The Mixed Martial Artists Guide
I
magine you're enjoying yourself at the local tavern. A
man, unassuming and common, is blatently being a
nussiance while intoxicated. Your bard friend
eventually gets fed up with him and decides to swing
at him, in a flash this seemingly beligerant drunk
strikes a peculiar stance. In a flurry of movements
that could only be described as the elegance of a
blade, your friend's punch is quickly caught and his arm is
snapped like a measly twig. He writhes in agony on the tavern
floor. This...this is true martial arts.
Learning the Arts
All of these arts are feats and may, like other feats, be taught
for a price by someone who is knowledgeable on the art or
the feat can be obtained through the conventional way at
ability score improvements. Adepts of the arts should be
rather common to find in the world. Learning the feats might
also take time and a good deal of coin. For all of the moves
that require a DC, it is DC = 8+Prof+Str/Dex. Unless you
are a monk or other martial artist class in which case the DC
is DC = 8+Prof+Str/Dex+Wis. The DC for escaping a move
is the same DC for defending against the move.
grappling techniques
This is the ground and standing arts of joint manipulations,
various chokes, sweeps, and takedowns. This kind of combat
is all about postions that are part of a grapple and using an
opponent against himself. These techniques come from
various arts such as Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Two free hands are
needed for these moves. These feats have an understood
prerequisite of the Grappler or an Unarmed Combat
(Tavern Brawler or similar) Feat. To initate these moves the
grappler needs to be in a grapple unless otherwise stated. For
each grapple there is a Grappler and a Grapplee, see below
in further clarifications on the rules of this.
Jiu jitsu Adept
Prerequisite- Wis or Int score of 13, Str or Dex score of 13.
This is a student of Jiu-Jitsu and knows the basic techniques
of the art. As an action they can use a technique on a
grappled target. These include the Rear-Naked Choke, the
Arm Bar, and the Jiu Jitsu Sweep/Roll. Additionally, when
you successfully hit with an unarmed melee attack, you may
attempt to grapple a target as a bonus action.
Rear Naked Choke -Target takes a Con save. If it's a
failure, the target takes (Non-Lethal) bludgening damage
equal to half its health. Unless broken from hold this is
repeated automatically at the beggining attacker's or
target's next turn. If there is a second failure the target
drops to 0 HP and is incapacitated. If at any point the
target succedes the save, it regains it's HP lost during the
choke and the choke ends, but the grapple does not. When
incapacitated the target awakens if damaged or shaken
awake by an action. If not woken the target will be asleep
for 1 minute.
Arm Bar -Target takes a Str or Dex saving throw. If it's a
failure, the target takes 2d4 (Or your martial art die)
bludgening damage and target has disadvantage on melee
attacks for the rest of the combat. This move can be done
as the grapplee.
Sweep/Roll -Target takes a Str or Dex saving throw. If it's
a failure, the target loses control in the grapple and the
artist can switch posistions with the Target, and can take
control of the grapple. This move can be done as the
Grapplee.
Jiu Jitsu Master
Prerequisite- Jiu Jitsu Adept, Wis or Int of 15, Str or Dex of
14.
This a true master of the Art. They know the ropes and then
some. They benefit from the passive bonus of Advantage in
all grapple attempts and submission defenses. (Unless
against another master or large creature) As an action they
can use advanced techniques. These are: the Pull Guard,
Americana, Ankle Lock/Knee Bar, Guillotine/Arm
Triangle, Omoplata/Kimura, Standing Arm Bar, and the
Triangle Choke.
Pull Guard -This move can be done outside of a grapple.
Target takes a Str or Dex save. On failure, the target is
grappled, stunned for one turn, and brought prone with
the grappler. This move can be done as the Grapplee.
Americana Armbar -Target takes a Str or Dex save. If it's
a failure, the target takes 3d4 (Or martial arts die)
bludgening damage and the target's arm is broken,
disabling one of the targets arms for the rest of combat.
Ankle Lock/Knee Bar -Target takes Str or Dex save. If it's
a failure, target takes 2d4 (Or martial arts die) bludgening
damage and the target's movement is reduced to half. Also
due to loss of mobility, target suffers -1 AC.
Guillotine/Arm Triangle -Target takes a Con save. If it's a
failure, target takes 5d4 (Or martial arts die) bludgening
damage.
Omoplata/Kimura -These moves are difficult and have a
-3 to the submission DC. Target takes Str or Dex save. If
it's a failure, target takes 4d4 (Or martial arts die)
bludgening damage. Also, the target's arm is broken as a
lingering injury. This move can be done as the grapplee.
Standing Arm Bar- Same as normal Arm Bar but can be
done standing and out of a grapple.
Triangle Choke -Target takes a Con save. If the target fails
the save, it falls unconscious. Every 3 turns the target may
repeat the save to regain consciousness. This move can be
done as the grapplee.
Credit:Phillip Lietz Illustration
PART 1 | Grappling 1
 Forbidden Jiu Jitsu Training
Prerequisite- Jiu Jitsu Adept, Wis or Int of 14, Str or Dex of 1
These are the moves that require special training because
they have been shunned by the martial artist community.
They are considered dishonorable and unfair, so they will
generally not be taught publicly in a conventional dojo. As an
action you can use a forbidden technique on a grappled
target. These include the Crucifix, the Flying moves,
Gogoplata, and The Twister/Spine Bane. Additonally, you
can fight dirty causing your opponent to have disadvantage
on Str and Dex saving throws as a bonus action. These tricks
only work once per person in this combat.
Crucifix -Target takes a Str or Dex save. If it's a failure,
target takes 6d4 (Or martial ats die) bludgening damage
and both of the targets arms are simultianiously broken
and the chest hyper extended. Gives three lingering
injuries, two broken arms and the internal injury effect
(The DC for the internal injury is the same as technique
DC). This move has a -5 to its submission DC due to its
difficulty.
Flying Arm Bar/Triangle -These are the Arm Bar and
Triangle Choke move but can be performed without
establishing a grapple first, but cannot be used as the
grapplee.
Gogoplata -Target takes two different saves. One is a Str
or Dex save and the other is a Con save. If the Str or Dex
save is failed, the target takes 4d4(Or martial arts die)
bludgening damage and suffer disadvantage on melee
attacks for the remainder of the combat. If the Con save is
a failure, the target falls unconscious. Every 3 turns the
target may repeat the save to regain consciousness. This
is a very complex move and suffers a -2 to its submission
DCs.
Twister/Spine Bane -The target takes two different saves.
One is a Str or Dex save and the other is a Con Save. If
the Str or Dex save is failed, the target takes 5d4 (Or
martial arts die) bludgening damage. If the Str or Dex
save is a failure, the target makes a Con save. If the target
fails the Con save it suffers from a broken back lingering
injury. (Speed reduced to 0 and Prone condition) This
difficult move suffers a -3 to its submission DCs.
Judo Adept
Prerequisite- Wis or Int of 13, Str or Dex of 13.
This is a student of Judo and knows the basic techniques of
the art of Judo. As an action (or possibly reaction) you can use
one of the basic Judo moves on someone either standing or in
a grapple depending on the move. These include the Daki
Age, Kesa Gatame , and the O Goshi.
Daki Age -Target makes a Str or Dex save. If it is a failure,
the target takes 2d6 (Or martial arts die) bludgening
damage and is knocked prone. This move can be done if
you are grapplee or grappler, this move ends the grapple.
2 PART 1 | Grappling
Kesa Gatame -Target makes a Str or Dex save. If it is a
failure, the target is knocked prone and is restrained
under the grappler. Each turn the target may repeat the
save to escape. The grappler must use it's turn to maintain
this dominant postion, but may use a bonus action to to
make an unarmed strike against the target while you
maintain this position.
O Goshi -Target makes a Str or Dex save. If it is a failure,
the target takes 2d4 (Or martial arts die), is knocked
prone, and has disadvantage on Con, Dex, and Str saves
until the end of the grappler's next turn. This can be done
outside of a grapple.
Judo Master
Prerequisite- Judo Adept, Wis or Int 15, Str or Dex of 14.
This is a master of the art of Judo. They know how to use a
man's weight against him like the back of their hands. They
have a passive bonus of Advantage in all grapple attempts
and technique defenses. (Unless against a larger creature or
other master) As an action masters can use advanced
techniques. These are: the Morote Gari, Uchi Mata
Sukashi, Uchi Mata, Yam Arashi, and the Ura Nage.
Morote Gari -When an enemy attempts to grapple you
and fails, you may use your reaction to counter. Target
takes Str or Dex save. If it is a failure, the target takes 2d6
bludgening damage and is now grappled by you. This
move may be used as the grapplee.
Uchi Mata Sukashi -When an enemy tries to throw you or
physically push you away, you may use your reaction to
attempt a reversal. Target takes a contesting Str or Dex
check, the loser is knocked prone, takes 2d6 bludgening
damage, and is stunned for one turn. THis move may be
used as a grapplee.
Uchi Mata -Target takes a Str or Dex save. If it is a failure,
target is thrown prone and takes 3d4 (Or martial arts die)
bludgening damage. Target remains grappled.
Yam Arashi - Target takes a Str or Dex save. If it is a
failure, target is thrown 5ft away from you, takes 2d8
bludgening damage, and has a -5 to Con save for 3 turns
due to getting the wind knocked out of him. Due to
difficulty, the DC suffers a -2 for this technique.
Ura Nage - Target takes Str or Dex save. If it is a failure,
target takes 5d4 (Or martial arts die) bludgening damage,
is knocked prone (grappler is made prone too), and has
disadvantage on all physical saving throws for the rest of
combat. Due to difficulty, the DC for this technique suffers
a -3 .
Credit: Sarabethking
Forbidden Judo Training
Prerequisite- Judo Adept, Wis or Int 14, Str or Dex of 15
These moves are those that have been shunned by the
martial artist community. They are harder to find and are
considered dishonorable; they trade true knowledge of the art
for more power. These will not be taught in a conventional
dojo. As an action (Or bonus action) you may use one of the
following forbidden techniques: Ashi Garami, Do Jime, Kani
Basami, and the Kawaza Gake. Additonally, you can fight
dirty causing your opponent to have disadvantage on Str and
Dex saving throws as a bonus action. These tricks only work
once per person in this combat.
Ashi Garami - Target takes Str or Dex save. If it is a
failure, target takes 4d4 (Or martial arts die) bludgening
damage, has one leg broken as a lingering injury, and is
considered restrained. Each turn the grappler must use
their action to maintain the hold but may use a bonus
action to make an unarmed strike against the target.
Target repeats save each turn to escape. Due to difficulty
this move's DC has a -2 penalty.
Do Jime - Grappler uses a bonus action to attempt a body
choke to a target that was just thrown (needs to still be in
grapple) or is currently restrained by the grappler. Target
takes a Con save. If it is a failure, target takes 2d4 (Or
martail arts die) bludgening damage. If the Save is failed
by 5 or more, target also suffers a broken rib lingering
injury. (DC for broken ribs is same as technique DC) Due
to difficulty the DC for this move suffers a -3 penalty.
Kani Basami - Target takes Str or Dex save. If it is a
failure, target takes 6d4 (Or martial arts die) bludgeoning
damage and has both legs broken as lingering injuries. If
the target has failed the original save then the target takes
an additional Con save, on failure the target is concussed
(poisened effect) for 1d4 weeks. Technique breaks grapple
and leaves grappler prone. The DC for this technique has
a -5 penalty due to difficulty.
Kawaza Gake - Same effects as the Uchi Mata technique
but ignores advantage on the saving throw to avoid the
technique.
Monks and other martial art classes
Since these characters already have a mastery of
the martial arts they can use all of the adept moves
of the martial arts using Ki points or equivilent.
Each of these moves cost one Ki (or class
equivalent) to do.
Technique DC is the adjusted Martial artist one.
If these characters want to obtain the master or
forbidden moves they can forego the physical
and feat prerequisites of the higher feats.
While these artists have general knowledge of
all martial arts they are not masters of all.
More moves can be aquired in the master and
forbidden technique feats.
These classes ignore the physical stat and
Grappler prerequisites of the martial art feats, due
to familiarity with martial arts.
Further Clarifications
and Details
Limits on Use and Martial Arts
Points
Every technique in each of these feats cost One Martial Arts
Point-Per Move. For each of these techniques listed in the
feats there is a certain amount that they can be used for the
body does have limits each day. To represent this limit, each
character has an amount of Martial Arts Points that is
replenished after every short or long rest. This amount is
calculated by adding: the Grappler's primary physical ability
score modifier (Str/Dex/Con) and the Grappler's primary
mental ability score modifier (Wis/Int). So for example, a
level one character with a Dex of 20 and a Wis of 12 will have
6 Martial Art Points each short/long rest. (Dex+Wis)
Martial Arts Classes
For Monks and other martial arts classes the calculation is
slightly different for thier Martial Arts Points. For them they
add their primary physical abilitiy modifier (Str/Dex/Con),
their primary mental ability score modifier (Wis/Int) , and
their own personal amount of Ki (Or Class equivalent). For
example, a level two Monk with a Dex of 20 and a Wis of 12
will have 8 Martial Arts Points. (Dex+Wis+Ki) For these
classes though, the martial arts points do not contribute to Ki
or Moxie pools for using class specific actions.
Sneak Attack and Techniques
If you have the Sneak Attack class feature, the damage that
is dealt by it can apply to the martial arts technique's damage
seprately. For example if you do the Arm Bar and the target
fails its saves, then they would take 2d4 Bludgeoning plus
1d6 Bludgeoning from the sneak attack. (Depending on the
Rogue Level) The damage bonus due to sneak attack is
described in the PHB Rogue Class section.
For Special Cases Like The Rear Naked
Choke
For the Rear Naked Choke Technique, if you have the Sneak
Attack class feature and it applies when doing a Rear Naked
Choke the move is performed as follows. The target suffers
disadvantage on the Con saving throw to resist the Choke. If
the Con save is a failure, the target takes non-lethal
blugeoning damage equal to half its health + non-lethal
bludgeoning damage equal to the sneak attack damage die.
The move then proceeds as normal (Described above).
Additionally, if the non-leathal sneak attack damage reduces
the target to 0 HP, then the target remains unconscious for
1d4 Hours, instead of 1 Minute.
PART 1 | Grappling 3
 Using this material
This material can be used in a lot of ways. It is in no way
perfect but does provide a great new incentive for monks, and
other classes/characters to try out grappling. On the surface,
this is a small booklet of feats that enhance grappling
mechanics and make it a viable form of combat for PCs. On
the other hand this material can also be used as a whole
revamp of the martial arts system as now unarmed combat
can go beyond just punches, shoves, and sometimes multiple
punches.It can be used by select NPC's as enemies or
challengers and makes the idea of being an unarmed fighter a
much more dynamic and in-depth system. Quests can be built
around the ideas of dojos or challengers to the PCs and much
more. I hope you like and use this content however it may
serve your campaign the best.
Dojos in your world
Most major cities on the Sword Coast (Or whatever setting
your characters reside) should have some martial arts dojos
in what would probably resemble an ethnic district or
monestary area of a city. There might even be rival dojos in
the much larger cities such as Neverwinter or Waterdeep.
Other than that, Dojos would be found in secluded areas or
monestaries that reside in the mountains, seasides, or even
some country areas. Not all of these Dojos should be of the
same quality or capabilities though, the smaller Dojos should
be able to teach one adept level art or another but for the
master arts you would need to go to a bigger and more
successful or famous dojo. For training in the forbidden
branches of the arts you are going to have to search a little
more. Training for the forbidden arts could be found in
warehouses, illegal training rings underground, or even in
dangerous moutainous regions. For locating these dojos you
might find contacts working in the black market or at an
illegal fight ring somewhere.
Cost of Training
The cost of training at any of the Dojos will very greatly, even
at the forbidden Dojos. First off, training will take some time
and dedication from the character. It will take up a good bit of
a character's downtime in cities possibly and should take
about 8 weeks (Subtract weeks equal to Wis+Int Modifiers)
for the adept moves and about 16 weeks (Subtract weeks
equal to Wis+Int Modifiers) for the master or forbidden
techniques. But also the better the Dojo, the faster someone
should be able to learn. For physical costs of training, it
should vary Dojo to Dojo and depend on what level of
training you are seeking. It could cost gold, or a quest in
return, or manual labor while you train, have to prove
yourself, or have to take an oath of some sort, ect. There are
many ways to pay for the training. As always, this all can be
avoided by taking the feats in place of ability score
improvements when your class gets those.
4 PART 1 | Grappling
Grappler V.S. Grapplee
Throughout the work there is reference to the idea that in
each case of a grapple that there is a grappler and someone
being grappled. The person that is the grappler, prone or not,
is the one that is able to perform techniques from the feats,
unless noted in the move otherwise. To determine the
grappler from the grapplee use this system. The grappler is
always the character that initiates the grapple. If you are
grappled then you are the grapplee and the only way to
reverse this role is to break the grapple and initiate your own
grapple, unless you do this quicker with the Sweep/Roll
move described above. Both Grappler and Grapplee can
make attacks at eachother as they please, but only the
grappler can perform moves, unless stated otherwise in the
move description.
Variant Options
Grappling
For making the grappling resist check you could replace the
contesting checks of the target and the grappler and instead
have the target take a Str or Dex saving throw (just like when
subjected to techniques) to escape being grappled. You could
additionally do this to also replace the attack roll to initiate a
grapple, streamlining the moves more. For balancing
purposes, if you choose to replace the initail roll to start a
grapple with a Saving throw, I would reccomend making
"Grappling" an action in itself (So it doesn't just replace one
attack in extra attack), with class or feat exceptions to make it
a bonus action.
Attempts and limits
For the purpose of balancing combat, the DM may make
limits null and void, giving those with the feats free reign to
use each technique as many times as they want in combat.
Damage
The DM may tweek the damage of each of the moves to fit
what he or she may find to be the most balanced in their
campaign. Also the idea of scaling the damage with martial
arts die could be removed too to further balance if the DM
sees fit.
Combat outside of the grapple
While one character is grappling others may attack at the two
grappling characters, normally, but if the attack is missed by
5 or more (Or whatever the DM decides) the attack could hit
the attackers ally that is in the grapple.
AC and Armor
Since all of these moves have nothing to do with AC scores,
the DM may choose to inflict penalties (that stack with
difficulty penalties) to Technique DCs for targets in armor
that are being grappled and for grapplers that are in armor as
well. Example penalties to DCs for either the target or the
grappler wearing armor: -1 for Light Armor, -2 for Med
Armor, and -3 for Heavy Armor.
Options For Scaling
If you would want to, the DM using this material could easily
make a scaling chart with the martial artist points. It would
be likely something along the line of using a system of adding
1 die of damage for each martial arts point spent on a single
move. This would obviously change some balance issues in
your world so I don't reccomend this, but a good idea for
balancing would be to limit the amount of martial arts points
that can be spent on a single move and scale that with levels.
Similar to the Psionic Class from Wizards of the Coast's
Unearthed Arcana.
Notes
This is the labor of over a year of work for two friends who
are huge fans and participants of both martial arts and
Dungeons and Dragons. We have devised these moves to be
about as realistic and fun as we could get them and did
extensive research to choose moves and how to apply them to
the world's greatest role-playing game. These have all been
play tested minorly by our own D&D group and found them
to be quite balanced but still feedback is hugely appreciated.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy.
Credits
Creators- Bailey Hunton, Ian Hunton, and Katelyn Breault.
Playtesters- My wonderful D&D group that has been
through thick and thin to play this game over the years with
me. Namely Zach Cannon and Ardrien Hendrix.

Credit: Brazilian jiu-jitsu lifestyle

PART 1 | Grappling 5