Laughing Monkey Style

Cost: 3
Ability Type: Stance
Related Skill: Melee Combat
Prerequisites: Melee Combat 5 and Martial Dodge

This traditional martial arts style concentrates on using swift and effective defences to turn an attacker's strength against them. Laughing Monkey Style grants +1 AM to all Martial Arts-based defences, gives a +1 bonus to Social Skills for making taunts and a provides a +1 bonus to Initiative. The style applies a -1 penalty to Intimidation and a -1 AM to all direct-damage melee attacks however – including unarmed attacks such as Punches and Kicks, and weapon strikes. Wrestling-type attacks and non-damaging moves such as disarm attempts are not penalised by the style.