- Defense: use 'styles', we use the styles as spell lists, rank based skills that 'unblock' options to combat, you only need to define your proportion ranks/style points (1 rank = 2 or 3 style points, for example). So, if I remember well, use shield trainning (10 points) for 1 weapon (5 points) are 15 style points (about 5-8 ranks in a style skill). For related-weapons (this is the most generally used, for example style for swords), you need 5 points more.
I see this 'style' option interesting, so your MA users don't beging directly with degree 3 or 4 attack, and they need to develop, so probably MA users can begin to use degree 3 with level 6-7 and degree 4 with more. This system is not based in all-from-beginning style option, if you see MAC, there are styles really useless (nobody will choose them) and others are too powerfull (level 1 character can do that?).
So, now ALL are 'custom styles' (you buy options with ranks), and styles presented in MAC are 'guides', so if you want to be included in 'karate school', you basically need to develop degrees for MA strikes and a crush weapon kata (as nunchaku).
Additionally, a GM can require a master to buy some options (for example MA degree 4).
For parring, if you have a shield you can use any melee DB for that, you really don't need a weapon in your hand to parry with a shield.
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- Attack: develop it as crush weapon and develop too 2 weapon combo, so you can use the shield for defense or attack as you want. I think it used the 'bash' table attack.