Pankration

Skill Overview

"To the prospective student, it is important to learn the thought behind the forms as much as it is to learn the forms themselves. Pankration is distinguished from crude brawling by the refinement and effectiveness of technique. Blindly striking at a foe, unthinking, wastes energy and sweat. To best use the moves in your arsenal, you must understand them. And to this end, these scrolls have been written."

"I myself am a third generation fighter of the Velsuvian school. Though the fighters of pankration are no longer as well known as the currently popular gladiators of the arena, our discipline is an ancient one, respected by good, honest Iridinians who revere the old ways. Though there once was a flourishing of fighting schools, as there is now a great many gladiator stables, there are only a few remaining. What is recorded in these scrolls are the way of the Velsuvian school, the best known of the Pankration arts. Keep in mind, though, that it is only one of the old schools of fighting."

This skill set is best complemented by knowledge of Brawling.

For guidance on using the skill set, see the Pankration Guide.

>>	>>	>>	>>	>>	Skill Info	>>	>>	Ranks Taught by Trainer
~ Skills/Actions	~ Difficulty	~ Hands	~ Range	~ Wound	~ Prerequisites	~ Stelahos	~ Mervia
Pankration	Easy	-	-	-	= -	90	500
Pankration Basic Stance	Easy	2	-	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	100
Pankration Forward Elbow	Easy	1	Short	Bruise	= -	75	500
Pankration Lead Palm	Easy	1	Short	Bruise	= -	75	500
Pankration Waist Clasp	Easy	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Driving Knee	Average	-	Short	Bruise	= -	75	500
Pankration Feint	Average	2	Short	-	= -	75	500
Pankration Rising Palm	Average	2	Short	Bruise	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Straight Palm	Average	1	Short	Bruise	= -	75	500
Pankration Wide Knee	Difficult	2	Short	Bruise	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Rising Elbow	Average	2	Short	Bruise	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Lead and Cross	Average	2	Short	Bruise Bruise	= Pankration Basic Stance 20 Ranks in Pankration Lead Palm 20 Ranks in Pankration Forward Elbow	75	500
Pankration Strike and Rise	Average	2	Short	Bruise Bruise	= Pankration Basic Stance 20 Ranks in Pankration Straight Palm 20 Ranks in Pankration Rising Elbow	75	500
Pankration Double Knee	Difficult	1	Short	Bruise Bruise	30 Ranks in Pankration Driving Knee 30 Ranks in Pankration Wide Knee	75	500
Pankration Knife Hand	Difficult	2	Short	Pierce	= Pankration Basic Stance 80 Ranks in Pankration 40 Ranks in Pankration Lead Palm 40 Ranks in Pankration Straight Palm 40 Ranks in Pankration Rising Palm	75	500
Pankration Shoulder Block	Easy	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Knee Block	Average	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Palm Block	Average	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Side Knee Block	Difficult	2	-	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Brotherly Clasp	Average	2	Short	-	= -	75	175
Pankration Knee Clasp	Average	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Swift Head Clasp	Average	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	500
Pankration Plummet	Average	2	Short	-	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	175
Pankration Rear Plummet	Difficult	2	Short	Bruise	= Pankration Basic Stance	75	175
Pankration Accuracy	Difficult	-	-	-	= -	75	100
Pankration Focus	Impossible	-	-	-	= -	75	100

Directions to Stelahos' School of Pankration (Iridine): Walk to Bronze Lane, S, W, S
Directions to Mervia (Seld): Walk to Seld (Town Square), Nx2, W, S

Notes on Learning

• You can also use Skill Points (SP) from Brawling to learn Pankration.
• Pankration Double Knee: Although you do not need to be in the Pankration Basic Stance to perform this move, this move can only be learned after learning other stance-needed moves.
• Pankration Brotherly Clasp: Although this move does not require you to be in the Pankration Basic Stance, this move can only be performed after Pankration Swift Head Clasp, which needs to be in stance to work.
• While not all maneuvers require both hands free, no Pankration maneuvers can be performed while wielding another weapon or shield.

Skill Details

Pankration Basic Stance pank

To learn something new, you must unlearn the old. One of your first lessons will be to relearn how to stand, and how to move. This is a necessary lesson. The basic Pankration stance is the best position from which to launch your most powerful strikes and holds. Learn it well, and you will be able to do it without thinking. Until that point, practice it often.

The maximum bonus for a weapon stance is generally achieved at 100 ranks.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos widens his feet, moving one slightly back and keeping his knees bent, while raising both hands, palms open and facing front.

Lead Palm lpalm

This is the easiest and swiftest strike to learn. It makes use of a jabbing motion of your lead palm, and is best used to soften up a foe.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos leans into his forward shoulder, striking at a thug rapidly with his lead palm. He suffers a small bruise to his left hand.

Straight Palm spalm

This is another direct strike, making use of your rear hand. Use it to follow a lead palm, or to catch a foe off-guard. It packs somewhat more power. Both the lead and the straight palm can be used from a grappling position, making them valuable in close combat.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos twists slightly, throwing a straight strike at a thug with the palm of his rear hand. He suffers a small bruise to his left hand.

Rising Palm rpalm

This is an upward stroke, utilizing the power of your hips as you twist your body. A solid strike will knock an opponent senseless, especially if aimed towards the head or face. This move can only be done standing up in a good stance.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos dips one hand then shoots an upward palm-strike at a thug! He suffers a bruise to his neck.

Forward Elbow felbow

A horizontal strike with the elbow of your rear arm. This is a swift and hard strike, following naturally from your stance. However, it can also be used in close quarters to beat down an opponent you've pinned, or to try drive off a foe who's grappled you.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos turns and leans into his shoulder while bringing his elbow around, aiming it at a thug! He suffers a bruise to his right hand.

Rising Elbow relbow

An upward motion with the arm, bringing up the elbow to strike at a foe's face or head. This move is best used while standing.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos dips one hand then shoot an upward elbow-strike at a thug! He suffers a bruise to his face.

Driving Knee dknee

A direct, straight thrust with your back knee. This attack hits hard and can be used while clenched to your opponent.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos slides one foot back, increasing the distance between his feet, then, lifting up his rear leg, he drives his knee forward into a thug, throwing his hips behind the blow! He suffers a ugly bruise to his waist.

Wide Knee wknee

A strike with the back knee that uses a downwards circular motion. This brings the momentum of your entire body to bear against your opponent. This can only be done standing, while in your stance.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos lift his back leg up, perpendicular to a thug, then brings around his knee, hammering him with the entire weight of his body! He suffers a ugly bruise to his waist.

Knife Hand knife

An advanced attack. Your teacher will allow you to begin using it only when you are a master of the basic skills, and capable in Lead Palm, Straight Palm, and Rising Palm.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos rotates one forearm until his palm faces upwards, then twists into a sudden stab aimed at a thug. He suffers a puncture to his face.

Lead and Cross lcross

A combination of the Lead Palm and the Forward Elbow. Be familiar in both to devastate your opponent with a double-hit.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelhaos leans forward, striking a thug with his lead palm, then turns his shoulder, throwing his rear elbow straight into him! He suffers a small bruise to his chest. He suffers a small bruise to his neck.

Strike and Rise srise

Learn how to hit twice with one arm, using a combination of the Straight Palm and Rising Elbow. Be familiar in both to acquire a good, solid set of high strikes.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos strikes at a thug with his palm, then brings up his elbow of that same arm, hitting him twice! He suffers a small bruise to his right shoulder. He suffers a small bruise to his left arm.

Double Knee doubleknee

Once learned in both Driving Knee and Wide Knee, you will be able to perform a difficult, but damaging Double Knee strike. This move can be a match-ender, especially when used repeatedly on a grappled foe.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos leaps forward, driving his rear knee into a thug, then following up with his other knee before his feet touch the ground! He suffers a bruise to his left thigh. He suffers a bruise to his waist.

Swift Head Clasp sclasp

This clasp grasps the back of your foe's head with your palm. This is made possible after a successful Lead Palm, Straight Palm, or Rising Palm. It is a swift hold, and is naturally followed up by elbow strikes to the face, or the initiation of a Brotherly Clasp.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos turns his hand and slips it behind a thug's head! Stelahos manage to clasp the back of a thug's head head tightly!

Brotherly Clasp bclasp

This can be done only when already grappling your opponent's head. Bind him to your shoulder and weave your arms under his armpits. This will prevent him from using his own arms effectively against you.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos pulls a thug's head to his shoulder, weaving his free hand under a thug's armpit and clasping his hands together behind his neck, binding him close!

Waist Clasp wclasp

The basic low grapple consists of a sudden crouch and low drive at your opponent's waist. This is somewhat dangerous as your opponent's arms will be free to counterattack, but controlling his center of gravity gives you a choice between Plummet and Reverse Plummet.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos crouches down, spread his arms, and darts at a thug! Stelahos faces sideways and drives his head into a thug's chest while both arms wrap around his waist.

Knee Clasp kclasp

A more advanced low grapple that locks your opponent's legs and disturbs his balance. Follow up with a Plummet, then strike at your foe once on top of him.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos crouches forward and darts for a thug's legs! Stelahos manages to get one arm under a thug's knee and another one around his waist.

Plummet plummet

A maneuver that can only be done while grappling your opponent's leg or waist. Moves which lead up to this one include Waist Clasp and Knee Clasp. With your existing grip, lift your opponent's feet off the ground, then control his descent to slam his back solidly onto the dirt. This will knock the wind out of him and allow you an advantageous position on top of him, from which you can rain down blows.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos uses his position to lift a thug up off his feet, then twist and slam downward, bringing his back down onto the ground hard! He then moves to a position on top of him!

Rear Plummet rplummet

An advanced move that lifts an opponent up and slams him into the ground behind you. Moves which lead up to this one include Waist Clasp and Brotherly Clasp. Once slammed into the dirt, your opponent will be prone on the ground and you will be left standing. Unlike Plummet, this move ends the clench.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos grasps a thug tightly, lifts him up, then bends backwards, driving a thug's head into the ground behind him!

Palm Block

This block is one of the first you will learn, and helps to deflect straight jabbing and stabbing strikes at the face and upper body.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos moves his head aside while the palm of his hand diverts the attack away from him.

Shoulder Block

This block makes use of a clenched, raised shoulder to absorb circular or wide slashing attacks against the head and upper body.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos clenches his arm and turns, deflecting the attack off his shoulder.

Knee Block

Despite the name, the main blocking surface is your shin. Harden your shin to prevent damage to your lower joints and vital areas. This form deflects straightforward attacks.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos brings up his knee, jamming the attack.

Side Knee Block

Similar to the knee block, except directed laterally with an accompanying movement just before the blow hits. This move counters slashing and sweeping strikes at your legs.

When you see this in use you see:

Stelahos lifts his knee and swings it to the side, deflecting the attack.

Pankration Accuracy

With enough training in Accuracy, you are able to raise your perception in combat situations. A grandmaster in this skill will be equivalent to low-end great perception.

When you see this in use you see:

(This is a passive skill that improves your perception, making it easier to hit targets.)

Pankration Focus

With enough training in Focus, you are able to raise your dexterity in combat situations. A grandmaster in this skill will be equivalent to low-end great dexterity.

When you see this in use you see:

(This is a passive skill that improves your dexterity, making it significantly easier to hit targets.)