I was digging through an old hard drive and I came across this old gem from way back. I had originally written it for Dark Champions with the intention of including a modified version in a future supplement. I thought I would post it here for folks to enjoy. Mind you, it wasn't written up using 5th Ed. rules but I hear that half the fun of HERO System is converting cool older material into the new rules. Apologies in advance for not having the table formatted properly.
ARREST CONTROL (Beta playtest version)
A Martial Arts Style for Law Enforcement Characters
by Mark Arsenault (12/9/94)
COST MANUEVER PHASE OCV DCV NOTES
4 Wrist Lock 1/2 -1 -1 Grab (one limb), +10 STR
1D6 NND
3 Weapon Retention 1/2 +0 -2 Abort, Bind, +20 STR,
Can only be used after
Grab weapon manuever
4 Arm Lock 1+ -1 -1 Grab, +10 STR
3 Pain Compliance 1/2 -1 +0 1 1/2D6 NND, Must follow
Wrist Lock
3 Takedown 1/2 +2 +2 Throw, Must follow Wrist
Lock
3 Take-away 1/2 +1 +0 Grab Weapon, +15 STR,
Must follow Block, Can
only be used after
weapon strike
3 Break-away 1/2 +1 +1 +15 STR, STR Dmg, Can
only be used after Grab
4 Sweeping Block 1/2 +3 +1 Abort, Block
3 Side Step 1/2 -- +5 Abort, Dodge, 1/2 Move
required (Min. 1")
3 Mandibular Press 1/2 +0 +1 1D6 NND
3 Pig Pile 1/2 -1 +1 Grab, STR +1D6, Throw,
You Fall, Take 1/2 Damg
3 Thrust 1/2 +1 +0 STR + 2D6
Elements
Weapons: Use art with Batons/Clubs (no cost)
Use art with Tonfas/PR-24s (1 pt)
Skills
Breakfall
KS: Arrest Control
Style Disadvantage: -10 pts
Total: 30 pts.
NOTES:
The Wrist Lock manuever is typically performed on a subject when approaching him from the rear (DCV 0). While it can be performed on a resisting subject, it can be very difficult in real life. This can be simulated by simply stating that the manuever cannot be performed on a resisting (i.e., full DCV) subject, but must instead follow a successful Grab manuever. This limitation is inherent in the technique and is worth no points, and encourages "realistic" use of the manuever.
The Weapon Retention technique is designed to prevent a subject from removing an officer's weapon, whether it be a handgun, shotgun or chemical spray cannister; the manuever works equally well with any weapon. The manuever can only be used after a subject has successfully grabbed the officer's weapon, including most Disarm manuevers. The Abort element allows the officer to immediately "hug" the weapon (with the barrel pointed in a safe direction) or otherwise prevent the subject from getting full control of it. While not entirely allowed within the rules (as presented in The Ultimate Martial Artist), the Abort element is necessary to allow cop characters the opportunity to "instinctively" protect their most important piece of equipment; their firearm.
The Arm Lock is a manuever that forces a subject's arm or arms behind their back and renders them immobile. It causes little actual pain, but is difficult to escape from when performed properly. This manuever accurately depicts the technique performed by many cops on TV and in the cinema where the suspect is thrown or pushed against a wall with their arm(s) behind their back.
The Pain Compliance maneuver is actually a follow-up to the Wrist Lock manuever. It causes intense pain by twisting the wrist forward and into the body. The manuever must follow a sucessful Wrist Lock.
The Takedown manuever is another manuever executable only after a successful Wrist Lock. By leaning backward, the officer creates intense pain that in turn causes the subject to naturally fall backward. By "following" the subject down, the officer is able to maintain the Wrist Lock on the prone subject. When used, the subject goes prone in the same hex, and the officer maintains a leaning (or kneeling) position over the subject.
The Take-away is used as a "counter attack" of sorts against subjects who attack with officer with a hand-held weapon such as a knife, bottle or club. The Take-away manuever must follow a successful Block in order to be used. The manuever allows the officer to grab the subject's wrist, or the item itself, and rotate it past the maximum rotation of the wrist, causing the subject to immediately release the item. If the item itself is twisted, the officer can maintain a hold on the item after taking it from the subject.
The Break-away manuever is used after a subject has successfully grabbed the officer. It assumes that the subject's arms are extended (rather than "hugging" the officer), but can be used in either case in more cinematic campaigns. The officer simply swings his arm(s) or baton in a circular motion, arcing over and across the subject's arms. The force of the blow and the rotation causes the subject to release the officer and causes damage to the subject as well.
The Sweeping Block is executed with a wide, circular motion. Either the middle section of the baton or the meaty portion of the forearm is used to block when the manuever is executed. This manuever is better suited for blocking HTH attacks than many styles (+3 OCV), but leaves the officer more vulnerable to attack as well (thus the lower DCV bonus).
In order to avoid oncoming attacks, such as a lunging attack, Flying Tackle, Move Through, Move By, and so on, the officer may execute the Step Defense. By simply rotating his body into the attack while stepping out at a 45 degree angle, the officer takes himself out of the direct line of attack. To be performed, however, the character must have a minimum of 1" of free space to move into. (This one is hard to describe. Imagine a tic-tac-toe board. The officer is in the center square facing "up," and the attacker is approaching the officer from the top center square. The officer steps into the top left corner square and rotates his body to the right as the attacker goes by, until the officer is facing "down." The attacker ends up in the bottom center square. -Mark)
The Mandible Press is performed by pressing the thumb knuckles, thumbs or forefingers into the nerve center just behind the hinge of the jaw on both sides of the subject's head. It causes intense pain in most people and causes them to stand up (reflex action). It should be noted that some people are not affected by this nerve manipulation. The GM should allow characters to by a 2 pt Immunity to the Manuever (which serves as the "Defense" against the NND). The manuever will not work against subjects with rigid armor covering their head and jaws.
The Pig Pile manuever is a representation of the time-honored tradition of law enforcement... the "Pig Pile!" To use it, the officer grabs the upper portion of the subject's body and forces them to the ground, sometimes leaping up on top of the subject in order to generate more downward force. If executed successfully, the subject immediately goes to the ground in the same hex and takes STR+1D6 damage, with the officer on top of him. The impact is great enough to cause 1/2 damage to the officer.
The Thrust is an open handed palm strike or a thrust using the tip of a baton against the subject's mid-section (or upper body). It generates a good amount of force (STR+2D6) and can be quite effective, especially when used with a baton or PR-24. It should be noted that law enforcement agencies have policies prohibiting the use of this manuever against the head, groin, kidneys, spine and neck of subjects. Of course, this is Dark Champions... What the agencies don't know won't hurt them.
