Originally posted by KingD19
Zuko easily. He took on and held his own against several of the most elite Firebenders in the world over the course of TLA. Mako didn't. Also, the quality of Benders seems to have gone done due to the worl not being at war for a century.
Beating Zhao isn't that big a deal. Zuko beat him early on before he even began to truly show how skilled he was.
I don't see Mako lasting against Azula, or Ozai, or Aang or Katara going all out, etc...
Also, Zuko had the best firebending training possible as he was a royal child, and was also trained by his uncle, who was in the top 3 Firebenders in the series. Then he was trained by Dragons, the originators of Firebending.
There's far more evidence to Zuko winning than him losing.
I can see Mako lasting a relatively lengthy amount of time against Azula, or Katara. In Book 3 when Zuko was attacking Aang, right when Aang went all-out Aang blasted him out of the house. And, of course Mako can't last long against Ozai, it's not like Zuko can either. And I'm not saying Zuko would lose, I'm just saying he wouldn't beat him easily.
Admittedly only bringing season 2 now, but from season 1? What has Mako done to put him with Zuko?
Mako vs Book1 Zuko? Sure. At this stage they are both talented firebenders, Mako being more gifted, Zuko with more developed combat skills. Police vs Warrior.
This changes aafter Iroh's training. At this point he is a master of the arts and regularly faces other established masters, Aang included.
A wider gap when he learns from the Dragons. After this his skills, bending and non, improve. More refined and more powerful.
Book 1 Zuko could tie, Book 2 takes him out like he would any other skilled bender, and Book 3 curbs him.
Problem is I don't see much changing unless a plot demands it. Like Mako feeling emasculated being a sub to Korra so seeks the gaidance of, let's see.. old man Zuko.
LoK works on a get bending, use bending approach. In one and a half books no ones natural Bending skills have improved, only keeping things at a competitive level. The only change has been from Korra in the training montage pre-series to make her as good as or better than natural students, then acquiring Air (which she's at a base level with).
In LoA every Bender kept improving and training their skills to become masters of their art. Both shows differ on that style, so I don't see another book changing things.