- Every part of the body is a weapon, even when broken.
Also known as Burmese boxing, or the Art of Nine Limbs, Lethwei dates back to the 12th century Pagan Dynasty who unified Burma. Developed for military application at the time, it shares some elements with Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs, but may be more comparable to Muay Boran, an older, more aggressive style. Modern Lethwei is seen not just as a sport, but a way of life in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Fighters will adorn their bodies with Htoe Kwin tattoos, symbolizing strength and bravery. As their Lethwei journey continues, these tattoos can become a symbol of that journey.
While Lethwei has remained mostly unchanged over the eight hundred years, there have been recent efforts to expand outside of Myanmar, from ONE Championship and the World Lethwei Championship which have added point scoring to avoid the frequent draws in traditional matches. This however, changes the focus from scoring a knockout to scoring the most points, which alters how practitioners may approach a match.
Lethwei focuses on striking, training fighters to use elbows, knees, and headbutts to get past an opponent’s guard. While it is not a grappling focused martial art, fighters will lock up in a clinch, this is where being able to leverage one’s head can become brutally effective as many more common holds become less effective, or are rendered completely ineffective. As a sport, Lethwei does not strike down opponents. However, it’s safe to assume that in ancient military application, this is where one would finish their opponent.
Associated Weapons: While modern Lethwei does not train with anything other than one’s natural weapons, characters that hail from a period where this style was a tool for war might have also trained in spears, swords, and staffs.
In a stance similar to that used in Muay Thai, the fighter is squared off with their feet positioned to rapidly switch position. Arms are kept high to guard the head and chest, while the legs can be brought to bear defending the lower body. Lethwei practitioners will begin matches with the Lekkha Moun, a gesture inspired by birds of prey in which they clap their right hand to the left shoulder while tucking the left hand under their right arm to make wings.
Bonus Video
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: Lethwei
- Parent Attribute: Dexterity or Mental
- Primary Role: Offense
- First Secondary Role: Support
Common Specialties:
- Counter Grappling
- Fighting While Injured
- Heavy Blow
- Set Up
Common Combos:
- Assault: Heavy Blow – Heavy Blow
- Brutal Assessment: Heavy Blow – Set Up
- Rush Down: Move – Heavy Blow – Heavy Blow
- Size Up: Bypass Armor – Set Up
Key Talents:
- Discipline
- Domestic
- Fitness
- Manual Labor
- Never Back Down
- Zero Stamina or Below
- Perseverance
- Outlast
Additional Boons
- Advantaged TY
- Languages: Burmese, Malay, Thai TY
- Surprising MA
- Manual Labor Supports Defense When Injured MA
- Perseverance Supports Offense When Grappled TY
- Outlast Supports Offense When Below 0 Stamina MA
Super Style – Lethwei
Without superpowers Lethwei fighters are known for their unyielding offense and ability to push through injury. Our super style Lethwei also embraces the magical nature of the Htoe Kwin tattoos enhancing the fighter’s abilities.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Lethwei 12
- Parent Attribute: Mental
- Primary Role: Offense
Devastating (Boost Devastation) MA2
Secondary Role: Defense MA
Absorption (Painful) TY
Passive Defense TY
Limited: Activation Required
Secondary Role: Support: Constitution MA
Added Support: Dexterity MA
(S) Assault 4
(S) Brutal Assessment 4
(S) Fighting While Injured 10
(S) Heavy Blow 4
(S) Set Up 4
Locked: Devastating and Absorption require Passive Defense
Once activated using the Lekkha Moun the powerful Htoe Kwin charms turn the fighter’s body into a living weapon capable of destroying virtually anything it touches. Even before tapping into their inner reserve though, the Lethwei fighter displays superhuman levels of speed and endurance.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Advantaged TY
Combo: Assault: Heavy Blow – Heavy Blow TY
Combo: Brutal Assessment: Heavy Blow – Set Up TY
Languages: Burmese, Malay, Thai TY
Manual Labor Supports Defense When Injured MA
Perseverance Supports Offense When Grappled TY
Outlast Supports Offense When Below 0 Stamina MA
Cost 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 9 AP
Use In Conflict
The Lethwei fighter is not a tank, and doesn’t necessarily want to take damage. Their powerful strikes can end fights before they can start, but in a protracted engagement, the martial artist can rise to the occasion with contingencies for being Injured and below 0 Stamina. Lethwei fighters can take crippling levels of punishment and keep going, but they will need time to recover from those wounds afterwards. Gauging how headlong into danger one wants to throw themselves will be critical.
