Anonymous
Aug 26, 2008 4:34:02 GMT -6
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2008 4:34:02 GMT -6
Maybe it didn't occur to anyone else, but I've been wondering about it for a while now. Have you noticed that most benders have taken a lot of hits in the Show and weren't much harmed, while all the non-benders could be more injured ? My question is: are benders' body tougher than non-benders' ?
I mean, in Zuko Alone, Zuko fought a fierce Earthbender and was struck by a pillar on the chest, but the same happened to Jet against Long Feng, and he died. It's true that Long Feng is powerful, but that Earthbender was using hammers, which was probably making him more powerful, and even though Zuko was knocked down, he rose up totally unharmed and then beat his opponent.
toru
Aug 26, 2008 8:18:27 GMT -6
Post by toru on Aug 26, 2008 8:18:27 GMT -6
Don't think so, I'm going to derive from one of my other beliefs in the Avatar world that "everyone's a potential bender." Also the pillar moving towards Jet was going really really fast.
[glow=brown,2,300]Joychi Edit: Please keep your post at the minimum of 300 characters.[/glow]
auka
Sept 20, 2008 19:29:53 GMT -6
Post by auka on Sept 20, 2008 19:29:53 GMT -6
No no, Joychi, you're missing the mark a bit. Zuko is protected by a Character Shield. Because he is a main character he CANNOT be killed except in season or series finales. Jet on the other hand is Recurring character, therefore even though he is slightly more powerful than a stock character he is vulnerable to especially powerful or evil enemies, such as long Feng. The Character Shield is present in all works of fiction and not unique to the Avatar universe.
[glow=white,2,300]Shio Edit: Hilarious, karma worthy.[/glow]
honoo
Oct 3, 2008 19:37:56 GMT -6
Post by honoo on Oct 3, 2008 19:37:56 GMT -6
Actually, the main character shield doesn't exist in some cases, such as my stories. But for the most part that is true.
It's kind of sad, really, if you think about it. The minor characters tend to be better because they don't have time to be filled with holes, impossibilities, or stuness. Then again, being main characters in a children's show automatically means they have to have some elements of discontinuity. Like how the main characters all uber-bend while some others just don't.
Of course, having crippled main characters does tend to put a cap on the action, for the most part.
kyozuki
Oct 3, 2008 20:12:05 GMT -6
Post by kyozuki on Oct 3, 2008 20:12:05 GMT -6
Oh, I dunno, having Orochimaru incapacitated for several episodes sure made Naruto more interesting....
As to benders in general taking damage less than others... well, I'd go by the logic that benders generally have specific, rigorous combat training, whereas ordinary people usually don't. Thus, when hit by a heavy attack, they've already instinctively tried to block it - even if they don't manage to do so, the damage done is reduced significantly.
Also... *whips out avatar episodes and watches relevant bits* ...Zuko was actively blocking that fellow's attacks, he just didn't see the last one coming. Jet, on the other hand, had just flung one of his hook-things with a lot of force - leave himself wide open to attack, with no chance to block, or even react.
S'yeah, I'd say that benders are no more or less indestructible than any other person, it's just that they're usually better equipped to defend themselves.
