Quote:
Gimli has the height disadvantage.
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Ah, but Gimli is, by design, the most tireless and enduring of all of them! For that was innate in the Dwarves' nature as Aulë imbued them with the characteristics he prized most highly. It is difficult to say which would be the best fighter, except to say that it would take a good balance of intelligence, leadership ability and physical prowess with a minimum of accompanying disadvantages.
Another point: Theoden fell prey to the counsels of Wormtongue, not completely or utterly, but he is influenced by this influx of evil in his midst. While he is an exceptional leader, he does have weaknesses. I would be hard pressed to pick between Theoden and Faramir for leadership, but I think perhaps Faramir has it over Theoden in judgement skills but perhaps not in overall leadership. Just from impressions, I'd say Eomer would top Faramir in physical prowess, but there is the question of what constitutes the ideal in physical prowess; Gimli is tireless and could fight until doomsday AND forge great weapons, while Eomer and Faramir will eventually give out. He is also more easily concealed, being smaller (but arguably louder). Disadvantages, though, are in temperament, but this could be said for Eomer as well. I'd rule Ugluk out completely, as he certainly didn't fend off the Rohirrim very well, did he? Bad planning, bad leadership, scatter and run tactics--really don't help one win a fight unless there is organization at the end of it. Basically, the orcs are dog eat dog when it comes to strategy.
So, tentatively, not completely logically, for there are variables that can't be drawn to equality:
Faramir>Eomer>Theoden>Gimli>Ugluk
Theoden over Gimli for the leadership qualities, Faramir over all for a measure of leadership, keen intelligence/strategy and a measure of physical prowess: best balance IMO, Eomer over Theoden for prowess and steadfastness.
I know my analysis isn't very logical, but I'd say Faramir and Theoden would be co-generals, checking each other, while Eomer would be the field marshall and Gimli the tireless captain AND munitions engineer! Ugluk would be the one who digs the trenches [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Cheers,
Lyta (who doesn't really know if she made any sense at all, but enjoyed the exercise)