What good are forms to a martial artist?
There are many uses even for those who have no desire to compete. Firstly, practice of forms builds the basics of martial arts. In any style learned. Beginning with one stance, then a technique later stringing them together into lines, and eventually full sets. No martial artist can progress properly without proper attention to basic techniques. Forms develop these skills to ready the practitioner for trials ahead. Beyond this form practice is an incredible cardiovascular workout, it pushes the athletic potential of the body. Mental focus is also developed. Learning sets of complex maneuvers is a great mental task, and increases mind body coordination and opens neuropathies. Coordination, balance, speed, strength, flexibility, timing are just a few of the qualities which set training reinforces.
As most experienced fighters will tell you, you can't practice a set or form
that will show you how to deal with every combat situation. This has to do
mostly with athletic condition, reflexes, strength, some luck, and much
experience. Forms give you a physical and mental foundation, and in most cases
if you want to learn how to fight, you have to actually fight. Experience is the
only real teacher of how to get off your techniques effectively. Training can
only prepare you so much, but form training, especially Wu shu, will give you
certain physical advantages, such as a broader range of movement, additional
strength, and fluidity of movement, all of which are never useless.