- A flexible style that balances evasion, blocks, and strikes with quick fluid motions.
Founded in the early twentieth century, Shorin Ryu borrows many traditional techniques, developing on them to create a neutral or blended style. The name Shorin Ryu was used to honor the style’s Samurai roots. Kobayashi is a term attributed to Chibana lineage schools, although Choshin Chibana did not use this term himself.
Martial Artists who study Shorin Ryu focus on controlled motions and the ability to quickly shift positions, evading blows and setting up follow up attacks. The fighter’s stance is important. However, maintaining the ability to pivot and adjust in battle has a greater importance. Because of the rapid shifting motions involved Shorin Ryu breath control is often a critical part of the student’s training. A master of Shorin Ryu is as comfortable fighting a group of assailants as they are a single opponent.
Associated Weapons: Brass Knucks (Tekko), Club (Jo and Tonfa), Kama, Nunchucks, Sai, Staff (Bo)
Martial artists practicing Shorin Ryu use a neutral stance with close, but not tight, guard. From here, the fighter can adjust quickly, dropping into a hard stance at the last moment as they execute a strike or defense.
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: Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Karate
- Parent Attribute: Dexterity or Intelligence
- Primary Role: Defense
- First Secondary Role: Offense
Common Specialties:
- Active Defense (or Counter Strike Combos)
- Multi-Move Combos (3 or more Actions)
- Set Up
- Trip
Common Combos:
- Counter Takedown Strike: Active Defense – Trip – Attack
- Ready Offense: Attack (Opponent One) – Attack (Opponent Two) – Attack (Opponent Three)
- Reposition: Attack – Attack – Set Up
- Takedown And Move On: Trip (Opponent One) – Attack (Opponent One) – Trip (Opponent Two) – Attack (Opponent Two)
Key Talents:
- Discipline
- Fitness
- Hold Breath
- Intuition
- Long Shot
- Combos
- Perception
- Study: Okinawan History
Additional Boons
- Amazing
- Languages: Japanese, Kunigami, Okinawan
- Fitness Supports Combos
- Hold Breath Supports Active Defense
- Tricky
Super Style Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Karate
As a style that balances offense and defense there are a lot of directions a super powered version of Shorin Ryu could take. For our interpretation, we are going to focus on the style’s breath control, as in Ki or Chi.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Karate 12
- Intelligence/Defense
Absorption (Physical) MA
Armor MA
Ki Focus (Passive Defense) MA
- Activation Required
Secondary Role Offense (Full Role) MA2
Devastating (Boost Devastation, Total Devastation) MA3
Locked Power: Absorption, Armor and Passive Defense
Limited Power: Devastating Attacks can only follow Absorption
Limited Power: Total Devastation may only be used in a Combo and is only applied to the final Attack
(S) Counter Takedown Strike 4
(S) Takedown And Move On 4
(S) Multi-Move Combos 10
(S) Trip 7
Through years of dedication, a practitioner of Kobayashi Shorin Ryu learns to control their breath, and harness their ki. Focusing their internal energies the martial artist learns to shrug off wounds, and internalize harm strengthen their resolve. This allows them to strike with explosive force.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Amazing MA
Combo: Counter Takedown Strike TY
Combo: Takedown And Move On TY
Languages: Japanese, Kunigami, Okinawan TY
Fitness Supports Combos MA
Hold Breath Supports Active Defense MA
Cost 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9 AP
Use In Conflict
You have options, before committing to a strategy, gauge the battlefield. Combos like the Counter Takedown Strike work well against both Mobs and tougher foes. Whether it takes an opponent out of the fight or not, it’s likely to chew up an Action as they recover from being left prone. Here is where a key choice will need to be made. Do you allow them to recover and maintain a defensive posture, or attempt to Interrupt them with another Trip, or Takedown And Move On? The fact that you’re Amazing can help offset penalties if you opt for more aggressive combat tactics. Should you suffer Damage, that is part of the push and pull of battle. Your martial training has prepared you for this, and this harm only energizes you allowing you to return blows that are Devastating.
