Brawling (Cyberpunk RED)
Definition
Brawling is untrained close combat: punching, kicking, headbutting, grabbing someone and putting them into a wall. Every character has some capacity for it, and in Night City it is the fight you have when the weapons are confiscated, jammed, out of reach, or too loud for the situation. At the table Brawling handles the scenes that are not supposed to be lethal. Bar fights, a client who needs subduing rather than killing, a guard who has to be taken down quietly, a grapple to stop someone reaching an alarm. It is also the skill that matters most for characters built around BODY, since unarmed damage scales with how physically powerful you are rather than with how well you were trained.
How it works
Tips
Frequently asked questions
Does Brawling damage depend on my skill rank?
No, it depends on BODY. Skill rank determines whether you connect. That is why a BODY 8 character with modest Brawling is still frightening in a scuffle.
Is Brawling worth taking if I have Martial Arts?
Martial Arts covers trained unarmed fighting and can substitute for Brawling, so most characters pick one lane. Brawling is cheaper and fits characters who learned by doing rather than by training.
Can I use Brawling to restrain someone?
Yes, grappling and holds are exactly what it covers. This makes it the go-to skill any time the crew needs someone alive, quiet, and going where you want them to go.