RE: [BNW] Martial Arts Rules Question

[Scott Raby <sraby@asymtek.com>]

<snip bit about MA using Str vs using Spd, and compared to TK using Smt>

I use the rules as written, here's why:

First TK: using smarts makes sense due to the fact that the mind in
controlling the power thus to hit, and it is your strength of mind that is
inflicting the damage. This is standard in all psi use in any setting that I
have seen.

Second: Martial Arts using speed to hit and Strength for damage: Ok a
martial artist will hit based on skill of body (dex etc.. call it what you
will), but it is still you body inflicting the damage thus your strength.
Brawling uses your ability to over power someone and inflict damage, for
example a boxer may throw a fast punch, but his whole body is usually not
that fast and is not doing whole body movements (he does move his whole
body, but can fight in a much smaller space then most MA users).

A lot of my friends practice some form of MA to some degree (one teaches
Aikido), and I have spared (sp) with them at times. The smaller guys hit me
a lot, but it does not hurt as much as the guys that are as big as me or who
use boxing like fighting (I'm 5'10" 250lbs, yes it's a little round in the
middle, but I am stronger then most of them and I fight using the fighting
training I received in the Marines and the old grab and pound technique :).
My point is that skill in MA does not translate into raw damage, to get that
you need more strength, not more skill (yes a skilled punch can hurt more
applied to a proper place then a wild punch, but that is more on hit
location then using speed vs strength, which is what I think your players
are talking about.)

Just my thoughts on this, and comparing TK to MA for their argument is like
saying a motorcycle is faster then a car just because it is lighter, ergo
lighter cars are faster then heavy ones, if you believe this try winning a
race in a Yugo, it's light.