Just how hard is it to kill a Troll? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

doug*platypus · 04-05-2004, 05:34 AM

Good point about Pippin, although he did have the advantage of not being noticed by the troll. He also had an ancient sword (probably made like Merry's in Cardolan), if he still had his barrow-blade.

Keeper is surely correct about the weapon making a large difference. But the incredibly powerful weapons of the First Age seem to have mainly belonged to the Eldar. The axe of Tuor and the sword of Túrin are mentioned, but Húrin is never explicitly credited with having a particularly special weapon.

Trolls were made in mockery of ents, and weaker (according to Treebeard, who might have been more than a little biased). I'd have to say that they probably weren't as tough as stone, as that would make them tougher than ents, in that department at least. Frodo's stab and Pippin's both point to the fact that their hides aren't all that difficult to pierce... but only if you happen to catch 'em napping. BUT... did Frodo really stab a troll, or a large orc-chieftain? Now you've got me confused...

04-05-2004, 05:34 AM	#26
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Good point about Pippin, although he did have the advantage of not being noticed by the troll. He also had an ancient sword (probably made like Merry's in Cardolan), if he still had his barrow-blade. Keeper is surely correct about the weapon making a large difference. But the incredibly powerful weapons of the First Age seem to have mainly belonged to the Eldar. The axe of Tuor and the sword of Túrin are mentioned, but Húrin is never explicitly credited with having a particularly special weapon. Trolls were made in mockery of ents, and weaker (according to Treebeard, who might have been more than a little biased). I'd have to say that they probably weren't as tough as stone, as that would make them tougher than ents, in that department at least. Frodo's stab and Pippin's both point to the fact that their hides aren't all that difficult to pierce... but only if you happen to catch 'em napping. BUT... did Frodo really stab a troll, or a large orc-chieftain? Now you've got me confused...