Choosing a Fighting Style for Your Character

 

There are a lot of fighting styles to choose from, and many different variations of martial arts have been developed all over the world. The question is, which one is right for your character?

Why does your character know martial arts?

Did they learn from the martial arts studio across the street when they were little? Were they trained as a soldier? Did they decide to learn self-defense after being the victim of a mugging?

the reason that they are trained or training can determine what type of martial art they do. Some are mainly practiced for health benefits, like tai chi, and others focus on more lethal attacks, like krav maga.

It is also important to take into consideration what specific traits or virtues different martial arts teach.

What culture does your character come from or live in?

Culture has an impact on martial arts choice, especially if you are basing certain parts of your world off of real cultures or are writing realistic fiction. Culture defines the nuances in a martial art. You will find that kung fu and tai chi, which are both from China, have similar movements, though kung fu is considered to be "hard" while tai chi is "soft."

So if you want a character to be connected to a certain culture, looking at regional martial arts is a good idea.

What body type do they have?

Different body types are more or less suitable for different fighting styles. A person's body will naturally adapt to their sport, but it can't change your overall body shape. 

Someone who is thin and lithe might be better at a martial that requires flexibility and speed, while someone who has more bulky muscle might be better at Judo.

Most importantly, what does the plot need?

Assassins will learn martial arts that are quick and lethal. Soldiers, ones to brutally wipe out an opponent. Street fighters, whatever helps them win. Sometimes you need to consider what martail arts would effectively fit into the plot. Some would make certain moves impossible given training, while others would definitely cover methods to avoid certain injuries and situations that may be required for the plot to work.

In the end, the two things you want to consider most before picking a martial art, are body type and purpose of training. Those will be the most determining factors in your choice.