Good, Simple System for Kung-Fu.

[Silvercat Moonpaw]

Can anyone recommend a simple system—that also works—for high-flying martial arts action?

 

[Hella_Tellah]

You're looking for Wushu! The basic system is Open, and you can get a full workup for high-flying wire-fu or lower-powered pulp for $5 on RPGnow.

 

[Pbartender]

Can anyone recommend a simple system—that also works—for high-flying martial arts action?

It's probably not the answer you're looking for, but...

Having recently watched the movie Kung Fu Panda, I can't help but think that much of the flavor of D&D 4E's powers would be perfectly suited to a similarly styled Kung Fu game.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I suspect you'll hear a lot of Feng Shui

-Hyp.

 

[Silvercat Moonpaw]

.......I can't help but think that much of the flavor of D&D 4E's powers would be perfectly suited to a similarly styled Kung Fu game.

I could see this working.

 

[billd91]

It's probably not the answer you're looking for, but...

Having recently watched the movie Kung Fu Panda, I can't help but think that much of the flavor of D&D 4E's powers would be perfectly suited to a similarly styled Kung Fu game.

I largely agree, and from exactly the same inspiration... watching Kung Fu Panda. The marital arts movie style of using special maneuvers, generally only once each, works very well with 4e. I'm much less satisfied with 4e for regular fantasy combat, but as a martial arts system I think it would do well.

 

[Silvercat Moonpaw]

The marital arts movie style of using special maneuvers, generally only once each, works very well with 4e. I'm much less satisfied with 4e for regular fantasy combat, but as a martial arts system I think it would do well.

Do you really get enough Encounter powers that you wouldn't run out? The possibility that things might come down to spamming moves is the one thing I'd give pause to about 4e as a kung-fu system.

 

[Scribble]

Do you really get enough Encounter powers that you wouldn't run out? The possibility that things might come down to spamming moves is the one thing I'd give pause to about 4e as a kung-fu system.

You could say the basic attacks are the regular kicks and punches thrown, and the encounter powers and dailies are the more intricate moves. (Like the crane kick from karate kid!)

Paint The Fence Martial Artist Utility 2
You raise and lower your hand like an idiot to learn the secrets of kung fu!
Encounter * Ki Immediate Interrupt Personal
Trigger: An enemy attacks you and has combat advantage against you
Effect: Cancel the combat advantage you were about to grant to the attack.

 

[Silvercat Moonpaw]

I think I'm sold now.

Last question though: given that kung-fu rarely (if ever) goes up against monsters could I get away with not buying the Monster Manual? And while I'm at it would I even need to DMG?

 

[Pbartender]

I think I'm sold now.

Last question though: given that kung-fu rarely (if ever) goes up against monsters could I get away with not buying the Monster Manual? And while I'm at it would I even need to DMG?

If you do go this route, I'd get the MM anyway... Even if you aren't fighting against monsters, per se, the stats can still be used with some creative redescription. And besides, there are plenty of humanoid enemies in the Monster Manual that you'll want to take advantage of.