I was converting a character of mine from Some Other Game System (published by a Certain Evil Game Company Which Shall Remain Nameless) when I decided that I needed a martial art devoted to horse cavalry to properly reflect this character's combat abilities. Using the rules in Ultimate Martial Artist (hereafter "UMA"), I started designing maneuvers for this new martial art.

This martial art emphasizes mostly speed and striking power, plus accuracy (to a small degree), at the expense of defense.

Mounted Combat

History:

This martial art is known to a race of horse-riding nomads that live on the steppes. These nomads raise and sell some of the most intelligent and capable (yet ugliest) horses in the world, especially to mercenaries. Some of these mercenaries have learned the nomads' style of fighting, and have taught this art to others.

Maneuver		Phs.		Pts.		OCV		DCV		Damage/Effect
Charge		½		5		-2		-2		Weapon +4d6 +v/5 (+2 +v/5 DC K); Weapon Takes Half Damage; FMove
Dodge		½		5		±0		+4		Dodge All Attacks, Abort; FMove
Parry		½		5		+2		±0		Block, Abort; FMove
Ride By		½		5		+2		±0		Weapon (×½ STR) +v/5; FMove
Shoulder Aside		½		5		-1		-2		Horse's STR +v/5 Strike; Horse's STR +15 to Shove; FMove
Stay in the Saddle		½		5		±0		-2		+15 STR vs. "Target Falls" (treat as +3 to Riding skill); Block, Abort; FMove
Unhorse		½		5		+2		-2		Weapon +v/5; Target Falls; FMove

Skills
Riding *
KS: Mounted Tactics
WF: Common Melee Weapons *
WF: Lance *

Elements (Required)
+0		Use Art While Mounted (default; cannot use Art while dismounted)
+4		Use Art with Sword/Knife, Axe/Mace/Pick, Club (Impromptu Weapon), Weapon & Shield, and Lance

Mounted Archery (a ranged martial art; requires "Mounted Combat")

History:

These nomads are reknowned for their skill with horseback archery. Nomad warriors who have learned the basic martial art may expand this art to include the following ranged maneuvers (but must also buy the requisite Skills and Elements). This portion of this art has not been taught to outsiders, as the nomads have a tradition of allowing young warriors to hire themselves out as mounted archers to trusted mercenary companies.

Maneuver

Phs.

Pts.

OCV

DCV

Range

Damage/Effect

Long Shot

½

5

±0

-2

+4

Weapon; FMove

Snap Shot

½

5

+2

-2

±0

Weapon; FMove

Spear Cast

½

4

±0

-2

±0

Weapon +2d6 +v/5 (+1 +v/5 DC K); FMove

Skills
KS: Mounted Tactics *
WF: Bows *

Elements (Required)
+1		Use Art with Bows (required for Long Shot and Snap Shot)
+1		Use Art with Polearm (i.e., "Spear/Javelin"; required for Spear Cast)

Notes:

• Long Shot and Snap Shot are used with bows only, not with Polearms (spears, javelins, etc.).
• Spear Cast is used with spears and javelins (i.e., "WF: Polearm") only, not with bows.
• "WF: Polearm" is included in Common Melee Weapons, and the melee maneuvers can be used with Spear/Javelin (assuming you purchase the Element).
• You should not be required to purchase "WF: Thrown Weapon" for Spear/Javelin, as the two points spent on Bows and Thrown Weapon would then be combined for "WF: Common Missile Weapons" (which includes "WF: Crossbow", which is not in keeping with this Art).