Holmesian fighter?

[Jukashi]

I'm trying to make a Dawn caste who's a little different from the regular. I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes, and thought I'd make a character who basically is Holmes, but in combat rather than crime. (And, uh, female.) A character who fights by observing opponents, sizing them up and then, through being able to tell exactly what kind of strategy they'll favour and what they're going to do next, find victory. Kind of like the how the best chess players win their games, but of course on the heroic solar exalted level.


So, I've boosted up her mental attributes, bought some merits like tactical instincts, and given her lots of lore, awareness, investigation and the like.


Problem is, there isn't really any way that I can see to use perception and tactics in face-to-face combat. The closest charms to that style of fighting that I can find are the two Tiger-And-Bear charms from the Player's Handbook. Are there any other charms or mechanics to do this sort of thing, perhaps by making a roll that reduces the opponents parry or dodge results? Will I have to make a new charm tree, perhaps a martial arts style? If so, do you have any suggestions?

 

[Flagg]

Check out Celestial Monkey Style from the PG.


-S

 

[Silence In Daylight]

I seem to recall a DB charm in one of the Aspect books (Fire?) where a character, upon activating the charm and observing an opponent for several turns, receives bonus dice to Melee rolls against said opponent. The charm suggested a Dodge variant as well.


 It gives you something to build from, or adapt at the very least.

 

[Persell]

Well, there are two ways to go with a fighting styles that'd make Holmes proud.


1) Martial Arts- The longest and most effective method to fight like Holmes' plays dective is to get several different martial arts.  Like Still said, Celetsial Monkey would be the first one- due to it's theme on virtues, and it reflects his self-control.  Also invest in other styles for situations that would be appropriate, such as attacking, or sneaking, etc.


2) Multiple Weapons Syndrome- Buy up resources to 5 and start getting a weapon for most situations- a longbow, a sword, a hammer, a quarterstaff (it deals bashing), and throwing weapons.  Also, Katars and brawling aids wouldn't be so bad either.  Invest some skill in Brawl, Melee, Archery, and Thrown.  Since you'll have a weapon for any occation, you can spend charms either augmenting your combat abilities (such as Cascade of Cutting Terror and Accuracy without Distance), or augment other abilities the character would have (such as Investigation charms or Presence Charms- fear can be a powerful weapon).   And if you can't find a charm you like- make one.

 

[Flagg]

Like Still said, Celetsial Monkey would be the first one- due to it's theme on virtues, and it reflects his self-control.

I actually suggested it because, IIRC, there's a Charm that allows you to gain an advantage if you spend time studying someone's technique.


-S

 

[DeepFlowingRiver]

Like your idea


I really like this idea, but it seems to me that most martial artists would naturally be doing this. Many martial arts are based on reading your opponent, Aikido for example. You may just focus on have high dodge/parry pools so that you can "sense/read" what your enemy might do next. With high enough dodge, it would look like you knew exactly what they were going to do.

 

[Persell]

If you play your character the way you describe, you have good reason to prod your ST for stunt dice.

 

[Persell]

Like Still said, Celetsial Monkey would be the first one- due to it's theme on virtues, and it reflects his self-control.

I actually suggested it because, IIRC, there's a Charm that allows you to gain an advantage if you spend time studying someone's technique.


-S

Oh right- I forgot about that charm.  Never used it much in the game I played a Celestial Monkey MA.  Always faught Dragon-Bloods that easily ran out of essence.  That's warstrider battles for you.


We managed to capture 2 warstriders fromt that fight.


Anyway, Holmes always seemed like someone who would keep his cool- which is definately reflected in the Celestial Monkey Form.