As of 6/14/2025, we are implementing Melee Techniques out of the Combat book. We already use Firearms techniques, so this is not a stretch. We are, however, modeling it after Linguistics so we can keep some level of consistency.

• Melee 1 – 1 technique
• Melee 2 – 1 more technique
• Melee 3 – 2 more technique
• Melee 4 – 3 more technique
• Melee 5 – 4 more technique

After that, each additional technique costs 2 XP.

If you have the technique, the difficulty on the charts applies. If you do not have the technique, it means you are using an unfamiliar weapon and the difficulty of rolls is increased by 2.

As per combat, p. 95, everyone gets Fist Loads for free.

NOTE: We have some weapons-based secondary skills. If you have that secondary skill, you get the technique without taking up one of your Melee slots. This includes: Archery, Fencing.

For the initial setting of techniques, if you have an approved weapon that predates 6/14/2025, you can take the technique, but you are limited to your melee rating.

Techniques will be noted on characters using the MELEE_TECHNIQUES attribute (not a JUDGENOTE).

List of Techniques – Handheld

Class	Difficulty	Examples
Axes & Picks	6	Axe, battle pick, kama
Blades	6	Swords, daggers, hook swords, katar, klaives
Blunt Weapons	4	Clubs, sticks, maces, hammers, sai, tonfa, saps
Fist-Loads	4	Brass knuckles, yawara, bagh nakh, cestus
Flexible Weapons	6	Morningstar, nunchaku, chain, three section staff, manriki-gusari, kusarigama, whip, garrote, nets
Polearms	6	Speark, glaive, halberd, guisarme, naginata
Staff	5	Quarterstaff, bo

List of Techniques – Ranged

Class	Difficulty	Examples
Blowgun	6	Blowguns, fukimi-bari
Bows	6	Longbow, hankyu, yumi
Crossbow	6	Crossbow, chu-ko-nu
Javelin	6	Javelin, thrown spear
Slings	6	Sling, staff-sling, slingshot
Thrown Blades	7	Throwing knives, shuriken, throwing hatchets
Thrown Weapons	5	Thrown swords, thrown clubs