Blood Bending - Blog Posts

so when Zuko joins the Gaang and this happens:

he’s probably freaked out (rightfully so) but in the back of his mind he’s probably also thinking “worst comes to worst, I could probably fight her” until:

this happens and he’s like:

and immediately starts reevaluating every bender he’s ever met, thinking of every time Katara totally could’ve killed him, and is forever grateful that she has morals lol

bonus post war convo between Zuko and Azula:

Drama with Hama - or not

In the show and overall by viewers, Hama is not considered a good character. The show insinuates, that Hama is performing revenge on innocent people of the same civilation (the firenation) just as how the soldiers of the firenation kidnapped and enslaved the waterbenders of the southern water tribe. By fans she is mostly viewed as evil and crazy, since she „cursed“ Katara with the ability to bend blood.

But is Hama actually evil?

The more i rewatched the show, the more i understood, that Hamas hatred and actions are actually pretty understandable. Of course i do not defend the kidnapping of innocent civilians but in my opinion, to not relate to Hama, is actually what i would consider barbaric.

Hama had to watch her whole civilisation, her friends, her family and most importantly her culture being slowly but surely erased, by the fire nation until she was the last one remaining and had to surrender.

When hama was arrested, she was prevented free movement, as her limbs were chained so she, nor the others would be capable of bending the water. The cages were above the ground. They were occasionally fed, from afar with little dosages of water, as if they were wild inhumane creatures. She probably was forced to watch her friends die in those cages as well. God knows, how long she was arrested in that Jail, and what else she had to go through.. Only by training on rats, to control them, via bloodbending, she managed to escape.

Of course it was wrong to perform revenge on innocent people, especially if she just could've kidnapped the soldiers of the firenation, but overall - considering what she went through, i can only sympathize with her and eye people suspiciously who can't. Because no one, who experiences the same barbaric and horrific things that hama did, would remain sane. This kind of experience really takes a toll and changes everyone. And i 100% understand Hamas frustration and act of vigilantism.

And the Bloodbending technique - she gave on to Katara - is not a curse, but more a reminder of the torture that the firenation put the water benders through and also a symbol of how powerful water benders really are; because no matter what you truly think of hama as a character, you cannot deny that she is truly a real selftought master of waterbending!

How would a person actually find out they have the ability to bloodend and if it's possible to know without training to do it.

Of the four bending arts Waterbending is most versatile and adaptable. After all, it is the Element of Change.

Waterbending is also the only element where most people can learn ALL the subtypes. (Provided they spend the time to learn.)

So to answer your first question: Most waterbenders have the ability to bloodbend but also need three things:

A deep understanding of the body and its anatomy, which is usually gained after becoming an expect healer.

Immense bending strength. Bloodbending works by dominating the water and Chi in another person’s body. A bloodbender must be strong enough to overcome their victim's Chi.

The Full Moon. Most waterbenders do not have the strength to overcome another person's Chi, therefore they need the added strength coming from the full moon in order to bloodbend.

All in all, bloodbending is a master level ability which can only be learned by very strong or master waterbenders.

As to your second question: 'Can someone know bloodbend without training?"

Answer: No. Bloodbending requires too much skill to be done by accident. (Just like you can't accidently do Calculus.) It's a skill that has to be learned and developed.

Apologies for taking so long to reply.

This is the finalized version(s) of my bending chart. I overhauled the whole thing and updated some of the symbols.  I’m pretty satisfied with it, though I may change the symbol for “Ice” in the future.  

My old design:  

Which one is your favorite design?

This is my most current elemental chart for Avatar the last Airbender.  It’s gone through many different versions but I’m really happy with how this one turned out.  

I’ve included my old versions for reference.  

Central area:  The four classic with Energy bending in the center.  

Inner Circle:  Basic sub-skills most benders can use.  

Outer Circle:  Advanced sub-skills that are difficult to learn.  

Outer Edge:  True power of the Element.  Only achieved when you master the spiritual side of that Element.  

AIR

AGILITY:  Heightened sensitivity, speed, and reaction.  

LEVITATION:  Able to float in the air.  

VORTEX:  Able to send air compression blasts at your opponent, similar to a vortex cannon.   

CLOUD:  Able to create a cloud to ride on as seen in LOK and “Journey to the West”.

WATER

ICE:  Able to bend Ice and turn water into Ice.  

HEALING:  Able to energize water for healing purposes.  

PLANT:  Able to bend plants by bending the water in them.  

BLOOD:   Able to bend animals by bending the water in them.

EARTH

SAND:  Able to control earth as sand, dirt, or a granulated state.  

METAL:  Able to bend metal.  

MINERAL:  Able to bend large Crystals.  

LAVA:  Able to bend Lava or earth in a molten state.  

FIRE

FLAME:  Able to alter your flame in fire bending.  Make it hotter = blue fire.  Also includes sensing chi with fire.  

LIGHTNING:  Able to produce or redirect lightning.  

HEAT:  Able to manipulate heat.  

COMBUSTION:  Able to make explosions with firebending such as Combustion Man, or when Zuko failed to learn Lightning bending.