment, and then rolling away.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and moves their full movement, tumbling Prone on the ground just before they collide with the target. This attack gains a +2 attack bonus. Up to five Focus Results from this roll can be used as Defensive results on the next Defense the Martial Artist makes. The Martial Artist ends up Prone on the ground at the end of this attack.

Dianoga Grab [Finesse / Attack] Grapple(5)

The Martial Artist attacks a target with grasping and pulling motions, striking and twisting to gain a hold on their opponent.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and makes an attack against an adjacent target. They gain +2 bonus for this attack. They can then use up to five Focus Results as Grapple results for an immediate Grapple attempt.

Diplopod Deflect [Finesse / Defense] Ranged-Deflect

The Martial Artist angles their weapon or bracers so that the most likely path of the opponent's ranged attack will require only a slight movement to parry.

As a Reaction, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and uses their Melee Weapon or Bracers to deflect a single Ranged Weapon projectile.

Fading Taozin [Quick / Defense] Auto-Hide

The Martial Artist dodges and moves swiftly with a shuffling step out of eyesight.

As a Reaction, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and dodges an attack with +1 dodge dice, they then move their full Movement distance, and if they end in Shadow or behind Cover, they automatically hide.

Förräderi [Stance]

The Martial Artist adopts a strange stance, that to the naked eye looks like they are nonchalantly swaying down the street, as if drunk. At any moment the Martial Artist seems like they are going to defend against an attack, but can instead throw out a lightning-fast punch or kick, striking the surprised opponent.

As an Action the Martial artist adopts this Stance. While in this Stance the Martial Artist can decide to forgo their Finesse Defense to use a Finesse Special Attack Move. The Martial Artist's attack happens first and they roll their Finesse Special Move's attack dice pool against the target's defense. Then if the target is still conscious, they can continue with their attack. The Martial Artist's Armor Defense can be increased by the number of Motivation spent, against this attack only.

Gorax Smash [Power / Attack] Spread(5)

The Martial Artist swings both of their arms down in a tremendous, crashing strike against their foes.

As an Action, the Martial Artist can spend 3 Motivation and roll an Unarmed Attack with +6 Weapon Damage dice against all targets in a 2x2 area adjacent to themselves. The defenders defend as normal. If this move hits at least 1 target, the Martial Artist becomes Unbalanced and must roll their Acrobatics against their own current Unwieldiness. If the Martial Artist fails to hit at least 1 target, they immediately fall Prone. Any of the targets of this attack that are Prone before the attack will take an extra +2 damage.

Gronda Stomp [Power / Attack] Knockdown(5)

The Martial Artist leaps into the air and then lands heavily with a massive stomp. Apart from striking enemies, this attack can also knock them to the ground.

As an Action, the Martial Artist can spend 1 Motivation and jump onto a 2x2 area doing weapon damage +1 to all creatures in the area. These creatures must then make an Acrobatics check against the Knockdown results or take an additional 3 bludgeoning damage and fall Prone.

Gundark Slap [Power / Defense] Reflective(5)

The Martial Artist rapidly strikes forward with open palms and a gust of wind, surprising and potentially disrupting an attacker.

As a Reaction, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and activates this Special Blocking Move. This is a defensive maneuver which uses the Martial Artist's Block Dice Pool +1. Against a Melee Attack the Martial Artist can spend Focus Results on their Block Roll to reflect up to 5 points of damage.

Leaping Veermok [Quick / Attack]

The Martial Artist makes a jumping attack, striking a target in the air up to 4 meters off of the ground. If the attack hits, the target takes extra damage from falling.

As an Action the Martial Artist leaps into the air, to strike a target up to 4 meters off of the ground. The Martial Artist gains a +1 bonus attack die for each meter off of the ground that the target was. If the target is hit, they must make an Acrobatics (or flying) check. If they fail, they fall to the ground and take 1 additional die of damage for each meter fallen. They land Prone. If the Martial Artist fails to get at least 1 Uncanceled Hit, they will fall to the ground and must make their own Acrobatics check (against their own Unwieldiness) or fall Prone.

Mynock Drop [Finesse / Attack]

The Martial Artist quickly drops onto their unsuspecting target from above, potentially knocking them down.

As an Action, the Martial Artist drops down onto a target from above. The Martial Artist gains a +1 bonus attack die for each meter they were above the top of their target up to 5. If the target is hit, they must make an Acrobatics check. If they fail, they are knocked prone.

Nexu Grin [Finesse / Defense] Auto-Grapple, Defensive(4)

The Martial Artist stretches their arms forward and spreads their fingers wide with one hand hovering over the other one, creating the image of a mouth full of teeth.

As a Reaction, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and activates this Special move. This Special Parry only works against Thrown or Melee attacks. Againt a Melee Attack, if the Martial Artist obtains any Focus Results on their Parry Roll, they can spend 1 Focus Result so that the attacker will automatically become Grappled. Up to 4 additional Focus Results can be converted into Evades to avoid damage.

Rancor Rising [Quick / Attack] Launch(4)

If the Martial Artist is prone on the ground, they can simultaneously leap to their feet and attack with this move.

As an Action when the Martial Artist is lying Prone on the ground, the Martial Artist can spend 1 Motivation and immediately leap to their feet, rolling an Unarmed Attack against an adjacent Melee target with a +2 attack bonus as they do so. The target may defend as normal. If the Martial Artist gets any uncanceled Hits, the target is launched into the air 1 meter. Each Focus Result rolled up to 4 can be used to knock the target into the air another 1 meter high.

Riding Bantha [Quick / Defense] Mobile(5)

The Martial Artist leaps over their attacker, spinning as they do so to land facing their attacker's back.

As a Reaction, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and activates this Special Dodge Move. The special effect of this move will only work against adjacent attackers. If the Martial Artist obtains any Focus Results on their Dodge Roll, they leap over the adjacent attacker, evading the attack, and land facing their attacker's back. Alternatively, the Martial Artist can spend Focus Results to move 1 square per Focus Result, up to 5.

Screaming Squill [Power / Attack] AOE: Splash(3)

The Martial Artist lets out a fierce cry, shocking everyone in front of them.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and lets out a shout in a 3-square Radius. All characters in the affected area must make a Hard(4) Resistance check or take 4 Sonic Damage and become Deafened for 1 Round. If they succeed in their Resistance check they take only 2 Sonic Damage and are not Deafened. Note that this move affects everyone in the area, not just opponents.

Shenbit Bonecrusher Blow [Power / Attack] Vicious(3)

The Martial Artist shifts all of their weight behind a massive blow to a target's weak point.

As an Action, the Martial Artist makes an Unarmed Attack against a target in Melee Range with a +1 attack bonus. This attack gains Vicious(3), meaning that up to 3 Focus Results can be converted into Critical Hits.

Shiro Spine [Power / Defense] Spiked(5)

The Martial Artist blocks an attack with a shield or with cover, and then utilizes that shield/cover to perform a retalitory attack against their attcker.

As a Reaction, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and blocks an attack with +1 block dice. Against a melee attacker, they can convert up to five Focus Results into spike damage, even if the shield does not have spikes.

Slashing Wampa [Quick / Attack] Auto-Grapple

The Martial Artist rushes towards their target, striking with a side-to-side slashing motion. The momentum of the attack pulls the target along with the Martial Artist.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 2 Motivation and moves ½ of their Movement to a Melee target and rolls an Unarmed Attack with a +3 attack bonus. If the Martial Artist gets at least 1 Uncanceled hit, the target is Grappled and pulled along with the Martial Artist as they move the other ½ of their Movement in the same direction they were going initially.

This only works if the target is no more than 1 size larger than the Martial Artist.

Sleeping Krayt [Stance] Knockback(2) and either Knockdown(2) or Launch(2)

The Martial Artist drops into this powerful stance, ready to strike hard.

As an Action the Martial Artist adopts this stance. While in this stance all of the Martial Artist's Power Attack and Power Defense moves gain +2 dice. All Power Moves gain Knockback(2) and either Knockdown(2) or Launch(2).

If a move already has that quality, the quality is increased by +2.

Spitting Rawl [Quick / Attack] Knockback(3), Knockdown(2)

The Spitting Rawl was reputed to be the most powerful, but difficult attack in the arsenal of unarmed combat techniques belonging to a Teräs Käsi Master. It consisted of a sideways flip, bringing one's feet down on the opponent three times before bashing with both fists at the same time in a vertical fashion.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 3 Motivation and leaps into the air, moving ½ their Movement distance in a jump over difficult terrain or enemy units up to size Large towards their target. They then roll an Unarmed Attack against it, to which the target can defend as normal. If the Martial Artist gets at least 2 uncanceled Hits (or 1 uncanceled Crit), they pull off this difficult maneuver and do an additional +7 dice of damage to the target.

Stinging Drethi [Finesse / Attack] Burning(5)

The Martial Artist strikes hard and fast at several pressure points on the target, dragging their hands or feet across the target. The target may not feel anything immediately, but within a short time they will be writhing in pain from this attack.

As an Action, the Martial Artist makes an Unarmed Attack against a target in Melee Range with a +1 attack bonus. This attack gains Burning(5), meaning that up to 5 Focus Results can be converted into damage over time, as the Martial Artist strikes a target's pressure points.

Burning(5) means that the target takes 1 point of extra damage each Round for 5 Rounds.

Striking Sarlacc [Finesse / Attack] Vicious(2), Impale(3), Piercing(2)

The Martial Artist strikes with tremendous force with only their finger-tips in a knife-hand thrusting motion. This attack does critical damage to the target and can even pierce through them to strike an enemy behind them.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 3 Motivation and rolls an Unarmed Attack against a target within Melee range with a +5 attack bonus. The target can defend as normal. Each Focus Result can be used as either a Critical Hit [Vicious(2)] or as Hits to a target behind the main one [Impale(3)], or as a reduction in their Armor Defense [Piercing(2)].

Vornskr Whip [Quick / Attack] Disarming(5)

The Martial Artist spins their body around and hooks the target's weapon appendage, potentially disarming them.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and spins around with a whipping motion, hooking the opponent's weapon hand. This attack gains a +3 attack bonus. The target can defend as normal. Up to five Focus Results can be used to knock the weapon from the target's hands (or whatever). The target must make a Grappling Defense roll against this Disarming result or their weapon will be knocked from their grasp. The Martial Artist can then move up to half their movement.

Womprat Scratch [Finesse / Attack] Defensive(3), Accurate(2)

Crouching low, the Martial Artist makes multiple precise strikes at an opponent. These strikes push the opponent back, making it easier to defend the next round.

As an Action, the Martial Artist spends 1 Motivation and lashes out with a quick jab or slash. This attack gets +3 bonus. The target can defend as normal. Up to three Focus Results can be used for Defensive on the Martial Artist's next defense. In addition, up to 2 Focus Results can be converted to Hits for the Accurate(2) effect.

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