Do you wanna kick some ass? I mean sssseriously kick some ass?
First and foremost, let's go over a couple of things. Firstly, there are the Training Tables. Each Martial Art comes with a type of table which shows what you can learn after a certain amount of training has been met. Some are easier to learn than others, and learning one martial art makes it easier to learn certain other types.
First, know that all Martial Arts used from these tables and/or pages gain the user a +2 To Hit bonus unless the target has faced that martial art before. This ALSO applies to you as the player, though, so don't forget!
First, let's look at Martial Arts-only keywords…
Specials - specialized attacks, effects, stances and more. These are the backbone of each martial arts.
Supers - Much like Specials, albeit they cost more. On the other hand, they do more in terms of damage and other effects.
Ultimate Arts - after meeting extremely strict situational modifiers, you can launch an Ultimate Art…which, as the name implies, are the pinnacle of martial arts prowess.
Desperation Arts - can only be launched when you're at 15% of your health. Can only be used once during each combat situation.
Secret Arts - excruciatingly hard to learn, excruciatingly hard to launch, but awesome to behold.
x Pumped Into - allows the user to "pump up" the end number (unless determined otherwise in text/by GM) of an attack or ability by however much you give up in either health, energy points, or something else.
x Sacrificed - allows the user to use what would normally considered "payment" energy, health, or whatever else is used to pay for the attack by adding that on as damage. In other words, if you used 100 energy points to start an attack that has +energy points sacrificed, then you can add +100 at the end damage of your attack.
Chain Attack - by stringing together certain combos, spells or attacks, you can either A) increase their overall damage, B) receive a noice lil' bonus to end result damage, C) lose or gain extra attacks/defenses, or D) immediately "tag" the next fighter listed in the chain to perform their series of attacks, no matter where their position in the Initiative lineup is. This would now be their new spot in the Initiative lineup.
Note: In order to use this ability to give slower characters a "hand up" in the ladder of initiative, you both MUST have the chain attacks listed (my normal attacks -> their normal attacks, or my super reppuken uppercut -> their chojin hadoken, thus ending my turn and beginning theirs) as well as Combined Attack feat from this site.
Stance - A free-action movement that can allow you access to other maneuvers, abilities, or techniques. They can also change your mid-combat stats, depending on which art and stance you follow.
Rarity - you don't have access to all Martial Arts easily (especially non-Monks, non-Ninjas, or anyone that isn't heavily unarmed-based). The Rarity value shows how easy it is to find a trainer in any given setting. Some Martial Arts are INCREDIBLY settings-based and aren't even on this list. Still others can be brought to the setting you are currently playing so long as you can work with your GM regarding this.
Now, understand that there IS a way to go beyond 1000 training points…BUT, you must become a recognized Master of that particular fighting form. After achieving recognition and completing the "Do The Impossible" mission, you can keep training and learning…up to a whopping 3000 points! Remember though, if you have already learned the special/supers for your martial art, then it's simply counted as a blank slot until you come across something you HAVEN'T learned yet.
Also, don't forget: you can learn multiple martial arts, naturally, but you'll have to do the Do the Impossible mission for EACH ONE if you wish to "go beyond" with each one.
On a final note, that have an asterisk (*) in front of them are able to be learned via the mentoring system rather than traditional, and easier method of training.
Suikoden School of Martial Arts
Twin Heaven School (Miyamoto Style Fencing)
Meridian System of Combat Martial Arts