Water Tribe Military

The Water Tribe might not have as big of a military as the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom, its standards may have been less uniform, and the supplies of the soldiers might have been inferior but, the Water Tribe had the best training on average. Soldiers spent the most time working on endurance, natural strength (but not mass), and stamina. Water Tribe warriors were known for training in the morning, at night, in the cold, and in the rain. These warriors learned to have excellent footwork when fighting in good conditions and how to maintain that skill when fighting on wet surfaces.

Even the shoes Water Tribe warriors wore were better outfitted for fighting, running, walking, and climbing on slippery surfaces. The Water Tribe archers were known for being able to focus in cold weather conditions, for being very accuracy, and for being able to hit targets during low visibility times (night and in foggy weather). Water Tribe soldiers weren't flashy, but they often got the job done.

## Guerrilla Experts

Water Tribe warriors were known for using their environment to their advantage. This was especially true in the cold boreal forests and mountains of the Western Water Tribe. Eastern Water Tribe troopers often used the hills to their advantage when firing catapults, arrows, and throwing spears down at opponents of lower elevation. When being at unfavorable positioning, Water Tribe forces often fell back or tactically retreated until they could reposition and attack their opponents again.

Several Water Tribe warriors set traps that could dispatch unaware soldiers. Many of these traps involved ropes, ditches, and some even included predatory creatures. Archers would often shoot at enemies from several directions. Beyond this, Water Tribe warriors were the most known for hijacking Fire Nation vehicles and using them against them. However, a limitation to this was the Fire Nation making it where many of their more advance vehicles could not be fully or easily utilized without the presence of firebenders.

## Army Design

As previously stated, the Water Tribes were less uniform than the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. Each Water Tribe island (North, South, East, and West) had their own military trends, tactics, and traditions. In addition to that, within each island there was variation in how the clans (ethnic groups located within each village) functioned.

Pack/Squad: A team of 4-12 warriors, led by a pack leader.

Garrison: A force of 20-40 warriors. Often used for guard duty and other specific purposes. Garrisons were usually led by captains or senior pack leaders (pack leaders with over 5 years of experience).

Platoon: A unit of 60-70 warriors, under command of a captain.

Battle Group: A group of 240-420 warriors, commanded by a grand captain.

War party: A team of 880-1,680 warriors, led by a warlord.

Army: A force of 3,520-6,720 combatants, led by a Chieftain. One is said to carry as many as 8,000 men and another has about 12,000 warriors in total.

## Military Classes

Swordbender: A sword bender is just a phrase for a duelist.

Spear Warriors: Warriors who fought with spears. They often have daggers as secondary weapons.

Archer: Water Tribe soldiers who primarily used bows and arrows in combat. Most Water Tribe archers exclusively used these due to limited resources and supplies. If they had a secondary weapon, it would most likely be a small combat knife. Because of this, archers tended to shoot at enemies from the distance and ambush. When opponents got too close they usually fell back or tactically retreated.

Waterbender: These warriors commanded their control of water, ice, and snow in combat. Some were capable of healing allies.