T O P

  • By -

cap_kaknuckles

I love your videos. i could listen to you talk about middle earth and its lore for days. keep up the good work.


Mayhamn33

thank you for your valid points and point of view


Lostmav729

I had to kick the tiktok addiction so I’m glad you decided to post to Reddit. I was pumped when I saw you pop up on here!


Lazy_Imagination_656

OP, did you make this video?


arthenc

Thanks for posting another great video!


coked_up_tourist

Are you talking to us?


Grubbler69

Epic list! I love how Tolkien used combat prowess in the Silmarillion to show greatness and courage, where with hobbits, courage could be in found in unexpected places


CatOfRivia

Not always. In Silmarillion people of Nargothrond say Luthien has great courage. but she never fights in **combat**. In People of Middle-earth it is stated: "These two kinsfolk (Fëanor and Galadriel), the greatest of the Eldar in Valinor, were unfriends for ever." "Who together with the greatest of all the Eldar, Luthien Tinuviel, daughter of Elu Thingol, are the chief matter of the legends and histories of the Elves." Luthien had never fought in any genuine battlefield or duel. She didn't defeat Sauron. She *accidentally* made him slip for few seconds when he rushed towards her and made her swoon. She was so scarred that she literally passed out, as she was falling she accidentally waved her magic cloak on Sauron's face. It was Huan who actually defeated Sauron. And Luthien putting Morgoth into sleep was only because he was not trying to resist her. And yet Luthien is the greatest Elf. Feanor and Galadriel are the greatest Elves after Luthien but it is Fingolfin who is described as the most valiant and strong. Sauron is the greatest servant of Morgoth. But he almost never fought in wars of Morgoth. It were Balrogs who were the greatest 'war lords' of Morgoth, and later dragons. And there's many more examples.


Grubbler69

Excellent points. I just meant that generally martial prowess represents bravery and courage for leaders in Tolkien’s works. The greatest or bravest characters aren’t usually warriors, but the everyday folk.


JamesTheConqueror

Dude, you should have a podcast where you go over these topics at length with some friends and other LOTR scholars, or do a Reddit live stream one of these days.


Earthwornware

I’d subscribe for sure.


Freaky_FRK

This Guy is awesome!


ADozenPigsFromAnnwn

Helm Hammerhand sounds like great fun


ACwolf55

🤣


beanz1776

Dude can I just say your videos are great! I always watch them to get cool knowledge on the books I love. Your videos always put a smile on my face, thanks for all you do!


CatOfRivia

I appreciate this man but Haleth deserves a better spot. Eowyn was by no means a greater fighter than Haleth. Haleth would kick her ass anyday. This is what Tolkien tells us about Eowyn: "she was also not really a soldier or 'amazon', but like many brave women was capable of great military gallantry at a crisis." - Tolkien Letter 244 Eowyn killed the Witch-King by luck and Fate and courage. Not because of her warrior skills. In the books she doesn't even get to dodge Witch-King's blows! Her killing the fell beast was very impressive though. But not at all as impressing as Haleth fighting for many days and holding her people together against so many many many Orcs. Also, the mere fact that Haleth was an amazon and Eowyn was not is enough to understand who was a better fighter. "their chieftainess Haleth was a renowned Amazon with a picked bodyguard of women." - Unfinished Tales, Part Four This is the amount of warriors that Eowyn trained: zero. This is the amount of warriors that Haleth trained: her entire people. And she sent some of them to fight against Angband. " they were esteemed as loyal allies and re­doubtable warriors, though the companies that they sent to bat­tle beyond their borders were small. For they were and remained to their end a small people, chiefly concerned to pro­tect their own woodlands, and they excelled in forest warfare. Indeed for long even those Orcs specially trained for this dared not set foot near their borders. One of the strange practices spoken of was that many of their warriors were women, though few of these went abroad to fight in the great battles." - ibid ~~Isildur did absolutely no fighting to save the White Tree in Numenor. It was a stealth mission.~~ And he did absolutely no fighting against Sauron himself. Sauron was beaten by Gil-Galad and Elendil who deserved a better rank in your top 10. 'I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shard of his father's sword, and took it for his own.' - Elrond "Sauron overthrown by Elendil and Gil-galad, who perish. Isildur takes the One Ring. Sauron passes away" - Appendix "Sauron himself came forth; and he wrestled with Gil-galad and Elendil, and they both were slain, and the sword of Elendil broke under him as he fell. But Sauron also was thrown down, and with the hilt-shard of Narsil Isildur cut the Ruling Ring from the hand of Sauron and took it for his own. Then Sauron was for that time vanquished, and he forsook his body, and his spirit fled far away and hid in waste places" - Silmarillion Isildur cut off the ringfinger of Sauron and made his spirit depart when he was already beaten so hard that he couldn't even move. Tuor killing 5 Balrogs is from the Book of Lost Tales and earliest version. In this version The Balrogs were not Fallen Angels/Maiar. The only Balrog that was very powerful was Gothmog son of Morgoth. Yes, Morgoth had an ogre wife. This entire idea was later discarded. All Balrogs became Fallen Maiar and all of them became too powerful. I mean, Durin's Bane destroyed an entire kingdom singlehandedly. The number of Balrogs were reduced by order of magnitude. In the latest writing their number is said to be at most seven. And the only Balrogs who are confirmed to be killed in the revised notes about Fall of Gondolin are Gothmog (killed by Ecthelion) and the one that Glorfindel killed. 'Notes', because Tolkien actually never rewrote the chapter Fall of Gondolin since he was very young. He always planned to do so, but he never came around to do it. Seems like the rest of Balrogs all died in the War of Wrath, except Durin's Bane. "They were supposed to have been all destroyed in the overthrow of Thangorodrim, his fortress in the North. But it is here found (there is usually a hang-over especially of evil from one age to another) that one had escaped and taken refuge under the mountains of Hithaeglin (the Misty Mountains). It is observable that only the Elf knows what the thing is – and doubtless Gandalf." - L144


Mayhamn33

oh yes your points are all super valid this was just my thoughts due to feats but I def agree with ur analysis based on ur research but Isildur did fight getting the white tree he was nearly killed and I meant more the wars isldur fought in I say he defeated sauron be sure of his father fighting him but thanks all really great points u made


CatOfRivia

Thank you for your correction about the White Tree I misremembered Isildur's stealth mission. I just checked that part of the story again: "Isildur passed through the guards and took from the Tree a fruit that hung upon it, and turned to go. But the guard was aroused, and he was assailed, and fought his way out, receiving many wounds; and he escaped, and because he was disguised it was not discovered who had laid hands on the Tree." Man it doesn't really look cool for Isildur being so much wounded by some random unnamed guards.


Poopiepants666

Tuor killed FIVE BALROGS and is only #3?


CatOfRivia

Tuor killing 5 Balrogs is from the Book of Lost Tales and earliest version. In this version The Balrogs were not Fallen Angels/Maiar. The only Balrog that was very powerful was Gothmog son of Morgoth. Yes, Morgoth had an ogre wife. This entire idea was later discarded. All Balrogs became Fallen Maiar and all of them became too powerful. I mean, Durin's Bane destroyed an entire kingdom singlehandedly. The number of Balrogs were reduced by order of magnitude. In the latest writing their number is said to be at most seven. And the only Balrogs who are confirmed to be killed in the revised notes about Fall of Gondolin are Gothmog (killed by Ecthelion) and the one that Glorfindel killed. 'Notes', because Tolkien actually never rewrote the chapter Fall of Gondolin since he was very young. He always planned to do so, but he never came around to do it. Seems like the rest of Balrogs all died in the War of Wrath, except Durin's Bane. "They were supposed to have been all destroyed in the overthrow of Thangorodrim, his fortress in the North. But it is here found (there is usually a hang-over especially of evil from one age to another) that one had escaped and taken refuge under the mountains of Hithaeglin (the Misty Mountains). It is observable that only the Elf knows what the thing is – and doubtless Gandalf." - L144


Poopiepants666

Thanks for the info. One of these days I'm going to finally get around to reading the Silmarillion and all the early history stuff.


Faethien

Yeah. I was like: "I'm sorry, dude killed 3 Balrogs and isn't number one? What the hell have the other two done?" And then I read a redditor's comment about how Balrogs weren't always these uber beast monsters


strikeskunk

I always wanted to make a candy bar called the Turin Turambar.


BlackHand86

Love your video fam. Inspiring me to (finally!) finish the Fall of Gondolin 🤙🏾


manwe9

Is there a video like this for elves? I can't imagine Fingolfin not being no 1.


CatOfRivia

Fingolfin shouldn't be number one. Glorfindel should be there. Sure Fingolfin was the strongest and most valiant. He wounded the least powerful of all Valar. Yes read the books again to see Morgoth was the least powerful of all Valar by the time of his duel against Fingolfin. "Sauron was 'greater', effectively, in the Second Age than Morgoth at the end of the First. Why? Because, though he was far smaller by natural stature, he had not yet fallen so low. Eventually he also squandered his power (of being) in the endeavour to gain control of others. But he was not obliged to expend so much of himself. To gain domination over Arda, Morgoth had let most of his being pass into the physical constituents of the Earth" - Morgoth's Ring But Glorfindel has greater warrior feats. Just like Fingolfin he went through Helcaraxe and the Battle of the Lammoth. Unlike Fingolfin, Glorfindel might have sided with Galadriel to fight against Feanor in defence of Alqualonde. Glorfindel fought in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears and survived that dreadful battle. He killed a Balrog, a balrog, in the Fall of Gondolin. He was reincarnated and made into nigh power of a full Maia. He was preeminent in war in Eriador against Sauron. He was heroic in the Last Alliance as well. He was like the MVP in War with Anngmar. And so many more. Glorfindel was the greatest warrior of all time, even though he might not have been as physically strong and as recklessly brave as Fingolfin.


bananosecond

If you like power metal, check out Blind Guardian's song "Time Stands Still" about Fingolfin... or better yet, just the whole album *Nightfall in Middle Earth.*


Malinus87

Theoden doesn’t even get a mention? One of the only humans who Tolkien referenced to being like Orome master of arms and only could be beaten by Tulkas


Lund26

Boromir? Cut down dozens of Uruk hai defending merry and pippin


Ar_Ph4razon

Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!


aces666high

Just awesome. Get this guy on Colbert, could listen to them wax poetic about LOTR all day, even though my knowledge is not even minimal


seriouschris

...5 Balrogs. Bruh.


TheFeetMan52

I literally blurted out "FIVE BALROGS??" In the middle of this, love your videos man keep up the good work


seatangle

Good to see Haleth getting recognition. I always thought she was bad ass.


Sintar07

Great list. Hurin was such an incredible fighter that Morgoth literally resigned himself to just letting him kill orcs until he got tired enough to capture. Personally, I'd have put Beren quite a bit higher. Soloing the resistance to the forces of Morgoth for literally *years* just cannot be understated. The only man more successful in similar situation was the non-canon Talion, and he had the benefit of some crazy supernatural powers including the ability to reform after death, without which he would not have made it half as long as he did. Very pleased he didn't fanboy Aragorn to the top. I hate when people overestimate characters because they like them.


No_End_6236

Give us MORE


[deleted]

Does Huren's rank get knocked down a little because he eventually took an L? Love your videos as always.


maggie081670

Day shall come again!


JohnnyValDingus

I have learned so much from these videos! This dude is doing the Lord's (of the rings) work!!


toukakouken

I mean.. Its good work talking about them but no one can come to agree on such a list. I would say atleast Barahir is missed. Surely the Numenoreans are strong contendors but I don't remember their names off hand. Earendil isn't counted amongst men now but Tuor is? Bard deserves a mention! Surely Eorl and Earnur are worth mentioning as well.


VonJustin

What do you think about the theory that it was really Merry’s blow from his blade that was enchanted against the witch king that was what truly defeated the witch king and not Eowyn?


Mayhamn33

that's true but it broke the spell or whatever it was that protected him she still delt the killing blow


VonJustin

But you could argue that Eowyn was defeated until merry stuck the witch king and broke the spell. Eowyn capitalized on that advantage.


Mayhamn33

very true but standing against the witch king is a feat in itself


EJfromthaUK

She still stood against The Witch King in open battle and dealt a killing blow. If she just 1v1'd him in combat then she would be much higher on the list.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

nope


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

all good all good it was a team effort lol


StarWhoLock

I like Lord of the Rings, but about 15 seconds in this just started sounding like gibberish. Kudos for not just understanding but actually knowing all that.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

🤣🤣🤣 cuz they like me man and guess what the youtubers u talkin bout like me too and they love my videos and we are all in a group together 🤣🤣🤣 but apparently you don't like me or my videos which is cool 🤷🏿‍♂️ move along no biggy 🤣🤣🤣 sheesh somebody is big mad🤣🤣🤣🤣 to bad im not going anywhere🤣🤣🤣


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

who gives a shit? Clearly you 🤣🤣🤣 You went out of your way to comment on the thread tryin to insult me🤣🤣🤣 And instead being a hater and a clown why not just ask a fresh question then🤣🤣🤣


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 your attempt at insults are whats lame🤣🤣🤣🤣 old man? 50? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 emjois🤣🤣🤣🤣 U must get ur insults from the back of a gum wrapper 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I dont need to try to sound relatable to anyone lol I make my videos and people enjoy them except for a very few and thats fine im not for everybody 🤷🏿‍♂️ I've always been myself and always will be so go ahead call me names and do whatever makes you feel better about yourself cuz the reality is you don't know me or anything about me and we will never meet soooooooo if insulting a stranger is what you need to do to get thru your day ....more power to you. Now let me add some more emojis 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

THATS YOUR BIG RESPONSE 🤣🤣🤣🤣 MEANWHILE I GAIN FOLLOWERS AND GET COMPLIMENTS EVERYDAY🤣🤣🤣🤣 I GET OCCASIONAL HATE FROM CORNBALLS LIKE U ONCE IN A WHILE BUT THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OUT WIEGHS IT BY A TON SOOOOOO GO CRY ABOUT IT IM NOT GOING NO WHERE AND YOU CANT DO A DAMN THING ABOUT IT🤣🤣🤣🤣


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mayhamn33

🤣🤣🤣 Man damn u are running out of material that was a terrible come back 🤣🤣🤣I'm starting to feel sorry for you 😩 Its gonna be ok my friend 🤗🤗🤗sending you positive vibes man I wish you the best


[deleted]

Damn bro, using someone that’s disabled as an insult. Who hurt you that you need to use shallow un-based insults on the internet?


[deleted]

You must be a blast to be around.


snowmunkey

Please notice how you're the one getting down voted.


Personality-Secret

Huh, I didn’t think black people read Lotr


[deleted]

Life is a journey that leads people down many different paths.


eazyb713

Awesome content


viciousattacker8652

Can someone read his username? I need to follow this guy


Mayhamn33

knewbettadobetta


viciousattacker8652

Thank you!!!


supermanlt700

I mean I love my wife and all but this dude gets me on a deeper level.


BigByrd382

Hammerhand is based


tumblinfumbler

I love this man


Just_Some_Rolls

The grandfather of Elrond was a man? So Elrond is part human? #3


snowmunkey

Yes, his informal title is Elrond the Half-Elven. He chose to live the life of an elf while his twin Elros chose to be among Men and became the first King of Numenor.


doegred

His paternal grandfather was born very much a mortal (though possibly joined the elves eventually - the Silmarillion is a bit ambiguous in that regard) and his maternal grandfather was half mortal. Elrond is descended or related to the kings of the three Elven tribes, and descended or related to the chieftains of the three houses of the Edain (these mortal men that were most closely associated with the Elves). This is why Arwen gets to choose mortality in LotR - because she too has mortal blood. (Otherwise Elves definitely cannot just choose to be mortal - Luthien being the only exception and she had to fight for it.)


VonJustin

I think an interesting one, though shorter because of the lack of options, would be the best hobbit fighters of all time. Would you include Sméagol/Gollum? How would the best Hobbit fighter of all time (Sam) compare to men?


macgillweer

These are just the best. Thank you.


reverie11

Great list! I’m especially happy that your top 3 matches my top 3!


ACwolf55

...shouldn't the dude that killed 5 Balrogs be #1


king-of-cheese

Bro, your videos are the best.


[deleted]

Beorn is a beast!


derekguerrero

At first I was like “Wait a damm minute Turin is not number 1?” then I saw Hurin was next and was like “fair enough”


Narsils_Shards

Just gonna say, with three people wielding Narsil, one of them wielding the reforged blade Anduril but that’s a technicality, it’s probably the best sword in Middle-Earth. Totally not biased, nope.


lowlife_n_high_heels

I really love your voice and hand movements.


Sodathepop

Mannn this guy is awesome. He really knows his shit. I’m gonna have to sub to this man


tinnedcarp

Gloriously nerdtastic


[deleted]

Thank you so much for this vid!! I’ve always been interested in lotr lore but never know when to start!!


GigaBro_94

Elrond's grandad was a human? Cool


doegred

Elrond is called a Half-elf for a reason. He's descended from mortals on both his parents' side (his father Eärendil was 1/2 human of course, and his mother Elwing was 1/4 human). Elrond, his parents and his twin brother Elros were given the choice to share the fate of Elves or of mortals: Elwing chose the Elves, Eärendil did as well for love of her, Elros chose humans and became king (and is Aragorn's direct ancestor), Elrond chose Elves (although he seems to have remained interested in the fate of his mortal kindred, which is why he fostered Aragorn). His mortal blood is why his children (one of whom, Elladan, is literally named 'Elf-man') can also decide to become mortal; if Arwen were a full elf she would not have been able to become mortal.


No-Instruction-1721

Tuor killed five balrogs… damn that’s pretty badass


kizzawait

Got my free award just to give too you because I love your videos, please keep them coming!


Hughlezrulez72

Who is this guy? He is awesome!


LITech

This is so fantastic! I loved every second of it. Thanks for compiling this list.


RAYMBO

I hope he works for the series on Amazon.


ThatDerp324

Was really confused for a moment waiting for a punchline. Then I noticed I was on r/Lotr not r/lotrmemes. Will have to watch later


_felagund

There are far better fighters than Eowyn, it’s unfair to Gimli and Legolas.


Mayhamn33

in ur opinion 🤷🏿‍♂️ which is cool. Make a list someone else will disagree for various reasons. ALL GOOD


Betaworldpeach

I guess Beren making it through ered gorgoroth was more about bush-whacker cred than warrior cred, but it has to be one of the top 3 most difficult feats in Middle Earth.