The best Swordsman?

[Brimvalir]

Who do you think is the best Swordsman ?? Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir or Eomer? :confused:

[spidersbane]

I would have to say Aragorn. After all, he is the king, and he has the best sword. It doesn't matter how good you are without the right blade.:)

[FrodoFriend]

Yeah, I'd say Aragorn too. Then Faramir, Boromir, and Eomer.

[Evenstar]

Cause couldn't he kill alot of baddies with one sweep of the sword!!! Go..go..kill..kill!!

[markedel]

Fingon-didn't he go toe to toe with Morgoth

:)

That's bloody hard

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by markedel
Fingon-didn't he go toe to toe with Morgoth

:)

That's bloody hard I believe you are thinking of Fingon's father Fingolfin.

[markedel]

Uh yes, I never get the names in the Silmarillion correct

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by markedel
Uh yes, I never get the names in the Silmarillion correct That is quite understandable, considering there were only a trillion names, and half of them started with the letter F.

[Wayfarer]

F and M. ;)

I would say Maedhros was a better swordsman than fingolfin. Perhaps Feanor was as well.

But, from the examples stated:

Aragorn (bad@$$ ranger, lifelong fighter)
Boromir (Highly trained, soldier)
Faramir (less combat-like, but still skilled)
Eomer (A wild guy, not much for skill)

[afro-elf]

Wayfarer WHY do you think the other two were better than Fingolfin?

[Captain Stern]

Wasn't the original question: 'Who do you think is the best Swordsman ?? Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir or Eomer?'

So why bring the eldar into this. Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir and Eomer can't compete against the likes of Fingon. Anyway, the answer is obviously Aragorn, and at the bottom of the heap is probably Eomer.

Also, I think there was more to a battle involving elf lords and ainur than just swordsplay, just look at the battle between Gandalf and Durin's Bane as an example.

There's only one passage in the Silmarillion that puts Fingolfin above Feanor in terms of 'strength' as opposed to a whole host of passages which describes Feanor as having no equal in any aspect of mind or body.

Maedhros was described as being a bit of a bad-ass after having his hand chopped off by Fingon, so it's debatable whether he was mightier than Fingolfin, I tend to leen on Maedhros if pressed for an answer.

[markedel]

You think Boromir>Eomer

Nah I go for the king any day.

[Laurelyn]

As far as this ranking goes my vote is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, also known as Strider, the Dunedain, Estel . . . aka the dude with WAY TOO MANY NAMES!

[Earniel]

Originally posted by Laurelyn
As far as this ranking goes my vote is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, also known as Strider, the Dunedain, Estel . . . aka the dude with WAY TOO MANY NAMES!

Huh, no kidding...

[Ñólendil]

Éowyn realizes in The Steward and the King that Faramir was a man no one among the Rohirrim could match in battle, so Éomer is out of the running right there. I don't know who's the better warrior between Boromir and Faramir, but I agree Aragorn is definitely the best of them.

[Comic Book Guy]

Don't hold me to this, I'm not too familar to the Silmarillion, but isn't Húrin considered to be the greatest Warrior of the Race of Men?

[Arathorn]

not to mention that Aragorn is quite young for someone of the line of Luthien; only around 70 yrs old at that time!

[Captain Stern]

Originally posted by Comic Book Guy: Don't hold me to this, I'm not too familar to the Silmarillion, but isn't Húrin considered to be the greatest Warrior of the Race of Men?

Yes he was, it says so in 'Of the Ruin of Doriath:'

Then he turned away, and passed out from the Thousand Caves, and all that saw him fell back before his face; and none sought to withstand his going, nor did any know whither he went. But it is said that Hurin would not live thereafter, being bereft or all purpose and desire, and cast himself at last into the western sea; and so ended the mightiest of the warriors of Mortal men.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does this come into dispute at all in this thread? [Rhetorical question] The choices given were of men in the 3rd Age, not men in general.

[emplynx]

In LotR, Aragorn was definitely the best Swords man. I don't know to much about the 1st age fighters (yet) so I can't make a statement on that.

[Ñólendil]

You're right Captain, you read the first post here correctly. We're talking about four guys from the Lord of the Rings, folks, or that's what Brimvalir was going for. ... Speaking of which, I'm moving this to the LotR Books forum.

[KGamgee]

Sam!
Hey, if you don't believe me, go to Mordor and try to take out a giant spider by yourself....it isn't too easy (so I've heard:) )
Just kidding.
Or maybe I'm not....

[Aragorns Dimple]

I think that Isildur deserves a mention here, as he was just about to die up against the most feared enemy of middle earth, Sauron, who even broke his father's sword into pieces, which would dishearten any normal man. Yet, as heir to Elendil and with kingly fortitude, he managed to gather the courage to strike at the enemy in desperation, cutting the Ring from Sauron's finger and sending him into oblivion for a few thousand years! Now that's a pretty powerful sword strike, don't ya think? Doesn't even compare to slaying a few miserable Orcs.

[Andúril]

Aragorns Dimple:
I think that Isildur deserves a mention here, as he was just about to die up against the most feared enemy of middle earth, Sauron,I'm not so sure about that. Tolkien does not say whether Isildur was under any direct threat from Sauron at the time. Besides, Sauron wasn't exactly attacking at that exact moment (he had been "thrown down" (The Silmarillion, pg 294) or "overthrown" (The Lord of the Rings I, pg 256)).More:
who even broke his father's sword into pieces, which would dishearten any normal man. Yet, as heir to Elendil and with kingly fortitude, he managed to gather the courage to strike at the enemy in desperation, cutting the Ring from Sauron's finger and sending him into oblivion for a few thousand years!Once again, I am not so sure about any "desperation". Tolkien does not say that Isildur struck out at Sauron, merely that he cut the Ring from his hand. Remember, Sauron had just been "thrown down" or "overthrown".More:
Now that's a pretty powerful sword strike, don't ya think?Nope. :cool:

[Radagast The Brown]

originally posted by Brimvalir
Who do you think is the best Swordsman ?? Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir or Eomer? I think aragorn. Then Boromir, Eomer and Faramir in the end.

[Coney]

Aragorn, then Imrahil, Boromir, Eomer, Faramir.......Gandalf is not too shabby at swinging a sword either (Thorin Oakenshield gets a posthumous mention) :)

[afro-elf]

The last few posters seem to be for getting this:

Éowyn realizes in The Steward and the King that Faramir was a man no one among the Rohirrim could match in battle, so Éomer is out of the running right there.

[Millane]

mmm Aragorn Boromir Eomer (faramir doesnt come into it regardless of fact:rolleyes: )
i think that Turin would have been the best... yes i dont recall where but it was said somewhere in the Sil that when Turin died so did the greatest warriors of men to walk Ea

[Fingolfin_1st]

ypur gettin mixed up with Hurin turins dad hurin was the greatest warrior of men.
But does it have to be out of them four?
if it does then i say:
Aragorn
Boromir
Eomer
Faramir

I know you said eomer is last of the pile but i dont think so at the end of the pellonor battle it said that Aragorn Imrahil and eomer were unharmed because such was there skill at arms and correct me if im wrong but wasnt faramir shot with a poison dart?
If he was such a great warrior he would have avoided it.

And about meadhros being stronger than Fingolfin??
ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! do you really think that meadhros could stand up against Morgoth..........i think not.
Feanor maybe but he was killed by Gothmog and i bet Fingolfin would mess up Gothmog with one strike.

[Spock]

I. Montoya:D

[The Lady of Ithilien]

Éowyn realizes in The Steward and the King that Faramir was a man no one among the Rohirrim could match in battle, so Éomer is out of the running right there.Ah, every sister tends to underestimate her brother. :)

Aragorn was the best, undoubtedly, but somebody's got to speak up for Éomer here. He beat Uglúk in a one-on-one sword fight at the border of Fangorn, after all. And at the close of the Battle of the Pelennor Field, he was, along with Aragorn and Imrahil, unscathed, ...for such was their fortune and the skill and might of their arms,....
emphasis addedAlso, he accompanied King Elessar often "beyond the Sea of Rhun and on the far fields of the South" until he grew old. Aragorn wouldn't have fought alongside anyone but the best.

So, also given that Faramir told Frodo that Boromir was the best fighting man in Gondor, I'd rank them:

Aragorn
Éomer
Boromir
Faramir

[Andúril]

Aragorn
Boromir
Faramir
Éomer

[Elf.Freak]

i'd say Aragorn

[Varda Oiolosseo]

Aragorn
Boromir
Éomer
Faramir

I think Éowyn was a very good swordswoman.
:D

[afro-elf]

He beat Uglúk in a one-on-one sword fight at the border of Fangorn, after all

What page is that on? Next to Elrond AND Half-elven?:p

he was, along with Aragorn and Imrahil, unscathed,

Faramir was not there so we do not know how he would have done.

Aragorn wouldn't have fought alongside anyone but the best.

Faramir was the Steward he couldn't go.

So, also given that Faramir told Frodo that Boromir was the best fighting man in Gondor

A non sequitor because it says that " No man of the Mark could beat"



correct me if im wrong but wasnt faramir shot with a poison dart?

To Paraphrase Elrond" it only takes one projectile to slay the greatest warrior"

It not like the people have minus ten armor classes and it was a plot device to hook up Faramir and Eowyn and cause Denethor's final plunge into insanity.

[afro-elf]

Originally posted by Spock
I. Montoya:D



Not Minamoto Musashi?:p

[wahine]

What an absurd question. Aragorn, he is dunedain no?

And how skilled could Bormir be? He died.

[afro-elf]

Originally posted by wahine
What an absurd question. Aragorn, he is dunedain no?

And how skilled could Bormir be? He died.


Of the four mentioned Aragorn is the best ;however, your statement about is odd if it was meant to be serious.

Far greater warriors died in ME than any of the four mentioned here could every hope to be.

Dying in battle in and of itself in not the mark of a skilled warrior.

[afro-elf]

BTW Boromir is Dunedain too.
The house of stewards are an off shoot of the royal line.

[Maedhros]

Originally posted by Fingolfin_1st
And about meadhros being stronger than Fingolfin??
ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! do you really think that meadhros could stand up against Morgoth..........i think not.
Feanor maybe but he was killed by Gothmog and i bet Fingolfin would mess up Gothmog with one strike.
I think that the first son of the first prince of the Ñoldor could in fact deliver some blows against Morgoth. After all, he was not too fond of Morgoth either.

[The Lady of Ithilien]

Originally posted by afro-elf
What page is that on? Next to Elrond AND Half-elven? Nah, actually it's on page 63 of The Two Towers in the famous "Elrond and Halfelven" edition (a/k/a the Houghton Mifflin 1965 hardcover book, second edition), i.e., at the end of the chapter "The Uruk-Hai":So it was that they (Merry and Pippin...TLoI) did not see the last stand, when Uglúk was overtaken and brought to bay at the very edge of Fangorn. There he was slain at last by Éomer, the Third Marshal of Rohan, who dismounted and fought him sword to sword.One imagines it was Uglúk's head on the stake that the Three Hunters saw when they finally reached the battleground. Gimli was rather lucky that Éomer's fighting blood had had a chance to cool down before their argument re: Galadriel.

Yay, Éomer!

[Lord Manafirogh]

I would say Aragorn because he has Narzil in his side and he is a ranger and raised be elfs. So i would say he would be the better swords man out of the three. Then comes Boromir, Eomer and last but not least Faramir. I imagined Faramir as a spear person so thats why i put him last. Eomer for me did well in the battle of the pelennor feilds.
Aragrom, Imrahil and Eomer were untouchable in that war.

[durin's bane]

I'd have to say Aragorn.

[afro-elf]

Originally posted by The Lady of Ithilien
Nah, actually it's on page 63 of The Two Towers in the famous "Elrond and Halfelven" edition (a/k/a the Houghton Mifflin 1965 hardcover book, second edition), i.e., at the end of the chapter "The Uruk-Hai":One imagines it was Uglúk's head on the stake that the Three Hunters saw when they finally reached the battleground. Gimli was rather lucky that Éomer's fighting blood had had a chance to cool down before their argument re: Galadriel.

Yay, Éomer!


Thanks

[afro-elf]

first let me clarify

I do like Eomer. But, here I am just going by what Tolkien said. Faramir was a better warrior than Eomer.

[The Lady of Ithilien]

Originally posted by afro-elf
...Faramir was a better warrior than Eomer. We're making progress here. :) Aragorn is #1 on your list, and wherever they are overall, you have Faramir over Éomer. Where would you rank Boromir, A-E? Better than Faramir/Éomer? Worse?

[crickhollow]

Originally posted by Spock
I. Montoya:D But Inigo readily admits that the man in black is the superior swordsman. so, Wesley wins the day after all! ;)

[afro-elf]

Originally posted by The Lady of Ithilien
We're making progress here. :) Aragorn is #1 on your list, and wherever they are overall, you have Faramir over Éomer. Where would you rank Boromir, A-E? Better than Faramir/Éomer? Worse?

Again using the book as my basis, as Tolkien used Eowyn to let us know that Faramir was better Eomer, he uses Faramir to tell us that Boromir was better than he. There is a comment that says Faramir was aware that his brother was a better warrior.

So using the books

I would say

Aragorn
Boromir
Faramir
Eomer

The hard one for me would be where to place Imrahil.

[Meldon]

Was it not said in the appendix of the LOTR books that of the two brothers Boromir was the better swordsman and Faramir more likened to lore and wisdom?

Note: How can you avoid a poisened dart in battle?

[Estel13]

Definitely Aragorn. He IS the best character, after all.:D
1:Aragorn
2:Boramir
3:Faramir
4:Eomer
The above is my opinion.:D ;) :p :cool:

[gimli7410]

aragorn,boromir and eomer tied and then faramir

[gimli7410]

i jsut want to ask y does any one like eomer

[afro-elf]

I happen to like Eomer. I thought that his cry of "Death... Death" and his preparation for what he thought was going to be his last stand very good parts of the books.

I just based my rankings on what Tolkien said not on who my favorite characters were.

[Fred Baggins]

Duh. Aragorn, no if's ands or buts.(Well, maybe one bu...mustn't think like that!) Aragorn ROCKS!

[The Lady of Ithilien]

Well, of course we don't know whether any of these four were right-handed or left-handed. Spock and Crickhollow do have a point about I. Montoya and The Man In Black, who were excellent AND ambidextrous swordsmen. I'd rank them equally, though -- didn't Inigo have Wesley up against the wall when Wesley was fighting left-handed?

[Estel13]

Originally posted by Fred Baggins
Duh. Aragorn, no if's ands or buts.(Well, maybe one bu...mustn't think like that!) Aragorn ROCKS!

Okaaaaaay. Fred, don't even go there. I don't need to think like that either, ya know. I suggest you go and wash your mind out with something strong, like boric acid.:D Just kidding.;) I'll be around......:p



But yes, he does ROCK!!!!!x9999.

[Fred Baggins]

:o My mind belongs in the gutter...if only I hadn't left it in my 8th grade PE locker...
:o:o:o, just relized something. Not thinking clearly last night. I AM a girl, Fred's my nickname...:o:o:o

[Evenstar07]

i would say Aragorn too
wasnt he renowned for his skill, and didnt he save the day with his swordsmanship a lot? (like when he fought the Nazgul when they were heading to Rivendell)

[gimli7410]

How come all kings or their sons are always good at fighting what if it doesnt come naturally to them

[The Lady of Ithilien]

Good question, gimli7410 :)

[gimli7410]

anyone with an answer:confused:

[The Lady of Ithilien]

Originally posted by gimli7410
How come all kings or their sons are always good at fighting what if it doesnt come naturally to them Er, because those who are good at fighting take over the kingdom and rewrite its history to suit themselves (erasing the names and sometimes the persons of the previous royals and any of their kin not smart enough to change their names to Smythe, develop a good case of amnesia, and take up some nice, quiet and obscure mid-level professional position somewhere in another galaxy). It's only the kings and princes who fight well enough to keep their thrones, win them back, or to attempt either and fail spectacularly that we ever hear of.

[gimli7410]

o ok thank u:D

[Aragorn_of_the_west]

I would rank them like this:
Aragorn
Boromir
Faramir
Eomer
There may be a question about Faramir and Boromir. it does say that Faramir is a great man of power and skill in ROTK but it does not refer to his power and skill compering to Boromir and he was really good at the siege of Gondor- in conclusion- i would put Faramir with Boromir as swords men.

[Ragnarok]

1. Aragorn
2. Boromir
3. Eomer
4. Faramir

[Sween]

well Aragorns number one the only one of the line of Elros and more importantally Luthien! Boromir comes in a distant second by no means was his death shamefully he did very well. Faramir comes in second its clear that he had huge power within himself in fighting back up by his gf commets and in handling of men in this he maybe surpassed his brother! Eomer comes in a not so distant 4th i think he wasnt too far away from the brothers!

going back to an earlier point about Maedhrosi do believe he was better swordsman than Finglofin. His name ment of strong body or summet like that of all the elves bar ,aybe his father he was the strongest this is backed up by many of his deads

[Linaewen]

Good points, Sween. Except I think Eomer is third.

[Radagast The Brown]

originally posted by Sween
well Aragorns number one the only one of the line of Elros and more importantally Luthien! Boromir comes in a distant second by no means was his death shamefully he did very well. Faramir comes in second its clear that he had huge power within himself in fighting back up by his gf commets and in handling of men in this he maybe surpassed his brother! Eomer comes in a not so distant 4th i think he wasnt too far away from the brothers!

going back to an earlier point about Maedhrosi do believe he was better swordsman than Finglofin. His name ment of strong body or summet like that of all the elves bar ,aybe his father he was the strongest this is backed up by many of his deadsI agree with you. Meadros does seemed to be stronger, especially in this war... the fifth war, I believe. He was the only one that succeeded to defeat Morgoth's army. (Read the Sil)!

[Bombadillo]

I think Aragorn is the best, because it seems he had the highest kill count in the book. Then Borimir mainly for his acts at Amon Hen, although that was really only half skill and half ignoring the arrows in him. Then Faramir, and then Eomer, who was better with a spear.

[Sween]

Originally posted by Radagast The Brown
I agree with you. Meadros does seemed to be stronger, especially in this war... the fifth war, I believe. He was the only one that succeeded to defeat Morgoth's army. (Read the Sil)!

the fifth battle is the unnumbred tears i think he did kinda lose that one he managed to take out the leaders of the easterling armie. You are getting mixed up with the battle of sudden flame where the whole march of meadros was bust open apart from the hill of himring which he held with great deads or summet.

[Aragorn, King of Gondor]

The best swordsman has got to be Aragorn!

[gimli7410]

hey aragorn. you can go welcome yourself in the newbies thread in general messages. have fun at entmoot....Hahaha beat gwai to the greeting.:D

Oh and best swordsman is boromir

[Lady Tinuveil]

I am the best swordswoman-
in my opinion. But I like boromir too.

[The Ben]

I would say Aragorn. Narsil, ranger, I have lots of other reasons but I have to go. Dinner is waiting.

[LutraMage]

Aragorn - he had spent far more years learning swordcraft than any of the others (Appendix A tells of years when Aragorn travelled the world and "laboured in the cause against Sauron...he rode in the host of the Rohirrim, and fought for the Lord of Gondor by land and by sea...").

Boromir - again, the Appendix makes clear that Boromir was the born warrior "delighting chiefly in arms".

Then Eomer - his slightly rougher background and less educated character gives him an edge, I think, over Faramir when it comes to sword fighting.

I still wouldn't like to have to face Faramir in a duel, they were all amazing swordsmen.

[Lalaith]

As I obviously can't vote for LEGOLAS, I'll give it to Faramir!

[Rosie Gamgee]

Eowyn!!!

Oh, she wasn't an option? Okay:

Aragorn!!! Definately Aragorn.:D

[Lalaith]

Originally posted by Rosie Gamgee
Eowyn!!!

Oh, she wasn't an option? Okay:

Aragorn!!! Definately Aragorn.:D
God, I forgot about Eowyn.

Go, Eowyn, go. She is the best.

[Aragorn_iz_cool]

Aragorn
Elendil
Imrahil
Faramir
Eowyn
Sam
Eomer
Boromir

[Radagast The Brown]

Originally posted by Sween
the fifth battle is the unnumbred tears i think he did kinda lose that one he managed to take out the leaders of the easterling armie. You are getting mixed up with the battle of sudden flame where the whole march of meadros was bust open apart from the hill of himring which he held with great deads or summet.Yeah, you're right.

[azalea]

Sam a better swordsman than Boromir? Would you explain that choice of ranking so that I may better understand it?

[Aragorn_iz_cool]

Sam beat Shelob.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I think that had more to do with his fierce loyalty to Frodo, and the divine (or angelic) intervention of Elbereth than with his skill.

[azalea]

Originally posted by Aragorn_iz_cool
Sam beat Shelob.

I knew you were going to say that!
Okay then, what if I put forth the notion that Boromir could have killed Shelob, too? Anyone agree with that?

[LutraMage]

The truth is they could all have killed Shelob (including Merry and Pippin)! But Shelob would have tried to hide from the Warrior's with bright swords - she only attacked Frodo and Sam because she thought they were easy prey.

Sam's success with Shelob does not justify him being ranked a better swordsman than Boromir. Against any significant swordsman his short hight and equally short sword would have been too much of a handicap. That doesn't mean Sam couldn't have been a valiant warrior (he played his part in the Battle of Bywater) but he wouldn't have been counted amongst the great swordsman of the Age, unlike Boromir, Captain of Gondor and Heir to the Steward.

[Elvengirl]

How could just anyone kill Shelob? She's an evil creature that's been around since the first age. She's devoured both Men and Elves. I seem to remember that none could rival her and none could ever escape her web.

But, because Sam killed her, I wouln't necessarily rank him as the best.

I'd say Aragorn.

[LutraMage]

How could just anyone kill Shelob? She's an evil creature that's been around since the first age. She's devoured both Men and Elves. I seem to remember that none could rival her and none could ever escape her web.

Ah no, Elvengirl, I didn't say "anyone could kill Shelob", I said "they could all have killed Shelob" meaning those we are ranking as top swordsman (Aragorn, Boromir, Faramir or Eomer) and those who we have been adding to the list (heros of the First Age, Members of the Fellowship and Eowyn).:) Unless you think there is one of these who could not have killed Shelob if they had to?

Other, lesser warriors might have got lucky, but we all agree Shelob was a vicious and nasty opponent and most would have perished with their veins full of her venom:(

[Radagast The Brown]

Originally posted by Elvengirl
How could just anyone kill Shelob? She's an evil creature that's been around since the first age. She's devoured both Men and Elves. I seem to remember that none could rival her and none could ever escape her web.

But, because Sam killed her, I wouln't necessarily rank him as the best.

I'd say Aragorn. Sam is not the best swordman just becuase he killed Shelob. You have to practice a lot if you want to be a great swordman. Shelob? I didn't think she was that strong, though she was the last of Ungoliant's borns (pretty impresive. But she wasn't Ungoliant, and I'm sure she was much weaker if Sam wounded her). I think Boromir could've beat Sam easily - it's obvious he's a better swordman.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I don't think that the fact that Sam beat Shelob had anything to do with how powerful she was. It seemed to me that Samwise had Elbereth on his side, and She helped him to defeat Shelob.

[Aragorn_iz_cool]

Alright, so myebe Boromir WAS better swordsman then Sam, but he wasn't as good as Imrahil, Eomer, Aragorn, Eowyn, or Faramir.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Then you have to remember that it wasn't Sam's strength that got Shelob in the end- it was her own:

"But Shelob was not as dragons are, no softer spot had she save only her eyes. Knobbed and pitted with corruption was her age-old hide, but ever thickened from within with layer on layer of evil growth. The blade scored it with a dreadful gash, but those hideous folds could not be pierced by any strength of men, not though Elf of Dwarf should forge the steel or the hand of Beren or of Turin wield it. . . . and so Shelob, with the driving force of her cruel will, with strength greater than any warrior's hand, thrust herself upon a bitter spike."

So I don't think swordsmanship really had anything to do with winning that fight.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

A very good point, and well-made, Rosie. :) So it was in actuality that SHELOB was on Sam's side...from a certain point of view. :p

[Elvengirl]

Very true Rosie and Sam had the advantage of sizer to get under her.

Originally posted by LutraMage
Unless you think there is one of these who could not have killed Shelob if they had to?

If there was a match between even the best swordsman and Shelob, I'm not even sure that he could beat her. I think it would be a pretty close match, but then as Rosie pointed out it wasn't skill with the sword that defeated her. I'd say Shelob would have the advantage.

[LutraMage]

Quote from Elvengirl
If there was a match between even the best swordsman and Shelob, I'm not even sure that he could beat her. I think it would be a pretty close match, but then as Rosie pointed out it wasn't skill with the sword that defeated her. I'd say Shelob would have the advantage.
Good point, well made - I guess we can agree that Sam, due to his height, courage and love of Frodo was uniquely placed to kill Shelob, and that the others might well not have been able to kill her without great luck no matter how strong they were or how good a swordsman, but that Sam's fateful meeting with this evil creature does not reflect any particular skill as a swordsman on his behalf. Is that okay with you?:)

[Radagast The Brown]

originalluy posted by GW
A very good point, and well-made, Rosie. So it was in actuality that SHELOB was on Sam's side...from a certain point of view. I knew that.

originally posted by A iz C
Alright, so myebe Boromir WAS better swordsman then Sam, but he wasn't as good as Imrahil, Eomer, Aragorn, Eowyn, or Faramir.You mean that Boromir is not as good swordman as Eomer, Eowyn, etc.?

[Elvengirl]

Originally posted by LutraMage
Quote from Elvengirl

Good point, well made - I guess we can agree that Sam, due to his height, courage and love of Frodo was uniquely placed to kill Shelob, and that the others might well not have been able to kill her without great luck no matter how strong they were or how good a swordsman, but that Sam's fateful meeting with this evil creature does not reflect any particular skill as a swordsman on his behalf. Is that okay with you?:)
I completely agree :D

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Don't forget the Elvish invocation, where he uttered words he knew not. And of course, probably the deciding factor was Shelob's own terrible strength, and grotesque weight.

[Elvengirl]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
Don't forget the Elvish invocation, where he uttered words he knew not. And of course, probably the deciding factor was Shelob's own terrible strength, and grotesque weight.
Oh, of course, I had that in mind the whole time :)

[LutraMage]

Originally posted by Elvengirl
Oh, of course, I had that in mind the whole time :)
Me too, honest!:D