What are earth ponies good for?

[cider float 2,539]

Earth ponies exist to give us characters to relate to like Batman.

 

I mean can you fly or use magic?

Edited December 20, 2015 by cider float

[Buck Testa 5,505]

I would contest that Earth Ponies are the most diverse and powerful of the three races actually. While Unicorn magic is limited to the horn, and Pegasi wings are their only real asset; Meanwhile Earth ponies can utilize their magic throughout their entire body. Pinkie and Maud are chief examples of how powerful and varied their talents can be. Pinkie whom can be as malleable as a balloon can drill through a boulder with just as much ferocity as her sister. If Zebra's fall into the earth pony umbrella and Pinkies own knowledge of magic is any indication, they have quite a connection to potion based magic which has arguably even more applications than unicorn magic. Also many of the technological advancements seems to be of earth pony origin as well. 

[cider float 2,539]

Lot of people think farming is simple but it isn't. There's the know how of good soil, crop planting technique etc.

 

And no doubt earth ponies were far better at fighting off beasts and monsters living off the land. Pegasi probably couldn't survive living on the ground raising crops without having their farms taken over by Timberwolves before they ran away to live in the clouds where they can't grow crops. Unicorns were way too pampered for that lifestyle as well. The war between the Appaloosa ponies vs buffaloes showed this.

 

Edited December 20, 2015 by cider float

[Splashee 28,596]

On 1/24/2015 at 10:44 PM, Soaring Symphony said:

what role do earth ponies play in Equestria?

They are just regular ponies. In order to have special ponies, you must first have regular ponies.

 

Just like in the real world, you cannot choose who you will be born as. Some people are born with less, and have to live with it. Same with ponies.