- A defensive style focusing on control of one’s body and movement.
The exact origins of T’ai Chi have been lost to antiquity. However, Chen Village, in Henan Province, China is attributed as it’s birthplace. The Chen style was developed by Chen Bu, a warrior who began his school in the village. Sadly, how they developed this style or who taught them is no longer known. T’ai Chi blends both physical training, with philosophy and religion. The concepts of Yin and Yang, push and pull flow through the style creating a kind of duel nature.
Chen-Style T’ai Chi teaches both slow and fast postures, hand and weapon forms, tied together with breathing and movement techniques. T’ai Chi can be deceptive, simple position changes and shifting of body weight allow seemingly small movements to have a significant impact. As a defensive style,T’ai Chi teaches a number of counters and takedowns allowing them to flow through the battle like water.
Associated Weapons: Rope dart, sword, warfan, staff, spear, three-section-staff, whip, wind and fire wheels (paired weapon)
Chen-Style T’ai Chi martial artists may shift between a relaxed neutral style, to a curled hands forward stance. The martial artist rarely holds a closed fist, instead preferring an open hand or cupped or curved fingers to allow them to control their foes.
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: Chen-Style T’ai Chi Ch’uan
- Parent Attribute: Sense or Expression
- Primary Role: Defense
- First Secondary Role: Initiative
Common Specialties:
- Active Defense (or Counter Strike Combos)
- Power Strike
- Stagger
- Trip
Common Combos:
- Counter Disable: Active Defense – Stagger
- Counter Pressure Strike: Active Defense – Penetrating Strike
- Counter Strike: Active Defense – Attack
- Counter Takedown: Active Defense – Trip
Key Talents:
- Balance (Acrobatics) (but not flashy)
- Concentration
- Controlled Reactions
- Discipline
- Fitness
- Hold Breath
- Perception
- Study: Philosophy
Additional Boons
- Amazing
- Languages: Cantonese, Hunanese, Mandarin
- Concentration Supports Active Defense
- Perception Supports Penetrating Strike
- Surprising
Super Style Chen-Style T’ai Chi Ch’uan
There are numerous legends pertaining to the mystic abilities associated with T’ai Chi. With T’ai Chi’s focus on meditation and body control, it’s easy to understand why. For our super style we will build on the defensive nature of the style along with the medicinal benefits of the martial art.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Chen-Style T’ai Chi Ch’uan 12
- Sense/Defense
Defends Against: All MA
Passive Defense MA
- Activation Required
Secondary Role: Support: Perception (Full Role) MA2
Healing (Self) MA
New Senses: Blind Sense & Spatial Awareness TY
Secondary Role: Offense MA
(S) Counter Pressure Strike 7
(S) Counter Takedown 4
(S) Power Strike 10
(S) Trip 4
Seeking balance within themselves and with the world, the martial artist learns to control their body, and expand their perceptions. Seeking balance within the universe the martial artist draws strength from the energies surrounding all living things, avoiding unseen dangers, even healing themselves. This harmonious nature allows the martial artist to defend themselves with seemingly little or no movement,strike at a foe’s essence, and penetrate the toughest armors.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Counter Pressure Strike TY
Counter Takedown TY
Surprising MA
Languages: Cantonese, Hunanese, Mandarin TY
Concentration Supports Active Defense MA
Perception Supports Penetrating Strike MA
Cost 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9 AP
Use In Conflict
It is less important to choose your opponent. Size and strength do not matter. Instead, choose your battlefield. Balance offsets terrain penalties. Your link to the natural flow of the world and everything around you can mitigate issues due to illumination and help with invisible foes. Then, let your opponent pick you. When they attack, show them why it was a bad idea. Counter Takedown is great for dealing with less armored foes and keeping them from harming others. Against super tough foes or other hard to harm opponents the Counter Pressure Strike mitigates armor. Should you be hurt, a Takedown can allow you a moment to recover and Heal.
