#Technique and Kata System (技法と型, Maneuver System)

Contents

This is not a loop of "move-attack." Every action is a maneuver. A weapon's technique, a trait's Kata, the maintenance of a stance — combat is a chain of choices.

Related Entries: Energy and Breath · Weapon Compendium · Classes · Skills

This document defines the common structure and classification of combat maneuvers. Weapons, traits, equipment, and squad tactics follow this standard.

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#1. What Is a Maneuver?

#Scent

Everything a warrior does in battle — the angle of a sword cut, the timing of a spear thrust, the footwork used to evade, even the tone of an order given to retainers — is an independent technique. Even with the same katana in hand, "cut" and "thrust" are different movements, and they shine in different situations.

#Law

Maneuver = every individual action executable during combat.

"Movement" is a maneuver, "katana horizontal cut" is a maneuver, and "throw smoke bomb" is a maneuver. On their breath, characters choose and execute from the list of maneuvers they possess.

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#2. Sources of Maneuvers: 6 Sources

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#2.5. Squad Tactic Notation (戰術表記)

Squad tactics are maneuvers triggered by the commander's squad order. They follow the same structure as individual maneuvers, but apply at squad scale.

Together with a faction's faction trait (→ Faction Map), tactics make squads more than simple "movable Domination": they become tactical assets that expand combat choices.

→ Tactic details: Unit Operations §Squad Tactics

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#2.7. Bonus Stacking Rules (Stack Limits)

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#2.8. Common Rule for Borrowed Techniques

Only borrowing, imitation, or copying effects that link directly to this section follow the contract below. This rule does not automatically alter unrelated effects with similar names.

An individual effect must state directly which item it changes if it departs from this common contract. Permission to borrow and execute a technique once does not permanently teach the original technique or grant a right to borrow it again.

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#3. Weapon Techniques (技法)

#Basic Structure

Every weapon comes with the following techniques by default:

Core Point: Even the same "katana attack" differs between "Horizontal Cut (Courage)" and "Thrust (Finesse)." They are different maneuvers. The right choice changes by situation.

#Two Axes of Attack Techniques

#Defense Techniques

Defense roll types: active-parry type (Parry, Cross Guard, naginata Parry, etc.) rolls 2d10 + attribute + skill (Swordsmanship, Spearmanship, etc.) for high reliability. Pure defense-or-dodge type (scabbard block, Emergency Evasion, etc.) rolls 2d10 + attribute, and many reserved defenses receive Defense +1 while the reservation is held. Makeshift weapon defense grants Defense +1 + partial reduction but no full negation, while a Small Shield (手盾) grants Defense +1 + negation on success. Only the teppo (firearm) rolls 2d10 + Archery without an attribute.

#Weapon Licensed Techniques (Unlocked at Related Skill Licensed or Higher)

Additional techniques unlocked when the weapon's related skill (Swordsmanship, Spearmanship, etc.) is Licensed (3 points) or higher. Even inside the same sword family, uchigatana, zanbato/nodachi, and kodachi each have different licensed techniques. Zanbato and nodachi are two names for the same weapon and use the same licensed technique.

#Masterwork Techniques (Masterwork Weapons Only)

A masterwork (名品) grade or higher weapon has 1 additional unique technique. This technique can be used when the weapon's skill is Master (4 points) or higher.

Example: famous sword "Muramasa" — Bloodlight (血光): when a critical hit triggers, additional 1 Wound + bleed. 1 time per round.

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#4. Trait Classification: Kata, Aptitude, Upkeep, Stance

Class/background/general traits are classified into the following 4 types + technique.

#Kata (型)

Active maneuver. Activated by spending Energy within a breath.

[Kata] Declare Duel (一騎討ち)
Energy: 2 | Limit: 1 time per round
Effect: Designate 1 enemy lord/elite in the same zone. Until the next round, both sides can attack only that target. Both sides' attacks +2.

#Aptitude (素養)

Passive. Constant benefit just from learning it.

[aptitude] Blade of the Wind (風の刃)
Effect: Energy -1 (minimum 1) when moving into a zone/Core Zone where enemy Domination is higher. Free entry/exit for the Core Zone.

#Upkeep (整備)

Lull-phase-only action. Activated between rounds.

[upkeep] Flower of the Battlefield (戰場の花)
Timing: Lull phase | Limit: 1 time per lull
Effect: Restore 1 Wound to 1 ally, or restore 1 squad Cohesion.

#Stance (構え)

Maintained passive. Once declared, the effect continues until released. You can maintain only 1 stance at a time.

[stance] Immovable Formation (不動の陣)
Declaration: 2 Energy (simultaneous with the Check posture) | Maintain: until release is declared
Effect: Allied Domination in the zone +3 (Front Zone +4). Enemy Breakthrough Target Number +2. Cannot move.
Release: free action (0 Energy). Or automatically released when you move.

Core of Stances: only 1 at a time. You cannot maintain "Immovable Formation" while also maintaining "Guard Stance." Seal of Shura is an [aptitude], so it does not use the stance slot. Changing stance is a tactical decision.

#Technique (技法) — Item-Derived

Maneuvers from weapons/armor/consumables. See the weapon technique section above.

[technique] Smoke Bomb (煙幕)
Energy: 1 | Limit: consumed (1 use)
Effect: All ranged attacks in that zone automatically fail. Lasts 1 round.

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#5. Usage Limit System

Every technique and Kata specifies a usage limit.

Basic weapon techniques (Horizontal Cut, Thrust, etc.) are usually unlimited or 1~2 times per breath. Licensed/masterwork techniques are usually 1 time per round or N times per combat. Trait Kata range by grade from 1 time per round to 1 time per session.

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#6. School (流派) System

#Scent

Sengoku martial arts have countless schools. The swordsmanship of Katori Shinto-ryu (香取神道流), the spear art of Hozoin-ryu (寶藏院流), the swordsmanship of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu (柳生新陰流) — even with the same katana, each school uses a completely different sword.

A school replaces the maneuvers granted by skill proficiency stages. It is stronger, but binds you to the school's restrictions.

#Law

#Learning a School

• Cost: 1 trait slot (instead of a class trait or general trait).
• Timing: character creation or advancement.
• Limit: only one school per skill. Different skills may each have different schools.
• Effect: the Licensed maneuver and secret art (Master-stage maneuver) of that skill are replaced by school-specific maneuvers.

#Types of Schools

#School Maneuver Replacement Example

School Replacement — replaces the Licensed/secret-art maneuvers of a skill (技能):

Core Point: A school replaces the skill's Licensed maneuver and secret art (Master-stage maneuver). It has no relation to the weapon licensed technique slot (such as uchigatana One Flash). A school is a transmission of a skill, not a weapon's usage method.

The check bonuses (+2/+3) are always kept. What the school changes is the trait portion after the bonus.

The uchigatana's weapon licensed technique "One Flash" is always usable regardless of school. One Flash is not a skill maneuver; it belongs to the uchigatana subtype as a technique.

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#7. Interactions Between Zones and Maneuvers

#Return of Zone Tactics

The maneuver system is designed so zones matter.

#Maneuvers Favored by Each Zone

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#8. Maneuver Notation Convention

All maneuvers are written in the following format.

[type] Name (kanji)
Energy: N | Limit: ○○ N times | Check: 2d10+attribute+proficiency >= target
Range: same zone / adjacent / 2 zones
Effect: (effect description)
Zone Bonus: (additional effect in a specific zone, if any)

Type Notation:

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#9. Character Maneuver List

Write the list of maneuvers possessed on the character sheet. In combat, the character can choose only from this list.

#1st-Dan Samurai (Katana, Swordsmanship Trained) Example

→ When Swordsmanship becomes Licensed (3 points): (1) gain the skill Licensed maneuver "Swordsmanship weapon defense technique reservation cost -1." (2) If holding an uchigatana, the uchigatana licensed technique One Flash becomes available. → When learning the school "Katori Shinto-ryu": the skill Licensed maneuver (Swordsmanship weapon defense technique reservation -1) is replaced by Attitude of Sen. The uchigatana licensed technique One Flash is a weapon technique, so it can be used alongside it.

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#10. Ripple Effects

When this maneuver system is introduced, the following change:

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"Not what you do, but how you do it."