Well, this wouldn't be much of a forum if I didn't talk about the most basic form of combat within the Narutoverse first: Taijutsu!
Quite obviously Taijutsu are the Martial Arts, the simple act of using one's body to deal damage to the opponent. Fundamentally it is extremely important to success for shinobi of all types, as one's Taijutsu ability is often a representation of physical prowess and resilience. Even a powerful Ninjutsu user will have at least some Taijutsu ability, otherwise they would lack the sheer physical stamina required to survive the life of a shinobi.
In most cases a wealth of stamina also translates into a large chakra reserve... but not always. Although one's stamina and chakra will always be proportionate it's important to remember that chakra control plays a very important role in the conversion from stamina to chakra; therefore a monstrously large stamina pool is useless for Ninjutsu without proper training. Uzumaki Naruto is a perfect example during his Genin years, but Rock Lee is another obvious--and more extreme--example.
So what does this all mean? Taijutsu should have a significant impact on all aspects of your character, up to and including mental health! A strong body often creates a strong mind; neglecting learning Taijutsu, or at least of Taijutsu can have dangerous implications during situations where you simply cannot put distance between you and your opponent. Beginner Taijutsu techniques are by far the most efficient, covert, and simplest means to dispatch an opponent if used in the collective whole of your arsenal. These techniques require no hand seals, no(or very little)preparation, and can be augmented directly with Ninjutsu or Genjutsu techniques.
Advanced Taijutsu
There's quite a bit more to Taijutsu than simply kicking and punching. As described above it can easily be augmented with many other techniques, often seen in styles such as Juuken Ryuu performed by the Hyuuga clan. These techniques are often accompanied with a particular Kekkei Genkai in the case of the Hyuuga, but this is not always so. Many of the jutsu I will describe in the House Shokaku clan itself are examples, provided with full detail and with explanations for how other like-jutsu might be created.
It's very important to remember what sort of theme or element you've chosen for your character when thinking about the creation of jutsu. Taijutsu, much like Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, should reflect your character's overall style! Think about how you move, what sort of effect these abilities would have on your opponent outside of simply breaking skin and bone, and--even more importantly--what your jutsu do to you. Advancing beyond normal human limits isn't something someone just shrugs off with a grin. Some Taijutsu can and should have lasting--if not permanent--effects on your character's body and appearance.
Quite obviously Taijutsu are the Martial Arts, the simple act of using one's body to deal damage to the opponent. Fundamentally it is extremely important to success for shinobi of all types, as one's Taijutsu ability is often a representation of physical prowess and resilience. Even a powerful Ninjutsu user will have at least some Taijutsu ability, otherwise they would lack the sheer physical stamina required to survive the life of a shinobi.
In most cases a wealth of stamina also translates into a large chakra reserve... but not always. Although one's stamina and chakra will always be proportionate it's important to remember that chakra control plays a very important role in the conversion from stamina to chakra; therefore a monstrously large stamina pool is useless for Ninjutsu without proper training. Uzumaki Naruto is a perfect example during his Genin years, but Rock Lee is another obvious--and more extreme--example.
So what does this all mean? Taijutsu should have a significant impact on all aspects of your character, up to and including mental health! A strong body often creates a strong mind; neglecting learning Taijutsu, or at least of Taijutsu can have dangerous implications during situations where you simply cannot put distance between you and your opponent. Beginner Taijutsu techniques are by far the most efficient, covert, and simplest means to dispatch an opponent if used in the collective whole of your arsenal. These techniques require no hand seals, no(or very little)preparation, and can be augmented directly with Ninjutsu or Genjutsu techniques.
Advanced Taijutsu
There's quite a bit more to Taijutsu than simply kicking and punching. As described above it can easily be augmented with many other techniques, often seen in styles such as Juuken Ryuu performed by the Hyuuga clan. These techniques are often accompanied with a particular Kekkei Genkai in the case of the Hyuuga, but this is not always so. Many of the jutsu I will describe in the House Shokaku clan itself are examples, provided with full detail and with explanations for how other like-jutsu might be created.
It's very important to remember what sort of theme or element you've chosen for your character when thinking about the creation of jutsu. Taijutsu, much like Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, should reflect your character's overall style! Think about how you move, what sort of effect these abilities would have on your opponent outside of simply breaking skin and bone, and--even more importantly--what your jutsu do to you. Advancing beyond normal human limits isn't something someone just shrugs off with a grin. Some Taijutsu can and should have lasting--if not permanent--effects on your character's body and appearance.
