Nerd Lecture: Lava bending vs Metal bending
Earth is the best bending style, but what’s the best sub bending style?
So you all probably have heard of the show called ‘Avatar’ if you haven't, well… The Avatar universe is based around several cultures of the world, ranging from Chinese to Japanese to Buddha beliefs, and several more. It’s actually pretty interesting to think about, but that's not why we're here today. The people in this universe can bend one of the four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. The avatar, the most powerful of all benders, can use all four elements along with some spiritual powers as well. We could go into detail about each Avatar, but that's also why we were not here.
Earth bending is Superior!
I’m here to tell you that earth bending is the superior bending style. I said what I said you can go ahead and @ me I like attention. As long as an earth bender has earth; they're a pretty tough opponent to overcome. The question is, what's the best sub-bending style? Is it the destructive rare ability that is Lava bending, or the innovative metal bending style? We’re not going to talk about sand bending, not after what happened to Appa. Although If you want to see more sand bending, check out Legend of Genji.
Which element is more versatile?
First, we need to look at how both bending styles operate in the field. With Lava bending, there's nothing subtle about throwing a molten rock at your opponent. It's destructive, it's earth-shattering, and you could probably take out a group of people with the skill. Metal bending, on the other hand, could also match the destructive nature of lava bending. if given enough metal to work with, the user could tear something down, or build something up. Also, metal bending has a slight edge because of stealth. It's easier to move unseen with metal bending than with lava bending. No matter what you do, your bending style will always draw attention and be very noticeable. The first point goes to metal bending.
Every bending style has its strengths and weaknesses. For earth bending, their weakness is being out of their element and sometimes a lack of confidence. The mighty Kyoshi actually struggled to learn earth bending because of her lack of confidence, but once she found her inner fire and neutral jing she became one of the best avatars out there. One painfully obvious weakness of metal bending has been the inability to bend platinum. Metal Benders could be in a room surrounded by platinum and be completely helpless. Lava bending, on the other hand, does not seem to have any weakness. Sure they can be without Earth, but even the smallest pieces of rock can create a destructive weapon with it, and I suppose if a lava bender were in a room of platinum as well, they'd be helpless too. But given everything that we've seen lava bending do, from bringing down walls to move entire masses of land, I would say lava bending has greater strength than metal bending. Lava bending has this point hands down.
Every sub element affects society. We saw how blood bending became outlawed because it was so dangerous. So what impacts have these two sub bending styles placed on the Avatar world? Well, it's pretty obvious that metal bending has done more for the world: from creating entire cities, to creating a police force, and even creating a giant robot. It's more common to be a metal bender than it is a lava bender. In fact, as far as I know, there are only four lava Benders that have been shown in the series. (avatar Szeto, Avatar Kyoshi, Bolin, and Ghazan) Also, because of lava bending devastating nature, it is hard for the sub style to affect society other than generating chaos. The Beifong family has been supporting the Earth nation since Kyoshi’s time and with the help of Toph and her daughters, metal bending has sprang the world into an industrial revolution. This point will go to the metal bending.
Sounds like it's a great day to be a metal bender. Do you agree with the points I have made? Or do you think there are other elements that are more superior? Let me know in the comments. Also bookworms, in case you didn’t know, we’re getting a new avatar book about Avatar Yangchen! She’s the Avatar before Kyoshi and Kuruk, also an air nomad, but she carries a dark and violent past with her. She’s not the cinnamon roll that Avatar Aang was—or will be.
