September is quickly approaching and with it the release of The Rings of Power. Fans are patiently awaiting this new installment to a beloved fantasy property, with as much curiosity as hesitancy.
These feelings and concerns are nothing new to the franchise. It’s been eight years since The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies was released, and thoughts about how it was good and how it was awful still circulate on the internet. Even with these varying opinions, one thing can’t be denied about The Hobbit films, and that’s how it produced some fearsome warriors with a wide range of fighting abilities.
Bilbo Baggins
Oh, Bilbo. All Bilbo Baggins initially desired was to stay inside his house and eat fine bread and fine cheeses. Who could blame him for that? No one, really, aside from Gandalf who decided he would be the perfect burglar for the Arkenstone.
While Bilbo did make a good thief, he certainly isn’t much more than that. He has Sting and will use it on occasion but only when pressed. In circumstances against great spiders or when the One Ring is threatened, Bilbo will lend some assistance. Other than that, Bilbo’s battle abilities are quite limited.
Smaug
It’s glaringly obvious why Smaug has battle skills. There’s not a more dominating force than a ground-shaking, fire-breathing dragon.
Despite his natural prowess and power, Smaug’s natural inclination for hoarding gold and his thirst for revenge is a major setback to his success in battle. Flying over Lake-town and smiting the city in its entirety should have been an easy feat but his greed and pride get in the way.
Fili
Of the band of twelve dwarves, Fili was second in line for the throne of Durin. Not a fact that seemed to weigh too heavily on him as he and his brother Kili regularly introduced the more light-hearted moments of the trilogy.
Fili’s fighting ability is that of a supportive sidekick. He appears at the aid of Thorin or Kili when the need arises. However, due to Fili’s lack of screen time, it's difficult to define his skill sets past this. He’s adept with a sword and carries a comical amount of weapons, but there’s nothing that puts him above others in the party.
Kili
Kili was the youngest of the band of Dwarves trekking to the Misty Mountain, and his personality reflected his youth well. He’s easily the most naive of the dwarves as well as brash in his choices, something seen in one of his worst decisions during The Hobbit trilogy.
Even so, Kili proved to be someone quick on his feet. During the barrel sequence of the movie, Kili managed to leap out of barrels and square up against orcs twice his size to get the gates open for escape. Unfortunately, he took a poisoned arrow to the leg, affecting his performance greatly throughout the second film.
Dwalin
Dwalin is very much the right-hand man to Thorin Oakenshield. It’s a partnership that makes sense considering they’re so alike. The two have a sense of presence. In the case of Dwalin, actor Graham McTavish gave the character a certain rock-hard and intimidating exterior.
This portrayal transitioned well into Dwalin’s ability on the battlefield. He is a brute force, something the Goblin King and his minions find out quickly. He charges at them headfirst while carrying a giant log, and when he does manage to obtain an actual weapon he becomes even more deadly. Dwalin swings his sword with such power and ferocity, that it’s difficult for his opponents to stand against him.
Thorin Oakenshield
On his quest to reclaim his homeland, the brooding Thorin Oakenshield encountered a wide array of obstacles. From blood thirty wargs to Azog the Defiler, and a personal battle with dragon sickness, there were several factors working against him.
Even though Thorin takes on the role of leader, he’s very much a quick-to-anger dwarf. That’s something that works well for him in his battle style and skill because of this. He’s completely unafraid of jumping into perilous situations and does so with much, maybe too much, confidence and force. He may have been able to hold his own against Azog, but fighting on cracked ice doesn’t make him the smartest battle opponent.
Bard
Bard the Bowman received more screentime than anticipated during the movie, but it worked out in the audience's favor for two reasons. Firstly, Luke Evans played the character well, balancing the hesitance of a man to claim his lineage with that of a father trying to protect his family. Secondly, it showed off Bard’s exceptional leadership qualities and his unique battle skills.
Bard’s skill with a bow goes without saying, but it’s ultimately not what’s most impressive about him. Bard can think outside the box in pivotal moments. For instance, he constructs a bow atop a damaged tower and uses his son to balance the last remaining Black Arrow. That’s an individual who knows how to utilize whatever he has at his disposal in a fight.
Gandalf
So much of what happens in The Hobbit movies can be attributed to Gandalf. He pulls Bilbo into the fold as the parties burglar and pushes Thorin Oakenshield into claiming his family's throne under the mountain.
While Gandalf is quite meddlesome, he is not without important traits. A powerful wizard, Gandalf, has as many pearls of wisdom to offer as he does assistance in battle. He always seems to show up precisely in the hour in which it's needed, whether that be alongside some giant eagles or using his staff to shed light in dark places. When unable to use these tricks, Gandalf is also an exceptional swordsman. Truly, this wizard is a well-rounded and experienced fighter.
Thranduil
Legolas’ father, Thranduil, is one of the most powerful Elves in the Tolkien world. One wouldn’t initially believe that to be true about the Elvenking of Mirkwood as the second film features him unwilling to leave his throneroom.
There’s more to this woodland king than what meets the eye though. After bringing aid to the people of Lake-town, he becomes entangled in an epic battle. It’s here that Thranduil’s fighting skills are showcased. He moves swiftly, tackling each enemy with a speed that seems quick even for a trained Elf. What’s most impressive about this ability is how effortless it all seems, the movements are fluid, natural, and lethal.
Tauriel
While movie-goers have mistaken Tauriel and her romance with Kili as canon in The Hobbit films, there are plenty of Tolkien fans that did not appreciate the introduction of a character and romance that wasn’t from the source material. There’s such a passion for the book that any deviation from inside it’s pages is met with a great deal of uproar.
Even with this to consider, it can’t be denied that Tauriel was one impressive warrior. She takes on some brutal orcs without fear. That’s in large part due to how Tauriel has excellent awareness of her surroundings. Whether it be in Mirkwood or in Bard’s small home, Tauriel makes note of where all her enemies are hovering, as well as how to use the terrain to her advantage.
Legolas
Legolas had already established himself in the original Lord of the Rings films. His skills with a bow outmatch anyone who dares try to pick one up, but archery isn’t the only fighting ability worth noting for the Prince of the Woodland Realm.
Out of all the Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Men, and Hobbits that appear in the trilogy, Legolas is by far the most fearless and adaptable on the battlefield. For instance, he launches himself into the air, onto one of the Bats of Dol Guldor, hanging upside to cut threw Orcs. This also shows how Legolas chooses the most unexpected course of action in battle. It makes his fighting ability somewhat unpredictable, and that makes him the best.