In that aspect a full primal ancient could do the same, or a tooth and claw dragon if the growl caused a miss and allowed it close enough for a gold rage/grazing wind combo. I'd state the game doesn't have PvP capabilities so utilizing mechanics on a currently flawed coding wouldn't hold much accuracy in proving a point on which is more effective than the other.
A valid argument and one that I would counter with their ability to alter prime magic as a whole to work together in ways that splintering wouldn't allow, as the inability to learn how different aspects correlate due to a short life span would cause someone impatient enough to go with "what works" even if they don't live to see the short-comings of their approach. A very good thesis though.
Another valid, very realistic approach to the issue. I would stipulate that dragons would, in their pride, state that the Gift is nothing more than a valuable "crutch" that would allow one that is naturally weak a chance to learn at a more reckless pace that would be detrimental to dragonic principles as patience, seeking guidance, and being as efficient as possible. Before the gift many dragons handled the rights of passage and managed to ascend, while death always being a sad part of life adversity besetting an entire species that wasn't severe enough to snuff them out would only make them stronger, and more cautious.
Naturally, others will stumble into the theorem and kick around ideas as well- but if you and I see reasonable trouble with what we've attained thus far what hope does it have of meeting anyone else's criteria? The goal of the theorem is to compile enough cohesive fundamentals that make RPing easier by filling in a lot of gaps that the lore leaves wide open that should be common knowledge to any dragon.
I would agree, but a dancer might tell you starting off learning advanced techniques always looks and feels stupid at first- but with enough practice and patience they're able to dance freely in stances and positions that would break the untrained's hip/toe/ankle/etc, and look **** good doing it.
Well as I mentioned prior, the mechanics of Istaria don't really have PvP oriented skills and abilities. One versed in fighting others would study and develop tactics and abilities to counter and disrupt traditional "I-see-you-I-cast-a-spell-from-far-away" fighting in Istaria. Once upon a time it was common place for men to stand in lines and shoot at each other, eventually the guns started getting too accurate and too many were dying for the leadership to properly adapt so the concept of "cover and concealment" became the norm to adapt with conventional warfare. Even conventional warfare is being replaced by "terrorism" that allows combatants to hide in plain sight among civilians where conventional warfare can't go.
Well sort of, tree bark tends to ignite very quickly and surrounds the actual tree, sucking the moisture out of the pores in the form of steam as it burns away the bark and into the tree itself, hence why forest fires are so hard to stop once they get started and don't take much to start off.
And splitting hairs is good- it helps me understand where you stand on issues. The more I understand where you stand, the more I understand someone else's ideas other than my own which allow me to further adapt them in a way that is able to make sense for the both of us.