jcook119, you said this is a new game for your group.
Here are some things to think about when they get higher Rank.
Not telling you what to do, I just wish I'd have thought of this sooner.
The way I see it..
Without MA, this cat can use their normal +10SV/d8 damage on 3 separate opponents (Claw, claw, bite for example). Or they can use one roll to attack one foe at +20 SV/3d8+2 damage (One opponent gets both claws and the bite). With this in mind, I assume they could attack 2 opponents; one with +15 SV/2d8+2 damage and the second at +10SV/d8 damage.
Now they're trained as a Martial Artist..
Normally, a punch/kick/headbutt gets whatever ACC Trait SV bonus and does 1d6 damage, + STR bonus.
Like I've already mentioned, this PC uses their natural attack instead of the average human attack; easy to substitute the numbers.
But now you add MA. A claw (hands or feet) gets +10SV/d8 +5SV/+1 damage. +11SV/d8+1 is great but not too powerful.
Are you going to allow the same with a bite? Can a "flurry of attacks" vs one opponent receive +20SV/3d8+3.
Maybe just add another claw attack?
Does the bite count as MA and therefore get all MA bonuses? (I'd say no but I might allow WE: Bite.) Again, this isn't too powerful. Doesn't break the game or anything. Just makes them an excellent fighter.
Let's assume they survive a few sessions; characters Rank fast in this game!
Just an example, the cat man now has 3 points in MA. +9SV/+d6+1 damage stacked on top of their normal +10SV/d8 is +19SV/+d8+1d6+1 and that's just one attack. If they attack one foe with all attacks, it'd be like catching a heavy ball of fish hooks. Or maybe a half-dozen honey badgers all tied by the tail.
After many more games, our heroic PC is Rank 7!
Each and every form of melee attack is x2 attacks. Now they get 2 claws, 2 claws, 2 bites and 2 MA attacks. Because they have MA and/or they are a Beastial Human Domestic Cat,(either way you see it is the same) they can focus these attacks on one person or one attack each on a different opponent.
Your game, your rules. Whatever you do, have fun!
I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on this issue. I've been through some of it with mutant PC's, multiple attacks/rnd then learning MA at a later Rank and finally hitting Rank 7 and above.
Players are crazy.
"No, you can't get 6 skill points of MA bonuses with a prehensile monkey tail! It can hold a dagger or a shield sized object. Use those skills that apply."
"No you don't get Brawling bonuses with your mandibles but you do get STR, ACC, WE:Mandibles, Berserker Rage AND your Rank7 x2 attacks with that attack."
