Now, getting back to physical fighting style. Generally, there are 3 factors to consider in physical fighting style: Strength of the attack, speed of the attack, and efficiency (how tiring each movement is). Notice that I didn’t say accuracy. Accuracy generally has nothing to do with the style and everything to do with experience.
Fighting styles:
A- High in one area, slightly deficient in the other 2
B- Very high in one area, normal in one area, and very deficient in one area
C- High in 2 areas, very deficient in one area
D- All areas relatively balanced
E- One area a little better than the others, others same as they would be in type D
Style D or E is the best bet and the easiest to build on, but A, B and C styles often produce the most interesting fights, in term of action and tactics.
Also, all styles have their own philosophy, such as (but by no means limited to):
One shot, one kill; Outlast the enemy; Cripple your opponents; Hit quickly many times; Strike with precision, etc.
What style and which areas are best depend largely on the body of the character. For example, a male will almost never have strength as the weakest aspect of his style, while females almost never have speed as the weakest aspect of their style. This is not discriminatory, only realistic because of the differences in male and female bodies.
Okuri has great physical attributes, and has magnified them through intense training. He has a type C fighting style, with high strength and speed. It takes his natural speed and strength to a whole new level, and because of his naturally great stamina, he can do it without worrying about exhausting himself. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t try to conserve energy and make his movements more efficient. However, his style does get an unconventional efficiency bonus. While he spends more energy per attack, he spends less energy in a fight overall….because it usually only takes one punch, even if it’s a ‘tough’ opponent. It’s why his style adopted the ‘One shot, one kill’ philosophy.
Yua, another one of my characters, is a female taijutsu and weapons specialist. She has a type E fighting style, with speed being her strong point. (It should be noticed that all type E styles are actually type D styles being performed by someone with a natural advantage in one area) She hits too fast for a normal person or a novice fighter to react, and too hard for those levels to take. An apprentice might be able to take a hit, but she’s still too fast for him to do much. Only mid and high levels can react to her attacks, and even then, only high levels can do well. Her strength and stamina are average, so she compensates with speed….as well as hitting at pressure points. Thus, the philosophy ‘Hit’em where it hurts.’
Keep in mind, there are also other things to consider: flashiness vs. practicality, flexibility and balance requirements, as well as the element of rock, paper, scissors that goes on between the 3 factors.
After deciding style type and philosophy, do not attempt to make up your own sort of combat style. Instead, use the internet to find information on a currently existing style of martial arts that fits the bill. Okuri’s style, for example, I base on my extensive knowledge of Shotokan Karate Do, which I believe to be the most practical system of Karate. That particular style of karate has been described as downright homicidal. Yua’s fighting style, on the other hand, I base on basic ninjutsu. I have no idea how it looks, but that’s where friends and internet research come in.
For the new fan character, I picked Style E with a philosophy of “I’m not worth fighting.” This means she does not win her fights, rather, her enemies just grow tired of fighting her. Obviously, efficiency is her strong point.
