For a Shadowhunter, wielding a weapon is necessary as part of their sacred duty as protectors of the mundane world from demons. But unlike the seraph blades and steles of the Nephilim, the claws, fangs, and magic of the Downworlders are innate, part of their makeup, and sets them apart from the Shadowhunters in many ways. Here we’ll be taking a look at what these traits mean for our main Downworlder characters.
Luke Garroway: Blade, Tooth and Claw, and Gun
Our resident detective and werewolf pack leader has a long and complicated supernatural history. Born and trained as a Shadowhunter, then mauled by and transformed into a wolf, only to then follow his true love to New York and become a police detective; Luke’s seen and done a lot inside and outside of the Shadow World, giving him an edge in combat that can come only from experience.
Luke’s fighting style varies depending on the nature of his opponent, but his main goal when going head-to-head is efficiency. Preferring logic over emotional bias in any situation, Luke’s focus is more on the how of the fight in favor of the what, a mindset that makes him immediately lethal in any form of combat, violent or otherwise – his refusal to fight Russell to the death in 2×18 is a prime example of this. By perceiving his opponent from an objective stance, he is able to assess their weaknesses to better defeat them. However, while Luke may arguably be the most levelheaded Downworlder in the group, he is not without flaw; his origins as former Parabatai to Valentine Morgenstern pose a liability.
There’s something to be said about the fact that Luke’s skirmishes with Valentine are the only fights he hasn’t won. This isn’t to say that Luke is incapable of winning against Valentine, but rather that his own emotional involvement with his former Parabatai stunts his efficiency in combat. Luke’s past as a Shadowhunter is something we don’t hear about often, but when we do, those emotional scars begin to show.
Luke is a complex individual, his fighting style only another facet of that complexity. The parts of his identity – as man, werewolf, and pack leader – shape his combative decisions, but it’s his emotional connections to those identities that decide the success of the fight.
Simon Lewis: Fangs and the Mark of Cain
Okay, yeah, Simon may be new to the Downworlder community, so he doesn’t exactly have a fighting style yet, but he’s getting there.
Simon’s been a human much longer than he’s been a vampire, causing his mundane habits to bleed into his budding vampiric traits. Simon’s technique consists mainly of throwing his body weight around unevenly and making up for said inexperience with vampire strength and speed. Alternatively, Simon also uses his awkward composure to his advantage, which throws his opponents off guard, thus tipping the scales in his favor.
Simon’s confidence has grown as the show has progressed, transforming him into a much more formidable foe – the truth of this was most notable when he faced off with fellow vampire Quinn in 2×15, “A Problem of Memory.” A season’s worth of learning and adjusting to his vampiric form is what brought Simon to victory in this fight. Originally, Simon’s fear of his own abilities and lack of exposure to the Shadow World, in general, was what stunted his prowess, but the more he grows into himself, the stronger he gets.
Simon has many talents; becoming deadly is just another one of them. And with a little more practice – and a secret weapon in the Mark of Cain, something he currently is attempting to harness with the help of Jordan Kyle – Simon will become a vampire that’s easy to miss but difficult to avoid.
Maia Roberts: Tooth and Claw
For werewolf Maia Roberts, fury is the name of the game, contributing to the majority of her fighting style and combative tactics.
It’s no secret that Maia has a lot to be mad about, this being her key motivator and source of strength in…well, every fight she’s been in. While the anger may fuel her werewolf strength and speed, it isn’t always beneficial in combat – especially when the fight is personal. Maia often finds herself up against people she has a history with, and while she may have a body equipped for the fight, the same cannot necessarily be said about her mind.
Maia fights from the heart. Her emotions dictate her movements, and this is often a hindrance in that it leaves her shortsighted – a point of vulnerability for anyone in the Shadow World. Her tendency to use her heart over her head in combat likely comes from her newness as a werewolf and as someone who does not possess the same level of experience as, say, Luke.
Maia’s particular fire and drive is a strength, albeit flawed, and with a little more honing, she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
Magnus Bane: Magic (Formerly; Still Crying)
A centuries-old warlock, son of Asmodeus (a prince of Hell), and the former High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane easily has the most interesting weapons arsenal and fighting style of the series. What sets him apart from other Downworlders is his well-honed mastery over his own body. Whether it be an action as simple as twirling to face someone or as complex as fending off an attacker, the heart of Magnus’ technique is control.
Magnus’ fight with fellow warlock Iris Rouse in 2×08 “Love Is a Devil” proved that he pulls no punches when it comes to the safety of his home and those he cares for. Each spell and blast of magic sustained his usual flourish, but with considerably more focus – each move more conservative and cut close to the belt, sacrificing performance in favor of the swift and merciless defeat of his foe.
Magnus’ power releases from his hands, each signature flourish and flick of the wrist only further use of his body to achieve his magical goals. Far from just being showy in nature, each of his movements is calculated, infused with intent. Magnus’ awareness of his own body is further sustained by his own enjoyment of dance and showmanship, an immediate contrast to the orderly, concentrated style of Downworlders and Shadowhunters alike. Harry Shum Jr. has a deep understanding of this facet of Magnus’ character, altering his composure depending on the nature of the scene itself to demonstrate the warlock’s ability to shift and adapt.
Magnus’ powers and skills have been finely honed throughout centuries, adding an air of unpredictability about his movements and giving him a lethal edge in any situation – something he takes advantage of at every opportunity.
After the shocking loss of his magic in the midseason finale, we are excited to see how Magnus’ fighting style and overall control of his body changes in its absence.
That’s all for now, folks! Which Downworlder has your favorite fighting style? We want to hear from you! Follow us @BasicShadowStuf on Twitter!
Shadowhunters will return with Season 3B later this summer.
