Old School Renaissance – The Art of War in the Far Future: Exploring the Martial Arts of Stars Without Number

Old School, stars without number

Publisher: Sine Nomine Publishing

If you are a fan of science-fiction and martial arts, you might be interested in Stars Without Number – Mandate Archive: Martial Arts, a supplement for the popular sci-fi role-playing game that adds a new dimension of combat and culture to your adventures. The book introduces ten examples of futuristic martial arts with their unique features and weapons.

In this review, I will give you an overview of the book’s content and provide some tips on how to use it in your game.

What’s Inside the Book?

The book is a 16-page PDF file written by Kevin Crawford and published by Sine Nomine Publishing in 2012. It is part of the Mandate Archive series, which provides additional material and options for the Stars Without Number core rulebook. The book covers ten examples of martial arts styles that you can use or adapt for your game. Each style has a name, a description, a history, a list of techniques, and a signature weapon. Some of the styles are based on existing or historical martial arts, while others are completely original or inspired by fiction. Here are some of the styles that you added to the review:

  • Empty Holster Style: A style that was favored by rebels and conspirators in the latter days of the Terran Mandate, and is designed to counter the advantages of an enemy gunman. Most Mandate firearms during the Second Wave were Net-locked to their possessor, so disarming security officers was rarely as useful as forcing them to turn their weapons on each other.
  • Dirty Fighting: A “style” that is acquired in dive bars, dirty colonial streets, and military training courses. The details vary from world to world, but every manifestation tends to focus on low blows, cheap shots, and the ugly little tricks that give a combatant victory before his enemy realizes that he’s in danger.
  • Gentle Way: One of a number of aikido-descended martial arts, the Gentle Way has survived on many worlds thanks to its popularity as a security officer style before the Scream. The style emphasizes using the opponent’s force against them, redirecting their attacks and throwing them off balance.

Conclusion

Stars Without Number – Mandate Archive: Martial Arts is a great supplement for anyone who enjoys sci-fi and martial arts. The book introduces ten examples of futuristic martial arts with their unique features and weapons. The book is well-written, engaging, flexible, and creative.

If you are looking for a way to spice up your sci-fi adventures with some cool combat options and cultural elements, then you should definitely give this book a try. You won’t regret it.

Stars Without Number – Mandate Archive: Martial Arts on DrivethruRpg