Tonraq Is The Worst Waterbender In Avatar

#avatar #avatarthelastairbender #legendofkorra #waterbending #review

[saudiphilippines]

Tonraq is a very potent bender. He may not seem to be a natural waterbender who goes with the flow, but that doesn't imply he is incapable of doing it. He embodies Toph's advice to provide weak assaults initially and then deliver the finishing blow—like he's an Earthbender. Simply put, his rivals were more agile.

[riyazuo]

He's more of a brawler type of water bender, close combat action. It probably works for him most of the time against weaker benders, but against tougher opponents, he can't do much. Kinda like a one-trick bender.

[ventu]

While Katara also tried to punch Paku, a MASTER, she did it because it was a very personal fight for her and she was really pissed. So i could understand why Tonraq tried to haymaker his brother, but the rest of the fights lost that touch and yea, he defaulted to a fucking basic bender, throwing water without technique. And the results speak for themselves

[toxicperson]

I like that he has a very different style. We never learn what the differences between the waterbending of the northern tribe vs the southern tribe, but we do learn there are significant differences. I think the southern style was more offensive, similar to tonraqs.

(Yes, I know tonraq is from the north. I’m just using his offensive style of bending as an example.

[martinshanahan]

Tonraq definitely doesn't adhere to the usual waterbending tenants, but I think you're being a bit harsh on him. Consider his opponents. Unalaq is an extremely proficient waterbender, and also a person who would be intimately familiar with Tonraq's fighting style (And has perhaps been preparing to defeat his brother in combat). Against other waterbenders, Tonraq seems likely to lose, as he doesn't have even the basics tenants of push and pull, or using your opponent's momentum against them. Also consider Zaheer. I don't think ANY bender in ATLA or LoK was prepared to fight an airbender before harmonic convergence. Yes, Zaheer just got his bending, but he also has a deep understanding of airbending philosophy, and he casually stunts on White Lotus guards, Dai Li agents, and Zaofu guards (Who, while juvenile compared to our main cast, are considered ABOVE AVERAGE benders in universe). Benders with experience around airbenders (Kya, Korra, and Tenzin) all fare much better against Zaheer.

Tonraq goes for the killing blows. Against Unalaq, he goes for a punch that, if it connected, could have led to him winning the altercation. Against Zaheer he goes for a literal killing blow with an ice spike. He had a poor matchup against these two. Against less skilled opponents, I could definitely see Tonraq being victorious so long as he just lands a couple blows. He just so happened to fight a more skilled waterbender, and an elusive bender who wields an element he has no experience fighting.

Objectively speaking, you are right that Tonraq sucks AS a waterbender. But in certain situations against more aggressive foes, I think he could have fared better. I appreciate you tackling an actually hot take that sparks discussion. I am now subscribed 😁

[immagical]

Yeah unfortunately he was used as fodder :/

He has such potential too!!