Technique vs. Strikes

The Treatise is broken down into a series of techniques, broken down by weapon type, martial arts style, or environment. These techniques represent specialized training, allowing a character to perform an action that isn’t as straightforward as simply attacking a target. 

As such, hitting a target, barring certain extenuating circumstances, will never require a special technique, as it is represented by a character’s skill ranks with a weapon. When a player decides they want their character to do something that falls beyond a simple weapon strike, that’s when the techniques come into play. 

The general rule is this: if a character wants to do something that is more involved than attacking, blocking, reloading, or moving, then it’s most likely a technique instead of a strike. 

Doing Something Different?

While this living document aims to be comprehensive, it is by no means exhaustive. There will undoubtedly come a time when a character wants to perform an action that falls beyond the scope of the techniques listed in this book. When that happens, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Physics determines the effectiveness of a technique. Are there some exceptions to this rule? Of course. Maybe your story is taking place on a different planet with reduced gravity. As a rule, however, the rules of physics can be bent, but not broken. (That’s what metaphysics is for.)

If it looks awkward, it is awkward. If your initial response to the description of an intended action is “Uh…what..?,” chances are good that it’s awkward and should be treated as such. 

Be mindful of the action economy. There is such a thing as trying to do too much. While combat is, by necessity, an abstraction, there’s really only so much one can hope to accomplish in a single round. The combat techniques are broken down into tiers, ranging from 1 to 5, representing a progression in both skill and power. 

With that in mind, the progression of techniques is loose in terms of what can be learned and when. So, if an amateur martial artist was hell-bent on learning a spinning jump kick, they could do so with the proper dedication, focus, and at least a few fundamentals. 

That to say, the only requirement to learn the next tier of combat techniques is at least 1 technique from the previous tier. For example, if a character learned a Tier 1 ability, they would then have access to any and all of the Tier 2’s but not any of the Tier 3’s. 

Note: All of the techniques must come from the same tree. Learning Tier 1 technique in the Brawl tree will not grant a character access to a Tier 2 Polearm technique. 

The experience cost to learn a Combat technique is equal to its tier, meaning a Tier 1 technique costs 1 XP while a Tier 5 costs 5 XP.  

Grapple Mechanics

What is Grappling?

Grappling is a fighting technique based on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds. At its most fundamental level, grappling is about gaining physical advantage over an opponent at close range by locking them in a difficult position. Some grappling techniques are also used to subdue or cause injury through holds, while others are used simply to pin an opponent in place and prevent them from acting. Traditionally, grappling most commonly does not include striking or the use of weapons.

The act of grappling is chaotic, where both opponents are simultaneously vying for physical dominance. And as grappling is performed in very close physical contact, it often relies on a combination of proprioception and guesswork to predict your opponent’s actions or goals. Grappling also transpires at a much faster pace than that of a fistfight or similar act of violence. 

By necessity, several liberties have been taken when abstracting grappling combat. The goal of the grappling rules presented in Spectrum is to provide mechanics for grappling that are easy to follow and balanced. In Spectrum, the grapple is performed differently than other conflict actions. To reflect the constant shifting and vying for advantage, both grapplers perform actions on each other’s turn during the initiative. Whoever has the most Grapple Points goes first.

Grapple Turn Order

1. Determine who has the most grapple points.
2. The character with the most grapple points declares their action.
3. The acting character rolls their grapple skill to general grapple points.
4. The acting character can either attempt to perform a technique or forgo all grapple points to do something else
5. Resolve character’s action.
6. The next character in the grapple order declares their action.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for each character involved in the grapple (in descending order by the number of Grapple Points each character has).

Performing Grapple Technique

1. The attacker declares a grapple technique attempt. This includes the Shoot or any other engagement techniques. 
2. The attacker spends the required GPs, if any, to perform a grapple technique.
3. The defender may spend GPs to decrease the attacker’s roll. 
4. The attacker rolls their grapple skill. If the color result of the roll, after taking into account any relevant shifts and adjustments, is PURPLE or better, the technique succeeds.
5. The attacker resolves the technique per its description.

The Flux

As the name implies, the Flux represents the transitive state of grappling. The Flux is that time where the combatants are shifting postures, weaving in and out of range looking for an opening or a weakness. Wrestlers might circle in a hunched crouch, while MMA fighters bounce on their toes, waiting to strike. The Flux is a living, breathing state that is constantly shifting and changing as the grapple goes on. Due to the nature of the flux, and the near-instant exchange of power and posture, the role of attacker and defender shifts constantly. 

Grappling techniques, both the basic and those listed in the grapple section of the Combat Treatise, can only be performed while in the Flux, unless otherwise stated by the technique’s description.

When engaged in a grapple, characters are considered to be in flux unless one of the following occurs:

• A character is engaged or engaging in a hold, choke, or pin. 
• A character successfully disengages from the grapple.
• A character successfully executes a technique, such as Throw or Sweep, that ends the grapple.

Grapple Points

Grapple Points represent a character’s relative control of the grappling situation. Grapple points are used during a grapple to perform various techniques or to prevent an opponent from successfully performing a technique. 

Grapple Points are generated by making a grapple skill check while in the Flux, or by successfully executing a technique that generates GPs. During a grapple, unused points are banked and can be spent later in the altercation to perform grappling techniques or to prevent an opponent’s grappling technique from succeeding.

Defending While in Grapple

When the attacker is attempting a grapple technique, the defender may spend GPs in an attempt to decrease the attacker’s roll. This represents the defender sacrificing their place in the flux to prevent the technique from succeeding.

GPs spent in this way are subtracted from the Attacker’s grapple skill roll. 

Grapple Example

The great Hero Bofades has boasted that he alone could wrestle down a Titan. With strength and bravado to spare, he tracks one down. 

During his turn in Initiative, Bofades declares the Shoot technique and rolls his grapple skill on the chart. 

Bofades has a Grapple skill of 22. The Titan has a skill of 17. Bofa rolls his grapple skill for the Shoot and scores a 48 which would be a GREEN result. The Titan attempts to use Block Shoot and scores a 60, generating 17 goal points, reducing Bofa’s roll down to a 31. Fortunately for Bofa, that’s still a GREEN color result so the Shoot is successful. Addtionally, the Shoot Technique allows Bofades to generate GPs based on his roll results and generates 13 GPs to use.  

Now in the Flux, it’s the Titan’s turn. As the Attacker, the Titan attempts to put Bofades in a chokehold. The Titan rolls its Grapple skill and scores a 57, a YELLOW color result. Bofa decides not to spend his GPs attempting to stop the Titan’s move and so, the Titan grabs Bofa by the neck and begins to squeeze.

Because Bofa is in a chokehold, the two are no longer in Flux, limiting Bofades options. 

Bofa attempts to use the Break Hold technique to get out of the Titans grasp. He spends the 4 GPs required to attempt the technique and rolls his grapple skill. He rolls a 20, a BLUE color result. He manages to break free of the hold and moves a meter away. 

Deciding discretion is the better part of valor, the Mighty Bofades heroically turns tail and runs. 

Ending a lock or pin is also a concurrent technique. This means that a user may end a lock or pin concurrent with making a grapple roll for more grapple points.

Two-Handed Weapon Techniques

Backstep

Tier: 1
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 1
The user slams the haft of her weapon against the target before taking a step back. As part of this simple action, the user may move 1 meter away from the target after striking. The user may take other non-movement concurrent actions as usual. 
Note: The user must be in melee range 0 of the target to use this technique. 

Choke-up

Tier: 1
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 1
The user grips their weapon by the midpoint to engage in close combat. The user decreases both the minimum and maximum melee range by 1 meter and decreases the damage spectrum ◄ 1. For example, a character who achieved a green result for 10 points of damage would instead treat the result as blue for 6 points of damage. 

Haft push

Tier: 1
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 1
The user performs a Shove technique using their Block skill rather than their Unarmed skill. The user gains a 1 ► to the roll.

Flat-o-the-blade

Tier: 1
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 1
A strike delivered with the flat of a bladed weapon intended to reduce lethality. The user makes their attack roll with ◄ 1 and does stun damage instead of lethal. 

Power attack

Tier: 1
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 1
The user builds up the momentum of their attack to swing with greater force. When the user makes a successful attack roll using this technique, the attack’s damage spectrum is increased 1 ►. For example, a character who achieved a green result for 10 points of damage would instead treat the result as yellow for 17 points of damage. 

Lunge

Tier: 2
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 2
The user attempts to strike an opponent while lunging forward. This technique adds 1 meter to the weapon’s attack range and suffers a ◄ 1 to the attack roll. This technique may be used in tandem with the Walk concurrent action for a ◄ 2. 

Shield hook

Tier: 2
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 2
The user hooks their weapon against a target’s shield to pull it out of position. When using this technique, the user must achieve a purple result or higher on their Two-Handed melee roll. While hooked, the target may not use their shield to attack or block. Additionally, the user cannot use their weapon to block or attack while the technique is in effect. The effect ends when either the user chooses to drop it as a concurrent action or the target succeeds on a contested STR check. The target may initiate a contested STR test as a simple action.
If the target has a Block action readied at the time the user attempts this technique and succeeds on the roll with a purple or better, the technique fails.

Beat attack

Tier: 2
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 2
The user strikes the target’s weapon to open their guard or disrupt their posture. This technique succeeds if the user achieves a purple result or better on a Two-Handed Melee roll. For the remainder of the combat round, any action that the target attempts with the weapon that would normally be a simple action is treated as a complex action instead, and any action that would normally be a complex action is no longer possible. 
If this technique is attempted against a target who has declared Block as a simple action, the technique fails if the target achieves a purple result or better on the Block test. If this technique succeeds against a target who has declared a complex Block, they lose the benefit of any subsequent blocks – i.e., if this technique succeeds against the first of the target’s three blocks, they do not gain the benefit of the remaining two. 

Recovery strike

Tier: 2
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 2
The user shifts their body to recover their momentum in the event their attack fails. If the user achieves less than a purple result on the attack roll, the user uses the momentum of the first swing to bring the weapon back in a reverse or circular motion to strike again. The user may make a single follow-up attack with a ◄ 2. This follow-up attack is made as part of the same simple action as the initial attack.
This technique costs 1 Kismet to use and may be declared retroactively. This technique may not be used in conjunction with any other techniques.

Flourish

Tier: 2
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 2
The user spins the weapon with constant momentum in a 1-meter radius, focusing on the space around them rather than any individual target. While this effect is active, the user may make a simple attack, without penalty, against the first creature to enter this space, regardless of whether or not the user can see the creature. If the attack roll is successful, the effect ends. If the attack roll misses, the effect continues until the user performs a successful attack (even if the successful attack is blocked by the target). 
If the user wishes to maintain the flourish after taking damage, they must make a Resolve test with a target number equal to the amount of damage sustained. 

Withdrawal strike

Tier: 3
Action: Simple + Concurrent
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 3
The user strikes a target while taking a step backward to create distance. The attack is made without the standard ◄ 1. Regardless of the outcome of the attack, the user may use the Walk concurrent action. The user may not use the Walk action to close the gap before initiating the attempt nor use any other concurrent action when using this technique. 
Note: The user must be in melee range of the target to use this technique. 

Double-ended strike

Tier: 3
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 3
The user lashes out with their weapon and then quickly follows up with a second strike. Each attack is limited to a range of 1 meter, and the damage spectrum is decreased ◄ 1. For example, a character who achieved a GREEN result for 10 points of damage would instead treat the result as BLUE for 6 points of damage.

Parry

Tier: 3
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 3
The user has become adept at blocking an incoming attack with their weapon. This technique allows the user to use their FIN score rather than their STR to block an attack. 

Riposte

Tier: 3
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 3
The user attempts to block the next incoming attack and then immediately counterattacks. The user may declare this technique in place of a standard simple block. If the user achieves a purple result or better on the Block roll, they may attempt the counterattack, otherwise the technique fails. Both the Block and the attack rolls are made with a ◄ 1.
Note: This technique may not be used as a complex action; only one Riposte may be declared in a single combat round. 

Mordschlag

Tier: 3
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 3
The user grips the blade of their sword, allowing the user to strike with the cross guard and pommel instead of the blade. The sword now counts as a 2 handed blunt weapon. 
Note: The user must be wearing gloves or gauntlets to use this technique without harming themself. In the absence of gloves or gauntlets, the character’s hand suffers a number of Trauma Points equal to the damage dealt 

Feint

Tier: 4
Action: Concurrent
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 4
A deceptive technique in which the user simulates a fake attack to draw a reaction before actually striking. The target makes a Resolve test with a target number equal to the user’s Two-Handed Melee score. If the Feint is successful, the target expends any readied action, such as Block, Dodge, or Riposte, before the attack roll is resolved. 
If the target has readied multiple actions, such as a complex Block or Dodge, this technique causes them to expend one use. For example, if this technique is used against a target who has declared a complex Block, and who has all 3 uses remaining, the target would lose one Block to the “fake-out” and one Block to the attack itself, leaving the target with one remaining Block this round.

Reposition

Tier: 4
Action: Concurrent
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 4
The user attempts to move into a better position before acting. The user may Jog instead of Walk as a concurrent action. This technique costs 1 Kismet to use.

Sprinting strike

Tier: 4
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 4
The user runs full speed at a target before delivering a savage attack. The user must run in a straight line a minimum number of meters equal to their Jog score, up to their maximum Sprint score. The user then makes an attack roll and, if successful, increases the damage spectrum 1 ►. For example, a character who achieved a GREEN result for 10 points of damage would instead treat the result as YELLOW for 17 points of damage. 
This technique costs 1 Kismet to use.

Sweep

Tier: 4
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 4
The user makes a sweeping strike and attempts to knock a target’s feet out from under them. The user attempts to perform a Trip against the opponent using their Two-Handed Melee skill in place of their Unarmed Combat skill. 
Note: This technique can be used at the maximum attack range of the user’s two-handed weapon.

Relentless advance

Tier: 4
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 4
The user presses their attack against an opponent, attempting to drive them backward. The user makes a standard weapon attack. The target may then choose to make a Resolve test with a target number equal to the damage dealt by this technique (NOT the damage sustained by the target).
If the target fails this Resolve test, they must immediately move backward 1 meter. If this technique would cause the target to move backward into a hazardous space, such as into Flame Wall or off the side of a cliff, they receive between 1 ► to 3 ► on the Resolve test, depending on the severity of the danger. 

Shieldbreaker

Tier: 5
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 5
The user targets the opponent’s shield with the intent to break it. When using this technique, the user makes a normal attack roll against a target with a shield. If successful, the attack decreased the shields block value by one. This decrease remains in place until such time as the shield is repaired. The effects of multiple shieldbreaker attacks are cumulative. 
This technique costs 1 Kismet to use. 
Note: The attack roll is made without penalty, regardless of the shield’s size 

Jump strike

Tier: 5
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 5
The user takes a running leap and brings their weapon over their head in a powerful downward swing. As a single complex action, the user moves a number of meters up to their Sprint score, makes a running horizontal jump, and follows up with a Two-Handed melee attack roll. 
The damage spectrum for this attack is increased 1 ►. For example, a character who achieved a green result for 10 points of damage would instead treat the result as yellow for 17 points of damage. Regardless of whether the attack is successful, the user must succeed on an Acrobatics test to avoid falling prone at the conclusion of this technique. 
Using this technique costs 1 Kismet. 

Passing strike

Tier: 5
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 5
The user strikes a target while on the move. When declaring this technique, the user takes a Jog action and makes an attack roll against a target within the range of their jog, continuing to move up to their total jog distance. 

Circle defense

Tier: 5
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 5
The user is adept at defending against multiple opponents. The user may, as a complex action, use Dodge or Block against every attack made against them until the beginning of their next turn. The first six uses of Dodge or Block are made without penalty; however, on the seventh and subsequent uses, the Dodge or Block test is made with a cumulative ◄ 1, i.e., ◄ 1 on the seventh use, ◄ 2 on the eighth, ◄ 3 on the ninth, etc.

Double strike

Tier: 5
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: 2H Weapon
Learning Cost: 5
The user makes two attacks in quick succession. When using this technique, the user suffers ◄ 1 on the first attack and ◄ 2 on the second attack. 

Sling Techniques

Quick load

Tier: 1
Action: Concurrent
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user has become very practiced at loading their sling. They may now load a sling as a concurrent action with the standard ◄ 1.

Sap

Tier: 1
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user swings a loaded sling as a melee weapon with a range of 1 meter. The attack is made using the user’s Throwing skill and is treated as a one-handed blunt weapon. Using the sling in this way does not cause the ammunition to leave the sling, and this technique may be repeated without reloading the sling. 

Heavy load

Tier: 1
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user is adept at using a larger-than-normal bullet or stone as ammunition. The range of the attack is half that of a normal sling attack, and the damage spectrum is increased 1 ►.

Light load

Tier: 2
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user throws a bullet or sling stone that is considerably smaller than normal, The range of the attack is doubled, and the damage spectrum is reduced ◄ 1. 

Walking shot

Tier: 2
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user may move up to two meters and make a sling attack as part of the same simple action. This movement does not impose a penalty shift against the shot. However, this technique does not negate penalty shifts incurred from using this technique in combination with a concurrent action that would otherwise impose a penalty. 

Fast aim

Tier: 2
Action: Concurrent
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user quickly takes aim at a target. This technique allows the user to use the Aim ability as a concurrent action rather than a simple action, foregoing the standard ◄ 1. 

Running shot

Tier: 3
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user makes a sling attack while on the run. The user takes a Jog action and makes an attack roll with ◄ 1 against a target in range. After the shot has been taken, the user may continue moving up to their total jog distance.

Sling and shield

Tier: 3
Action: Concurrent
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
Through practice, the user has become capable of loading their sling while holding a shield in their other hand.

Hug cover

Tier: 3
Action: Concurrent + Simple
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user learns to use cover to maximum effect in a firefight. When using this technique, the user may take a concurrent action to both lean out of and return to cover as part of the same concurrent action. The act of shooting remains a simple action, and leaning from/returning to cover imposes only ◄ 1 on the shot.

Ricochet strike

Tier: 4
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user aims at the ground, wall, or part of the environment in order to skip the projectile to hit a target at an unpredictable angle. The user makes an attack roll against a target with a 1► bonus shift to the attack roll, however the damage spectrum is reduced ◄ 1. This technique cannot be used to make called shots. 

Sling anything

Tier: 4
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user learns to launch anything in their sling, turning any handheld object into a potential projectile. The Narrator may choose to impose ◄ 1 – ◄ 3 shifts to the skill roll based on the nature of the object being used. 

Spin sling

Tier: 5
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user builds up the momentum of their attack to swing with greater force. When using this technique, the user improves the damage spectrum 1►. For example, a character who achieved a green result for 10 points of damage would instead treat the result as yellow for 17 points of damage. 

Balearic eye

Tier: 5
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user has developed an almost preternatural accuracy when using sling attacks. When the user makes an attack, the attack is treated as if it were being made at one range increment closer – e.g., long becomes medium, medium becomes close, etc. 

Deflect

Tier: 5
Action: Simple
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user takes aim at an airborne projectile and attempts to knock it off course. The user readies this technique as they would a simple Block and must have a bullet loaded in the sling. If a non-ballistic projectile flies within short range, the user may make an Throwing test to stop the projectile by hitting it with a sling bullet, succeeding on a purple result or better. If successful, they strike the object, deflecting it and causing it to miss its target. 
Note: The deflected projectile must be of a reasonable size relative to the user’s sling bullet to be affected by this technique.

Improved sap

Tier: 5
Action: Complex
Weapon Type: Sling
Learning Cost:
The user is able to use the Sap technique at range 0, including while involved in a grapple.