[quote=@Zero Hex]
I'll believe in the combat applications of pressure points as they are (not disputing the existence of vulnerable spots, just magical asian points) when they start being used effectively and consistently in the myriad of combat sports and contests across the world, where they're not actually banned at all. And like, rather than look for a point under the armpit, protected by a person's ability to retract their arm, it seems far simpler to aim for the sternum or liver or ribs which are consistently targeted to great effect.
[/quote]

Agreed here as well, for the most part. They [i]are[/i] used pretty consistently, though - strikes to the neck, groin, and solar plexus come to mind. The more esoteric stuff just doesn't happen because it's impractical for exactly the reason you mentioned.

Anything mystical-sounding, though, is pretty much out of the question. If someone dies from being touched in a certain spot, it's almost certainly because they had a medical problem that facilitated it, and it'd be nigh impossible to reproduce on someone healthy.