- A fast, hard style that focuses on vital areas of the body.
Bonus Material Provided by AsenRG
Some say Savate was French sailors getting acquainted with some variant(s) of Muay Thai or it’s Laotian or Campodian counterparts, during trips to Indochina (stories vary from Cambodia, Laos or elsewhere). Some say Savate is the indigenous street-fighting art of Paris, including its low-born inhabitants. Some say that it’s the street fighting art that was meant to complement weapons use during “improvised duels”, a.k.a. armed brawls.
The hands meant to be used for a knife or casse-tete (knuckle-duster). The hands were meant to be used for a rapier knife or casse- tête (knuckle-duster). Indeed, legs are free even when you’re fencing with sword and cape/shield/dagger, and there are early pictures showing use of the legs.
Some practically-minded practitioners of Savate say that the origins are not what’s important and you should practice more instead of wondering about such matters, and that the art being used in brawls doesn’t prevent its use as a street fighting art, and neither proves or disproves an “Indochinese connection”.
Be that as it may, Savate, meaning “old shoe”, is an art that focuses on controlling the distance and lots of kicks – mostly low ones, delivered with precision and speed to vital points. The goal is to destroy the enemy’s mobility and/or trip them, and create openings for the finishing strikes. Which might not be low kicks, depending on the individual school. There is speculation that Bruce Lee may have got the doctrine of the “Intercepting fist” from fencing, but one of the most important tools – the kick to the knee/shin – was from Savate.
Associated Weapons: Casse-Tete (Fist Load), Knives, Rapier
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: Savate
Parent Attribute: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Primary Role: Offense
- First Secondary Role: Defense
Common Specialties:
- Active Defense (or Counter Strike Combos)
- Bypass Armor
- Disarm
- Trip
Common Combos:
- Counter Takedown Finish: Active Defense – Trip – Attack
- Je vais prendre ça, monsieur! Active Defence – Disarm
- Drop and Run: Trip – Move
- Rain of Kicks: Attack – Attack – Trip
Key Talents:
- Acrobatics
- Art: Dance
- Distraction
- Forensics
- Bypass Armor
- Perception
- Sleight of Hand
- Street Smarts
Additional Boons
- Advantaged TY
- Critical Skill: Distraction MA
- Languages: French and chose two other languages TY
- Art: Dance Supports Active Defense TY
- Distraction Supports Initiative TY
- Street Smarts Supports Bypass Armor TY
Super Style Savate
Speed, precision, distance control and street smarts. Savate is a deceptively heavy hitting style with its focus on striking vital areas of the body.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Savate 12
- Dexterity/Offense
Ranged TY
Secondary Role (Full Role): Defense MA2
Evasion MA
Secondary Role: Support: Distraction MA
New Movement: Fleet Footed (Rapid Acceleration) MA2.
(S) Bypass Armor 7
(S) Je vais prendre ça, monsieur! 4
(S) Rain of Kicks 4
(S) Trip 7
Evaluating their foes, the martial artist identifies the best locations to strike. Quick and powerful, the martial artist can disable foes efficiently. The martial artist is so fast they strike from a distance, returning to their starting position nearly instantaneously.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Advantaged TY
Critical Skill: Distraction MA
Combo: Je vais prendre ça, monsieur! TY
Combo: Rain of Kicks TY
Languages: French and chose two other languages TY
Art: Dance Supports Active Defense TY
Distraction Supports Initiative TY
Street Smarts Supports Bypass Armor TY
Cost 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9 AP
Use In Conflict
Study your foes early in the battle so that you can Bypass their Armor. Je vais prendre ça, monsieur allows you to even the odds against armed opponents, if you don’t already have your own sword or weapon of choice. While a Rain of Kicks can end a fight quickly, especially once you’ve Bypassed Armor. Your speed allows you to strike at Range, so keep enemies at a distance to prevent them from being able to attack.
