TEST YOUR MIGHT

[Shikaku Kyouryuu]

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how one would make a Mortal Kombat themed campaign setting. What variant rules would be best? Is there a custom system already present for this? What classes would you allow? Personally, I think that a two class Gestalt would be an easy way to match the power level and variety of many of the characters, possibly giving every character a monk unarmed strike progression regardless of class?

[Torbyne]

What are you looking to emulate from Mortal Kombat? There are already Brawlers, Monks, Unchained Monks, Fighter and Barbarian archetypes that focus on unarmed, natural or close weapons... and the HP system works great to represent having a sword to the chest being a minor annoyance to your otherwise perfect 9 hit combo.

MK doesnt really do anything special that cant already be done with the base system that i can think of at least, so what do you think is lacking?

ie.

Character A is a level 8 unchained monk, they have unarmed strikes, a style strike "special move" and can use monk weapons interchangeably with their unarmed strikes.

vs

Character B is a level 8 Kasatha Brawler named Goro who specializes in grapples and trips to slam their opponent around.

And then Character C is Stryker who is a Gunslinger but also took Improved Unarmed Strike, Martial Focus and Advanced Weapon Training-Focused Weapon-Unarmed Strike. He punches people and then shoots them with a gun.

[Shikaku Kyouryuu]

I don't really think anything is missing, per se, just wondering how people would do things with it. I was also thinking of using the class defense alternate rules and armor as DR rules.

[My Self]

Perhaps you reflavor many (not all) of the weapons into unarmed combat styles - you need to purchase style training (basically buying the weapon), and it takes a move action to switch (or free if you have Quick Draw). That way, you have more incentives to be "unarmed". Regular unarmed strike would still be the only way to qualify for and use feats such as Pummeling Style.

[Torbyne]

I stopped playing mortal kombat something like a decade ago but from what i saw of its later versions, they freely mix regular melee weapon use with unarmed fighting styles and there are characters with "tech" weapons like grenades and guns... so basically build any character you want in PF and then play them in a campaign geared around a competition to find the strongest warrior to fight a one on one duel to prevent a demonic invasion. Add in a hidden faction that wants to win the competition only to switch sides and become the heralds of the invasion and the PCs secretly work together to find out the traitors and otherwise figure out among themselves who would best be the champion at the end.

So just as you said in your opening comment, i would use PF as is and base the story around the reason there was Mortal Kombat to begin with.

I think having the contest be set up by a LN outsider backed force who originally brokered something like a 100 generation armistice that is now running out would work fine. They dont care about back stabbing, politicking or infighting, they just care about fullfilling the letter of the agreement and providing the "strongest warrior" to pit against the Devil Champion at the agreed upon point in time.

There is already balance enough between fighting styles that you dont need to do much for changing how unarmed damage works, a greatsword barbarian is good at damage but a spec'd out Jabbing Master Unmonk isnt shabby either.

[Shikaku Kyouryuu]

Thanks for the advice.

[Zonugal]

I'd recommend reading up on all the different realms.

The Mortal Kombat series actually has a pretty fleshed out campaign setting of its own. It's be EASY to lift it into Pathfinder. You just have to put in the time to research it all.

[Shikaku Kyouryuu]

I've done quite a bit of research already (been playing for almost 15 years), and I love the lore of the franchise.