LogFAQs > #979839377

Prismsblade posted...

Im not sure why it matters that her talent is unique. But Her earth bending right out the gate was likely second only to the earth bending king. And that was before she learned to bend metal.

This is somewhat addressed with her small backstory on learning earthbending from the badgermoled, but its re-emphasized during Aang and Zukos fieldtrip, albeit indirectly. Bending in all of its forms predated human benders, and Toph learning it directly from the species that developed it instinctually seems to have given her an edge over people who learned it based on techniques passed down over hundreds of years. Zuko and Aangs firebending techniques coming from the dragons also gave them an edge I think. Avatar as a series is very much a be in tune with spirits and nature philosophy, so the closer to the natural techniques a persons bending is, the stronger it will be.

And most times the team was in trouble she usually either wasnt around or preoccupied. Like for your aforementioned event. That and at least in the show I dont think she ever had a serious fight that pushed her to her limit.

Her limitations stem more from the direct contact her bending requires. Any fight or situation where she literally cant feel the earth puts her at an immense disadvantage, with the airship fights, and Combustion Man in particular where he was far enough away she couldnt sense him, completely neutering her ability to do anything. Toph is either insanely strong, or completely vulnerable, no real in-between.

Shes a blind person with absolutely none of the usual weaknesses they have. Shes immune to deceit, sneak atks, and due to how rare her ability is most opponents have no clue how to even counter it. Which gives her a significant and inherit advantage over most foes.

A technique she likely never would have learned without being blind in the first place. Even if she had been super sheltered and tried to run out without being blind, the disability gave her the need to learn earthbending the way she did. Id say its a well-earned advantage, especially because she also had to learn to use her seismic sense to make up for her shortcomings of not otherwise being able to see or adapt to her opponents. Aang in particular caused her problems in their first fight specifically because of how light on his feet he is, and having never fought an Airbender and not being able to know how to react to his movements. His blow that knocks her out of the ring was executed while he was in the air; she literally has no way to fight that kind of bending at that moment.

Shes still a great character but idk why they even bother making her blind.

It presents unique storytelling opportunities, was used to great effect, and allowed demonstrations of earthbending beyond what was standard at the time in the world. You might as well ask why Geordi was blind in Star Trek TNG when is VISOR made up for most of the shortcomings there and was only relevant a handful of times.