<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image credit: Viacom</em></p>
<p>If you've clicked on this article, chances are you want to know more about elemental bending, the abilities driving the plot of the <em>Avatar</em> television series. More specifically, you probably want to know about bending as it's depicted in <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>'s set, <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>.</p>
<p>Either way, in this article, I'll explain the four primary bending techniques and how they correspond with both real-world martial arts <em>and</em> the card game's portrayal of those techniques.</p>
<h2>Bending in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></h2>
<p>To begin, let's discuss the ideas behind bending as it's shown in the television series. I'll go over how each technique is <em>typically</em> used (as some outliers do exist). Then, I'll discuss the way the show applies any outlier bending techniques.</p>
<h3>Waterbending</h3>
<p>First, let's talk about waterbending. In <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>, water is a mutable, decidedly versatile element to utilize. We see many different forms of waterbending in the show. Katara, the main practitioner and one of the show's protagonists, is seen utilizing it most avidly. She can freeze water into ice to encage foes or force locks open, and she can melt ice to free captives.</p>
<p>Most commonly seen, Katara commands water to act as a whip or shield for offense or defense.</p>
<p>The technique of waterbending is a very passive one. Katara, for example, moves with the same fluidity as the element she manipulates. In this respect, Katara <em>is</em>, in essence, one with the water.</p>
<h3>Earthbending</h3>
<p>Next, earthbending is the manipulation of the very ground below one's feet. It's also the manipulation of rock, stone, sand, mud, and brick. To this end, I want to bring up Toph. Toph is a blind character (and, frankly, excellent disabled representation in the context of the show outside of the magical realism of it all!). However, she can use earthbending skills to sense a <em>lot</em> of things that the main characters cannot. This includes intent and even pulse.</p>
<p>However, the main usage of earthbending is, like waterbending, encasement, trapping, and also many forms of offense.</p>
<p>For Toph, all tremorsense aside, earthbending is a technique that demands its practitioner be as stubborn as the rocks they're moving. To embrace that is to embrace the technique.</p>
<h3>Firebending</h3>
<p>Firebending in <em>Avatar</em> is an aggressive, generally quick-footed style that places much emphasis on the outer extremities of the body. A firebender will make the most of fire as an extension of their arms and legs.</p>
<p>Shielding oneself is one way to make use of the technique, but the style is primarily used in offense in the context of the show.</p>
<p>Zuko, the show's longstanding antagonist for a majority of the series, is a remarkable study of a typical firebending style. He utilizes fire, again, as an extension of his body, able to reach his adversaries from afar, either with flame shots or with lengthened fire weapons.</p>
<h3>Airbending</h3>
<p>Finally, we come to airbending. We see this style the least within the show, because outside of flashbacks, Aang is the only surviving practitioner of the technique. Airbending sees its users in constant motion, able to manipulate the air they generate in order to force movement in obstacles or targets.</p>
<p>Airbenders are typically nonviolent combatants (if Aang, the sole example, is truly exemplary of the style). This form generally focuses on movement over offense.</p>
<h3>Bending Outliers</h3>
<p>Many outliers to the four elements of bending exist in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>. For example, Toph, an earthbender, can not only utilize tremorsense to aid her amid her disability, but she can also bend metal with her bending powers. This takes a different approach from the usual styles of earthbending, and therefore it is an outlier to that style.</p>
<p>Additionally, Azula, Zuko's sister and another major antagonist, can bend lightning. This style incorporates forms found outside of typical firebending practices.</p>
<p>Bloodbending is yet another outlying bending style. Waterbenders are at their strongest under the light of the full moon, as the moon dictates the pull of the tides. At this time, waterbenders can manipulate many kinds of liquid, the most notable being blood. Doing so, a bloodbender can manipulate the blood in a body, forcing people to do things they wouldn't otherwise wish to do. Truly, bloodbending is a horrifying act in this setting. People in the setting often look upon the practice with terror and/or scorn.</p>
<p>Beyond the four main bending techniques, Aang is also an energybender, meaning he can manipulate the full flow of energy to great effect. Aang is the first person in the canon to utilize energybending, and it is as large an outlier as one might expect.</p>
<h2>Application in Real-World Martial Arts</h2>
<p>The bending techniques of <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> draw inspiration from various kinds of real-world martial arts. For more information on how the animated combat choreography incorporates these techniques, you can read up on this <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a32689010/avatar-the-last-airbender-martial-arts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>I won't be discussing the many outliers in this section. However, in addition to the aforementioned article, I have laid out the basics of the primary bending analogues below:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Waterbending</strong> takes its forms and motions from tai chi, a passive martial art. The form values motion and control over aggression, which makes it a perfect analogue for the show's typical waterbending style.</li>
<li><strong>Earthbending</strong> derives its movements and forms from Hung Gar, a martial art that focuses heavily on planting one's body and rooting their stance in place.</li>
<li><strong>Firebending</strong> takes its inspiration from Northern Shaolin martial arts, which utilizes aggressive stances and emphasizes the use of one's limbs in combat. It is directly and diametrically opposed to the way Tai Chi operates, which helps dichotomize it with waterbending in the show.</li>
<li><strong>Airbending</strong> is based on Baguazhang, a Chinese martial art that focuses on encircling opponents and the act of coiling and uncoiling around opposition. Circular footwork is key for this style, and this can be seen extensively in Aang's movements in the show's combat scenes.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Bending in <em>Magic: The Gathering</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Aang"></div></div>
<p>The martial arts that the bending styles are derived from in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> are a far cry from the way bending is portrayed in the <em>Magic</em> set. The set shows bending more as a traditional magical source than a martial one. This is mostly because in <em>Avatar</em>, bending is inherently not magical, but needs to be shown as such in this card game's context.</p>
<p>We've gone over the flavor of bending in a very thorough way here; now, let's look at how these bending mechanics work in the upcoming set through explanations from a press release sent out recently by <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>:</p>
<h3>Waterbending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some spells and abilities have you waterbend as part of their costs. The activated ability of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> requires that you waterbend <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. You must pay <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and for each generic mana in that cost, you may tap an untapped artifact or creature you control rather than pay that mana.</span></p></blockquote>
<h3>Earthbending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toph, the First Metalbender"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earthbending is a keyword action. Much like how Earthbenders turn the terrain into weapons, you can do the same with the help of spells and abilities that instruct you to earthbend. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toph, the First Metalbender" href="#" target="_blank">Toph, the First Metalbender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you earthbend 2, which turns a target land you control into a 0/0 land creature with haste, then puts two +1/+1 counters on that land. And don't worry; when that land dies or is exiled, it returns as a tapped noncreature land.</span></p></blockquote>
<h3>Firebending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fire Lord Zuko"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Firebending is a keyword ability that turns your aggression into a source of power. That's very flavorful for Firebenders! When a creature with firebending N attacks, you add N <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> mana. That mana doesn't go away until the end of combat, letting you use it on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">any instant-speed activated abilities or spells</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p></blockquote>
<h3>Airbending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Appa, Steadfast Guardian"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Airbend is a keyword action that helps you control the board without getting violent. When you airbend a permanent, you exile it. As long as it remains exiled, its owner may cast it for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> rather than its mana cost. While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Appa, Steadfast Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Appa, Steadfast Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only airbends your permanents, you'll have to wait and see if there are any cards that airbend your </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">opponent's </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">permanents.</span></p></blockquote>
<h2>Are the Magic Mechanics 1-for-1 With <em>ATLA</em>?</h2>
<p>In a word, no. These mechanics, while perfectly fine for what they can represent, don't represent the entire gamut of what bending is capable of in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>. Put simply, the ability to bend an element has so much versatility in the broad context of martial application that distilling it down to a singular mechanic does not suffice to explain it all.</p>
<p>However, this doesn't mean the abilities as keywords are <em>bad</em>. They just cannot possibly translate 1:1 with the ideas behind the show's driving forces, nor the martial arts that inspired them. Nevertheless, these are interesting mechanics for a game, especially one without as much of a panoptic focus on martial warfare than its source material in this case.</p>
<p>And now, I'd like to hear from you, dear readers. How do <em>you</em> feel about <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>, elemental bending, or how it translated over to <em>Magic</em>? Are you excited for the set, even with <em>Marvel's Spider-Man</em> in front of it in the release queue? Sound off below!</p>
<h3>More <em>Avatar</em>:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Ucequ7LZXq"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-ally-deck-with-katara-the-fearless/">Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-ally-deck-with-katara-the-fearless/embed/#?secret=1pp3XJ36Z1#?secret=Ucequ7LZXq" data-secret="Ucequ7LZXq" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Avatar: The Last Airbender's Bending Mechanics, Explained

<p>Hey Everyone! Kya here once again!</p>
<p>I hope everyone is doing well and continuing to pour their heart and souls into their favorite hobbies. I know for me this month has been crazy. Between EDH, Warhammer, and Cosplay, there leaves little time to relax. However it's dawned on me that I've been slacking on probably the most important aspect of my nerd lifestyle, my health! As I'm sure many find out quickly, you really figure this out when trying to fit into new Cosplay costumes. How did this happen? Well I started slacking off. Getting into many different hobbies can take away your attention from the most important hobby one can dive into, themselves.</p>
<p>It's strange that nerds are often considered to be out of shape and live unhealthy life styles. The biggest insult is many call us lazy. I find this to be completely untrue, however. Why? Because nerdism is not that much different then having the same obsessive traits found in "jocks" when it comes to working out. I think the only real difference is sometimes hobbyist take these obsessive impulses "jocks" also have and pour them into other aspects of their lives. As I hinted before though, the most important hobby one can find is themselves. Why? Because it gives you more time on this blue ball we call Earth to obsess on our other hobbies! Getting into fitness can be daunting for some at first, but if you're like me you'll find quick enjoyment on leveling yourself up the same way you level up a video game character or expand on your EDH collection.</p>
<p>I know what you're thinking. "I'm too busy! I don't have time to work out and devote myself to my other hobbies". I'm the first to fall into this trap. Realistically though, myself and others like me are lying to ourselves. There are always opportunities to level yourself up. This is especially true in your actual hobbies themselves. Is there a loading time between levels of your favorite game? Are you waiting for a raiding party? Did you get knocked out first in an EDH game? These are all brief windows for some quick weights, push-ups, squats or a brief run. Of course no one is expecting anyone to get Goku status from quick sit-ups between loading screens, but every bit adds up!</p>
<p>Heck, you know what I see when I see chairs? A perfect excuse for a horse stance! Which brings up today's article. There are a lot of different ways to level up your most important character. However one of my personal favorites was martial arts. Nothing was more demanding then my brief participation in Kung Fu. Specifically Fu Jow Pai. Also known as Tiger Claw! My Sifu, Master Duran, has also recently put up a Fu-Jow Pai channel for those who are interested but don't live in the area. You can find his channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHmW6lgo3mtI50CqCZ-2QAg">Here</a></p>
<hr />
<h2>He Who Master's Himself, Masters His Commander Deck</h2>
<p>Now what does Kung Fu have to do with EDH you may be asking? Well, I've thought of a fun way to get myself back to shape. I have planned out a martial arts deck, which cards I will only obtain as I level myself up. After hitting various mildstones, I will reward myself with cards of the below deck. This will be completed by how many push-ups I can do at one setting, how long I can do a horse stance, etc. As the goals get higher, the more expensive cards I will reward myself with. Especially another beautiful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Crypt" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Crypt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as my ultimate prize! But I'll only get this once I can catch a bullet! So soon right?</p>
<p>So who will be my EDH spiritual teacher in all this?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19309" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0-Copy.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></p>
<p>The wise and deadly <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest" href="#" target="_blank">Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! He also appreciates being strengthened by focusing on the unconventional. Instead of focusing on weapons or creatures, he will use his knowledge to gain strength. Similarly I will gain strength in my EDH deck by toughening my physically prowess. I love how deceptive this card can be by many. At first glance many new players assume he's just a Blue commander. However, as those more experienced know, his text also contains Red and White! This allows us to make a 3-color deck! What's also unique about him is that he allows you to helm a Voltron deck while focusing on spells. To think with just a single spell, he'll end up swinging for 8 damage with double strike! They key to this commander though? Well as any martial artist instructor, I won't give away everything... but all the magic happens at <em>instant speed</em>, so don't blink.</p>
<p>What's more is our colors represent what a true martial artist represents:</p>
<p>Red: The Flames of Destruction<br />
Blue: The Flexibility of Water<br />
White: Mastering Order of Ourselves</p>
<hr />
<h2>Guidance Under the Master</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19307" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/000-Copy.jpg" alt="" width="214" height="298" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19308" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/00-Copy.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19306" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0000.jpg" alt="" width="214" height="298" /></p>
<p>Of course our Martial Artist must have Masters to guide us through the right path. Each Sifu represents a different aspect of martial arts. Attack, defense, and longevity through training. To quote Raiden, Mortal Kombat is not about death, but rather the preservation of life. However in this case it's our life... and we're going to be murdering a whole bunch of other players with Shu Yun!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Crouching Tiger, Hidden Instant</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19310" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/00000000.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19312" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/000000.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19320" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/00000000000-1.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></p>
<p>A true martial artist knows how to go from zero to a hundred in a matter of seconds. From being in a completely relaxed state to blasting their enemies with a surge of destructive power in a blink of an eye! Our dear Shu Yun will use these lessons in the form of instant spells to crush those who oppose him. As you've noticed, Red often provides us that destructive power, while blue allows us to bend through the circumstance to land these hits. It's about obtaining the perfect balance to devastate our adversaries, which our deck allows. You know what is really sad though? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tiger Claws" href="#" target="_blank">Tiger Claws</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is Green. Why???</p>
<hr />
<h2>Finding Your Chi</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19321" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/00000.jpg" alt="" width="214" height="298" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19322" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/00.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19323" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></p>
<p>A true martial artist also knows how to use the most of their resources from their surroundings. Being a master, one can quickly find that spear or in Jackie Chan's case, ladder, on the ground to slug an enemy with! What's great is our commander becomes stronger for such little mana to find even more ways to pump him up!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Deflecting Palm!</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19324" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/000000-1.jpg" alt="" width="214" height="298" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19325" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/00-1.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19326" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0-1.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></p>
<p>Now finally, we need to work on our blocking! Of course in Tiger Claw, every block is also a strike! Nothing is better then stopping someone kill your commander and then your commander becoming stronger as a result! Or removing some pesky obstacle in our way while our commander focuses his chi to a mighty blow! Yes a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Drain" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Drain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is costly, but I am working to reward myself here!</p>
<p>Now for the full deck of my Kung Fury:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kung Fury!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Narset, Enlightened Master
*1 Guttersnipe
*1 Monastery Mentor
*1 Taigam, Ojutai Master
*1 Soulfire Grand Master
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Titan&#039;s Strength
*1 Emerge Unscathed
*1 Shadow Rift
*1 Anticipate
*1 Ajani&#039;s Presence
*1 Deflecting Palm
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Blazing Shoal
*1 Hindering Light
*1 Aerial Formation
*1 Built to Smash
*1 Defiant Strike
*1 Borrowed Hostility
*1 Seething Song
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Shadow Rift
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Sheltering Light
*1 Reverberate
*1 Mana Drain
*1 Impulse
*1 Counterspell
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Invigorated Rampage
*1 Brute Force
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Slip Through Space
*1 Ponder
*1 Hands of Binding
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Compulsive Research
*1 Crash Through
*1 Gitaxian Probe
*1 Preordain
*1 Haze of Rage
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Hidden Strings
*1 Teleportal
*1 Serum Visions
*1 Mizzix&#039;s Mastery
*1 Artful Dodge
*1 Distortion Strike
*1 Seething Anger
*1 Reckless Charge
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Scroll of the Masters
*1 Runechanter&#039;s Pike
*1 Mind&#039;s Eye
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Isochron Scepter
*1 Mana Crypt
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Rhystic Study
*1 Jeskai Ascendancy
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Command Tower
*1 Inspiring Vantage
*1 Needle Spires
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Reflecting Pool
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Mystic Gate
*1 Mystic Monastery
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Exotic Orchard
*5 Island
*5 Mountain
*4 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<hr />
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p>I don't know about anyone else, but I'm excited for this deck. I'm even more excited though to earn this deck by bringing my body to the next level! Please cheer me on! What does everyone else do to level up their personal character in this great big (and cheaty face) game we call life? Does anyone else get their workout between or even during hobbies? If not, hopefully this article might motivate a crazy few to better their bodies so flipping tables wont throw out their back as much! Or mayble a little muscle might make people think twice before counting my commander for the 349,234,723th time. He's a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phelddagrif" href="#" target="_blank">Phelddagrif</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for god's sake, seriously?</p>
<p>Love,</p>
<p>Tiger Claw Kya</p>


martial arts

Avatar: The Last Airbender's Bending Mechanics, Explained

Combining Hobbies — Martial Prowess