Fighting style advice?

[Kayden Ouron]

So I'll be honest here... I've never written a fight before. Not only that but I'm also not very filmier with EU which is where things like saber styles and force powers are explained in detail. Knowing this and knowing that 2 (soon 3) of my 3 (Soon 5) characters are force users I'm a little worried I'm gonna get in a fight and do something stupid because I didn't know better. So if you have writing advice or character dev advice for characters combat skills I'd love to hear it. If anybody else has slimier questions feel free to ask them here too. I don't mind. Thanks for the help.

 

[Voices of The Deep]

Unfortunately. I don't think many ppl really pay attention to 'fighting style' that much here. It pretty much boils down to 'He slashed, kicked, punched, grabbed, and tried to do a thing'. Martial arts and all the specifics can be mentioned, but i don't really think anyone will be like 'Oh, this guy is using Dim Mak and the other is using Judo...hmmmm'


Pretty much comes down to


Boxing
Kickboxing
Wrestling
MMA
Kung Fu
Badass (Where you just do crap without getting into a stance or any real effort)


When it comes to sabre forms tho. That is a bit more complicated since some ppl actually pay attention to those. But i can't tell you anything about those myself since i'm a freaking scrub LOL


So here. Read these lovely things.

My character Winter uses Trakata or something. Where you just shut on the sabre on and off super fast LOL




[member="Kayden Ouron"]

 

[Kenrath]

[member="Kayden Ouron"]

Saber combat can be a bit of a trial and error. If you are a Dueler..kind of like fencing...then with form two Makashi think the whole Karate Kid wax on...wax off kind of thing.

Short thrusts, a wrist rotation producing a slash. That type of thing.


If you are more of a bruiser with the more aggressive style like form 7 Juyo think more like swinging a baseball bat. Gripping with both hands and chopping down.



All in all we are a very helpful bunch that can walk you through your first few duels or fights until you get the hang of it.


Force powers are more along the line of just describing what you are trying to accomplish. Force push is a lot like "Vengeance extends a hand out attempting to push Bob back with the force" or "Vengeance raises his hand the air around it begins to crackle before a bolt of lightening arcs towards bob"

 

[Asemir]

If you decide to pick a certain style, then all you have to remember is when you write your duel, stick to that style's concept. One style is all about aggression, so you'd write your character being overly aggressive and delivering powerful (two-handed) blows. Another style is more about finesse, so you'd write your character's action to fit that.

Get comfortable with the imagery first, then worry about the nuances and details. They'll come naturally.

That said, the fundamental rule of PVP writing is always first: be realistic IC about it, and don't be a jerk. If you just wrote your character overextending himself, you're going to get hit, so get hit. Don't try to contort your way out of it, unless your character is a superb/master/badass brawler. Make it realistic to your character's IC abilities.

[member="Kayden Ouron"]

 

[Jenson Koraz]

[member="Kayden Ouron"]
I am going to give my two cents and second Asemir here in that you have to be realistic. Trust me, I've had problems with this in the past, usually involving myself getting a little too God-like because I didn't want to die. It leads to friction, trust me.

Moving on to my opinion of fighting styles, I think it is great to have one because it helps you to determine how your character is going to react in a particular situation. For example, say an opponent is swinging a lightsaber at you. A Makashi master will most likely parry it and respond, an Ataru master will dodge, and a Shien or Soresu master will most likely block it. Your fighting style is all based on what you want your character to focus on: attack, defense, reflection, etc. Bt I will also say that it is good to mix up fixed fighting styles to create a unique one that is all your own. For example, in one RP I did, my character, who is a master of Makashi and Soresu, used Ataru dodges and flips and a little Force ability, characteristic of Niman, to get the advantage over a stronger but slower enemy. I say that as long as your character has some sort of basic knowledge IC'ly in a form or style, use it. Use any advantage you can get. Its good to have a set style you master, but make sure to throw in some other stuff to keep your enemy off balance.

 

[Ellie Mors]

[member="Kayden Ouron"]
How will your characters be engaged in combat? Traditional lightsabers, shotos, saber pikes, saberstaffs?

 

[Dune Rhur]

Study fight sceens in books and check out style descriptions. Figure out who or what you want to be like. Then adjust as you see fit.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Watching fight scenes, taking a look at the movies all of that can help provide you inspiration. If you do fight I also suggest if you have the time, to read some books especially the Star Wars books and pay special attention to the scenes in which they fight. Not only are these books good reads, but you'll get a lot of inspiration from reading about two character fight.

 

[Dune Rhur]

Darth Prosciutto is right, second time I agree with a Sith in a day. He's also delicious in an antipasto bar with cheeses and olives! If you want to get super technical and nerdy, look up some fencing and HEMA videos. Italian longsword seems a lot like Form V, military saber is Form II and Kendo is Form I etc.

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Writing battles are really easy. But one thing you could do is use Wookipedia. Its your friend! Now im unsure if you are specifically talking about PC vs NPC combat or PvP but if your fighting against another Character or Writer ALWAYS pm them and keep good communication with them. Talk with them about how the fight could go and decide on an outcome. Majority of the writers on SWRP are really helpful and will work with ya and even give you advice.

[member="Kayden Ouron"]

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

A piece of advice that others haven't given yet: The Message system is your friend. Talk with your opponent, and do it early. Just because you're trying to beat each other with glowing doom laser-swords doesn't mean you can't communicate your intent clearly in PM's.