Martial Art Strikes

Strength

Agility

Self Discipline

Short Description

Deliver fast, precise unarmed attacks using trained martial techniques—focused on control, pressure, and speed rather than brute force.

Success Criteria

Use this skill with an attack roll on the Warhammer attack table but subtract 20 from the attack roll - except for against unarmed targets.

Effects

- Replaces standard melee weapon attacks with unarmed martial strikes

- Uses Martial Arts – Strikes skill instead of a weapon skill for attack rolls

- Does not provoke attacks of opportunity when unarmed

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Modifiers and Restrictions

Standard combat modifiers.

Action Examples

Strike using elbows, knees, or fists.

Strike an enemy using a sweeping kick.

Long Description

Martial Arts – Strikes allow you to fluidly replace standard melee weapon attacks with martial techniques, enabling sequences of fast, agile blows with limbs instead of blades. These strikes are especially effective when combining timing, stance shifts, and pressure to overwhelm an enemy. Unlike simple brawling, this style rewards precision and form, making it favored by anyone relying on speed and control over brute force.

When combined with throws, evasions, or pressure point attacks, martial arts strikes create high-pressure melee exchanges that force the enemy on the defensive. The skill is ideal for lightly armored characters using momentum, prediction, and positioning as their primary defense.

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Sequencing

Feints - Martial Art Strikes (3 AP)

Pressure Point Strike - Martial Art Strikes (3 AP)

Potential Counters

Any armor or defense enhancing skills, modules and spells.

How to use this page

All the information above is intended as a guide to help you navigate the many situations that can arise during your game. Since it's both impossible—and frankly uninspiring—to plan for every possible outcome, players are encouraged to think creatively when using their skills. Game Masters, in turn, are encouraged to embrace and support that creativity.

Whenever possible, aim to resolve situations through narrative choices, logical thinking and role playing. If that’s not feasible, agree on a Difficulty Rating (DR) using the provided Success Criteria and Modifiers. These are not rigid rules, but suggestions - starting points to help you find the right level of challenge. The player describes their intended action, and the Game Master proposes a DR. This should be open to brief discussion at the table, ideally resulting in consensus. If not, the Game Master has the final say.

It’s important to emphasize that all suggested effects, modifiers, and action examples are exactly that: suggestions. If you’re unsure how to resolve something, they offer a reliable fallback—but wherever possible, we encourage you to push boundaries. That’s where some of the most memorable and exciting moments in play are born.

Sequencing and Potential Counters are far from exhaustive. With hundreds of skills, spells, and tech modules in the game, the possibilities are too vast to list. You’re encouraged to explore combinations that make sense in your story and setting and in the situations that arise in your game. Sequencing and countering are core to Cosmic Odyssey - they’re where strategic depth meets dramatic flair, and where legendary moments often take shape. Even if no sequencing and counters are mentioned, some certainly exists and can be smartly utilized.

So explore boldly, improvise wisely, and enjoy the game as it unfolds around your choices.