Ice column: Similar to the earth column technique used by earthbenders, a waterbender can shoot a pillar of ice up from the ground to knock their opponent off their feet. The degree of skill in manipulating plant life depends on the experience of the bender and whether or not a full moon is present.
Capable of exerting a significant amount of pressure upon a solid surface, that allows the action of a drill. Simpler and smaller forms of plant life, such as grass, flowers and seaweed, can be bent with relative ease, with or without a full moon. Steam or mist can obscure a battlefield and mask movement. [37] Tarrlok also used it in his duel with Avatar Korra at the City Hall,[22] and Unalaq later against Korra, though she was able to block it. As an additional note, waterbending abilities are not enhanced during a solar eclipse. [74] When infused with spiritual knowledge, a variation of this technique can be used to calm angry spirits, as demonstrated by Unalaq and Korra. They are also able to to rapidly compress and replace the plant mass of the flora they bend, as the cell tissues are more versatile than those of an animal. Bending blood, for example, typically requires the presence of the full moon, when a waterbender's power is at its peak,[3] unless the bender is born from a bloodline of rare skill, as was the case for Yakone's family. They also share a specific focus: body alignment, breath, and visualization. However, it was proven that complete mastery of bloodbending would not require a full moon to practice the ability, when Yakone, and later his sons, Noatak and Tarrlok, had employed the technique without the aid of the full moon.
[12], Snowball: Waterbenders can create a snowball capable of fighting. Aang and Katara used water manipulation to subdue a giant sea serpent. It was used by Katara against Azula. The size and length are all determined by a waterbender's control, and more powerful benders can create larger floors. However, Hama passed on all her knowledge to Katara before they became enemies. [46] Ming-Hua used a variation of the form in her duel with Kya at the Northern Air Temple[14] and against Mako prior to her death. [1] Zuko was taught the technique and both of them have been shown using it effectively against powerful opponents. Katara used this against the swamp monster. Ice and steam/fog can also be molded in a diverse range of shapes.
When the Southern Water Tribe formed in the South Pole, they developed a slightly different style that nonetheless is similar to the Northern style. Katara used this technique to frighten Yon Rha. Water pressure manipulation: Waterbenders are also able to manipulate water pressure, allowing them to use water to grasp other objects or cut through without simply parting around them. Rather than supporting a separate set of offensive methods, waterbending employs defensive techniques that can be transformed into attacks and counters, defense into offense.
[17] Aang used it while in the Avatar State against the Fire Nation ships. Aang and the Ocean Spirit wiped out the Fire Nation Navy. The whip can be sharpened into a blade that can slice through metal with relative ease,[51] Aang,[39] Katara,[52] Malina, Noa, Kam,[21] Hasook, Korra,[41] Tonraq,[53] Unalaq,[44] Desna, Eska,[16] and Kya[54] have demonstrated the ability to create water whips. [14], Water rope: A waterbender can create a rope capable of grabbing objects or enemies, as well as whipping enemies. Additionally, this technique uses little water and thus can be performed quickly using the condensation technique. First demonstrated by Aang,[9] Pakku used this technique to ward off several firebenders during the Siege of the North,[11] and Katara performed a minor version of this to bring Aang up and out of the Crystal Catacombs[46] and to escape from Gilak and the Southern Water Tribe nationalists. Water wall/water shield: Water can be molded into a variety of shapes and can be used to deflect an attack, trap opponents in a viscous body, reshaped and propelled at attackers before they can recover, or solidified into a shield of ice. [11] Katara,[55] Unalaq,[16] Kya,[12] and Ming-Hua[14] also proved to be skilled practitioners of this technique. Initially, it was thought that bloodbending could only be done during the full moon, where waterbenders are at their most powerful. Master Pakku used this technique against several firebenders while Katara used this technique against the swamp monster. One noticeable change in the art is a more frequent use of the lower body in bending. This also includes bowling, surfing, and scuba diving. Bloodbending[3]Healing[4] Ming-Hua used this technique to threaten a delivery truck driver in order to smuggle her and her companions out of Republic City[13] and again during her battle with Kya at the Northern Air Temple in an attempt to skewer the other woman.
During the era of Raava, the power of water was first granted by the water lion turtle, who would temporarily provide it as protection to those venturing into the Spirit Wilds. [14] Tonraq also used this in his battle with Zaheer on Laghima's Peak.[15]. It is similar to a water jet, but it is more for a quick use since the jet takes more concentration. Waterbending's strength is its great versatility. Katara accidentally froze Sokka's feet to the ship and later three Fire Nation soldiers with this technique,[9] before getting better control and utilizing it on Zuko[2] and a Fire Nation engineer. This technique is similar to the water cloak. [73][74] Using water as a catalyst to redirect energy paths within the body, meanwhile, is more widespread,[17] Katara even managing to perform the ability instinctively after Aang accidentally burned her hands. Katara used this technique to trap a fish,[43] Korra also used this to trap a smoke grenade and then froze it,[42] and later by Unalaq to trap Raava. [3], Binding: Waterbending is almost entirely dependent on the movement of the bender's arms, quite the opposite of earthbending which mostly uses the lower body. Changing the phase of water allows for multiple techniques in the course of a battle, from encasing an opponent in ice to hiding behind a wall of mist. [16], Ice disc: A waterbender can create a cylindrical column of ice and proceed to slice razor-sharp sections of it off and send them at an opponent. 
The Moon and the Ocean Spirits circle each other in an eternal dance, balancing one another and their powers. [66] During their fight with Korra, Desna and Eska encased their feet with ice to allow them to slide across the water. However, the Moon and Ocean Spirits took the form of koi fish, thus making waterbending's original source somewhat similar to those of the other bending arts. [18], Ice ladder: This technique can be used for quick scaling of vertical surfaces when no other options are available. Stream the water[8]: Named by Katara, it is a move that draws water from a source that waterbenders move around their bodies. Instead of the fluid, graceful movements of the other two waterbending styles, they keep a rigid and straight stance, possibly reflecting the usually stagnant nature of water in their swamp homelands, and use stiff and circular arm movements to move water like a propeller. This technique freezes a trail of water beginning with the waterbender performing the move and ending with their targets freezing. Although waterbenders gain power from the moon, with waterbending at its zenith during full moons, the moon's absence during a lunar eclipse results in a complete loss of waterbending ability. This technique was first used during Team Avatar's crossing of the Serpent's Pass, when Katara formed an ice surfboard and increased her speed in order to effectively freeze the serpent's midsection without being hit. Water spout, water vortex, or water tower: This high-level technique involves controlling a whirlpool-like pillar of water, rotating it and directing its movements at the same time, making it easier for the user to dodge attacks.
Waterbending, one of the four elemental bending arts, is the hydrokinetic ability to control water in all of its various forms. [26] Unalaq also used this against Korra in the Southern Water Tribe prison, and Korra later did against members of the Northern Water Tribe while breaking her father out of ship. [65], Iroh used waterbending philosophy when developing lightning redirection, a technique used to prevent harm from lightning. [8], Ice blade: Waterbenders can create a sword-like blade of ice. This was illustrated when Tui's mortal form was killed by Admiral Zhao during the Fire Nation's siege of the Northern Water Tribe. In fact, these spirits exist in the physical forms of two koi fish eternally circling one another in a pond, in the highly spiritual oasis, in the capital city of the Northern Water Tribe. Tonraq used this technique to cover a dark spirit. This same process can be used to propel waterborne crafts. Hama formed ice claws in a demonstration to Katara. This diversity and ability to swiftly change to suit the situation is what makes the waterbender's defense so adaptable. The Northern Water Tribe employs these as a primary defense of their homeland when enemy ships are sighted, and Hama and the Southern Water Tribe waterbenders immobilized a Fire Nation vessel by creating a large iceberg spike beneath it. [35] Another lower body technique is outlined on the waterbending scroll stolen by Katara, from which both she and Aang learned a technique named the water whip.
[93], External water source: A waterbender gains a significant advantage or disadvantage over other benders depending on the amount of water in the vicinity. The pro-bending style is more reminiscent of mixed martial arts fighting, as seen with the wide variety of techniques used in the sport to waterbend. Since a full moon strengthens and amplifies a waterbender's waterbending abilities to numerous levels, a solar eclipse does not enhance a waterbender's abilities.
[50] Tonraq used this technique to trap two Northern soldiers, before he was incapacitated himself in a similar manner by Unalaq. The Northern Water Tribe developed the first style of waterbending for use in their home at the North Pole. Katara discovered her healing abilities after being burnt accidentally by Aang. The waterbender suspends the polluted water in the air while the earthbender removes the pollutants. The Northern Water Tribe Water Warriors used this to defend their tribe,[11] Katara while training with Aang, and Noa while attacking Gilak and the Southern Water Tribe nationalists. The Moon and Ocean Spirits [11], The "push and pull" relationship between the moon's gravity and the water's inertia is represented by Yin and Yang. Like taijiquan, a waterbender's main advantage is the ease with which they can control their opponent, not simply harming them. It was seen being performed by Aang against a pirate,[39] the Northern Water Tribe employs this as a defense of their homeland when enemy are on their land,[11] later by Katara against a firebender in the Southern Raiders frigate. [3] Water can also be obtained from a master's own body if need be, from sweat or saliva. [31], Quiet grip of ice: This technique allows a waterbender to use a bit of water on the ground nearby and to grab an opponent's foot in an icy hold.[32]. [75], Cloudbending or cloud manipulation: By working together, a waterbender and airbender can easily manipulate clouds, which are made of air and water, to create various shapes. [80] Misu also used plantbending to attack Team Avatar. The single water whip technique involves identical movements to a form in Tai Chi known as the single whip form. Firebenders use quick strong punches and kicks to shoot fire, while waterbenders use slow movements and elegant turns and spins to return the momentum of the opponents' attacks with blasts of water. This technique seems to be able to inflict a large amount of damage. Pakku used this technique in his duel with Katara. In the case of waterbending however, a waterbender's ability to perform all of the waterbending they are capable of is significantly dependent on the amount of water available. This technique was first shown by Katara while she dueled against Azula in the Crystal Catacombs[46] and again when she was on board the Southern Raiders frigate. During a solar eclipse, the moon is directly in front of the sun. [37], Ice fissure: Avatars are able to use waterbending to split frozen ground by bending the water mixed with the earth. 
A waterbender's power is also enhanced during the rain, for obvious reasons. One particular change was the development of pro-bending. [89] Although this has the potential to be quite dangerous in a waterbender with little to no training, it also serves as a boon to a bender with proper training and experience, as well as balance over their emotions. Like all the bending arts, waterbending is balanced out as to not be more or less powerful than the other arts. 
As only a small proportion of the planet's atmosphere contains gaseous water, these amounts would be limited even at the best of times. [20], Razor rings: An experienced waterbender can create multiple simultaneous water rings capable of cutting. [36] Tahno used a variation of this technique to only momentarily freeze the floor locally in order to cause Bolin to slip during a pro-bending match. Armless waterbending: Proficient waterbenders can control water without the use of limbs, relying only on the torso to generate enough movement to manipulate a medium. [18] Korra also employed this technique to slow down Kuvira's enormous mecha suit. [57], Ice drill: By turning the tip into ice, waterbenders control massive amounts of water into a spiraled frozen drill. The battle capabilities of this technique are far more diverse than that of the other techniques. While the moon blocks the sunlight, all of the light from the sun shines on the far side of the moon. Unalaq used this technique after merging with Vaatu to form a deep chasm and trap Korra within, intending to crush her as he brought both sides of the fissure back together. Although they are opposing bending arts, both waterbending and firebending can manipulate external thermal energy. [12], Water gliding: Waterbending masters can glide on water at high speeds, in addition to riding on foreign objects with the same purpose. Tsunami: Since they can control larger amounts of water, Avatars are capable of creating and controlling water bodies of far greater size and scale, including causing massive tsunamis, at will. [51] Pakku used this technique during his duel with Katara in the Northern Water Tribe. However, the amount of water can be sufficient to form a usable weapon, such as ice claws, which do not need a lot of water to form. [3] Although, due to the limited quantities of water present in the air, as a mere 1% at most of the earth's atmosphere is water vapor, the amount of water extracted from the air is quite minimal. [24] Hasook and Tahno have performed the technique during a pro-bending match,[37][41] and Katara,[2][17][39] Tarrlok,[42] Unalaq,[16] Tonraq,[18] and Ming-Hua have utilized it in combats. Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy; they let their defense become their offense, turning their opponents' own forces against them. [64], Partial ice whip: Waterbenders can take hold of the end of an opponent's water whip and locally freeze the opposite end in order to trap their opponent and pull them in closer. [3], The battle capabilities of this style seem to be accurate, since Tho, Due, and the other Swamp waterbenders used this unique style in battle, making noticeable foot movements in addition to moving their arms in the desired direction to shield themselves from harm before stepping and performing an elegant punching motion to attack.[30]. [59] Korra used this technique to craft a pathway to topple a snowmobile in order to save Unalaq[25] and later to transport herself during her fight with Hundun and his dark spirits. 
[27], Iceberg spike: Waterbenders can shoot small shards of ice at their opponent, or cause a giant spike to protrude from a body of water. Waterbending is the only bending art not to originate from animals, as waterbenders learned from observing the push and pull of the Moon and Ocean. [14], The mark of a master waterbender is the ability to swiftly change from one state of water to another and rapidly switch techniques during combat, keeping the opponent off guard while constantly adapting to the enemy as demonstrated by Master Pakku. Master Pakku used this move on several firebenders[11] and Katara incapacitated Azula during Sozin's Comet with this. The shape, size, and length are all determined by a waterbender's control, and more powerful benders can create larger whips, or ones of greater finesse. Aang and Katara used this technique to sabotage the giant Fire Nation drill assaulting Ba Sing Se.[10]. [21] Korra later made use of it to protect herself from a metalbending police officer who chased after her during her first time in Republic City,[24] as well as during her fight with the Dark Avatar. [11], Waterbending emphasizes symbiosis: acting in concert with one's environment and guiding it, rather than avoiding, controlling, or working against it. [41][40][56], Crushing grip of seas: This is a rare technique, where a waterbender can throw a tendril of water to wrap around a foe's limbs, holding them in place with a very strong grip. Healing: Waterbenders can sometimes use a unique sub-skill: the ability to heal injuries by redirecting energy paths, or chi, throughout the body, using water as a catalyst. [83] She used waterbending to stir and ladle stew into bowls, to spill ink out of a bowl, and to bend the water inside mud as well. [47] The amount of water able to be removed from the air will vary depending on weather conditions. This technique was first demonstrated by Taqukaq[65] and later by Kya during her fight with Zaheer. [46], Plantbending: A member of the Foggy Swamp Tribe, Huu, illustrated that talented waterbenders can manipulate plant life. Waterbenders can use their abilities to heal by surrounding a sick or injured person with water, which glows during the process. Avatar Kuruk used his waterbending to create a large wave. [67] Korra also used this technique to ride a wave and cross the water when she was trying to stop two thieves at a small fishing town.
[28], Phase change: Waterbenders also possess the ability to alter the physical state of the water they manipulate, between liquid, solid and gas, at will. After defeating Ozai, Aang raised the tides of the sea to put out the fire at Wulong Forest caused by Ozai and his airships.[50]. It is with this technique that the waterbenders built their large polar cities. Another new technique of waterbending is that it has also somewhat moved away from traditional grace and more into the quickness of the attack. [2], Without the equilibrium of these two spiritual aspects, waterbenders lose their powers. Avatar Roku, born a firebender, considered learning waterbending as "especially challenging" and called mastering the four elements "bitter work". By simply levitating a large mass of water, waterbenders can move water anywhere they wish, even parting it under the surface of a lake or sea, allowing them to walk along the bottom of a basin without the need to swim. [79] The use of healing was generally taught to female waterbenders of the Northern Water Tribe, who were not allowed to study combative forms of waterbending prior to the end of the Hundred Year War. Katara used this technique to freeze Jet to a tree,[6] to save Sokka from Huu,[5] and to stop a warship from sinking by temporarily freezing a hole in the ship's hull. This type of bending is used by the people of the Water Tribe, who are divided into the Southern, Northern, and lesser-known Foggy Swamp tribes, as well as those of the United Republic, each with their own unique bending style. [4] Other bodily fluids, such as sweat[47] or the water vapor in breath,[6][7] have also been bent with ease, appearing to be limited more so by a waterbender's resourcefulness than their raw power, as Hama noted when Katara revealed that she was able to create and bend her own sweat in order to escape from a Fire Fountain City prison cell. Ice spear: The ice spear is a waterbending move that involves freezing a stream of water into a spike and firing it at the intended target. Katara used the bubble technique to contain a supply of air for her and Appa while traveling underwater. Katara halted the flow of the slurry on the back of the drill to prevent Ty Lee from following her, and, with Toph's aid, they were able to push the slurry back into the drill.