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Martial Arts · Type classification

Martial Arts Classification

Type classification splits martial arts by 'what the technique uses.' Sect classification asks 'who built it'; type classification asks 'how does it actually work in the hand.' This is the dimension that comes closest to the real grain of a fight.

The four main types are fist & palm, weapon-based, qigong, and special operations. Each type has its own demands, growth curve, and ideal counter, so type matters as much as the artist's lineage.

On this page we walk the four types together — what each is good at, where they overlap, and what their natural counters are.

Core characteristics

The defining properties that set this category apart from others.

  • Operation-centric
    Classified by 'what the technique actually does.'
  • Sect-independent
    Different sects can share the same type.
  • Counter clarity
    Types make it easier to read which counters which.
  • Practitioner-centric
    Picks up which type fits a given martial artist's body and temperament.

How it differs from neighboring categories

Even within the same family, each category has a distinct character. Comparing side by side is the fastest way to grasp the differences.

Type Classification

Splits arts by how the technique operates.

Sect Classification

Splits arts by lineage.

Rank Classification

Splits arts by mastery level.

Martial Arts Overview

The big picture across all three axes.

When type classification helps

Best when you're reading the actual grain of the fight.

  • Single combat
    Reading a one-on-one fight at its true weight.
  • Building a character
    Helpful when a creator is fitting a type to a body and temperament.
  • Counter analysis
    Identifying which type beats which.
  • Cross-sect comparison
    Comparing arts from different sects under a common lens.

The four types

MoonWiki uses four type categories.

Fist & palm

Empty-hand striking. Closest range, lowest setup.

Weapon-based

Using sword, saber, spear, staff, etc.

Qigong

Inner energy operations beyond the body's reach.

Special

Stealth, illusion, deception — non-standard operations.

Limits of type classification

Type doesn't answer every question.

  • Lineage-blind
    Sect-specific character lives on the sect page.
  • Hybrids are hard
    Artists who use both fist and weapon equally are awkward to classify.
  • Varies by work
    What counts as 'qigong' is drawn very differently across works.

Subcategories

How type classification is used

Read each type alongside its neighbors.

First, identify the dominant type in the fight or the work.

Then put it next to neighboring types to see where the contrast lies.

Finally, place the type into a sect and rank to round out the picture.

Digging deeper into types

Open the type pages directly.

Start with fist & palm for the most basic shape.

Move to weapon-based arts to extend reach and weight.

Read qigong for inner-energy operations.

Finish with special arts for the non-standard cases.