- Absorb what is useful. Disregard that which is useless.
Codified in 1967 by Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do was not intended to be a style in the traditional sense, but a martial philosophy and way to ingest knowledge. Jeet Kune Do can also be seen as a new stage in the legendary martial artist’s life as Lee developed a way to integrate the lessons from multiple different martial arts styles while stripping away what he perceived as lacking practicality.
Following Lee’s death in 1973, two major schools of thought have emerged. Traditional, sometimes referred to as Jun Fan JKD, which adheres closely to the Tao of Jeet Kune Do and the martial art as practiced by Bruce Lee. However, there is also a more progressive wing of JKD practitioners who focus more on the guiding principles than the style as practiced at the time. This Progressive Jeet Kune Do continues to adapt and can vary between schools. Although, the root JKD remains present as a framework in which all other elements are incorporated.
Jeet Kune Do translates to way of the intercepting fist. The style focuses on striking while blocking or parrying incoming blows. As a martial art, it incorporates concepts from Wing Chun, Boxing, Fencing, Jujutsu, Savate, and Tai Chi. As a means of self defense JKD incorporates strikes to vital areas such as the eyes, the finger jab, and genitals to disable foes and open them up to further attack. Overall though, JKD can be characterized by its quick movements, and split second counters.
Associated Weapons: Knives, Machete, Ratton / Batton, and Improvised Weapons (Note: This list can vary wildly, but represents the incorporation of Kali / Escrima weapons training over traditional JKD which is trained without weapons.)
A Jeet Kune Do practitioner is often characterized as having a low or even nonexistent guard with a bladed stance. However, this is part of the tricky nature of JKD and its focus on the range of combat. This neutral stance is reserved for when outside the hand striking range. As the martial artist closes ranks they will raise their guard and use their movement to avoid being square to their opponents limbs.
Bonus Videos:
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.
Style Progression – Average
Fighting Style: Progressive Jeet Kune Do
- Parent Attribute: Dexterity or Expression
- Primary Role: Offense
- First Secondary Role: Support: Initiative
Common Specialties:
- Active Defense (or Counter Strike Combos)
- Interrupting Actions
- Set Up
- Willpower Actions (Commonly Lingering and Meddling)
Common Combos:
- Counter Reposition: Active Defense – Set Up
- Intercept: Interrupting Attack – Attack
- Rabbit Punches: Attack – Attack – Set Up
- Lunge: Movement – Set Up
Key Talents:
- Fitness
- Forensics
- Intuition
- Movement: Running
- Perception
- Provoke: Goading
- Study: Philosophy
- Introspection
Additional Boons
- Advantaged TY
- Languages: Cantonese, Filipino, Mandarin TY
- Surprising MA
- Intuition Supports Active Defense MA
- Perception Supports Attacks VS Foes w/ Bypassed Armor MA
- Tricky TY
Super Style – Progressive Jeet Kune Do
Everything does not work for everyone. This interpretation of Jeet Kune Do focuses on speed and precision. This doesn’t make a style focusing more on power or other aspects of JKD any less valuable. This style of JKD allows the martial artist to quickly close ranks showing aggression while remaining ready to defend.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Progressive Jeet Kune Do 12
- Parent Attribute: Dexterity
- Primary Role: Offense
Secondary Role: Defense MA
Evasion MA
Secondary Role: Support: Perception (Full Role) MA2
Meddling MA
New Movement: Rush (Boost Speed) MA2
Limited: New Movement Requires 1 Willpower to Activate
Limited: Meddling Can Only Be Applied the Skilled Finger Jab Combo
(S) Intercept 10
(S) Lunge 4
(S) Skilled Finger Jab 7
(S) Willpower Actions 4
This Progressive JKD martial artist can close ranks with ease, setting themselves up for powerful strikes, or to intercept blows. With only minor effort, this can cover quite some distance. The martial artist has an array of options to open their foes up, which allow them to dissect enemy combatants.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Combo: Intercept: Interrupting Attack – Attack TY
Combo: Lunge: Movement – Set Up TY
Combo: Skilled Finger Jab: Set Up – Meddling TY
Languages: Cantonese, Filipino, Mandarin TY
Surprising MA
Intuition Supports Interrupting Actions TY
Perception Supports Attacks VS Foes w/ Bypassed Armor TY
Tricky TY
Cost 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9 AP
Use In Conflict
While this version of Progressive Jeet Kune Do may appear focused on speed over everything else, it is a deceptively effective style. The Lunge sets up the next attack, which helps remove the sting of the added penalty for Interrupting actions, or generally bolstering the next attack. The martial artist has a selection of defensive options as well, from slipping past even the most accurate strikes with Evasion, or interrupting their attacks with a flurry of strikes. It is also worth pointing out that this style of JKD focuses on the Finger Jab, a Set – Meddling Combo, not listed in the base style. It is both fitting as part of Jeet Kune Do, and as an example of taking what works and discarding the rest, part of the core philosophy of the martial art. This allows the fighter to then spend Willpower in other places such as Lingering, Disorienting, or both to begin laying in additional Damage.
