Talk:Roy Mustang vs. Zuko/@comment-31082993-20180903234259

There are key differences between fire-bending and flame alchemy that we're missing here.

Fire-bending "comes from the breath", as Iroh put it. It draws on the user's own strength (both physical and mental) to contol it, as they are creating the fire as an extension of themselves. You either have to throw/project your flames at your opponent or hit them with them physically. This makes accuracy more of a problem, and we have seen numerous instances in episodes where fire-bending from accomplished fire-benders, including Zuko, does not hit human targets.

Flame alchemy on the other hand is not taxing on the alchemist. It doesn't take anything from them to perform it, as they are just manipulating the matter around them instead of conjuring fire from their own being. Furthermore, flame alchemy is actually the manipulation of oxygen density. This is what gives Mustang his range and pinpoint accuracy. He isn't launching fire at his opponents and doesn't have to hit them as such. He is changing the density of the oxygen immediately in front of them so that it ignites. This gives a target almost no opportunity to dodge, block or even react because the fire literally materializes in the oxygen surrounding them without warning. Envy has much greater reflexes than a human, but was helpless both in his full size form and humanoid form. When Mustang fought the mannequin soldiers, he was able to create an enormous amount of fire, killing dozens of mannequins without hurting any of his allies.

To conclude, I don't think Zuko could win. Mustang could create a deadly fire right in the exact spot where Zuko is standing with no warning. Zuko, whilst a lot better trained in physical combat, is still a human like Mustang, with semi-reasonable limits to his reflexes and reaction times. There isn't really any feesible way he'd be able to react quickly enough to dodge or block Roy's flame alchemy, since it literally targets oxygen. He could create a 30 square foot wall of flames with Zuko at the centre, leaving nowhere to run and all from a safe distance for himself. One flame alchemy attack was seen to destroy Lust's homunculus body beyond recognition until she regenerated. Presumably that damage would have killed a human. So I can only see Roy winning this.