I was watching Harm's Way the other night and it dawned on me how is it that someone who never knew how to fight once vamped come out of the grave a kung fu master? I mean I know its all mystical like a slayer, but at least she has her skill crafted and refined. It's like with vamps they all are some huge martial arts expert ready to spar to the death. Or is it just me?

Not just you.  Apparently a black belt is part of the whole vamp package. LOL At least in the Buffyverse, it is. :)

It's not just you, lol. They actually comment on it on the show:

Dawn ("Lessons"): He's new. He doesn't know his strength. He might not know all those fancy martial arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up.

Actually, Harmony started out as a bad fighter - There's a great scene where Harmony and Xander have a very bad fight where theyre slapping at each other and pulling hair.  They finally have to quit because they each have a handful of the other's hair.  It's filmed in slo mo for maximum silly effect. 

Yeah, I think Harmony was the only one who didn't come pre-set with the moves.....or at least, she wouldn't use them. Probably too worried about breaking a nail.

Hey, instant black belts are cool! Don't have to study and go through all that pain for years....

CM

The newly risen vamps that Buffy so often dispatches seem to have supernatural martial arts prowess, but what about members of the fanged four? I don't recall Drusilla ever whipping out any Kung Fu. And the most memorable Angel fight scenes for me were the sword fight with Buffy in BtVS:2 and the knock-down-drag-out free for all with Spike in AtS:5. I also wouldn't really call Spike much of a martial arts master either, though certainly an adept and skilled fighter. Why do the Aurelian's seem to deviate from the mold? 

I forgot about Xander's and Harm's fight. That almost made me pee with laughter. Strange how all other vamps can be kung fu master but Angel and co. Maybe Harm was sired by one of his left over menions?

Angel had the trademark necktwist for a while, though, which was great. That *crunch*! Even with super strength, you still have to place you hands just right on the head to twist the head off.

Thing is about most official martial arts? They're not practical in RL. So, seeing the guys use a combo of practical brawling plus smart martial moves really worked for me. (The things you learn from living with an expert...)

Know why we really don't see the Aurelians busting out the Kung Fu (or Buffy)? They're played by *actors*, LOL. Those extra vamps were frequently stunt people, so all that stuff is just like breathing for them, they've been doing it so long.

CM

I disagree, Spike is very much an expert martial artist.  One of the best if not the greatest warrior in the Buffyverse.  His best attributes are the way he can easily adapt to his opponent and dissect your movement,moves,ritme.

The other vamps ofcourse are all shown to get a pre-set of martial arts moves, but it's never quit enough to best a slayer or a mastervampire.  They are very much superior, if only in strength, for example Spike dusting that fledge in LA in less then 10 seconds, punching  a beserk Harm KO with one punch.  Angel easily defeating Lawson,ect... 

Spike is again unique as he was shown to even be able to defeat a vampire twice his age, Angel.

Yeah, able to identify one's fighting style sugests that the other person fighting has had some form of fourmal trainer, even if he eat them after words, lol.

Exactly!

CM