Best Fighter - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-04-2005, 01:55 PM

A bit of advice for those who have made lists - please tell us why you make your choices. Unfortunately, a list of names is not very interesting for others to read...

Faramir · 03-04-2005, 07:23 PM

sorry i didnt have much time, ill put more effort in next time.

03-19-2005, 07:10 PM

well.. i think gothmog was pretty good.. he was certainly powerful. gandalf and the witchking as well. only because they have powers beyond the others that you have listed though.

Anguirel · 03-20-2005, 01:33 AM

It was the same in the book, Faramir. Legolas got 41, Gimli 42. However, we should make note of Legolas' killing of the fell beast with the Bow of Galadriel. I really don't think there's much in it between these two.

While perhaps not the best fighter in LOTR based on textual evidence, I believe Eomer "did the best." His last stand on the Pelennor Fields is my favourite passage in the book (except perhaps for the love scene between Eowyn and Faramir). He is mentioned as having come out of the battle unscathed, as only Aragorn and Imrahil succeeded in doing.

Assasin · 04-09-2005, 05:45 PM

I think the best fighter was Aragorn, as a Ranger he was a fighter, that was literally all he did.

Ainaserkewen · 04-10-2005, 04:38 PM

The best fighter certainly cannot be based on if he was defeated or not. I mean, look at Ken Jennings from Jeopardy. So just because some are undestroyable such as the King of the Dead, doesn't make them the best fighters. After all, he who is highest falls hardest. So what does that mean? People with more power, such as Gandalf, Sauron and the Witch King, have much greater weaknesses.

But if it were to come down to hand-to-hand combat, battle to the death in a sumo ring, then there are a few things to consider.

Stamina: Obviously Elves and Dwarves would last longer in a physical fight then men and wizards would. They're built for it.

Strength: What race is strongest, again, toss up between Elves and Dwarves.

Agility: Jeez, this isn't really leaving a lot of room for men is it?

So I've come to the conclusion that if they were to have an All-Middle-Earth wrestling tournament, Elves and Dwarves would probably kick bum because of how they're built and because they're so much older then men. I think that Gandalf wouldn't fare well in such a showdown if he couldn't use supernatural powers. Yes, he's a good fighter, he's lived a long time but he has the misfortune of being trapped in the body of a decaying man. Not good for a lasting opponent.

So who's the best fighter? In terms of Third Age type warriors, I'm tempted to say Aragorn only because I can see his spirit and skill beating most of the other candidates. He'd find a way...and that's very important. But then I wonder if her could take on Legolas? Or Gimli, or Elrond for that matter!

Feanor of the Peredhil · 04-10-2005, 05:59 PM

May I throw in a balrog?

"Ai, Ai! A Balrog has come!" Elves are scared.

"Oh crap, it's Durin's Bane." Dwarves are scared.

"What is this new devilry?" Men are either scared or curious. Probably both.

"Oh crap, it's a balrog of Morgoth. I'm in trouble now." Wizard is scared.

Since they can be destroyed, I count them as mortal, even though it would probably live until the end of time with no interruptions. Wielding terror alone, a balrog is enough to scare off most. It would be enough for me, methinks. Cloaked in shadow and flame, that takes care of a few more. And you can't say that using fear and fire doesn't count as fighting, because in a fight, you use the tools given to you, and that's what a Balrog's got. With flaming sword and whip, we've just taken out nearly everybody else. Throw in powerful magic and a heck of a lot of experience and most fighters are in big trouble. And the wings. Don't forget those. Any opponents will be so busy trying to document proof that the Balrog can kill them with no trouble at all.

Fea

How many wings does it take to get to the firey center of a balrog debate? The world may never know.

Gil-Galad · 04-13-2005, 04:16 PM

don't forget about Gil-Galad! even though hes gone to the great haven in the sky, he still took on Sauron, a maia!

Gwydion · 06-16-2005, 11:21 AM

The best warrior obviously had to be smart and cunning so I'd say it would have to be Gil-Galad, Aragorn, Eowyn and Elindil. Eowyn may not seem that good, but she did kill the Witch-King with a broken arm and not that many people could have done that. Gil-Galad and Elindil killed Sauron while he was wearing the Ring and Aragorn was just smart, quick and strong like all the others.

Boromir was a good commander in Gondor, and he was wise and his sense of duty was strong. I mean look what he did just to try and keep Merry and Pippin safe, most people would turn around and run faced with the odds that were presented at Amon Hen.

So in the original list it's a toss up between Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir, Legolas, and Gimli. Really the possibilities are endless and it depends on your opinion. In reality they all were the best in their particular areas.

03-04-2005, 01:55 PM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	A bit of advice for those who have made lists - please tell us why you make your choices. Unfortunately, a list of names is not very interesting for others to read... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

03-20-2005, 01:33 AM	#4
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	The Count at Helm's Deep It was the same in the book, Faramir. Legolas got 41, Gimli 42. However, we should make note of Legolas' killing of the fell beast with the Bow of Galadriel. I really don't think there's much in it between these two. While perhaps not the best fighter in LOTR based on textual evidence, I believe Eomer "did the best." His last stand on the Pelennor Fields is my favourite passage in the book (except perhaps for the love scene between Eowyn and Faramir). He is mentioned as having come out of the battle unscathed, as only Aragorn and Imrahil succeeded in doing. __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

04-09-2005, 05:45 PM	#5
Assasin Wight Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a desert. Posts: 142	Best Fighter I think the best fighter was Aragorn, as a Ranger he was a fighter, that was literally all he did. __________________ Death is as light as a feather, duty is as heavy as a mountain.

04-10-2005, 04:38 PM	#6
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	The best fighter certainly cannot be based on if he was defeated or not. I mean, look at Ken Jennings from Jeopardy. So just because some are undestroyable such as the King of the Dead, doesn't make them the best fighters. After all, he who is highest falls hardest. So what does that mean? People with more power, such as Gandalf, Sauron and the Witch King, have much greater weaknesses. But if it were to come down to hand-to-hand combat, battle to the death in a sumo ring, then there are a few things to consider. Stamina: Obviously Elves and Dwarves would last longer in a physical fight then men and wizards would. They're built for it. Strength: What race is strongest, again, toss up between Elves and Dwarves. Agility: Jeez, this isn't really leaving a lot of room for men is it? So I've come to the conclusion that if they were to have an All-Middle-Earth wrestling tournament, Elves and Dwarves would probably kick bum because of how they're built and because they're so much older then men. I think that Gandalf wouldn't fare well in such a showdown if he couldn't use supernatural powers. Yes, he's a good fighter, he's lived a long time but he has the misfortune of being trapped in the body of a decaying man. Not good for a lasting opponent. So who's the best fighter? In terms of Third Age type warriors, I'm tempted to say Aragorn only because I can see his spirit and skill beating most of the other candidates. He'd find a way...and that's very important. But then I wonder if her could take on Legolas? Or Gimli, or Elrond for that matter! __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?

04-10-2005, 05:59 PM	#7
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	'Ello Bill May I throw in a balrog? "Ai, Ai! A Balrog has come!" Elves are scared. "Oh crap, it's Durin's Bane." Dwarves are scared. "What is this new devilry?" Men are either scared or curious. Probably both. "Oh crap, it's a balrog of Morgoth. I'm in trouble now." Wizard is scared. Since they can be destroyed, I count them as mortal, even though it would probably live until the end of time with no interruptions. Wielding terror alone, a balrog is enough to scare off most. It would be enough for me, methinks. Cloaked in shadow and flame, that takes care of a few more. And you can't say that using fear and fire doesn't count as fighting, because in a fight, you use the tools given to you, and that's what a Balrog's got. With flaming sword and whip, we've just taken out nearly everybody else. Throw in powerful magic and a heck of a lot of experience and most fighters are in big trouble. And the wings. Don't forget those. Any opponents will be so busy trying to document proof that the Balrog can kill them with no trouble at all. Fea How many wings does it take to get to the firey center of a balrog debate? The world may never know. __________________ peace

03-04-2005, 07:23 PM	#2
Faramir Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In the Forest of Ithilien. Posts: 43	sorry i didnt have much time, ill put more effort in next time.

03-19-2005, 07:10 PM	#3
Tilion Guest Posts: n/a	well.. i think gothmog was pretty good.. he was certainly powerful. gandalf and the witchking as well. only because they have powers beyond the others that you have listed though.

04-13-2005, 04:16 PM	#8
Gil-Galad Psyche of Prince Immortal Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Above a Parapet Obvious exits are: North, South, and Dennis Posts: 4,734	don't forget about Gil-Galad! even though hes gone to the great haven in the sky, he still took on Sauron, a maia! __________________ Love doesn't blow up and get killed.

06-16-2005, 11:21 AM	#9
Gwydion Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: At someplace,somewhere,at somepoint in time Posts: 12	The best warrior obviously had to be smart and cunning so I'd say it would have to be Gil-Galad, Aragorn, Eowyn and Elindil. Eowyn may not seem that good, but she did kill the Witch-King with a broken arm and not that many people could have done that. Gil-Galad and Elindil killed Sauron while he was wearing the Ring and Aragorn was just smart, quick and strong like all the others. Boromir was a good commander in Gondor, and he was wise and his sense of duty was strong. I mean look what he did just to try and keep Merry and Pippin safe, most people would turn around and run faced with the odds that were presented at Amon Hen. So in the original list it's a toss up between Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir, Legolas, and Gimli. Really the possibilities are endless and it depends on your opinion. In reality they all were the best in their particular areas. __________________ Gwydion The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves Last edited by Gwydion; 06-16-2005 at 11:37 AM.

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