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Zarvistic
2018-05-16, 09:21 AM
Martial Arts Styles

Martial Arts aren't really great in isolation as they require many feats to unlock and sometimes it is thought they are feats, which is not the case. Simply meeting all the requirements gives you the listed benefit as is described in Oriental Adventures. All other sources work off those rules.

I noticed sometimes you are already using many of the prerequisites for your build, so it's possible that you could unlock some of them with minor investment. Many prerequisites also overlap, making it much easier to unlock more. To notice these easier I made this list for myself a while ago, figured I'd share it here for everyone else interested in the martial arts combos. Perhaps it can be useful as something to look back to if you are ever playing a character heavy on combat feats.

I'd like to add alternative methods to acquire these feats in the future, so if you know of some feel free to post and I'll make sure to add them. If you have other suggestions or additions, let me know.

Martial Arts Styles
These are all regular styles I could find, including some weapon related. Keep in mind, unlocking a second part of a mastery requires the first part to be unlocked first.




Style Name
Feat Prerequisites
Other Prerequisites
Benefits




Empty Hand Mastery
[Oriental Adventures]


Eagle Claw Attack
Fist of Iron
Imp. Sunder
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Ki Shout
Power Attack


Bluff [4]


Size +1 for unarmed damage.





Mighty Works Mastery I
[Oriental Adventures]


Choke Hold
Deflect Arrows
Fist of Iron
Imp. Grapple
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Stunning Fist


---


When using unarmed strike, +2 dodge bonus for 1 round.





Mighty Works Mastery II
[Oriental Adventures]


Earth's Embrace
Imp. Trip
Iron Will
Ki Shout


---


Deal 1d4 Strength damage with Stunning Fist instead of stun.





Foot and Fist Mastery
[Oriental Adventures]


Deflect Arrows
Fist of Iron
Flying Kick
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Power Attack
Roundabout Kick


Jump [5]
Tumble [5]


Competence bonus +10 on Balance, Jump, Tumble.





The Gentle Way Mastery
[Oriental Adventures]


Combat Reflexes
Defensive Throw
Dodge
Great Throw
Imp. Trip
Imp. Unarmed Strike


Tumble [6]


Unmovable 1/day: can't be moved for 1 round/level.





Meditation of War Mastery
[Oriental Adventures]


Falling Star Strike
Fist of Iron
Freezing the Lifeblood
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Stunning Fist


Jump [6]
Tumble [6]


Stunning Fist and similar +2 DC.
Weapon Focus of choice: bastard sword, dagger, shortsword, spear, quarterstaff, or heavy mace.





Spirit's Grasp Mastery
[Dragon #289]


Combat Expertise
Dodge
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Iron Will
Ki Shout
Mobility
Whirlwind Attack


Able to cast spell: Castigate


Succesful ki shout gives +1 CL for 10 minutes.





Defender's Attack Mastery
[Dragon #289]


Combat Expertise
Defensive Strike
Deflect Arrows
Diehard
Dodge
Imp. Combat Expertise
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Mobility
Stunning Fist
Unbalancing Strike


---


Get AoO on opponent who misses you with melee 1/round, counts as one AoO used.
During total defense may add Defensive Strike bonus to this attack.





Blue Mountain Style I
[Dragon #309]


Flying Kick
Imp. Initative
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Ki Shout
Power Attack
Roundabout Kick


Jump [4]
Dexterity [14]
Strength [13]


May add free +5 feet distance on succesful Jump.





Blue Mountain Style II
[Dragon #309]


Circle Kick
Great Ki Shout


Balance [4]
Jump [8]
Dexterity [16]
Strength [14]


Untyped +2 initative.





Black Panda Style I
[Dragon #309]


Combat Expertise
Dodge
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Pain Touch
Stunning Fist


Dexterity [13]
Wisdom [15]


Stunning Fist +2 DC.





Black Panda Style II
[Dragon #309]


Distance Touch
Extra Stunning
Freezing the Lifeblood


Balance [4]
Dexterity [15]
Wisdom [19]


Stunning Fist or similar deals additional 1 Con damage [DC 10 + 1/2 character level + Wis].





Koumajutsu Mastery I
[Dragon #309]


Choke Hold
Imp. Grapple
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Stunning Fist


Strength [15]


Untyped +2 grapple.





Koumajutsu Mastery II
[Dragon #309]


Earth's Embrace
Fist of Iron
Knock-Down
Power Attack


Strength [17]


Untyped +2 grapple.





Temerad Mastery I
[Dragon #309]


Dodge
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Mobility
Spring Attack


Dexterity [15]


Dodge bonus from Dodge feat is +2.
May split bonus between two targets.





Temerad Mastery II
[Dragon #309]


Deflect Arrows
Extra Stunning
Lightning Fists
Stunning Fist


Balance [8]
Dexterity [19]


Insight +1 to AC.





Broken Fist Mastery I
[Dragon #309]


Dirty Fighting
Imp. Initative
Imp. Trip
Imp. Unarmed Strike


Strength [13]


Size +1 for trip attacks.





Broken Fist Mastery II
[Dragon #309]


Knock-Down
Lightning Fists
Whirlwind Attack


---


Untyped +1/2 character level bonus to trip attack and defense.





Iron Hand Mastery
[Dragon #315]


Eagle Claw Attack
Endurance
Fist of Iron
Imp. Sunder
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Power Attack
Roundabout Kick
Toughness


---


Gain DR 2/-.





Five Star Mastery I
[Dragon #315]


Deflect Arrows
Dodge
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Lightning Reflexes


Balance [9]
Jump [9]
Tumble [9]


Competence +10 bonus on Balance, Jump, Tumble.





Five Star Mastery II
[Dragon #315]


Combat Expertise
Imp. Feint
Mobility
Spring Attack
Whirlwind Attack


---


Act as if hasted for number of rounds/day equal to character level.





Northern Fist Mastery
[Dragon #315]


Combat Expertise
Falling Star Strike
Freezing the Lifeblood
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Pain Touch
Stunning Fist
Unbalancing Strike


---


Ranged attack [5 feet per 5 character levels] with unarmed strike as full-round action. Deal double damage or apply Stunning Fist or related feats.





Southern Star Mastery
[Dragon #315]


Combat Expertise
Defensive Strike
Dodge
Imp. Trip
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Stunning Fist
Unbalancing Strike


Concentration [9]


Use Stunning Fist to violent thrust opponent 10 feet [DC 10 + 1/2 character level + Wis] in addition to unarmed strike damage.





Winterlight
[Dragon #303]


Focus: Longbow
Precise Shot
Prof.: Longbow
Point Blank Shot
Zen Archery


Craft(bow) [6]


Use Wis instead of Dex for ranged attacks up to first range increment.





Dance of Blades
[Dragon #303]


Combat Expertise
Dodge
Mobility
Prof.: Longsword
Spring Attack
Whirlwind Attack


Perform [6]
Tumble [6]


Free attack after whirlwind attack and 5-foot step.





Bladesong
[Dragon #303]


Combat Casting
Dodge
Prof.: Longsword


Concentration [6]
Perform [6]


Competence +4 bonus to Concentration when using longsword and casting defensively.





Twin Swords
[Dragon #303]


Greater TW. Fighting
Imp. TW. Fighting
Off-Hand Parry
TW. Fighting


Intimidate [6]


Penalty for TW. Fighting -3 instead of -4.





Shadow Guard
[Dragon #303]


Freezing the Lifeblood
Falling Star Strike
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Iron Will
Pain Touch
Stunning Fist


Concentration [6]


Stunning Fist and related feats +2 DC.





Axefury
[Dragon #303]


Cleave
Focus: Axe or Hammer
Great Cleave
Imp. Bull Rush
Imp. Sunder
Power Attack


---


Extra 5 feet push when bullrushing and following target.





Stonegrind Wrestling
[Dragon #303]


Endurance
Great Fortitude
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Power Attack


---


Size +1 for grappling.





Might of the Hand
[Dragon #303]


Combat Expertise
Deflect Arrows
Dodge
Imp. Disarm
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Power Attack


Tumble [6]


May apply Dodge feat to multiple targets [equal to Wis] when fighting defensively and unarmed.





Hin Fist
[Dragon #303]


Combat Reflexes
Dodge
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Lightning Reflexes
Mobility


Bluff [6]
Jump [6]
Tumble [6]


When you and ally threaten target, gain +1 dodge for Dodge target.





Tanglefoot
[Dragon #303]


Combat Expertise
Combat Reflexes
Dodge
Imp. Trip
Weapon Finesse


Tumble [6]
Use Rope [6]
Size: Small


Size +1 for trip attacks. Deal nonlethal with weapons at -1 penalty instead of -4.





Yuur'grot
[Dragon #303]


Combat Expertise
Imp. Disarm
Imp. Initative
Prof.: Flail
Quick Draw


---


Untyped +4 disarm instead of +2.





Talon Swarm
[Dragon #303]


Dodge
Mobility
Quick Draw
Skill Focus: Bluff


Bluff [6]
Tumble [6]


When feinting, affect Dodge target in addition to normal target.





Longfang
[Dragon #303]


Focus: Hafted+Piercing
Imp. Critical: Hafted+Piercing
Imp. Initative
Power Attack
Power Lunge
Prof.: Hafted+Piercing


Hide [6]
Move Silent [6]


Attack adjacent target with selected reach weapon.
May Power Lunge in first round of combat without provoking AoO.





Skullcracks
[Dragon #303]


Cleave
Combat Expertise
Imp. Trip
Imp. Sunder
Power Attack


Hide [6]
Move Silent [6]


On succesful Imp. Trip, extra attack gains +2 damage.





Storm of Blood
[Dragon #303]


Great Cleave
Power Attack
Prof.: Orc Double Axe
T.-W. Fighting


Heal [6]


Full-attack with orc double axe allows for single bleeding attack at -4 penalty. Stacks, 10 round duration.





Word Given Form
[Tome of Magic]


Combat Expertise
Dodge
Improved Unarmed Strike
Mobility
Spring Attack


Truespeak [12]
Tumble [12]


Gain total concealment from target of Dodge feat.






Martial Arts Styles [Psionic]
These are similar to the regular styles, but require you to be a psychic warrior and specialize in the given mastery. This limits your list of powers to a specific set that you can choose from and allows you to unlock the given mastery benefit.



Style Name
Feat Prerequisites
Other Prerequisites
Benefits




Commanding Voice Mastery
[Dragon #308]


Great Ki Shout
Inner Strength
Iron Will
Ki Shout


Autohypnosis [5]


Insight +2 Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Sense Motive.





Iron Robe Mastery
[Dragon #308]


Diehard
Fist of Iron
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Inertial Armor
Iron Will
Toughness


Autohypnosis [12]


Natural armor +1.





No Wasted Motion Mastery
[Dragon #308]


Combat Reflexes
Dodge
Imp. Initiative
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Lightning Reflexes
Mobility
Psionic Dodge
Speed of Thought


Base Attack Bonus [2]


Take extra move action wis/day. Max 1/round.





Palm Power Mastery
[Dragon #308]


Falling Star Strike
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Pain Touch
Power Touch
Psionic Fist
Stunning Fist
Unavoidable Strike


Base Attack Bonus [4]


Bypass DR con/day. Magic, adamantine, same alignment.





Responsive Body Mastery
[Dragon #308]


Earth's Embrace
Fist of Iron
Imp. Grapple
Imp. Trip
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Psionic Fist


Autohypnosis [12]


Competence bonus +3 Disguise, Escape Arist, Autohypnosis.





Shadow's Embrace Mastery
[Dragon #308]


Dodge
Imp. Unarmed Strike
Mental Leap
Mobility
Psionic Charge
Psionic Dodge
Speed of Thought
Up the Walls


---


Half all hide penalties for movement.






Monk Fighting Styles
These are not quite like the martial arts styles above, but they do fit thematically and often give you feats that are used in the martial arts styles in addition to unlocking a bonus of their own.

[Work in progress]


Acquiring Feats

Monk 1/2/6
Fighter 1/2
Psychic Warrior 1/2
[Work in progress]

Uncle Pine
2018-05-16, 09:48 AM
So what's the advantage of the Winterlight style over the Zen Archery that is listed as prerequisite? :smallconfused:

Falontani
2018-05-16, 10:05 AM
There is one in tome of magic in the truenamer section. Forgot the name

BowStreetRunner
2018-05-16, 10:30 AM
So what's the advantage of the Winterlight style over the Zen Archery that is listed as prerequisite? :smallconfused:
Zen Archery is limited to attacks against targets within 30 feet*. Winterlight is limited to attacks against targets up to the first range increment for the weapon.

*At the time Dragon 303 was printed. By the time Complete Warrior reprinted it, the prerequisite BAB was reduced to +1 and the range limit was removed. This effectively made it strictly better than Winterlight.

AnimeTheCat
2018-05-16, 12:14 PM
There's the rogue ACF that trades sneak attack for feats like a fighter.

EDIT: for your "acquiring feats" section.

Thurbane
2018-05-16, 02:18 PM
Do the Monk Fighting Styles (http://dndsrd.net/unearthedCoreClass.html#fighting-styles) from UA count, or are they are totally different beast?

Uncle Pine
2018-05-16, 02:26 PM
Zen Archery is limited to attacks against targets within 30 feet*. Winterlight is limited to attacks against targets up to the first range increment for the weapon.

*At the time Dragon 303 was printed. By the time Complete Warrior reprinted it, the prerequisite BAB was reduced to +1 and the range limit was removed. This effectively made it strictly better than Winterlight.


Yea that one comes from Dragon 303, so it's not the updated version of Zen Archery. I just included it for completeness.


Thanks, I will add that! It combines quite well with the other arts that allow for multi-target Dodge.

I see, that makes sense thanks.

Great job compiling the list Inza! As far as bonus feats go, you can check the Lists of Stuff (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?454553-Lists-of-Stuff-(saved-from-Wizards-Community-Forums)) to find additional sources.

daremetoidareyo
2018-05-16, 02:29 PM
This is a great resource. Thanks for compiling it

BWR
2018-05-16, 03:34 PM
You might want to check out "Way of the Open Hand" for L5R, made in their dual d20/RnK period. It has several martial arts styles that generally have much more reasonable prereqs, and can be advanced as feat chains, and are often far more useful than the ones presented here.