Inspired by a comment from Cannonshop up in General Discussion down in Off Topic, I present my take on Gun Kata. It's not just Small Arms anymore.
Gun Kata is a tiered skill, like Martial Arts. Like Small Arms, at levels 0-3, it's based on DEX, but at levels 4 and above, it's based on DEX + RFL. Gun Kata at the Basic Tier doesn't grant the ability to do anything "new", but does reduce penalties or increase bonuses for certain actions that may make it appear a character is rather more skilled than their level in Small Arms alone would indicate. At level 4 and above, certain actions can benefit from a second Linked Attribute modifier, and characters with Prestidigitation/Quickdraw gain an additional benefit. John Wick has 10 levels of course, along with 7s in DEX and RFL.
Gun Kata grants the following with regard to certain actions or conditions in Ranged Combat:
Careful Aim: +1 per three levels of Gun Kata, limited to the normal maximum of +3 at the Basic Tier. At the Advanced Tier, the maximum increases by +1 for every three levels above 4 (i.e., +4 at level 7, +5 at level 10). This bonus applies from the first round of Careful Aim, i.e., at level 3, the bonus after one round is +2, and +3 after two rounds (the maximum). At level 6, the bonus would be +3 after one round, while at level 7, the bonus could reach +4 after two rounds. Level 9 would grant +4 after one round, while level 10 would grant the full +5 after one round of Careful Aim.
Penalty Reduction for Attacker Movement: +1 per every three full levels of Gun Kata, i.e., at level 3 (equivalent), no penalty for walking. For this calculation, modify the levels of Gun Kata by the applicable Linked Attribute modifiers.
Penalty Reduction for Attacker Encumbrance: +1 per every four full levels of Gun Kata, i.e., at level 4 (equivalent), no penalty for light encumbrance. For this calculation, modify the levels of Gun Kata by the applicable Linked Attribute modifiers.
Penalty Reduction for Off-Hand use: +1 at level 0, i.e., level 0 Gun Kata grants the ability to use the other hand without penalty.
Penalty Reduction for Aimed Shots: +1 per every five full levels of Gun Kata, i.e., at level 5 (equivalent), only -1 for a called shot to the chest. For this calculation, modify the levels of Gun Kata by the applicable Linked Attribute modifiers.
Penalty Reduction for Friendly in Melee with Target: +1 per every six full levels of Gun Kata, i.e., at level 6 (equivalent), only -1. For this calculation, modify the levels of Gun Kata by the applicable Linked Attribute modifiers.
Penalty Reduction for Burst Fire: +1 per every two full levels of Gun Kata.
Penalty Reduction for Suppression Fire: +1 at level 1 of Gun Kata, i.e., no penalty with one or more levels of skill.
Penalty Reduction for Indirect Fire (with or without spotter): +1 per every five full levels of Gun Kata. For this calculation, modify the levels of Gun Kata by the applicable Linked Attribute modifiers.
Penalty Reduction for Snap Shooting (from the Companion): +1 per every three full levels of Gun Kata.
Further, at level 4 Gun Kata, a character with Prestidigitation/Quickdraw also at level 4 reduces the "Load Weapon" Simple Action to a Free Action.
