The Avatar typically begins their training with the element of their birth nation. For instance, an Avatar born into the Water Tribe would first master waterbending. They would then proceed to learn the remaining elements in the order of the cycle: earthbending, firebending, and finally airbending. However, there have been instances of Avatars learning the elements out of order. Avatars have been know to struggle mastering the element of which the characteristics are opposed to their own mentality.