(Sorry if someone already covered this topic but worded it in a way I didn't notice.)
As someone who does martial arts in real life, albeit at the novice level thus far, my super hero alter ego would be one who uses such skill to battle evil more proactively than leading a conscious and peaceful life. (Not that I'm knocking such. Otherwise I would not practice Kung Fu or related schools at all.)
However one thing that quickly becomes apparent to almost all students of the martial arts, much touted and otherwise deserved of such a reputation as some disciples become with weaponless combat, most schools also employ a wide variety of weapon systems. The "Katana," "Staff fighting," and "martial arts" were all separate powersets in CoH was something that always bothered me. Sure many characters and even some real life people are dedicated weapon specialists while others would never touch one except to disarm an attacker, but my ideal super hero alter ego would adapt to the situation at hand.
(How many times has Jackie Chan been seen weaponizing virtually an entire room during his fights?)
So how much does the aesthetic decoupling permit me to have a martial art themed hero who can switch between armed and empty handed fighting?
From what I have read about aesthetic decoupling you should have no problem doing that. I could very well be wrong however as I am no buff on coding character creation mechanics and animations....
Formerly known as Bleddyn
Do you want to be a hero?
My characters
Hey, as long as the prospect exists and the decoupling certainly sounds at least more flexible than even what CoX offered at launch.
As has been said a lot in other threads, they will completely decouple mechanics and aesthetics in powers. That is as long as the "weapon" (regardless of it's a physical one or a manifested energy type) makes sense with the damage type and any secondary effects it will most likely get an animation at some point, and it's done on an individual power level and not the set as a whole. Don't fully remember if the mentions of "mixed sets" (elementalist iirc) was from a mechanics pov or just aesthetics, but either way it means you can have both unarmed and weapon attacks, even including more mystical types like perhaps chi bursts.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/browse/pub/3185/Crusader-Game-Books
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC48O9dPcNVdeyNM4efAvX6w/videos?view_as=subscriber
I rather enjoyed the kick-heavy nature of the original martial arts power set, and remember people complaining about a lack of punching. Didn't bother me! It was my 3rd favorite scrapper set, after claws and broadsword.
I wouldn't mind creating a claws/kick hybrid if customization allows it.
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The very existence of the taunting tank irritates, for it requires idiotic AI that obeys the taunt.
I like kicking myself, But no one uses just kicks it's dumb.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/browse/pub/3185/Crusader-Game-Books
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC48O9dPcNVdeyNM4efAvX6w/videos?view_as=subscriber
I'm sorry, what were you saying ...?
Verbogeny is one of many pleasurettes afforded a creatific thinkerizer.
Buff Rockettes please, need punches.
Someone mention a super Kick?
:D
Street Justice? Mostly Guile's moves! :/
I am not sure if legs are suppose to contort like that....
Formerly known as Bleddyn
Do you want to be a hero?
My characters
. .
FOOLISH MORTAL !!!
Verbogeny is one of many pleasurettes afforded a creatific thinkerizer.
Or this:
R.S.O. of Phoenix Rising