Bending 101

Avatar:  What order should you learn the Elements?

Each Avatar must learn to master the four elements.  It’s traditional to learn the elements in the same order as the avatar cycle, but this isn’t mandatory.  There are several examples where an Avatar learned the elements “out of order”.   One idea I’d love to see is an Avatar learning in reverse order.   (Such as Korra learning:  Water, then Air, then Fire, and finally Earth) I like this idea because it might help the Avatar connect better to their past lives.  By learning in reverse order, the Avatar could learn about their predecessors along with learning the elements.   e.g.

Korra would learn about Aang while learning Airbending.

Roku as she learned Firebending.

And Kyoshi as she learned Earthbending.

(She would still learn waterbending first since it’s her native element, and I see no reason for her to learn about “Kuruk the idiot”.) The past Avatars might even be able to help the current Avatar learn the bending.  

Water Bending Pamphlet

We know that water bending gets stronger at night; Katara says as much at the end of ALTA Book 1.  However, the Moon is only in the night sky 50% of the time with the other 50% in the daytime.  Since Katara probably has better sleeping habits than me, I’d assume she goes to bed before midnight.  Therefore, she would only see the Moon at night about 25% of the time.  

It’s a common misconception to think that the Moon only appears at night.  In fact, it is more likely for people to see the Moon during the day because people are awake more in the day.  

Then why is water bending stronger at night, if the Moon is only there 25% of the time? 

The answer is interference from the Sun.  We know that water bending and fire bending can interfere with each other in the case of a solar eclipse.  The Moon moves in front of the Sun and blocks the “Fire Bending WIFI Signal”.  water bending is interfering with fire bending, so it would make sense if it works both ways.  Fire and Water are usually considered opposites, so it makes sense that water bending would be weaker during the day and at full strength during the night.  

If you have any about Bending, Avatar, or Science feet free to ask on my page.  

- SlightlyEmbittered

Avatar:  Only there for the group photo

One question I often see is:  

“Why are Katara and Zuko so underused/ weak in the “Legend of Korra’?”

The answer is quite simple:  Fan service.  

Bryke wanted the Aang Gang to be in LoK for fan service, but didn't want them to get in the way of other characters.   Therefore Toph, Zuko, and Katara are present but are almost useless.  

Which feels out-of-character for them, and frustrating for the fans when pre-established characters do nothing to help.  

Combustion bending is one sub-set of bending I’d love to explore more.  I think it’s possible for other firebenders to do a smaller version of it.  

“You and me, brother. The showdown that was always meant to be: AGNI KAI!”

Also, probably the best animated fight I’ve ever seen, a heart-wrenching tragedy, and also callbacks to All The Things.

You remember Zuko’s Agni Kai with Zhao? Remember his previous fights with his sister? Remember his 540 degree turn?

Well.

Pro Bending: LoK

Probending was fun to watch and a major part of the first season of the Legend of Korra, but I often felt is was rushed.  One thing that felt was lacking was half time entertainment.  Where were the shows, adds, and entertainment that come with other sports.  I think halftimes might have helped the pacing and let the audience explore the world more.  

A bit of fanart for @ask-whitepearl-and-steven.  We know that White Diamond can shoot white lasers that control other gems, but I wonder how that will manifest in Steven.  Maybe Steven’s laser vision will give personality rather than bleach it away.  

EDIT:  Steven’s White light is being divided into Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta.  Plus it makes his face look like the diamond authority symbol.  ^w^

The Final evolution of my Avatar Sub-Elements/ Sub-Bending Chart. (hopefully)

Why does Sozin’s comet make firebending stronger?  

Updated:  Corrected some grammar mistakes from the original.