Palladium RPGs: Hand to Hand - Ninjutsu

[heretic888]

This is for reference only. This is my 'revised edition' of the ninjutsu martial art style(s) found in the Palladium RPGs...

NINJUTSU (EXCLUSIVE):
-Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments (only Principled, Scrupulous, Unprincipled, Anarchist, and Aberrant -- Miscreant and Diabolic are NOT allowed).
-Minimum Attributes include Intelligence Quotient: 9, Physical Prowess: 10, and Speed: 8.
-Skill Cost: 15 years (usually trained from birth).

-Costume: Shinobi Shozoku in black, white, or camouflage.
-Stance: Low, wide-legged, side stance, with most of the body centered over the back leg, forward leg resting lightly on other foot, which is pointed at opponent. Forward hand is held out and open, the rear hand is pulled back and out at waist level. Known as Ichimonji no Kamae in Japanese.

CHARACTER BONUSES:
-Add +2 to Mental Affinity
-Add +2 to Physical Strength
-Add +2 to Physical Prowess
-Add +1 to Physical Endurance
-Add +4 to Speed

COMBAT SKILLS
-Attacks per Melee: 3
-Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Leap, Backflip, Maintain Balance.
-Attack Moves: Leap, Cartwheel, Grab.
-Basic Defensive Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry.
-Advanced Defenses: Multiple Dodge, Combination Parry/Attack.
-Hand Attacks: Punch, Knife Hand , Palm Strike.
-Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Tripping/Leg Hooks, Snap Kick, Drop Kick (Combination Fall/Dodge/Kick).
-Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick.
-Special Attacks: Death Blow, Leap Attack, Roll/Knockdown, Body Flip/Throw, Body Block/Tackle, Choke, Elbow Strike, Knee Strike.
-Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Leg Hold, Body Hold, Neck Hold, Wrist Lock, Elbow Lock.
-Weapon Kata: Any three Ninja Weapon Proficiencies.
-Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, Knockout/Stun, Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.

SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
-Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of four (4) Powers from among Arts of Invisibility, Atemi Abilities, Martial Art Techniques, or Chi Mastery.
-Languages: Japanese.
-Physical Skills/Training: Acrobatics, General Athletics, Archery, Climbing, Camouflage, Demolitions, Escape Artist, Swimming: Advanced, Use Ninja Tools, Weapon Proficiency: All Ninja Weapons, Weapon Proficiency: Knife, Wilderness Survival.
-Philosophical Training: Ryobu Shinto/Bukkyo.
-If this is your Primary Martial Art Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Heki Ryu (6 Years), Kinzoku Shurikenjutsu (2 Years), Masaki Ryu (5 Years), and Zanji Shinjinken Ryu (4 Years).

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
-1st: +2 to Strike/Damage, +1 to Dodge, Critical Strike on a Natural 20, Critical Strike from Behind, +3 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
-2nd: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Roll/Knockdown, Death Blow on a Natural 20.
-3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Leap (add 4 feet to Leap Distance), Select One Martial Art Power from Arts of Invisibility, Atemi Abilities, Martial Art Techniques, or Chi Mastery.
-4th: +3 to Strike/Damage, +2 to Backflip/Cartwheel.
-5th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
-6th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Roll/Knockdown.
-7th: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20, +2 to Leap (add 4 feet to Leap Distance), Select One Martial Art Power from Arts of Invisibility, Atemi Abilities, Martial Art Techniques, or Chi Mastery.
-8th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll/Knockdown.
-9th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Backflip/Cartwheel, Death Blow on a Natural 19 or 20.
-10th: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Parry, +1 to Leap (add 4 feet to Leap Distance), +2 to Strike/Damage.
-11th: Select One Martial Art Power from Arts of Invisibility, Atemi Abilities, Martial Art Techniques, or Chi Mastery.
-12th: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Roll/Knockdown.
-13th: +1 to Attack per Melee, Death Blow (Can be used whenever desired [i.e. No Natural Number required], however, character must announce intentions to use the Attack per Melee, costs two melee attacks), +1 to Roll/Knockdown.
-14th: +2 to Dodge, Knockout/Stun on a 19 or 20 (includes Strike bonus), +2 to Backflip/Cartwheel, +2 to Strike/Damage.
-15th: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Select One Martial Art Power from Zenjorike.

WHY STUDY NINJUTSU?
-Classical Ninjutsu at its best, this style embodies the spirit of the legendary shadow warriors of Japan. Flexibility, suprising attacks, and deadly moves are all the ninja's trademarks.