Fighting style

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Monks adopt many different fighting styles.
Urgathoa's Hunger is a divine fighting technique.

Many fighting styles and martial arts are taught and performed on Golarion. Many reflect their cultures in their forms and incorporate aspects of philosophy or are philosophies in their own right.1 The following lists some of these, grouped by their geographic association.

Avistan

Fighting styles of Avistan include:

Adder's strike
a Taldan sword strike used, for instance, in fencing2
Aldori defender
a defensively focused fighting style that uses the Aldori dueling sword3
Aldori school of sword fighting
perfect for duels or flashy combat, but can also be used for practical fighting45
Andoren defense
originates in Andoran, it involves a two-handed grasp of one's sword6
Elliendo defense
a defensive style for sword fighting7
Hamatulatsu
an exotic but deadly fighting form inspired by the varying attacks of the barbed devil8
Melekatha
an exotic fighting technique designed by the vanished-archon Melek Taus9
Order of the Stalwart Fist
a combination of Tian and Qadiran combat techniques taught at the Taldan Monastery of the Seven Forms10
Rondelero
a Taldan style using a falcata and buckler11
Thunder and Fang
a Shoanti combat style using an earth breaker and klar12
The Vessel Between
practiced by the Daggermark Assassins' Guild, relying on stealth, agility, and secrecy13
Whirling dervish
a Sarenrae-inspired style employs agile footwork to confound and evade enemies14

Garund

A Pahmet monk wields his people's signature hammers.

The diverse and ancient cultures of Garund developed many unique fighting styles of their own:

Pahmet
the sand dwarves of Osirion modeled their signature hammer-based fighting style around the resilient, immovable traits of sphinxes, creatures they particularly respect15
Ouat
monks of the Ouat adapted their unarmed style from the Pahmet's hammer mastery15
Stick fighting
Song'o halflings wield fighting sticks the length of longswords to stinging effect, in both combat and competition16

Tian Xia

Sajan assumes a crane style stance.
A fan dancer's performance can become a martial art when incorporating fighting fans.

Martial arts in Tian Xia often rise from fighting styles, combat techniques, and self-defense methods employed across classes since the dawn of civilization on the continent. The rich histories of its martial arts lend them to many uses beyond fighting, such as self-expression, competition, cultural heritage, spirituality, and philosophy.1 These myriad styles are innumerable; in Quain alone, a popular saying suggests "there are more martial techniques than stars in the sky—and they all think they shine the brightest.17

Among the fighting styles and martial arts of Tian Xia are:

Adamantine Body
Originated by the dwarven master Shan Gang, this martial art philosophy hardens its practitioners' bodies into unbreakable toughness believed to make them impervious to blades.1
Condor Fist Style
associated with the Condor Fist Society in Lingshen1819
Crane Steps Forth2021
Cyclone's Path
Practitioners of qinggong among the remote peaks of the Wall of Heaven master leaping and flying fighting techniques through a spiritual lightness that translates to physical lightness.1
Flowing Strikes22
Forest Storm23
Gathered the Sun24
Horse Stance2125
Lazy Serpent21
Monkey Plucks the Peaches2126
Phoenix Dance
This performative martial art that combines dance, dramatic theater, and elaborate weaponry is often employed by traveling troupes of the Feng Wu Ke.27
Quivering Palm
a unarmed strike to the chest that incapacitates the victim28
Scorpion Pincer29
Tiger Prowl, Crane Dive30
Tip the Leaf29
Titanic Embodiment
Favored among the largest and strongest combatants, this style leverages their weight and power to wield massive weapons and engage in inescapable grappling.31
Twin White Palms
the only unarmed blow capable of slaying an immortal32
Ular Tangan
a serpentine fighting style33

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Eren Ahn, et al. “Martial arts” in Tian Xia Character Guide, 118. Paizo Inc., 2024
  2. Dave Gross. The Fencing Master. Paizo Inc., 2013
  3. Paizo Inc., et al. Aldori Swordlords” in Adventurer's Guide, 22. Paizo Inc., 2017
  4. Benjamin Bruck, et al. Paths of Prestige, 4. Paizo Inc., 2012
  5. Paizo Inc., et al. Aldori Swordlords” in Adventurer's Guide, 20–21. Paizo Inc., 2017
  6. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 53. Paizo Inc., 2011
  7. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 50. Paizo Inc., 2011
  8. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 2: The Inner Sea” in Campaign Setting, 83. Paizo Inc., 2008
  9. Jonathan H. Keith, et al. Cheliax” in Cheliax, Empire of Devils, 13. Paizo Inc., 2009
  10. Joshua J. Frost. Taldor, Empire in Decline” in Taldor, Echoes of Glory, 4. Paizo Inc., 2009
  11. Paris Crenshaw, et al. “For Your Character” in Melee Tactics Toolbox, 2. Paizo Inc., 2015
  12. Michael Kortes. “A History of Ashes” in A History of Ashes, 28. Paizo Inc., 2008
  13. Joshua J. Frost. Daggermark” in Guide to the River Kingdoms, 13. Paizo Inc., 2010
  14. Dennis Baker, et al. Swashbuckler” in Advanced Class Origins, 22–23. Paizo Inc., 2014
  15. 15.0 15.1 Shaun Hocking, et al. Pahmet” in People of the Sands, 12–13. Paizo Inc., 2014
  16. Laura-Shay Adams, et al. “People of the Mwangi” in The Mwangi Expanse, 86. Paizo Inc., 2021
  17. Eren Ahn, et al. “Martial arts” in Tian Xia Character Guide, 120. Paizo Inc., 2024
  18. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 81. Paizo Inc., 2011
  19. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 278. Paizo Inc., 2011
  20. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 51. Paizo Inc., 2011
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 67. Paizo Inc., 2011
  22. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 37. Paizo Inc., 2011
  23. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 247. Paizo Inc., 2011
  24. Dave Gross. Queen of Thorns, 60. Paizo Inc., 2012
  25. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 210. Paizo Inc., 2011
  26. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 72. Paizo Inc., 2011
  27. Eren Ahn, et al. “Martial arts” in Tian Xia Character Guide, 118–119. Paizo Inc., 2024
  28. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 17. Paizo Inc., 2011
  29. 29.0 29.1 Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 71. Paizo Inc., 2011
  30. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 288. Paizo Inc., 2011
  31. Eren Ahn, et al. “Martial arts” in Tian Xia Character Guide, 119. Paizo Inc., 2024
  32. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 326. Paizo Inc., 2011
  33. Dave Gross. Master of Devils, 293. Paizo Inc., 2011