"Yue The Moon Spirit" MTG Card Reveal

[u/Earthmelon25253]

[u/nixahmose]

I'm curious to see what Waterbend means given that its separate from the waterbending X keyword. Maybe it'll be something like:

"Activate this ability only if you have triggered waterbending this turn"
or
"Activate this ability only if you have ________ this turn" where _____ is an effect that's part of waterbending X. So if waterbending 2 means "tap 2 creatures an opponent controls when this creature attacks," then Waterbend would mean "Activate this ability if you have tapped a creature an opponent controls this turn."

[u/stfatherabraham → u/nixahmose]

The fact that the cost is "Waterbend o5, T:" not "Waterbend, 05, T:" or "Waterbend 5, T:" makes me think that the waterbend part is directly related to 5 generic mana in some way. Maybe "tapping a creature with waterbending X can pay for X of a Waterbend cost?"

[u/LeekingMemory28 → u/stfatherabraham]

As a 25 year Magic player, without seeing the rules text for Waterbending, it reads like “Waterbend 5” is the cost, and 5 is generic mana in an activated ability, tapping is part of the cost for this specific ability.

I will also point out that you can reduce the Waterbend ability with cards like Training Grounds#9%C2%B7ScryfallMagicTheGatheringSearch).

I’m curious if all bending will be a mana cost ability, or just Waterbending, due to push and pull of water. All being mana related makes sense from an intuitive new player perspective, but may be wildly difficult to balance around.

[u/androkguz → u/LeekingMemory28]

You do seem to get it. "Waterbend [5]" is a single thing, and a cost nonetheless. When you pay it, you have waterbent, which would fullfill 1/4 of Aang's requirement

My guess is that far from being a drawback, it's an advantage. That "Waterbend [5]" is easier than just regular [5]
For example, it could be that you can reduce that cost by tapping creatures, like a sort of Convoke.