The Greatest Warrior...

[Bêthberry]

If it's "the most capable of destroying their opponent"

Warrior is someone who wields a sword or some other weapon,

EOWYN

[Hammerhand]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

EOWYN

NO! lol!

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Well, I of course assumed, that the words

the most capable of destroying their opponent

do not mean one particular opponent, but any opponent. You cannot say Farmer Maggot was the greatest warrior just because he was the most capable of destroying his opponent, who was a cockroach, whom he totally crushed under his foot and almost nothing remained of him. Not even Fingolfin managed to crush Morgoth into such little pieces. But generally, Farmer Maggot, nor Éowyn I believe, would be able to face, let's say, Morgoth.

Though, when we speak of it, Éowyn is a good choice. I believe she could be able to stand maybe even up to Glaurung, or Sauron (though in both cases with some difficulties, no doubt). But I don't believe she would (in contrary to my nominated champion Fingolfin) even scratch Morgoth.

[Raynor]

I am surprised to see that no one mentioned Feanor. I wonder if this is due to the fact that he doesn't come out as a favorite character for everyone, to be polite. However, he is described as the "mightiest of the Noldor", or, more generally, "mightiest in all parts of body and mind, in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and in subtlety alike, of all the Children of Iluvatar". True enough, we ought to take into consideration that he is not the brightest commander ever.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Raynor

I am surprised to see that no one mentioned Feanor. I wonder if this is due to the fact that he doesn't come out as a favorite character for everyone, to be polite. However, he is described as the "mightiest of the Noldor", or, more generally, "mightiest in all parts of body and mind, in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and in subtlety alike, of all the Children of Iluvatar". True enough, we ought to take into consideration that he is not the brightest commander ever.

Maybe the reason you mentioned played its part somewhere there as well However, I would imagine Fëanor also sort of a... well, not exactly a warrior. Yes, a warrior... but not that it would be his main... how to explain it... you see, Fëanor is simply "Multiclass" Fingolfin is mainly a warrior, as well as Túrin and Húrin and rest of the folk... though as you mention the quotation, I wonder if it's not after all the one I was speaking about in my first post here... but that does not mean he would need to be the greatest warrior... od does it? Body... endurance... valour...strength?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

As an opinion topic, this has been moved to the Novices and Newcomers forum, where similar threads are located. Please continue to read and write there - thanks!

[Raynor]

Well, Fingolfin is described as the "strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant". These two statements seem to go head to head, unless Tolkien was referring to Feanor's fire, when talking about his strength - and thus considering a spiritual potence, which might or might not translate into physical/combative aptitude, depending on how hot-headed he was at the moment. So, it may be that the answer is Feanor, if he keeps his cool, otherwise it's Fingolfin.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Hmm, the trouble with Tolkien is that he sometimes makes similar statements about two (or more) different characters, and both in superlatives. The best it is generally with the "fairest" people, since there are at least twelve people who are "fairest in Middle-Earth", though with looking at more details we learn that they were "fairest of their house" or "fairest among Elven-lords" (meaning that some peasant may be better than them); sometimes it's even more complicated like that someone was "fairest of his house", but "his house was fairest of the other houses"... with the strength and so on, it's less clear... but considering what you have mentioned, I'll probably go for Fingolfin - you see - the description of him is "clear", not only in understanding it (with Fëanor, as you said, we don't know if the "fire" is not meant by it - personally, I realize that I always - sort of subconsciously - thought so; that's probably the reason why I haven't nominated him), but also in that Fingolfin is described as being superior in only these skills, and nothing more - which sort of calls for taking it as his specialization; something that is his own, in which he is a champion. Fëanor is more "universal", but less focused on one thing; and one assumes that such a person does not reach the qualities of the specialist.

[Hammerhand]

Originally Posted by Raynor

Well, Fingolfin is described as the "strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant". These two statements seem to go head to head, unless Tolkien was referring to Feanor's fire, when talking about his strength - and thus considering a spiritual potence, which might or might not translate into physical/combative aptitude, depending on how hot-headed he was at the moment. So, it may be that the answer is Feanor, if he keeps his cool, otherwise it's Fingolfin.

I was in the process of writing something similar, and i totally agree.

I think Feanor is perhaps not viewed as a "warrior" because of the fact that he died, simple as. I think that if he had killed one of the Balrogs and then proceeded to die, it would be completely different. He dies quite early in the story, therefore we don't manage to see a transformation or adaptation of the character. All we know is that it took several Balrogs to stay him... more than most people can take on - but it's only speculation about how he would have fared in the wars, being that he wasn't mentioned much in relation to battle previously.. the kinslaying of the Teleri i think was the bit just before.

But undoubtedley Feanor has to be in the Top Ten of "conventional" warriors - i believe.

However, on sheer favouritism, i have to go with Fingolfin Though the thought of a Feanor Vs Morgoth would have been absolutely fantastic. Place your bets now!