Chiblocking

Chiblocking is a martial art for nonbenders that dramatically increases their ability to output damage in their strikes. Chiblockers are also capable of paralyzing their enemies and to temporarily stun bending or spirit magic, known as "blocking their chi". They are highly mobile and therefore extremely dangerous in a close quarters combat situation, but they do not have the ability to manipulate their environment like benders, and are at a disadvantage when fighting an opponent at long range.

Chiblocking does not have any subelements, and is thus exempt from the 1 subelement rule.

Origin

Chiblocking's origins are unknown. In the Free Territory, the interpersonal use of bending was formerly banned due to its anti-egalitarian quality, with chiblocking widely promoted as the great equaliser. These restrictions were relaxed in the aftermath of the Freeport Spring.

In the Khanate, a warrior culture prevails which accompanies an intimate and precise science of the body. This is necessary for the proper maintenance of horse caravans in the cruel desert that the Khans inhabit, and has made chiblocking a highly intuitive form of combat for them.

Fighting style

Chiblockers have a unique style, compared to benders or spirits, insofar that their abilities are only useful at short range. Because of their disadvantage at short range, chiblockers must be highly agile and seek to close the distance wherever possible. This requires practise, but moves such as HighJump and speed passives make chiblockers very challenging opponents.

The combat abilities of chiblocking can be summarised as:

• Additional damage
• Paralysing
• Blocking chi

The use of stances can reinforce these selectively. Acrobat Stance greatly increases the odds of paralysing or blocking chi, while Warrior Stance makes attacks deal far more damage. Blending these two properly can make a chiblocker highly dynamic.

Abilities

Paralyze

The user punches another player, dealing some damage but also paralyzing them. Paralyzed players cannot bend or move.

QuickStrike

The user punches another player, dealing damage and possibly blocking their chi.

HighJump

The user clicks and will jump 3 blocks into the air. This can cause fall damage if used irresponsibly, but is excellent for dodging incoming attacks or for mobility.

SwiftKick

The user must jump and then punch a player while mid-air to use this move, dealing higher damage than normal. There is a chance it will block a bender's chi.

SmokeScreen

The user clicks to throw a snowball that releases a ring of smoke particles, giving strong blindness debuffs to anyone in the area. This can also blind the user responsible throwing, so this ought to be used at long range.

RapidPunch

When the user punches with this move, it deals significantly more damage than a regular punch.

WarriorStance

This move is toggled by the user clicking and changes some passive effects. The Warrior Stance makes the user deal far more damage than they would otherwise in their strikes, but also makes them take more damage from enemies. This is best used in finishing off a weaker target.

AcrobatStance

This move is toggled by the user clicking and changes some passive effects. The Acrobat Stance increases the probability of blocking a bender's chi and grants a speed and jump boost to the user, but also increases the rate by which hunger is consumed.

Jab

Left click or right click to deal damage to an enemy.

Backstab

Click an enemy in the back to deal a great deal of damage and temporarily block their chi.

DaggerThrow

Left click rapidly to fire arrows from your inventory.

NinjaStance

This move is toggled by clicking and will change some passive effects, making the user much faster and sneakier.

Passive

When running next to a wall, click rapidly and the user will run along the side of it without falling immediately.

See also

• Free Territory
• Khanate
• Albion