OOC Rules Discussions
Like most game systems, the grappling rules suck. It is a major part of this game though, so I have no problem discussing before I make a ruling on any particular aspect of it.
AC I see no rules that say otherwise, so I am assuming a defender gets his AC vs a grapple attack. While I see why that might not be the case, I also feel that the form requries various locks and movements that armor would make more difficult. So, I invite anyone to show me rules otherwise, but from what I read, when you make a Jujutsu roll against someone, you have to defeat their AC and Defense just like a strike. I lean this way because under combat on page 63, it says handle all other attack forms like a strike unless they say differently in the rules.
Effect numbers This applies to all effect numbers: I'm ruling that you add 1 to all effect numbers. Thus, if you 'succeed' in a roll, there needs to be a benefit. Rolling 10 when your BCS is 10 and having nothing happen makes no sense. So while that's a '0' effect, we will add 1 and make the effect 1. So if you have a bcs of 10 and roll an 8, that's a 3 effect.
Yawara My genuine interpretation of the wording of the rules: It says Yawara adds 2 to the Grapple Hold. Not Jujutsu roll. So the +2 only benefits the 'holder'. It provides no help to counters, throws, trips, or takedowns and in provides no help if you are not the attacker. I flirt with the idea that this was intended to add 2 to the effect number TOTAL. Meaning you're grappling goal is to hit your opponents strength with accumulated effect, and that once you've gotten a Hold, you add 2 if using the yawara - not 2 each time you attempt to generate an effect. I welcome discussion about the verbiage of that since I thinke the rules could be read either way. From a game balance perspective, making a piece of wood taken off the ground the equivalent of an Excellent Katana (which would also be +2) that costs 1000's of silver seems, well, very nice.
Jujutsu opponents It says any jujutsu attack is subject to the opponent, if they have jujutsu, to reduce the effect. This is not a counter, it is an ability of the specific jujutsu art form. Thus, any roll to increase an effect number of a hold is an attack and be subject to the opponent getting a roll to modify the results. This does not cost the opponent his action. Remember, negative effects add to the attackers effect number against your strength. And yes, combat between two jujutsu masters takes a long time in this system.
Also, what Paul said was correct, you cannot use counter-attack against a grapple that was started with Jujutsu. There is no higher grappling form. So when the jujutsu rules say you must choose the Throw option when using jujutsu to counter means if someone started a grapple with a jujutsu practitioner using Brawling or Sumai. This also means you cannot counter with atemi if in a jujutsu hold, but can against Sumai or Brawling. The assumption is that a jujutsu hold is more precise and designed not to give you leverage rather than just bear hugging someone. (and a note about the yawara in this case, the yawara is actually a modifier to atemi. If you get to make counter attack, you can use the yawara if you have it out. If you must attack with 'a weapon' at 50%, a fist is a weapon and you could use the yawara there as well).
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:00, Mon 12 Nov 2018.