Panzer Kunst (literally Armored Art) is a martial art for cyborgs. Practitioners of Panzer Kunst are called Kunstlers.
Panzer Kunst seeks oneness between the senses and is commonly referred to as the strongest of the cyborg martial arts. It is especially effective at disabling and destroying larger opponents. The names of all Panzer Kunst moves and disciplines are in German. Panzer Kunst is the basis of many orbital martial arts.
Philosophy
Panzer Kunst was the first fighting style developed to anticipate cyborg combat, and emphasizes combat against both armed opponents, including ranged weapons, as well as zero gravity (and as an extension, fighting in mid-air free fall). Panzer Kunst seems to emphasize speed as well as the use of vibration-based attacks to cause damage to a foe's limbs or internal organs. The art is also quite effective against larger foes. The Panzer Kunst also provides a definite tactical advantage, since it gives its user the ability to analyze an opponent's fighting style and to retaliate accordingly. Therefore, a Künstler will rarely be defeated in a second combat with a given enemy. It appears that smaller schools exist within the overall Panzer Kunst framework, such as the Mauser School which uses the Elbogen-Blatt or twin elbow blades, and the Scheider School, which developed the Übergeheimnis combo Hertzer Nadel and the Gossen School which developed the Geheimnis Einsatzrhythmen.
Hierarchy
A Künstler (German for "artist") is divided into one of nine ranks:
- Anfänger (Beginner)
- Tzereter (Enthusiast)
- Lehrling (Apprentice)
- Geselle (War Artisan)
- Krieger (Warrior)
- Höherer Krieger (High Warrior)
- Meister (Master)
- Adept (Licensed Master)
- Altmeister (Elder)
Other than these ranks, it is known that the Künstlers are often also divided into gruppes. One such group was the Kammer Gruppe, one of whose number was directly involved in the NBC attack on Hatte Province in Side 2 (L4) that led to the defection of Gezere-class Kammer Frau Yoko von der Rasierklinge during the One Week War. The Kammer Gruppe was ostensibly a branch of the Mauser School of Panzer Kunst that functioned as a training unit for NEOMF Cyborgs. In reality, however, it was a secret covert ops unit that engaged in sabotage, terrorism, torture, and assassinations for Xavion Chrysylophax.
Training
Training to be a Künstler seems to begin at a young age, as most begin as Anfänger when they are still young children. The actual recruitment process is unknown, although it is known that some Anfänger were war orphans rescued from the battlefield by Künstlers.
The details of the actual training regimen are a closely guarded secret, although it is known that training sessions in zero gravity were not uncommon. Künstlers receive training from the leaders of the units in which they belonged to. The techniques are engraved within the Künstler's psyche so deeply that even amnesia doesnt seem to remove them.
Known Techniques
Most of the known techniques of Panzer Kunst are those that have been used widely in the One Year War.
- Hertza Haeon (also called Hertzer Hauen) – "Hertz Strike". One of the most commonly used moves, the Hertza Haeon is a strike that delivers a high-frequency vibration to the victim, concentrating kinetic energy that when used correctly can be used to destroy or at least disrupt function of the brain or heart. Humans and Bioroids can also use a modified form of this move in burgeoning anti-cyber martial arts.
- Elbogen-Blatt – "Elbow Leaf". As its name suggests, the Panzer Kunst art of wielding elbow-blades; considered part of the Mauser School.
- Kurz Bombe Kunst – "Short Bomb Art". A Mauser School weapons technique used by some members of the Kammer Gruppe, that involves the use of small bomb caps that are placed on vital spots on an opponent and then detonated by a specific method, such as snapping one's fingers. They can be used to cripple an opponent by targeting their vital spots, as well as for assassination and torture.
- Geschoss Schlag (also written Geschoß Schlag) – "Missile Blow". A faster-than-sound punch that adds a sonic boom-effect to the impact, delivering more force to the strike.
- Ausser Stosse (also written Außer Stoße) – "Outer Thrust". By twisting into an attack made by the opponent, the Künstler is able to redirect that energy against them, resulting in a kicking counterattack that is stronger than would normally be launched.
- Seinerweisen – "Personal Wisdom or Own Style". Individual techniques created by each Künstler that are unique based on their own body's construction, and thus unteachable. One Künstler's, for instance, was the ability to separate his biopod from his Body and escape with it, due to minitaure retractable legs stored in its sides. While not considered part of Panzer Kunst, there was a tendency to consider Künstlers top-notch only once they had developed a Seinerweisen.
Geheimnis
German for "secret" or "mystery", these moves are considered the "secret techniques" of Panzer Kunst.
- Einzug Rüstungen – "Dodging Armor". By attuning their rhythm of movement to the opponent's, the Künstler then strikes when the opponent's guard is weakest.
- Hertzer Nadel – "Hertz Needle". A two-part "Übergeheimnis" combination attack from the Schneider School, also called Hertzer Fahren ("Hertz Driver").
- Verschlag – "Partition" or "Box". The first part of the attack, an initial Hertza Haeon-like strike is first applied in order to set loose a shockwave which bounces around inside the body, increasing in momentum and energy, before finally focusing on the extremities such as the limbs or joints. The opponent might notice this as a slight ringing in their ears. Note that while Hertza Haeon is usually delivered through the heel of the palm, Verschlag is done via the knuckles of the Künstler's fist.
- Hertzer Nadel – The second strike, driving a second Verschlag into the focal point of the shockwave, which causes the pent-up energy to explode from within.
- Einsatzrhythmen – "Deployment Rhythms". A technique associated with the Gossen School of Panzer Kunst. By attuning their own chi to that of their opponent's, the Künstler is able to fully nullify the opponent's chi, completely halting any attack they might have launched. Very few Künstlers have ever been able to master this move.
History
According to the martial arts scholar Hegeor Hopper, Panzer Kunst was started by Tiger Sauer, AKA "der Tiger" around 2024 A.D before the Universal Century. It was the first fighting style to anticipate cyborg combat, with Sauer instructing his disciples to handle both armed opponents and zero gravity.
Grünthal
A training academy called Grünthal was established in U.C. 0027 in the western part of the Von Braun Lunar Colony. It was here that Panzer Kunst was developed and taught by five of Sauer's best students in relative secrecy for over 50 years before the One Year War.
Surviving Masters
As of this time, there are only two known surviving original Künstlers. One is Tzykrow der Rabe, a Kammer Gruppe instructor, who is now serving the Principality of NEO chairman Xavion Chrysylophax. The other is Gezere-class Kammer Frau Yoko von der Rasierklinge who survived the destruction of her Colony during the One week war and subsequently sided with the Earth Federation /AEGIS.
While these two are the only known surviving Künstlers from Grünthal. Also, it may be possible that there were other survivors from Grünthal. Among the populace, there are those who believe that the revealed techniques were only a part of Panzer Kunst's secrets and that a true Panzer Kunst master still exists.
Use of eye black
Künstlers used a distinctive red eye black when in combat. Tzykrow der Rabe still uses it. Yoko has been seen to wear it on occasion.
Influence
As a result of the secrets of Panzer Kunst being revealed, we are seeing the formation of later schools of cyborg martial arts including Space Karate as well as Ahat Mastade.
Sechster Angriff
Panzer Kunst is the direct ancestor of Sechster Angriff. Sechster Angriff is a very aggressive style of fighting that emphasizes forward motion. However, this means that a practitioner of Sechster Angriff is at a considerable disadvantage when forced to fight in close quarters.
Maschine Klatsch
Maschine Klatsch ("Machine Clap" in German) is Jashugan's martial art. It is similar to the Panzer Kunst, but is considered weaker because its inherent machine-like movements and its heavy basis around rhythm make it extremely vulnerable to Einzug Rüstungen, although a Maschine Klatsch master can defeat a practitioner of Panzer Kunst with effort.
Style - Panzer Kunst (full borg only)
Learning Modifier (5)
Strike: +3
Punch: +3
Kick: +3
Disarm: +0
Sweep: +2
Block: +1
Dodge: +3
Grapple: +1
Throw: +1
Hold: +1
Choke: +0
Escape: +2
Ram: +1
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