Lightning Release is the use of high frequency and is the most fleeting of all the elements. It arguably takes the most control due to its dangerous nature and the lethality it possess. The interaction of the molecules within it, further contribute to its level of instability, requiring the user to take much more care in handling this element compared to the others. Fundamentally, its the control over raw streams of electricity which can be tamed with the right control, it relates most to the Fire element due to its destruction if not contained or used properly and the high level of self-control someone requires to manipulate it correctly. One common misconception is that Lightning release travels as fast as natural lightning, when in reality Lightning is far slower than its naturally occurring counterpart due the user taking control of/taming the lightning. The element itself occurs in three main forms: Normal Lightning, Plasma and pale-blue pillars which emit electricity.
Water is the most calm and free-flowing elements. These characteristics dictate its nature, making it useful in combat due to the fluidity and intense lack of control that is required to utilize it. Lightning and Fire take extreme control, but manipulation of water takes calmer movements and so controlling it comes more naturally. While its the calmest element, it can also become one of the most destructive. Putting a large amount of force behind of wave gives it power that can't be paralleled by all the other elements. In terms of scale, Water has the highest potential to be the "best" element, a clear testament of this is Kisame of the Akatsuki. Water comes in three main forms: normal water, sticky water and oily flammable water.
Earth Release is often considered the element of sturdiness and durability. Unlike other elements which come and go with time, it is an ever eternal presence in the environment which endures all types of weather regardless of how harsh conditions become. Earth can be used as a shield or blockade defensively to dissipate the force of powerful waves of water or non-cutting gusts of wind. It can withstand great heats, acting as a heat sink but also as a physical barrier to prevent weapons passing through. Its strong against water, its natural ability to prevent water from passing through it whilst passing through water itself is a reason for this. However its weak against lightning. The lightning conducted along the earth causes it to break up, lose its natural composition and break down due to the penetrative abilities of Raiton. Doton can either be used in this solid rocky form or its adhesive mud-like variant, granting the element further versatility. As well as the conventional uses of the element, the mud variant can be used to bind opponents in place, clash with other elemental jutsus or be used in many effective combinations. The mud-variant is most commonly used along with Fire to form pseudo-lava (molten mud), making for a very dangerous substance. Along with Suiton, its versatility stems from the state of matter it naturally occurs in. Due to having physical substance, Doton can be shaped into various structures from defensive walls to jagged spikes, from an earth dragon to a single pillar of earth. Furthermore, in terms of terrain-based advantage, Doton can be used to manipulate the ground beneath and around the opponent, allowing for limitless potential in creating successful combos. I like to think of the element as the perfect balance between offensive, defensive and supplementary usage, as no confines exist on what the user can create.
Fire Release is the usage of superheated chakra to create flames and heat-intensive attacks. Its created through channeling Katon chakra to the user's lungs and exhaling the built chakra in various forms. Katon is most commonly used in its fire-based form, but it can also take the shape of a plume of superheated ash or a misty flammable gas. In terms of raw potential, its considered the least versatile element as it excels in offensive capabilities, lacks in supplementary usage and is ill-suited to use as a defensive element. Despite this, Katon is the most ferocious element to contend with due to its sheer raw power. The heat of the element makes it capable of reducing earthen structures to molten mud, the parasitic nature of it means it preys on the oxygen within wind-based attacks to supplement the flames and even against its elemental superior, large-scale Katon techniques are capable of reducing large bodies of water to scorching mist of dense steam. The Katon element has little usage outside of destruction, to a certain degree its the hardest elemental nature to tame due to its sporadic and uncontrollable nature.