Weapon of Choice
 

Many weapons exist on middle earth...Which is most effective?The magical staff, the masterful sword, the crude scimitar, or something else?

I think the Sword, because in the right hands, a sword wielding warrior can be unstoppable.

mmmm.... sword...

im learning to use a sword

If it counts the ring of power lol

Yes, I agree, the sword. Think about it and the history of it. Most great warriors held teh sword too, and not just in ME. Think about it in the middle-ages, like William Wallace or Joan of Arc. I think that it is most effective, because there are many variations of it and it will suit the fighting style of a warrior. It can be quick and powerful. Some can be held with one, others need to, and some can be either way. The onehanded swords only need one hand obviously, so you can keep the other hand free, hold a shield (this helps in balancing your offense and defense) or you can even hold another sword. Even if you're using a two-handed sword, you can still use the sword to block to some degree.

Well after all this about swords, I think i'll try something else.....Bows.

Bows are a perfect long range weapon which, when used collectively can stop swordsmen dead in their tracks (literally). Think of the English Longbowmen, the most feared enemies through parts of European Medieval History.

Go Longbow

The longbow is good, but what about in hand to hand combat?It wouldnt stand a chance. Also, its only as good as the number of arrows you have.

I know it's not original, but I'll say that overall (note, I said overall, not in every situation) the sword is the best. From Turin and Fingolfin all the way to Elendil through Aragorn, most of the great warriors became famous in battle while weilding their sword.

Exceptions would be Gil-Galad's with his spear and Hurin with his axe (and a few others).

I'd like a RPG launcher but, ME doesn't have them. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] I think I would just throw rocks. I can throw real hard but I don't wanna know how good I am at using a sword or a bow or something. I'd end up not only dying (duh) but taking some of my allies with me! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] But, if I could do what an elf or man could do in ME I would probably choose the bow because I like to pick people off from long range! I also prefer hiding behind a big boulder and shooting people from charging at them! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Hmmm I would want to use a bow for a reason which is already obvious.

I'll go with a bow or a longsword (bows are sooooo awesome in the right hands

I don't know if that is a real good reason for wanting to use a bow Aengthrea! Although, I guess it persuaded me a little to choose the bow! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

200 POSTS!! YAY!! I ROCK!! Right, I'm okay! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Yes!

Well, just to be different I'd have to say, when in the right hands, a magical staff would be best. Think of any swordsman, say Aragorn with Narsil, running at Gandalf. Gandalf raises his staff and BANG... So long Aragorn.
I also think a bow fitted with (if this is possible, or feasible) mithril tipped arrows. Fired at speed, surely they would pierce armour.

the most deadly weapon in Middle earth woudl have to be either a crossbow because a long bow does damage from afar byt if your enemy closes the gap between you, your dead.
or i would choose a Bardache, for those of you unknown it is a long polearm with a large semicircle blace on the end similar to a Ax but alot more deadly

I think it depends on the circumstances, but I'd choose either a bow or a sword. It would depend on the type of fighting I'd be doing.

~*~Orual~*~

Come on, get with it people, the best would definitely be the staff!
Can a sword provide light in the dark?
Can a swordsman attack you from far off with spells?
Can a sword double as a walking stick?
Can you make an excuse not to consider a sword a weapon?
My conclusion: The magical staff (in capable hands) is infinitely better than a sword, bow, etc.

Well I think that the elves have the right idea. Use both bows and swords. While a bow can kill your enemy before he can get to you (always a good thing), you will eventually run out of arrows, and/or there will be so many enemies, that they will over run your position. This is where your sword will come in handy.
You cant say which weapon is best overall, because different weapons have different function. You wouldn’t want to use a bow in close quarters combat. And you wouldn’t want to use a sword a long range.

By the way has anyone tried to a sword like object in the way the elves in the movie do?
I can’t get it to swing straight in front
of me, it always go to the side some. look in the pic.

http://www.lordoftherings.net/media/...ologue_800.jpg

In my opinion, the most powerful and effective weapon in Middle Earth would have to be a wizard's staff. He can cast spells with it and do many things with it.

A sword is my choice weapon. It is fairly difficult, though. Anyway, it is an extremely reliable weapon and, if made properly, can last for ages.

i think any wepon is powerful i mean depending on how you use it.
for gimli legolas or agagorn gandalf sauron and so on all have diffeernt kind of wepons(ax,bow,sword,staff,rings of power).each of these wepons are very effective and are more effectife depending on whose using it. my fav though is a bow. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

hey people- i'm back. saw this thread and decided to hop in. for me, two-handed sword or hand-and-half sword. i don't do sword and shield too well, it doesn't feel right. I WANT NARSIL BAD!!! i do, however, have the gold-plated one ring. to wield a magical staff, going strictly by canon, you would *have* to be a maia at least. bows are okay, i might be able to shoot something with one of those, but probably not whatever i was aiming at.

[ February 02, 2003: Message edited by: Demloth of Dol Amroth ]

After all this swords-stuff, and naming good examples... I say: 'No sword, but an axe or a morningstar!'
The axe had many good examples as well:Turin, Gimli, Dain and many other Dwarves!
Apparently I like Dwarves, so that may be the reason for me taking an Axe!

A bow at long range and a spear for uhh... not long range. Swords are heavy I don't think I'd do too well with one. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

I'd definetly say bows and arrows is my style. they're so freaking practical. they're light weight and easy to use and aim with, but my second choise would definately be a sword or a shay-ray.

[img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] what can I say I'm a weaponry girl in every sence of the words

hmm, i'd choose the magical elven spatula, for those burger flipping Mirkwooders! or maybe the magical pointy hat of Saruman...did he have a hat? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ February 03, 2003: Message edited by: Anorien ]

Love (awww...).

Or the Phial of Galadriel.

Or Grond.

Well I was going to say a nice, long broadsword, but those of you that recommended it make good arguments for a wizard's staff.

If you dont have a staff, I'd go for a strong broadsword. And, if you are disarmed, or if Hama makes you leave it at the door, keep a useful sized dagger in your sleeve. Just for emergencies. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

swords? staffs? bows?
imagine the scene. your walking down the street with a bow in your hand. ur gonna get arrested!
now, in real life, you need a ruler. its what i use. i tuck them in my belt or pockets, and make sure i always have 1 handy. any1 threatens me, i stick a sharp metal/ serrated plastic ruler n them.

my second choice wood b a bowmerang.
this is a "bow" made of 4 rulers stuck together in a boomerang shape, with a piece of elastic to use as string. (i fire pens) the good thing is, if you run outta pens, u can use the bow as a boomerang - throw it! thus the name

I would definitley want to use one of those magical elvish blades that glow blue when orcs are around, like Sting, Orcbane, Glamdring, etc. In the Hobbit, doesn't it kind of say that Glamdring also glows when orcs are around? I have a cheap remake of Glamdring and I was just wondering.

I would have a bow as a secondary weapon. You can only use a bow for so long. Even Legolas/Elves have to use their knives eventually.

Although a wizard's staff would be pretty awsome...I'd have to agree with Aerandir on this one(sting, Orcbane, etc...). Those swords are so cool!

one word "GROND" or Sauron's mace or some kind of enchanted ax

c'mon, there is no class on this message board. Everything is either arrow this, or sword that!,....can not swords be stopped by simple armor even,..but hey, every waeopn has its faults. So I'd pick a MACE, a clerical weapon with power, and no matter what kinda armor you wearing its gonna crush bones....(rolls eyes at everyone so bold as to put magical weapon, i.e. magic axe, instead of using talent to fight) P.S. no offense to mages.

swords? staffs? bows?
imagine the scene. your walking down the street with a bow in your hand. ur gonna get arrested!
now, in real life, you need a ruler. its what i use. i tuck them in my belt or pockets, and make sure i always have 1 handy. any1 threatens me, i stick a sharp metal/ serrated plastic ruler n them.
my second choice wood b a bowmerang.
this is a "bow" made of 4 rulers stuck together in a boomerang shape, with a piece of elastic to use as string. (i fire pens) the good thing is, if you run outta pens, u can use the bow as a boomerang - throw it! thus the name


[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] that is probably the coolest thing i have ever heard!! i am so going to do that during my History class. i know exactly who i'm gonna get too..hehe [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]
anywho, i'd use a sword or the wizard's staff. i like the maigical quality of the staff, but a sword talkes mucho skill to handle, i think (not ever having handled one)and looks sort of artistic yet at the same time deadly. kewlness, dontcha think?

Most effective? That depends entirely on the one who wields the weapon. For example: a wizard's staff in Gandalf's (or any other wizard's) hands can be a force to reckon with, but if someone like Aragorn were to pick it up, it'd be just a stick. If a Hobbit were to wield a broadsword, it'd be about as helpful as three whoops in Hell, yet a Man could easily destroy several foes with it.

That said, I think my weapon(s) of choice would be a sword and crossbow. I like to spar with my brothers (we use long sticks so we don't cut each other to pieces), but a crossbow would work efficiently for those enemies out of range of the blade. It is also eaiser to carry around than a longbow (in my opinion). And if I could throw a shield into that ensemble, I'd be ready for battle. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Id have to say an elven bow. Im not sure if you listed that as one of the choices but thats the one i would choose. Just the way legolas uses it explains it all.

I think a nice war-hammer would do the trick. There is much less chance of a hammer getting lodged in the body, so weapon retention would be less of a concern. Most also had a spike on the weapon to add extra injury if need be.

The garrote - quiet, quick, deadly.

The best would definatly be a bow. The way Legolas uses it that pretty much explains everything right there. If i had to choose another one it would probably be a sword like Aragorns.

I believe the Mace is most effective, not as clusmy as a Flail or Morningstar, strong wooden shaft with a handle with good grip, strong well balanced steel headpiece ontop of the shaft, maybe a spike sticking out of it for an extra piercing attack [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. My choice for a weapon.

This is so obvious I can't believe no one has mentioned it yet.

A horse!

From horse back it really doesn't matter what the heck you have in your hand.

(Of course, Bill Ferny would still prefer a pitch'n catch net.)

I'm a big fan of polearms; but, I don't remember anyone using them. I'd have to go with Gil Galad's choice of a spear. A very versitile weapon. It can be braced against a charge when on foot; or, used for charging when on horseback. It can be thrown if you have more than one. Does anyone know if Gil Galad's spear was a longspear or a shortspear? (please give source of info' or support your claim). If he uses a longspear, I'll get my polearm. A mace is also a fine weapon. It's effective against most defences.