Tao

Tao as a class
The Tao in Anima: Beyond Fantasy are most often known for their tendency to acquire many martial arts, as it is their primary focus due to their class ability. Combined with this is their large amount of MK per level, 2nd only to the Technician, and their moderate ratios on Ki and Ki accumulation. These make the Tao a capable fighter and practitioner of the Ki abilities, allowing variety in build unlike many other Fighter classes.

Pros

 * Special class ability to Reduce the cost of any martial art learned, and an extreme cost reduction if a martial art is learned instead of primary weapon at character creation.
 * +30 MK per level, the 2nd highest amount per level of all classes.

Cons

 * No attack, block, or dodge per level, making martial arts their primary means of advancing the class bonus on those abilities. This can severely affect build choice.
 * Must still hold to the limitation rule of 1 martial art per 50 combined attack and defense (block or dodge) ability. This can force the Tao to choose a subset of optimal martial arts to learn at any time.
 * +5 initiative per level, the minimum amount given per level to any class.
 * A Life Point Multiple cost of 20, making the Tao inefficient in buying extra LP.
 * No reduced costs.
 * No secondary bonuses per level aside from style.

Supplement Notes
When using the modified rules for martial arts (and the new martial arts provided) in the supplement Dominus Exxet: The Dominion of Ki, use the rules stated in that book for reduction of cost of martial arts for the Tao, instead of what is listed on the class description.

Page Reference
This class is detailed with all statistics on page 36 of Anima: Beyond Fantasy