Only three archetypes offer the potential for development into Fu and Sorcery-using characters, without attunement (making Attribute boosting a possibility).

The Magic Cop already has a Fu of 2, and Martial Arts of 12 (apparently accidentally left out). So all he has to do is learn some Fu powers, which are cheap. But he'd need some serious XP to boost his Fu attribute for anything more than first level schticks.

The Scrappy kid has a Fu and Sorcery of 7, so depending on which juncture they're from, they could develop the other. Being a kid, the whole apprenticeship thing isn't such a big issue. Not least if there's a PC Sorceror to learn from. More of a power-house to be, rather than initial one. But the "Scrappy Kid all grown up" could be seriously powerful. Anyone ever run a campaign long enough for one to grow up? Or had some magical intervention do so?

The real potential Sorcery-monster is the Old Master. He already has a Magic of 10, so presuming he could stomach apprenticeship, he'd start out with a non too shabby Sorcery of 10. Along with his already kick-ass Martial Arts and Fu ability.

Anyone had any experience with these issues? Is it a big deal?

Kiero

To be honest, I think there ways of abusing the system in not fun ways with Fu. Some of the schticks are just too powerful. I think the GM should use his judgement when PCs get any sort of schtick to see if there's some dreadful abuse in the offing.

I mean, the XP spent to increase Magic or Fu scores, and/or to pick up Fu -and- Sorcery shticks in combination would otherwise just be spent to increase the individual stats for one of these abilities, or to increase the level of schticks in one of these categories. If a PC is spending XP in both areas of these skills, then the level of skill with *each* is going to be diluted, and therefore not as potent as some of the other characters who specialize in either Sorcery -or- Fu singularly.

In other words, having Fu and Sorcery together may sound powerful, but a PC having both will have lower scores/ fewer schticks for each area than a PC spending XP to increase just one skill will have for that area. I feel that one character with maxed-out Sorcery skills OR maxed-out Fu abilites would be more dangerous than a PC who has average (or below average) skills in BOTH areas.

Since I only have one Magic Cop, who just began playing, I haven't seen any examples of potent Fu/ Sorcery combos, but I'll keep ya updated.

I have seen Sorcerers start with a chi of 2. The 2 Luck points are always useful, and 3 xp (=1 adventure) will give you Willow step twice per sequence. This is hardly gamebreaking though since the sorcerer is better off developping his sorcery henceforth.

As for the magic cop, I like the archetype because I like versatile and well rounded characters, but as far as game balance, I have found them not to be a problem. Their highest AV is so low that they will have difficulty with any other archetype in straight combat. Moreover, their versatility often means that there are other more specialised players better at what he does whether sorcery, martial arts/fu or guns. This is especially true if there is a Sorcerer with Summoning and his other schtick in the group.

Finally, the combined schticks presented in golden comeback are rather innocuous (IMO) and expensive to develop. If your GM is cool with it though, invent your (better) own. I think that would be the way to go to take full advantage of the Magic cop versatility and uniqueness.

Looks like this is more a magic cop post then a Sorcery/Fu one...

Brian

In part, my rationale of this is that Innerwalkers realize that kids who are in the War tend to be unstoppable if underestimated for too long. Nonetheless, in our version of the Netherworld, there are two Scrappy Kids who have made it...one who has taken something of a prestige class (Monster Hunter/Slayer), and one who is simply The Young Master.

Now here's a question - did all FS characters start out for all intents and purposes as Scrappy Kids?

Annie Dao, L'il Ting Ting, Kar Fai's son Kar Fai...how cute must Desdemona Deathangel have been when she was just growing up?

Grifter

_Sense and Sensibility_? Add Kung Fu and you have _Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon_.

_Dark City_? Add Kung Fu and you have _The Matrix_.

_Dracula_? Add kung fu and you have _Blade_.

I mean, just imagine what kung fu can do for _Fargo_. Or _Bringing Up Baby_. Or _How To Marry a Millionaire_.

"If you look at diagram 13-A on the quarterly financial interim reports, genetlemen, you'll note that while short-margin merchandise profits are down, our kung fu is up twenty percent this fiscal period."

"Sugar Charms Cereal! 100% the recommended daily allowance of iron, vitamins, and kung fu!"

"For a limited time only, every McDaniel's Happy Meal comes with specially packaged kung fu!"

And don't get me started on Sorcery...