Dragon: A Parable

I'm aiming less for elemental-specific power sets because I want to keep the Eastern meanings for the elements, which tend to be quite different from the Western ideas. Fire is perhaps the only element where pretty much everyone agrees as to what it's about, and blaster fits it the best. Metal is very clearly the tanker with protection and stability being primary aspects, while Wood makes the best scrapper with a need to be in the thick of things have a direct hand in the action, plus the regeneration ability fits very well. Earth and Water gave me the most problems for fitting Archetypes, so I thought long and hard about what they symbolize to the Chinese. Water is perhaps the least similar between the systems - its color is black because it represents The Abyss, the mysterious place between death and birth where those who enter have little to no control over what happens to them (it tends to feel both sinister and comforting and is the epitome of Yin). Earth is the link between all the elements, bringing them together to work for a common goal - it is found in the healer who gently guides the body to wholeness and the ruler who gently guides the nation to peaceful prosperity (yellow, the color of earth, is also the color of the Emperor). To me, the Chinese idea of Water is better shown in the hidden strength and manipulation of the Controller, while the Chinese idea of Earth works best as the leader who makes the group more effective while guiding them to victory (and worst when left without a nation or at least a group to guide), which is a task well suited to the Defender.

If people want suggestions for specific power sets and explanations for why I suggest them within the context of the Chinese elements, I would gladly provide that.