Chi Blocking as a Sub-Bending Technique of the Air Nomads (Argument)
Before I continue, herein listed are all (to the best of my knowledge) the sub-bending elements and techniques. I discriminate between Elemental and Technical because whereas there are direct lines of equation between Fire and Explosions, the same line cannot be clearly drawn for Water and Healing for example. This may not be the most sound argument to people but please bear with me. -Fire
Elemental:
- Lighting Generation; Redirection
- Explosion Generation
Techniques:
- Impurity Detection
- Chi manipulation to prolong life
- Body Heat Control
- Heat Displacement
-Earth
Elemetal:
- Metal
- Sand
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Lava
- Mud
Techniques:
- Tremorsense; Lie Detection
-Water
Elemental:
- Ice
- Snow
- Steam
- Blood
- Plant
- Cloud
Techniques:
- Healing
- Spirit Pacification
- Bending Removal
-Air
Elemental
- Cloud
Techniques
- Astral Projection
- Unaided Flight
- Wind Resistance Manipulation; Acceleration
- Body Temperature Control
- Wind Sense (Airbender Spidey Sense)
- Sound Amplification
- Vacuum Creation
- Scent Diffusion (With incense but possibly with others too)
- Deft Movement
- Spiritual Affinity
- (Addition) Chi Blocking
I argue that Chi Blocking should be included in the techniques of the Airbenders. Below are my 4 reasons.
- Movement
Observe how Chi blockers move throughout combat and one will see that they are very dexterous, doing what I like to call “Tactical Somersaults,” the capabilities of which are very reminiscent of how Aang moves when he uses Airbending. These Somersaults are different from Firebending’s “Tactical Flips” insofar that they are not used to generate power for the next attack but instead maintain a circular style of movement to confuse and create openings. Ba Gua Zhang the martial arts style that Air Bending is based off of likewise uses these very circular movements.
- Motivation
Inspecting the Chi Blockers, we can see that their main means of combat is evasion and incapacitation. Granted that Air Nomads are a (for the most part) peaceful people that endeavor to strictly adhere to their spiritual practice of Non-violence coupled with context of the Temple Genocides, we can see a link to a possibility that Air Nomad survivors would want a means of self defense that did not reveal their elemental capabilities nor harm their targets. We see from the series that whatever damage Chi Blockers do eventually remedies itself.
- Tattoos
We remember that these markings are no mere ornamentation, they serve a purpose: highlighting a person’s Chi paths. This is the reason why they glow when an Airbending Avatar enters the Avatar State. The Air Nomads mark each person in their temples with these tattoos when they complete their training, making the knowledge of Chi lines commonplace amongst their populace. Incidentally, observe where Chi-Blocking strikes land when performing the art, the very places these markings would be.
- Ty Lee
We as a community have seen the allegation that Ty Lee, our first Chi-Blocker in the series, has Air Bending Heritage. As we see from our own existing historical records in the real world: Genocides are hard to do. There will be survivors, no matter how small, of a group that has been targeted for extermination. It is highly unlikely that the writers would ignore this given the amount of love they have placed in the world building. For the sake of argumentation, and due to an astonishing amount of evidence, I shall consider this Allegation true only so that further mentions of it may be simplified. Given this: I wish to convince you that it is no coincidence that our first Air Bending diaspora/survivor turned out to be a Chi Blocker.
Argument Closing Statements: I have presented 4 reasonings to support this, I would love to hear everyone’s opinions and if there are any objections to this or any other interpretations. If I am ignorant to any updates or official material that state contradictory to this post, I would appreciate a kind introduction. If you like this post, I can also make a future argument post as to why I think Weather Bending should also be a part of the Air Bending arsenal. I also do not claim to be the creator of this idea if this has already been said before, I apologize if that is the case.
Tldr: Chi Blocking is Airbending Sub-Technique.
Edit: To clarify: I do not mean that Chi-Blocking requires Air Bending (Though that would be an Amazing OC idea) rather that it was made by air benders. I did not clarify, I apologise.
Edit 2: This Argument has concluded and has been [REFUTED]. Special thank you to FoxBun_17 for Debating. 🎉🥳