A Face-palm for Sauron

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

If by 'mastering the Ring', you mean one has found strength and will enough to actively wield it, I'd think the location where one claimed it immaterial.
Of course, anyone who believes they have mastered the Ring is in fact mastered by it. The new Ring Lord would not actually have 'overthrown' anything, but rather the reverse.
As for Sauron physically confronting the Ring's claimant, I think that would naturally occur. There is a quote, from Letters I believe, which states if Sauron proved the loser in such a contest the effect would be the same as if it were destroyed: he could never regain it.

Very good point, Inziladun.

I just wonder, the quote from Letters notwithstanding, just how Sauron could be defeated by anyone holding the Ring. The Ring was part of him.
Well... maybe... okay... I think I can see it. But, hey! it wouldn't matter, would it? Anyone who defeated Sauron with the Ring would just become a brand new Sauron. There's be a name change, and the packaging would be a bit different, but it'd be the same nastiness inside the box.