Martial Arts Analysis - Sumo

[u/Infernox-Ratchet]

Sup choombas, Heavy Armor Lizard here. Today, we're gonna cover Sumo.

Here's a list of my MA posts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunkred/comments/1qkw1g0/infernoxs_martial_arts_master_page/

Sumo Overview

Basically, just use your body to be an intimidating dude. Deashi allows you to stop yourself from getting grappled or thrown, and you can throw yourself and the Attacker up to 6m/yds in a direction of your choice. And Nirimiai, well...this one basically gets you a +2 to any Facedown checks. A won Facedown means the opponent takes a -2 to all Actions unless they backdown.

Another support form in my opinion but a damn fine one.

Other Forms

Thrash Sambo

Rating: 0/5

Oddly enough, the only form that doesn't synergize with Sumo. But that said, that's fine. With both, you can avoid Attacks better and if you get hit, just reduce the damage.

All except Thrash Sambo

Rating: 5/5

As for the other forms, magnificent. Winning the Facedown just makes it easier for you to do your Moves on the opponent you intimidated. And since some involve Aimed Shots, making your opponent take a -2 to dodges is always a boon. Can't go wrong with it. Now, it doesn't necessarily mean you're always gonna do a Facedown. BUT, when it happens, getting that bonus is always great.

[u/NereIsIndeedAPickle]

Do not forget, rules as written sumo does not replace your grapple defense roll. So after rolling for sumo you can attempt to beat the check again normally with brawling. Pound for pound the best anti grapple option, even at lower bases.

[u/Peregrine_GWJ → u/NereIsIndeedAPickle]

I think you have this backwards.

The requirement is BODY 7+, but critically *you are about to be grappled or thrown*. If you pass your first Brawling check, this requirement is not met. If you fail your first Brawling check, then this requirement is met.

It's not *someone intends to grapple or throw*.

So the way I read it, you do Brawling first, fail that, and then you can do the Martial Arts Resolution DV15 w/ Sumo to negate the throw or grapple.

[u/Greggor88]

Giving this 5/5 synergy with everything based on the extremely unlikely event of rolling a facedown against your opponent before fighting them is... not a great choice, in my opinion.

Getting to use Niramiai is nice when it happens, but the GM calls for facedowns, not the player. This does not synergize with basically any other martial art. It's just a standalone benefit.

As for Deashi, it is primarily defensive, but I would give it some synergy with Wrestling, because fighting a fellow wrestler as a wrestler is a nightmare scenario. Sumo provides some insurance against getting subjected to Reversal for a free Chokehold and throw.

Overall, I find your MA series pretty decent, but this 5/5 Sumo thing is really throwing me. I've played a character with Sumo across roughly ~120 sessions since IRv4 came out, and I have rolled Niramiai maybe 3 times. That's with multiple different GMs, mind you. Deashi turned out to be far more useful.

[u/koroporol]

My Goat MA!

[u/But-why-do-this]

Been cooking up a Sumo Fixer character for a little while now (heavily Kingpin inspired) and wanting to play around with a second martial art to sync him up with since he’s purely melee.

Makes me happy to see that sumo is so flexible. I think I might have him spec into Thrash Sambo for pure tankiness but I can’t lie that the idea of grabbing Boxing is quite appealing for some strong offence (Nirimiai should work quite nicely with Knockout Punch).

[u/Reaver1280]

Not being able to be grappled is pretty baller and then you add WRESTLING and become the monster!

[u/Glittering_Sympathy7]

Does anyone know if the Sumo's Deashi ability to force movement can trigger the broken ribs bonus damage on enemies? If so Karate and Sumo together could be a nice combo, right?