The title protagonist of the Legend Of Korra series is a particularly compelling character since she has experienced great victories and defeats in equal measure. Not only does this render her a realistic individual (as no one triumphs in all of their battles), it makes what conflicts she engages in more interesting since the victor is undetermined.
Korra's battles also attest to her competence -- or lack thereof. Her greatest victories and most galling defeats are proof of how competent of an avatar she was on her many quests to keep the peace.
10 Victory: Besting The Buzzard Wasps
The Buzzard Wasps were matched against Korra's Fire Ferrets in the semi-finals of the pro-bending tournament. As skilled as their position suggests, they were able to defeat Bolin and Mako with marginal difficulty (especially since their teamwork had been compromised).
However, the Avatar succeeded where the Buzzard Wasps had failed. By making a series of calculated attacks, she ushered the enemy team closer together before blasting them off the edge of the platform in a single move. This demonstrated intelligence and competence in equal measure, especially since she won the match by herself.
9 Defeat: Lost The Challenge She Issued To Amon
After the attack the Equalists had launched on the pro-bending arena, Korra was livid. She publicly challenged Amon to a duel at a specified location, citing that his refusal would be cowardice that reflected poorly on his movement.
Though Amon made himself appear weak initially, he would catch the Avatar by surprise and soundly defeat her. It was a superb example of how Korra's recklessness had cost her, though she would make many more callous mistakes before her passions were tempered.
8 Victory: Exposed Amon & Gained Airbending
After Tenzin had been captured, Korra was obliged to rescue her mentor and confront the Equalist for a brutal reckoning. During their battle, he was able to deprive her of all bending she currently knew -- only for her to acquire airbending and use it against him.
Though she did not explicitly defeat Amon, she thrust him from a tall building and exposed his identity as a hypocrite for the entire world to see. This ensured that his downfall would not be one as a martyr, thereby putting a swift end to the movement he created.
7 Defeat: She Was Captured By Tarrlok
After Korra went to confront Tarrlok about his abhorrent behavior (and especially how he abused bending against the populace), they would soon engage in combat. Initially, the Avatar's versatility and experience granted her the upper hand, though the councilman would win the skirmish decisively when he finally used his bloodbending.
Powerless to resist him, Korra was captured in the middle of the night and secured in a metal prison. Tarrlok used her disappearance in order to amplify the importance of his anti-Equalist mission. Though his treachery would be discovered by Tenzin, Amon got to him before the airbender could.
6 Victory: Triumph Over The Marauding Bandits
Though the Earth Kingdom may have reclaimed its sovereignty from the Fire Nation, its queen could not keep it from desolation and ruin. Instead of attempting to mend the carnage, she overtaxed her people so the pain they felt would not be too palpable in the palace. Bandits were quick to capitalize on this phenomenon, especially on account of Hou-Ting's lackluster military.
Since Korra required assistance in finding airbenders for Tenzin, she agreed to set into the countryside and defeat the marauders. After encountering them alongside Asami, they scored a lopsided victory that attested to the Avatar's skill.
5 Defeat: Dominated By Zaheer In The Avatar State
When the Red Lotus captured Korra and poisoned her, they did so with the intention of coaxing out the Avatar state and slaying her while she used it. However, they could not account for how exponential her power was even in spite of her inhibition.
This resulted in a brutal fight between Korra and Zaheer, one which spanned mountains and canyons. However, the Avatar could not sustain her power indefinitely, forcing her to rely on the assistance of Tenzin and his students to survive.
4 Victory: Defeated Kuvira In Her Gigantic Construct
When Kuvira harnessed the power of the spirit vines into a giant machine, it seemed as if nothing Republic City could muster was sufficient in defeating it. Its president was already prepared to surrender to the woman's unbridled might.
However, with the ingenuity of Varric and the sacrifice of Sato, Korra was able to breach the platinum golem and defeat the woman inside. This would bring the automaton crashing down, forcing the "Great Unifier" to flee into the forest at the capital's heart. Though Korra would pursue her, she would ironically end up saving Kuvira from her own superweapon.
3 Defeat: Publicly Humiliated By Kuvira In Front Of Her Army
The first battle against Kuvira was not as successful. Still recovering from her trauma at the hand of Zaheer, she struggled to match the metalbender's alacrity, skill, and adaptability in battle.
Eventually, the hero would find herself encased in iron and unable to flee despite having called upon the tremendous power of the Avatar state. Were it not for her allies' timely assistance, the imperialist likely would have executed her to guarantee her success and boost the morale of her soldiers.
2 Victory: Overcame The Combined Might Of Unalaq & Vaatu
At the end of Book Two, the situation was profoundly bleak. Not only had Unalaq successfully merged with Vaatu, but he also swallowed a weakened Raava, thereby making it impossible for Korra to enter the Avatar state.
Providentially, she would manage to project her soul to thwart him, using the serenity the Spirit World offered to conduct her success. Korra's manifestation would return to Republic City, slay Unalaq, and salvage what was left of Raava's light from his torso.
1 Defeat: Dominated By Dark Avatar Unalaq
As commendable as Korra's triumph over Unalaq might have been, her odds were only unfavorable on account of the waterbender's previous victory over her. Infused with the strength of Vaatu, he was able to defeat the hero on even footing.
Despite his downfall, the Northern Water Tribe leader's actions would have lasting ramifications. Once Raava was retrieved and returned to Korra, she was no longer able to commune with her past selves. More importantly, the avatars that succeeded her would also be denied them on account of this crucial failure.
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