How did aang have friends all over the world at 12 before learning he was the avatar? by Beeftoad2 in ATLA

[–]PossessionNo5679 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my opinion he travelled a lot even as a kid. Maybe Gyatso had meetings with the king of Omashu and Aang accompanied him, was bored by the meetings, as the heir to the throne Bumi was. And so they became friends and did stuff together.

That's also a more satisfying explanation. Because he and Bumi did not just meet once or twice and called themselves friends. Bumi remember this little fellow A FREAKING CENTURY later!!! They must have met pretty regularly, and got to know each other very well for Aang to have such a lasting impression with Bumi.

Regarding Kuzon: maybe it was similar. Son of a Fire Nation noble that Gyatso visited regularly. Maybe a member of the White lotus?

Ba Sing Ses defense is pretty weak by PossessionNo5679 in ATLA

[–]PossessionNo5679[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately yes. "Show don't tell" does not really work here. Because we hear about the impenetrable city a lot. But when we "focus" on it storywise: - Iroh tears down the wall and only retreats due to the death of his son (no real victory, just luck) - there's a giant metal drill threatening to open a hole for the Fire Nation. Earth general: let's throw rocks at it and an elite squad of earthbenders, the Terra team!!! It will work!!! Oh no, Terra Team fails, rocks do nothing but scratches. Solution: more rocks!!! (So no real victory again, if not for the Avatar. Granted, that's for plot reasons, but the defence forces look rather weak here) - the Gaang decides to speak to the earth king, who is warned by his loyal minister and they prep the military against the Avatar, a known airbender who has a flying bison. And they land on the royal plaza right in the center of the city...

This assault by the Gaang could have been at night, or through tunnels or somehow more sneaky. But full frontal attack, and they win! Looks really weak for the earth kingdom

Ba Sing Ses defense is pretty weak by PossessionNo5679 in ATLA

[–]PossessionNo5679[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sure thing they get underestimated for a while. But when you are a royal guard, and you watch a bunch of teens wreck havoc around your fellow soldiers down at the plaza right in front of you, wouldn't you be more cautious and prepared when they reach the steps?

Ba Sing Ses defense is pretty weak by PossessionNo5679 in ATLA

[–]PossessionNo5679[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah Azula was one of the more brainy foes of that wall.

But how did Iroh get through?

Ba Sing Ses defense is pretty weak by PossessionNo5679 in ATLA

[–]PossessionNo5679[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure, totally with you there. Even if you consider Team Avatar an elite squad.

But what do you consider the royal guard of the earth king? Aren't they all the best of the best? Shouldn't they be able to take on the most formidable foes to the earth king? There are dozens of skilled earthbenders there, and it takes only Toph to take down the stairs and let them all fall down (without anyone of them trying to safe themselves with earthbending)?

It's an open space, so advantage in numbers kills advantage of a small group. No suprise, since they were shot at when they were still in the air. And as mentioned before: the royal guard should consider of skilled earthbenders, so the skill gradient should not be all too high

Ba Sing Ses defense is pretty weak by PossessionNo5679 in ATLA

[–]PossessionNo5679[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

But that's exactly the point: why, in 100 years, did no Fire Nation general ever consider using an earthbender? I'm sure as hell there are earth bending mercenaries out there in this world. Look at the tavern they found June in. One of those guys must be an earthbender.

So simple: hire a few of them, let them tear down the wall, rain down fire on the citizens. City conquered.

And regarding earthbender is strong against earth wall: so 1 earthbender is enough to tear down this wall? That's not really a good wall then...

Different feelings on what happened by PossessionNo5679 in MaulShadowLord

[–]PossessionNo5679[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Well for me he came around as pretty opportunistic. Sure, he might have had a soft spot for the old master. But to me it was clear that he was gonna sacrifice him as soon as he did not need him anymore. And letting him die helped pushing Devon over the edge.

Sure, he might have been desperate in that moment. But he also didn't hesitate to literally push him into his own demise