King of the Dead vs Witch King

[Boromir88]

if they actually did fight the Witchking would have one because like the prophercy said that no man could kill the Witchking the King of the Dead even though being dead he was still a man~The Failed King

Actually the prophecy says that he would not be killed by a man. The prophecy is made by Glorfindel, and he says:

Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of a man will he fall.'~Appendix A: Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion

This is basically Glorfindel looking into the Witch-King's future, to put it that way, and prophecying that a man would not kill him. It doesn't say that a man 'could not kill him' but that he would not be killed by a man.

If The Witch-King could not be killed by a man, he would not have feared Boromir I:

Boromir son of Denethor (after whom of the Nine Walkers was later named) defeated them and regained Ithilien. But Osgiliath was finally ruined, and its great stone-bridge was broken. No pepople dwelt there afterwards. Boromir was a great captain, and even the Witch-King feared him.~Appendix A: The Stewards

Why would the Witch-King fear him, then if he couldn't be killed by a man? Note: this isn't Boromir of the Fellowship, but Boromir I the Steward.

1,000 Reader, yes I think the effectiveness of the Dead Army we have debated to death, and there's nothing more to add.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Actually the prophecy says that he would not be killed by a man. The prophecy is made by Glorfindel, and he says:


This is basically Glorfindel looking into the Witch-King's future, to put it that way, and prophecying that a man would not kill him. It doesn't say that a man 'could not kill him' but that he would not be killed by a man.

If The Witch-King could not be killed by a man, he would not have feared Boromir I:

Why would the Witch-King fear him, then if he couldn't be killed by a man? Note: this isn't Boromir of the Fellowship, but Boromir I the Steward.

1,000 Reader, yes I think the effectiveness of the Dead Army we have debated to death, and there's nothing more to add.

The WK said no living man could hinder him - the Dead King is not a living man. Also, the WK is not above fear, so there is a chance the Dead army could have made him retreat, as it certainly would have been a shock even to him to see an undead army confront him. Would he have known what this Dead army was capable of?

[Boromir88]

the Dead King is not a living man.

But the Dead King has no body, so he could not literally inflict damage on him (as in punch, stab, or kill).

Also, the WK is not above fear, so there is a chance the Dead army could have made him retreat

No, hte WK, is not above fear, but why would the Witch-King be afraid of the very fear that he uses and the rest of the Nazgul:

Their peril is almost entirely due to the unreasoning fear which they inspire (like ghosts). They have no great physical power against the fearless.~Letter 210

I would call the Dead Army's fear, a 'ghost-like' fear, and the way the Corsairs were sent into a maddening jump to their death. So, why would the WK fear the very fear that he inspires? Or vice versa?

Originally Posted by Boromir88

But the Dead King has no body, so he could not literally inflict damage on him (as in punch, stab, or kill).


No, hte WK, is not above fear, but why would the Witch-King be afraid of the very fear that he uses and the rest of the Nazgul:

I would call the Dead Army's fear, a 'ghost-like' fear, and the way the Corsairs were sent into a maddening jump to their death. So, why would the WK fear the very fear that he inspires? Or vice versa?

The Wk would not have known of this new enemy if it confronted him. He may well have withdrawn.

[The 1,000 Reader]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

1,000 Reader, yes I think the effectiveness of the Dead Army we have debated to death, and there's nothing more to add.

Thanks for agreeing. I've had many annoying trials in which the other side would never stop, even when bested, from liberals to atheists. The fact that you'll let this end means a lot.

Even though the Witch-King may have been surprised at first by the King of the Dead, I don't think he'd retreat. He wouldn't want to give up Minas Tirith, and the King of the Dead may have also been afraid of the Witch-King. Also, seeing as how the Witch-King apparently had control over Barrow-Wights, he might have retaliated in some way instead of fleeing. Of course, whether or not the Witch-King could use a spell to somehow interact with the Dead Army is unknown. Overall, I just don't think the Witch-King would flee.

Also, in case it could be lost in the above text, like I said, the King of the Dead may have been more afraid of the Witch-King.