Unarmed combat is when a character fights using their natural weapons. Characters are always capable of attempting to fight in this manner, even if they do not have unarmed combat as part of their Combat Style. Characters attempt a Combat Style test using Strength (Characteristic) or Agility (Characteristic) with the standard -20 penalty for using an untrained skill, if applicable. A character’s natural weapons use the profile specified below unless the character has the Natural Weapons (*) trait (which overrides the default profile). If a character has a Combat Style that includes unarmed combat, that skill can be used for attacks with the character’s natural weapons. Natural weapons ignore rules regarding one, two, or hand and a half weapons, and cannot be disarmed. Natural Weapons cannot be enchanted.

Parrying/Counter-Attacking while Unarmed

If an unarmed combatant is facing an opponent with a weapon with a longer range and they are within their own engagement range, then they can attempt to Parry (Reaction) that weapon’s attacks or Counter-Attack (Reaction). Otherwise melee attacks cannot be parried or countered by unarmed characters.

Grappling

In place of making a normal attack a character can choose to attempt to grapple their opponent. This requires a Combat Style test (the style must include unarmed combat) opposed against either a Combat Style (with unarmed), Athletics (Skill), or Evade test. On success, the target gains the Restrained condition. The target may attempt to escape by using the Resist (Special Action) action. On success they break free.

Characters suffer a -30 penalty when attempting to grapple characters of larger size than them, and they cannot grapple characters of two or more sizes larger. While they have an opponent restrained, the character may not move but may take the following actions (each is a Primary Action that costs 1 AP):

Takedown (Grappling)

Primary Action, while Grappling a victim The character may render their victim, and themself, Prone. They suffer no prone penalties in relation to any test made against their target.

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Move (Grappling)

Primary Action, while Grappling a victim The character may move themself and their victim a number of meters up to their Strength (Characteristic) bonus in any direction.

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Attack (Grappling)

Primary Action, while Grappling a victim The character may make a normal attack against their Restrained victim, who cannot defend themself. They must use a weapon with a 1m range or less. If the target is both Prone and restrained and the character is armed, this can be a Coup de Grâce (Primary Action). If the character is unarmed, then they can choose to instead cause the target to lose 1 Stamina point.

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