User blog comment:Deafro/Dust and Aura: What is to come?/@comment-10390252-20130901203324

To me, Dust and aura are seperate things. In both cases, one makes the other more efficient, flexible and effective. However, they can and are used seperately.

To me, the definition of 'aura user' and 'dust user' are probably somewhat misleading.

'Aura users' are those who do not use complex dust-augmented tools, rather use the Dust directly to modulate their aura into various effects. So far, Crimson (and possibly Ren) are the only examples we've seen of that although Glynda's relatively simple riding crop/wand means she's close to the same ideal. This possibly means that true aura-centric mages are unusual and may require very different training from most huntsmen/huntresses.

'Dust users' are more conventionally-trained warriors, who only use their aura as a raw power source, bio-enhancer and a crude shield. They are dependent mostly on the use of refined Dust-augmented tools such as weapons and armour.

I suspect that there is a third way, melding both 'schools', but we have yet to see it in action. The one possible exception is Adam's powerful energy-return attack (known as 'moonslice' to the fandom) is using Dust augmentation alongside his aura to store and redirect far more energy than either could do alone.