- A fast brutal striking style that focuses on powerful blows to fell opponents.
The fighting art of Hausa people of West Africa, Dambe shares similarities with ancient Egyptian boxing. Although which came first is a point of contention. Dambe matches consist of three rounds, during which time the fighters will attempt to bring their opponent to the ground (or their knees), or force them to call a break. Judges can also end a round, but there are no time based constraints.
Originally practiced by travelling butchers, Dambe tournaments have become a mainstay of harvest festivals throughout Nigeria, and into Niger and Chad. Fighters wrap their dominant hand, referred to as the spear, in cording. Before becoming more formalized, the spear may have then been dipped in resin and rolled in glass. Additionally, the front leg would be wrapped in chains for defense. However, these practices are not part of formal tournaments.
Associated Weapons: Spear (Fistload)
Martial artists use a low crouched stance with their unwrapped hand forward. The spear hand is kept chambered until ready to strike. The forward hand is used for blocking attacks and gauging distance. The style relies on power, with hooks and uppercuts being common predominantly focused on upper body and head strikes. However, Dambe incorporates kicks, grappling and trips into the martial art as well.
Author’s Note: All builds presented in this series should not be taken as the only way to interpret a given style. Players and GMs are encouraged to treat these as a framework to build their own character’s style.
Fighting Style: Dambe
- Parent Attribute: Constitution or Mental
- Primary Role: Offense
- First Secondary Role: Defense
Common Specialties:
- Heavy Blow
- Set Up
- Stagger
- Trip
Common Combos:
- Assault: Heavy Blow – Heavy Blow
- Drop Prepare: Trip – Set Up
- Floor Them: Stagger – Trip
- Knockdown Blow: Heavy Blow – Trip
Key Talents:
- Dedication
- Domestic
- Fitness
- Intuition
- Herbalism
- Home Remedies
- Never Back Down
- Survival
Additional Boons
- Advantaged TY
- Extra Stamina TY
- Languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo TY
- Domestic Supports Offense MA
- Never Back Down Supports Interrupting Actions MA
Note: While Domestic may seem like an odd choice for supporting Offense, as Dambe practitioners often come from the butcher caste they have an understanding of bodies and how they are put together.
Super Style Dambe
With its long history, and practical application, our super style will pivot to the more spiritual roots of Dambe. Traditionally, martial artists would imbibe potions to fortify their body, and adorn themselves in talismans for protection. This is something we wanted to incorporate into our style.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Dambe 12
- Mental/Offense
Devastating MA
Secondary Role: Defense (Full Role) MA2
Armor MA
Passive Defense MA
Secondary Role: Support: Constitution MA
Healing (Self) MA
(S) Combo: Assault 4
(S) Combo: Knockout Blow 4
(S) Heavy Blow 10
(S) Trip 7
Limited: The Martial Artist must drink a specially prepared potion each day, or lose access to Devastating, Armor, Passive Defense.
Limited Uses: Applies to Healing.
Strong, tough, and able to withstand incredible punishment. Once fortified by ritual and potion the martial artist’s abilities move into the superhuman. Able to shrug off light attacks, or floor mundane fighters with a single blow, there are few who can stand against a skilled Dambe martial artist.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Advantaged TY
Combo: Assault TY
Combo: Knockout Blow TY
Extra Stamina TY
Languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo TY
Domestic Supports Offense MA
Never Back Down Supports Interrupting Actions MA
Cost 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9 AP
Note: Some characters may want to add Gear to represent Spear and Chain used in traditional Dambe. This was not included as the adornment of glass shards has fallen out of practice, and not allowed in official tournaments, and the leg chain does not appear to be a common practice.
Use In Conflict
As an aggressive style, don’t be afraid to lean into the sheer brutality you are able to unleash. Someone attacks? Interrupt them with a Knockdown Blow, or Assault. Specialties and Never Back Down Supports Interrupting Actions should mitigate almost all the penalties for attempting an Interrupting Action. If someone doesn’t attack you, take the fight to them, with a Knockdown Blow to feel them out, or just lay out weaker foes with an Assault. Taking a hit or three shouldn’t phase you too greatly, and even if it does, your Dambe Super Style supports Constitution, and will help you stay standing even if your Stamina drops below 0.
