system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[ATLA] Since bending is based on martial arts, would a bender still be a good fighter even without their element?

If they don't have their elements available, would the techniques they've learned be useful in combat, or would they be too used to not actually be in physical contact with their opponent to fight?
gpt
They would know the movements, but they possibly wouldn’t have the strength behind them and knowledge of how to leverage that into actual attacks. Look at how Zuko trained himself not only in firebending but martial skills as well to ensure he could fight without bending.