ChibiRPG
ATTACKS and DEFENSES
Like it or not, Combat plays a large role in any roleplaying game. This isn't to say that every character has to be a fighter, or that a game must involve combat. It just means that combat has to be a bit more developed.
At first glance, the system of attacks and defenses may look confusing or difficult, but in practice, it really isn't. Just make sure you are familiar with your own character's abilities, both offensive and defensive, and the rest should flow as the game plays.
Attacks are divided into categories, based on the type of effect and damage they produce. They are:
Feel free to describe the exact nature of the attack, as long as it is in line with the type of attack it is declared as.
Weapons like swords and clubs obviously produce physical damage, but firearms or tech weapons can produce other effects. For example, a Heavy Tech Weapon can fire shells (projectile) or a laser (beam).
Likewise, magic and psychic attacks merely define the type of attack effect. A Super Magic Attack can be anything from a bolt of lightning (beam) to a minor earthquake (area) to even an anvil dropping on the enemy's head (projectile). You merely need to decide on a type of effect, and elaborate as much as you desire.
There are five basic types of defense. Four are skills, one is technique based. All are slightly different in how they work, both in what they prevent and how much damage they can prevent.
The first is Soak, which is a Brawn skill. This is a brute-force defense, relying on your body to just take the damage. It can prevent all sorts of damage, except Mental attack.
The second and third are Dodge and Block. Both are Kata skills. Blocking is deflecting an attack, which will work against Physical, Projectile, and Beam attacks. Dodge can avoid all attacks except for Mental attacks, but using it costs a combat turn. On a critical success of either, you may get a chance to counterattack, at the GM's discretion.
The fourth defense is Mental Defense. This is a Zen skill, used only against Mental attack. In terms of a skill roll, treat it the same as a Soak.
The fifth basic defense is Shield, a technique. There are three kinds of shield, one for each skill they are based on. Each also defends against different types of attack. See the Techniques page for greater detail on that.
Unlike the other defenses, you choose how much damage you will try to prevent with Shield. The more Chi you use to fuel it, the more damage you can prevent. You can also protect more than one person with Shield. Shields can be used automatically, as soon as an attack is made. Just declare how much Chi you will spend on the Shield, and who all is being protected. Then, roll against the controlling skill (Martial Arts, Magic, or Psychic Ability).
For a better understanding of some of the differences between the defenses, you may wish the study the Skill Roll Tables.