The Most Powerful Characters In 'Lord of the Rings' And ‘The Hobbit’
J.R.R. Tolkien's expansive and wondrous world of Middle-earth is host to some unimaginably powerful beings. From legendary heroes and wizards to flame-wreathed Balrogs and dragons, there is no shortage of epic fights in the series. Though fans have already decided who reigns supreme amongst the series' beloved hobbits, there is room for debate on who would win in a battle royale among the most powerful LotR characters as well as The Hobbit.
We will be leaving out the almighty Valar and the supreme deity Eru Ilúvatar as well as a few other characters from The Silmarillion for the sake of fairness. Who do you think is at the top of the ranks when it comes to the strongest Middle-earth characters?
- 12,465 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Known as the Dark Lord, Sauron is the scourge of Middle-earth. He begins as a Maia who serves Melkor, the being who brought all evil into existence. After Melkor is banished to the void by the Valar, Sauron rises as the second Dark Lord and, over the ages, seeks to dominate all of Middle-earth. Across many centuries of Middle-earth's history, Sauron foments many wars and is the source of much treachery and cruelty.
What He Can Do: Sauron once was the student of the Vala and master-smith Aulë. This is where he learned the subtle art and mastery of forging magic rings and gained the ability to create the Rings of Power. He is also a skilled liar and is able to use his cunning to persuade people into believing his falsehoods. Before Sauron's defeat by Lúthien and Huan, he has the ability to shift into many forms, including those of a vampire and a werewolf.
Memorably Powerful Moments: In the disguise of the benevolent Annatar "Lord of Gifts," Sauron infiltrates elvish society and instructs them in the arts of magic-ring making. This is a trap; he secretly forges the almighty One Ring and uses it to gain power over all the other ring-bearers. He is able to bend them to his will and corrupts their spirits in a plot to take control of all Middle-earth. He also plays a huge role in orchestrating the downfall of Númenór. Even after he is obliterated by Isildur, his spirit cannot be destroyed. He remains a powerful and dangerous entity in the form of an all-seeing eye, gathering armies and commanding the Nazgûl until Frodo finally destroys the One Ring.
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Tom Bombadil
Who He Is: Tom Bombadil is a figure who is shrouded in mystery - no one is actually sure what he is or where he came from, but he claims to remember a time before the Valar came into the world. He rules a small, tucked-away land called the Old Forest alongside his beautiful wife Goldberry, a magical spirit of the river. He sings, dances, and lives a life of woodland whimsy, but he seems to foster a power beyond anything others have ever known, holding sway over the land and the forces of nature itself. Despite his unfathomable strength, he chooses to remain as a neutral force during all the clashes of Middle-earth.
What He Can Do: Older than all else, except perhaps Ilúvatar himself, Tom is even immune to the powers of the One Ring; Frodo offers it to him, and it has no effect on him whatsoever. Inside of his forest, Tom's power to control the land seems practically unlimited, and he is called "master of wood, water, and hill" by his wife. Along with being impossible to capture or imprison, Tom easily takes control over the deadly Old Man Willow when he tries to crush Merry and Pippin.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Tom's shining moment comes when he rescues the four hobbits from the wights in the Barrow-downs. The terrifying phantom-like creatures haunt the burial grounds and lure in unsuspecting victims to a gruesome end. The halfling companions are captured by these frightful specters and nearly become the victims of a dark, sacrificial ritual. Frodo interrupts this by cutting off one of the wights' hands and calling for Tom Bombadil's help. Tom appears in an instant and sings a song that banishes the wights in a glorious demonstration of his power.
- 32,222 VOTESPhoto: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Gandalf is known by many names (Mithrandir and Olórin, to name a few), and he is a Maia who first lives in the Undying Lands among the other heavenly beings and elves. He was sent to Middle-earth as an Istar - or wizard - by the Valar to aid those who would fight against Sauron and put an end to the Dark Lord's evil deeds. Gandalf acts as a guide to Thorin and company in The Hobbit, helping Bilbo and the dwarves through numerous perils on their journey. Along with the White Council, he is also responsible for vanquishing Sauron when he appears in the form of the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. The wizard plays a vital role in the War of the Ring, overcoming even death itself to transform into Gandalf the White.
What He Can Do: In addition to being deeply wise and knowledgeable, Gandalf can perform fearsome magic and is particularly gifted with light and fire-based spells. He is capable - with a word - of shattering Saruman's staff and banishing the dark wizard's spirit from the body of King Théoden. In addition, he is also an adept swordsman and wields the famed blade "Glamdring the Foe-Hammer."
Memorably Powerful Moments: In the depths of Khazad-dûm, the Fellowship encounters a demon-like beast known as a Balrog, which was once a Maia like Gandalf but became twisted and warped by Melkor's evil. Gandalf single-handedly does battle with the creature, and even while plummeting through the chasms of Moria, he struggles valiantly against the Balrog and its flaming whip. The wizard is eventually victorious, but it costs him his life. Yet, even death cannot stop Gandalf, and he rises again to rejoin the battle for Middle-earth.
- 41,369 VOTESPhoto: Lord of the Rings / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: All the demon-like Balrogs were once Maiar, like Gandalf, but became twisted by the evil ways of Melkor. When the Fellowship travels deep into the Mines of Moria, they encounter a fearsome Balrog known as "Durin's Bane." It is first awakened by dwarves who dig too deeply into the earth in search of mithril, and it unleashes its fury upon the dwarven king Durin VI and his son. Thousands of years later, it is again disturbed by the Fellowship at the Khazad-dûm, where it enters into a dire fight with Gandalf.
What He Can Do: Balrogs are capable of staggering feats of dark magic and are among the most physically powerful beings in Middle-earth. They wield both a flaming sword and a whip of fire that they use to lay waste to any who oppose them.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Durin's Bane faces off against Gandalf in one of the most epic fights of the entire series. It is so strong, it resists the wizard's spell of blocking, and though it is cast into the chasm, it still manages to ensnare Gandalf and bring him down alongside it. Even while falling through the pit, the beast does not abandon its fight, and finally, it succeeds in its grim purpose of depriving Gandalf of his life.
- 51,965 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who She Is: Lady Galadriel is the ruler of the woods of Lothlórien, where she reigns with Lord Celeborn, her husband. She is the grandmother of Arwen, and the niece of Fëanor, who created the legendary and bewitching gems known as the Silmarils. She played a large role in the rebellion of the Ñoldor and forsook the land of Valinor along with her kin, desiring to travel to Middle-earth and rule there. She bears one of the three greatest magic rings gifted to the elves, Nenya, and is a member of the White Council.
What She Can Do: Galadriel has a great command of magic and is rumored to be an enchantress. She is able to communicate through thought alone and can resist Sauron's influence, even though she bears a Ring of Power. Through the use of her mirror, she seems to have the ability of future sight and bears extensive knowledge of the past.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Along with the other members of the White Council, she drives Sauron, in the form of the Necromancer, away from his fortress at Dol Guldur. Perhaps even more impressive, however, is the strength she displays in refusing Frodo's offer of the One Ring. In this moment, she masters her desire for power and realizes that she needs to return to Valinor.
- 61,368 VOTES
Smaug
Photo: The Desolation of Smaug / Warner Bros. PicturesWho He Is: Smaug is a vicious fire-drake from the north who covets gold and hoarded riches above all else. When he hears of the great prosperity of the dwarves in Erebor, he wipes out the neighboring towns and invades the mountain, killing many of the dwarves and claiming their treasure for his own. He dwells inside the mountain for 171 years after his siege, sleeping on piles of the treasure he stole.
What He Can Do: As a huge, fire-breathing dragon, it's easy to see why Smaug would be a nasty foe. In his own words, he has many impressive and deadly traits: "My armor is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath... death!"
Memorably Powerful Moments: When the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins disturbs the hulking dragon in his lair and taunts him with the theft of a single piece of the treasure, Smaug's rage is again awakened. He takes to the skies and swoops down on Lake-town. Though Bard is eventually able to fell the gigantic beast, Smaug succeeds in completely destroying the town and many of the lives of its citizens in a blaze of fury.
- 71,203 VOTESPhoto: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: As one of the Istari, Saruman first comes to Middle-earth at the will of the Valar. Though he is sent to oppose Sauron, and for many centuries is a great force for good on the White Council, he is eventually corrupted by Sauron and the desire for power. He attempts to get the One Ring for himself by becoming Sauron's servant, taking over Isengard, and commanding an army of Uruk-hai and other hostiles.
What He Can Do: Saruman first studies dark magic in order to know his enemy Sauron better, but the temptation to use them for his own gain proves too great to resist. He has the power to gain far sight, knowledge, and communication with the Dark Lord through his Palantir as well as possess the minds and bodies of others, as we see when he invades King Théoden.
Memorably Powerful Moments: His magic staff and proficiency with dark sorcery allow him to perform spells that are powerful enough to subdue his fellow Istar, Gandalf, when he comes to seek his counsel at Isengard. In the books only, he escapes to the Shire after Isengard is taken. There, he manages to take over the whole region and turns life in the peaceful land into a living nightmare.
- 81,156 VOTES
The Witch-King of Angmar
Photo: The Two Towers / New Line CinemaWho He Is: The Witch-King of Angmar is the leader of the Ringwraiths, also known as the Nazgûl. He is Sauron's right-hand man, and he tirelessly searches for the ring atop his winged Fellbeast. Long ago, he was a king of men, but his heart and mind were corrupted by one of Sauron's Rings of Power. The Witch-King and his eight wicked companions hunt Frodo across Middle-earth, laying waste to all that stands in their way.
What He Can Do: As an undead wraith, the Witch-King cannot be killed by any living man. His dark blade is cursed, and when he stabs Frodo with it on Weathertop, the wound never truly heals and leaves the hobbit feeling empty for the rest of his days. The Witch-King, as well as the other Nazgûl, can sense when a person puts the One Ring on, due to the connection they have with it via their own Rings of Power. The Witch-King is also a blood-thirsty warrior on the battlefield, having claimed numerous victories and destroying many cities throughout the history of Middle-earth.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Prior to the War of the Ring, the Witch-King besieged and waged war in the territories of the north for hundreds of years. Though he managed to conquer it for a time, he was eventually driven out to Minas Morgul. During the War of the Ring, the Witch-King won many decisive victories in a sweep of violence and domination orchestrated at the bidding of Sauron - most notably, the seizing of Osgiliath.
- 91,238 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Elrond is the Lord of Rivendell and a member of the White Council. He is the father of Arwen and is married to Celebrían, the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. As a descendent of the legendary human/elven couple Beren and Lúthien, Elrond is a half-elf and, as such, is given the choice to either live as an elf or as a human. His twin brother, Elros, chooses the life of mankind and rules as the first king of Númenór, but ultimately dies. Elrond chooses the life of the elves and remains an influential and well-connected player in the histories of Middle-earth.
What He Can Do: Elrond is the ring-bearer of Vilya, the strongest of the three elven Rings of Power. He is an accomplished warlord and is skilled in combat. In addition, he is incomparably wise and holds great sway over many of the elvish people.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Elrond is a key member of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and fights in the wars to end Sauron's reign of cruelty. After the Dark Lord falls, Elrond begs Isildur to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mt. Doom. Though it is unclear, this suggests that Elrond himself may have the ability to fight off the mighty influence of the Ring, which is no small feat. In the Hobbit films, he puts up a fierce fight against the Nazgûl in the face-off against the Necromancer, demonstrating his prowess as a swordsman and a wielder of his mighty Ring of Power.
- 10968 VOTES
Gwaihir Lord of Eagles
Photo: The Return of the King / New Line CinemaWho He Is: Gwaihir is the lord of the great eagles and the son of the legendary Thorondor. The clan of eagles was sent by the leader of the Valar, Manwë, to watch over the elves who were exiled from Valinor as they made a new life in Middle-earth. Gwaihir becomes the leader of these majestic and fierce birds in the Third Age and is allied with men and elves during the War of the Ring. At some point during his long life, his wing is struck with a poisoned arrow, but Gandalf comes to his aid and saves him from doom.
What He Can Do: The Lord of Eagles is a notably swift and agile flier as well as a merciless foe in combat. His eyesight is sharp beyond compare, and he is capable of carrying heavy amounts of weight as he flies over great distances.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Gwaihir comes to the aid of Gandalf many a time as thanks for saving his life. It was the great eagle who rescued the wizard from Saruman's clutches, and also he who found him atop the mountain after Gandalf's fatal battle with the Balrog. Most notable among Gwaihir's rescues, however, is his extraction of Frodo and Sam from the burning sides of Mount Doom after the ring had been destroyed.
- 111,087 VOTESPhoto: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: The heir of Elendil, Aragorn is one of the long-lived Dúnedain, descended from the men of Númenor. He spends many of his years as a Ranger of the North, protecting innocent travelers in the wilderness. Though he is reluctant to rise to power and claim his true position as King of Gondor, he eventually takes responsibility as one of the Fellowship of the Ring. He goes on to command the army that stands against Sauron in the War of the Ring and is crowned king at Minas Tirith when the fighting ends.
What He Can Do: Aragorn is blessed with long life and vitality beyond that of an average man, owing to his Númenorean blood. He is a skilled warrior and ranger, allowing him to effortlessly track prey and observe the environment to gather clues about what recently happened there. He is also well-versed with surviving in the wild and in the art of healing.
Memorably Powerful Moments: During the War of the Ring, Aragorn assumes the role of the quintessential leader and hero. In a last blaze of glory, when he thinks all could be lost, he bravely summons his forces and rides into the gates of Mordor, though he knows he is hopelessly outnumbered. Not only does he prove his worth as a ruler, but he also overcomes his personal dread at becoming king and possibly failing in the same way his ancestor Isildur did.
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Radagast the Brown
Photo: An Unexpected Journey / Warner Bros. PicturesWho He Is: Radagast is one of the five Istari who came to Middle-earth in order to help men and elves oppose Sauron. Unlike Gandalf or Saruman, Radagast is little interested in the fights and political dealings of Middle-earth. He is hyper-focused on the world of the beasts, birds, and plants, choosing to live in nature and befriend the beings that live in the woods.
What He Can Do: As a wizard, Radagast has strong magical abilities. He is able to converse with animals and has a vast knowledge of magical herbs. He is an ally to the eagles of Middle-earth, and in the films, he employs a team of Rhosgobel Rabbits to convey him on a sled at incredible speeds.
Memorably Powerful Moments: As part of the White Council, Radagast did battle with Sauron, the Necromancer, and helped to banish him from his fortress. In the Hobbit movies, he also fought alongside his eagle friends in the Battle of the Five Armies.
- 13865 VOTESPhoto: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: In the Second Age, the King of the Dead is a once-mortal ruler who pledges an oath to come to Isildur's aid if ever he is called. However, this treacherous king is secretly allied to Sauron, and when the moment arrives when Isildur requests his aid, the king does not come. This betrayal causes Isildur to curse the king and all his men, dooming them to an afterlife of unending emptiness as earthbound spirits. The King of the Dead haunts his grim halls, trapped and unable to go to his rest for thousands of years, until Aragorn offers him a chance to aid Gondor in battle and, at long last, fulfill his oath.
What He Can Do: He and his legion of ghostly soldiers are incapable of taking damage or falling in battle, but they can viciously attack others. The army appears invulnerable in every sense, and they overtake their enemies in a wave of inexorable strength.
Memorably Powerful Moments: When Aragorn arrives in the Halls of the Dead, the King deliberates whether to finally do his duty to the heir of Isildur or remain trapped. After a dramatic cascading of skulls, the hall collapses, and the King emerges from his imprisonment to fight alongside Aragorn. The King of the Dead and his army are nigh unstoppable, and they prove to be an invaluable asset in the War of the Ring, turning the tide of a losing battle.
- 14835 VOTESPhoto: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Treebeard is an Ent - an ancient, tree-like creature that acts as a shepherd to the forests. He stands at a staggering height, boasts great physical strength, and is believed to be the oldest of the surviving Ents in Middle-earth. He is forced to watch the population of his people dwindle due to the loss of the Entwives and the consequent inability to give birth to new Ents. He lives in the forest of Fangorn near Isengard and was once the friend of Saruman before the wizard's ambitions turned nefarious.
What He Can Do: Though he is slow to act, when the time comes for combat, Treebeard is an indomitable foe. In the films, after seeing how Saruman devastated the forests around his home, Treebeard launches into a ferocious attack on the orcs. His powerful swings toss enemies aside as if they were nothing but ragdolls, and no type of attack seems to faze him.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Treebeard takes full control of the battle at Isengard, ripping down the walls and crushing his enemies without mercy. Along with his fellow Ents, he breaches the dam that had cut off life-giving water to his forest. This floods the battlefield, causing all of the enemy forces to be swept away in the raging current.
- 151,030 VOTES
Glorfindel
Photo: The Return of the King / New Line CinemaWho He Is: Glorfindel is an elvish hero who single-handedly faces a Balrog. Though he is able to slay the beast, he loses his life in the violent duel. Because he is an elf, Glorfindel's spirit stays alive in the Halls of Mandos. Owing to his great courage and sacrifice, however, he is soon given the chance to return to Middle-earth in corporeal form. Upon his return, he faces the Witch-King of Angmar and drives him away, making the prediction that no man could ever destroy the Ringwraith.
What He Can Do: Glorfindel is highly gifted in the arts of combat, as well as having remarkable courage. Upon receiving his second physical incarnation, Manwë gifts Glorfindel with wondrous powers, similar to those of the Maiar. He is also skilled in the arts of healing, as demonstrated when he tends to Frodo's poisoned wound.
Memorably Powerful Moments: In the books, it is not Arwen but Glorfindel who helps the hobbits escape from the Nazgûl. He draws the Black Riders away from the group of hobbits and summons a rushing torrent of water in the river to blast them away when they pursue him.
- 16926 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Legolas is the prince of the woodland realm Mirkwood, a key member of the Fellowship of the Ring, and is perhaps the most skilled archer in Middle-earth. He travels alongside Frodo on the way to Mordor, slaying orcs so frequently that he makes a game out of it with his good friend, Gimli. He is an invaluable warrior on the battlefields during the War of the Ring, fighting ferociously in every major conflict.
What He Can Do: Legolas's skill with a bow is unparalleled, and in addition, he is incredibly agile, fast, and strong. In the films, he is constantly performing acrobatics that seem to defy logic. Legolas's senses of sight and hearing are preternaturally keen, and he is proficient at fighting with dual knives. Apparently, also, he can really hold his liquor.
Memorably Powerful Moments: In The Return of the King, Legolas single-handedly takes down a massive oliphant. He scales the beast, cuts loose the rider and saddle, and manages to slay it with a few staggeringly powerful arrows at close range.
- 17785 VOTESPhoto: The Desolation of Smaug / Warner Bros. Pictures
Who He Is: Chieftain of the Beornings, Beorn takes the form of a giant man at times but can also shape-shift into a monstrous bear at will. He lives in the wilderness where he keeps a number of highly-intelligent animals, and during the events of The Hobbit, he acts as host to Thorin and Company. He allows the company to stay with him and provides them with many useful tools and provisions. When the Battle of the Five Armies begins, Beorn arrives and joins in the fray against the goblins.
What He Can Do: On top of being a Skin-changer and possessing immense physical strength, Beorn also can communicate with animals. He also has a great understanding of the secrets of the woods, as he warns Bilbo and his companions not to drink from the cursed streams in Mirkwood.
Memorably Powerful Moments: In the film version of The Hobbit, Beorn has a personal vendetta against the villain Azog the Defiler, who slaughters his kin or keeps some of them as slaves for his entertainment. He joins in the war to get revenge on those who committed atrocities against his people, viciously destroying all orcs and goblins he encounters.
- 18652 VOTESPhoto: The Two Towers / New Line Cinema
Who She Is: Shelob is a descendant of Ungoliant, the primordial spider who destroyed the beautiful trees of Valinor and cast the world into darkness. She takes the form of a gigantic and menacing spider, hiding in the dark caverns of Mordor. Her hunger is insatiable, so much so that she even consumes her own children.
What She Can Do: On top of being blindingly fast and deadly in her sheer force, Shelob can entangle her prey in the webs she spins. Her venom leaves her victims paralyzed and limp so that she can feed slowly on their still-living forms.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Gollum lures Frodo into the overgrown spider's lair and attempts to leave him for dead. She ensnares the hobbit in her many webs, putting up a fierce fight. Though he and Sam are able to fight her back with the Phial of Galadriel and Sting, Shelob poisons Frodo with her stinger and immobilizes him with her web, leaving him inches from death.
- 19704 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Gimli is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring and journeys across Middle-earth with Frodo, acting as a protector and companion. He is the son of the dwarf Glóin, who is part of the company that travels with Bilbo Baggins to reclaim Erebor and drive out the dragon Smaug. Gimli is sent by Dáin II, King Under the Mountain, to the Council of Elrond at the start of the War of the Ring to investigate the rumors and the strange activity of the orcs. Gimli chooses to join the Fellowship partly because of his mistrust of the elves and what they might do with the One Ring, but he eventually becomes a close friend of Legolas. After the War of the Ring, Gimli becomes the lord of the Glittering Caves.
What He Can Do: Gimli is a staunch and sturdy warrior, favoring the use of an ax over all other weapons. He is great in stamina and endurance and is an immovable and brutal fighter against the orcs.
Memorably Powerful Moments: After learning of the destruction of Moria and the slaying of his cousin Balin, Gimli's thirst for revenge cannot be abated. He goes into a frenzy, cutting down goblins and orcs in wild sweeps. He doesn't even think twice before charging at the gigantic cave troll that threatens the Fellowship.
- 20715 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who She Is: Arwen is the daughter of Elrond, the granddaughter of Galadriel, and the wife of King Aragorn. Like her forebears, she is half-elven and descends from the line of Beren and Lúthien and faces the choice to live as an everlasting elf or as a mortal human. Also, like her ancestors, her relationship with Aragorn represents the union between men and elves. The choice of her fate, however, means she can never rejoin her kin in the Undying Lands, but as a sign of deepest respect and gratitude for saving Middle-earth, she offers Frodo Baggins her place on the ship to Valinor.
What She Can Do: In the films, Arwen is portrayed as a brave and powerful rider. She is able to sneak up on Aragorn, a ranger with heightened senses, without being detected. She also has a magical connection with nature and is able to call the river spirits to her aid, as well as harnessing a mysterious power that keeps Frodo clinging to life.
Memorably Powerful Moments: In the films, it is Arwen who rushes the gravely injured Frodo to Rivendell after his perilous encounter with the Ringwraiths. She is shown to be a superbly fast rider and covers a great distance, all while being pursued by the Nazgûl. In a display of might, she summons the spirits of water that take the form of a legion of horses. These wipe the Wraiths completely away, leaving her free to make the final dash to Rivendell.
- 21618 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor II, the steward of Gondor. As a decorated war hero, he is sent by his power-hungry father to the Council of Elrond in order to investigate the happenings around the Ring of Power. As a proud man of Gondor, he is eager to use the power of the Ring to protect his people and drive out the orcs that are always laying waste to his country's territories. Though he is courageous and full of love for his homeland, Boromir is corrupted by the power of the Ring and ultimately meets his doom.
What He Can Do: In addition to being a peerless fighter and commander, Boromir possesses the famed Horn of Gondor, which is a precious heirloom that, when blown to call for aid, can be heard in Gondor no matter the distance. Boromir used this horn to halt the approach of the orcs of the Balrog as they pursued the Fellowship.
Memorably Powerful Moments: When Merry and Pippin are threatened by a group of Uruk-Hai, Boromir hastens to their rescue. He fights courageously, though he is hopelessly outnumbered, taking down many foes before he is struck with an arrow. In his last moments, he fights through the agony to try to protect the hobbits and withstands getting shot by multiple arrows before he finally collapses.
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Éomer
Photo: The Return of the King / New Line CinemaWho He Is: Éomer is the nephew of Théoden, the brother of Éowyn, and a fearless Rider of Rohan. He has much experience in battle and becomes the third Marshal of the Mark. His people look to him as a leader when Théoden is manipulated by Wormtongue, and even when he is unfairly banished from his home, he still continues to fight for the good of his land and the protection of the people of Rohan.
What He Can Do: Éomer wields a spear as he rides into battle. As one of the Rohirrim, he has many years of experience riding and commanding horses in battle, which proves very useful during the many vicious conflicts in the War of the Ring.
Memorably Powerful Moments: When a party of malicious Uruk-Hai enters the land of Rohan with the intent of bringing the kidnapped Merry and Pippin to Saruman, Éomer intercepts them. He and the Riders of Rohan do not hesitate to engage them in battle, and soon, they are able to dispatch with the entire party of evildoers.
- 23603 VOTES
Thorin II Oakenshield
Photo: An Unexpected Journey / Warner Bros. PicturesWho He Is: Thorin is the proud and courageous heir to the throne of Erebor. When the dragon Smaug lays waste to his kingdom and seizes his people's treasure, Thorin spends many long years planning revenge. He eventually forms a party with twelve of his dwarvish kin, the wizard Gandalf, and Bilbo Baggins to reclaim his throne and drive out the dragon. The company has many adventures and eventually succeeds in restoring Thorin to his rightful place as King Under the Mountain. Unfortunately, Thorin's greed and refusal to part with any of the treasure creates the conflict that leads to the Battle of Five Armies, which proves fatal to the dwarven king.
What He Can Do: Thorin got his name of "Oakenshield" when he used an oak branch to fend off his enemies after his shield broke in battle. He is a brawny warrior who wields the famed blade Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver, but he is also skilled with the bow and ax.
Memorably Powerful Moments: In the film adaptations of The Hobbit, Thorin enters into single combat with Azog the Defiler, the wicked orc who slew his father, Thrain. The white orc, who Thorin maimed during their first fateful duel, is strong beyond measure, but the dwarven king manages to overcome him. Though he is victorious, this fight ultimately costs Thorin his life.
- 24586 VOTESPhoto: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Isildur is the son of King Elendil, the first King of Gondor and Arnor who rules over the exiled Númenoreans. He and his kin fight in the battle against Sauron with the Last Alliance of men and elves. After seven years of war, Sauron finally descends from his tower to put an end to the resistance, but he is slain by Isildur, who takes Sauron's One Ring for himself. Instead of destroying it, Isildur keeps the Ring to use for his own ends. It ultimately ends up costing him his life, but his bloodline lives on - he is the direct ancestor of Aragorn.
What He Can Do: Isildur is a mighty warrior, and he rules as one of the kings of Gondor, alongside his brother. He is the one who plants the seedling that one day becomes the White Tree of Gondor, having stolen a fruit from the beloved tree Nimloth, which came from the Undying Lands. Nimloth was later cut down at the behest of Sauron, but due to Isildur's effort, its successor survived and graced his kingdom for centuries after.
Memorably Powerful Moments: When the Dark Lord slays King Elendil, breaking the royal sword Narsil in the process, Isildur strikes back to avenge his father's death. He takes up the broken hilt of Narsil and cuts the Ring from Sauron's hand, defeating the Dark Lord and annihilating his body.
- 25575 VOTESPhoto: The Two Towers / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Faramir is Boromir's younger brother and is a hero of Gondor. Though he is badly treated by his cruel father Denethor, he remains loyal and hardworking, giving everything to earn his father's love. He has long lived in Boromir's shadow, not able to match his ambition and hunger for power. Though he is not able to claim as much glory in war as his elder brother, Faramir shows a strength of spirit and moral fortitude that Boromir can not.
What He Can Do: Faramir is accomplished with a bow and a blade, and when the time to ride into battle comes, his courage does not fail him. Even when his father orders him to fight in a skirmish that will almost certainly kill him, Faramir goes to his duty without hesitation.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Unlike Boromir, Faramir was able to resist the dark temptation of the Ring and do what is right. In the books, his strength of spirit is shown when he plainly admits he has no interest in the Ring or its astonishing power. In the movies, Faramir struggles with the temptation to bring the Ring to his father in order to accomplish a task that Boromir could not do, but in the end, he chooses what is right over what is gainful. He lets Frodo and the Ring go, even though his decision could cost him his life and any chance at gaining recognition from his father.
- 26528 VOTESPhoto: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Who He Is: Théoden is the mighty and noble King of Rohan. His mind becomes poisoned by his treacherous advisor, Gríma Wormtongue, who is acting at the behest of the fallen wizard Saruman. However, with Gandalf's help, Théoden casts off Saruman's evil possession and reclaims his kingdom. Shortly after this, he assumes the role of the quintessential leader, guiding his people out of harm's way and achieving the almost impossible feat of defending the fortress at the Battle of Helm's Deep. Though he eventually falls against the Witch-King of Angmar, Théoden's honor is restored, and he goes to death finally feeling worthy of meeting his ancestors.
What He Can Do: As is the same with the other warriors of his country, Théoden is a skilled horseback rider. He is also a fair-minded and stalwart king to his people, carefully choosing his plans, but also knowing when to risk all for honor and glory.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Though his country was so often abandoned by Gondor in their hour of greatest need, when Gondor calls for aid from Rohan, Théoden moves past his grudge and prepares to sacrifice everything in the name of what is right. He rides with valor into what he knows is certain doom, inspiring his loyal warriors and unflinchingly doing his duty.
- 27522 VOTESPhoto: The Battle of the Five Armies / Warner Bros. Pictures
Who He Is: In The Hobbit, Bard is a citizen of Lake-town who eventually becomes King of Dale. When the dragon Smaug attacks the town, Bard bravely stands his ground and shoots many arrows at the beast in hopes of saving his people. After the destruction of Lake-town, he leads his army to attempt to get reparations from Thorin and ultimately ends up commanding Lake-town's forces in the Battle of Five Armies.
What He Can Do: Bard possesses a special arrow that his father passes down to him and he has, somehow, always been able to retrieve. On top of owning this heirloom, Bard is a highly skilled archer, as well as a good and fair leader to his people.
Memorably Powerful Moments: When it seems all is lost and Smaug will destroy Lake-town, a thrush sent by Bilbo flies to Bard's side and tells him of the dragon's weak spot. Bard lets fly a Black Arrow with a superior shot and succeeds in slaying the wicked dragon.
- 28622 VOTESPhoto: The Two Towers / New Line Cinema
Who She Is: As a shieldmaiden of Rohan, Éowyn does not shy away from a fight and will do anything to protect her people. At great peril to her own life, she disguises herself as a man in order to defend Rohan against the forces of Sauron in the War of the Ring. She is also a loyal niece and daughter-figure to King Théoden, staying by his side even when Gríma Wormtongue and Saruman infect his mind and use him as a puppet. After her heroic efforts in the War of the Ring, Éowyn eventually marries Faramir.
What She Can Do: The women in Rohan are proud to learn the arts of combat and defense, and Éowyn excels in these skills. She is a practiced swordfighter as well as a competent rider.
Memorably Powerful Moments: Éowyn faces the horrifying Witch-King of Angmar with Meriadoc Brandybuck at her side when all others on the battlefield flee in terror. In a clean swipe, she beheads the hideous Fellbeast the Witch-King rides and absorbs the titanic blow he retaliates with. Though her shield is shattered and she is hurt, she still stands her ground. Merry comes to her aid, stabbing the Witch-King in the leg. In that moment of distraction, Éowyn seizes the chance and plunges her blade through the Wraith's head, thus thwarting the claim that no "man" could defeat the Witch-King.
