5 Most Powerful Good & Evil Beings - First Age of Middle-earth

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Күн бұрын

Many were the great beings of power in the First Age of Middle-earth, but I believe there is a clear order of power on both sides of good and evil. Thank you all so much for watching, let me know your thoughts on my list as well as your own in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!
#Silmarillion
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Intro: 0:00-3:17
Good Beings: 3:17-8:48
Evil Beings: 8:48-13:54
Outro: 13:54-15:18
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Пікірлер: 323

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

Thank you all so much for watching! It seems the greatest controversy from my picks is Sauron not being more powerful on this list, so I’d like to expand on my reasoning 🙂 Indeed, Sauron was said to be Melkor’s greatest servant, and in terms of his spirit and potential, that is likely true. However, with this list, while I do factor in spiritual power (actualized and potential both), it’s important to look also at how much power was carried out by the characters on this list, how much devastation they wrought (or were capable of making) and how easily they were defeated. Compared to those ahead of him, Sauron seemed less capable of devastation upon the Free Peoples compared even to those such as Gothmog, Glaurung, Ancalagon, and he was defeated more easily than they were. I hope that helps explain my thinking on the matter!

@kreuzrittergottes9336 Жыл бұрын

Its inportant to not that even Sauron feared Melian with a great fear, as did Morgoth.

@beatleblev Жыл бұрын

One way to look at First Age Sauron is as the Dark Manwe. Melkor begins the project. Sauron completes it. The Valar replace Melkor in the aggregate, while Melkor replaces the Valar with Sauron. Sauron makes sure that the slag from the dragon sized tunnel to Utumno ends up on top of the starter piles Melkor made by willing it to be so one afternoon between torturing elves in the AM and "taking advantage of" Great Eagles to make winged drakes at night. It's up to Sauron to make sure there is one huge slag heap per Silmaril. Melkor also thinks of it as a giant middle finger to the Valar. So, Orc work schedules? Sauron's job,. Raising baby winged fire drakes? Sauron's job. That's probably why we don't see him after he lost his island of Werewolves. He is busy running Angband. He is not the best in combat, but he has the widest array of powers and is the best schemer among the forces of Darkness. He is also cruel in his own unique way. Melkor, Gothmog, and his best boy, Glaurung Dominate. Then they gloat. Sauron is also an evil empath. He is able to ascertain your weaknesses and use them against you in ways both overt and subtle. Once his powers of shapeshifting are stripped from him, Sauron joins his fellow travelers on the path to ruin and doubles down on Domination.

@ghostdreamer7272 Жыл бұрын

People often forget that Gothmog was actually Melkor’s chief lieutenant, and in some drafts the son of Melkor. If Melkor is the king, and Gothmog is the prince, then Sauron is the Jafar-like chief advisor

@TETASARAIVACS Жыл бұрын

@@ghostdreamer7272When Morgoth went to the East, He left Sauron responsible for ALL of His forces, and for all of His plans to. (Gothmog answered to Uncle Sauron 😅)

@TheDeviousBandit Жыл бұрын

@@beatleblev fax

@dodgykingdom7502 Жыл бұрын

I’m surprised earendil didn’t make the list, he slew ancalagon the black, the mightiest dragon, wielded a silmaril upon a flying ship, aswell as convincing the valar to make war upon morgoth, that’s certainly worthy of this list

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

He was definitely a contender. It was difficult to know where to put him, and if his power was his own, given to him by the Valar, and so forth. With Ancalagon, he had the help of Thorondor and the other Eagles, so I’m not sure how much he can solely be attributed to the deed, but I certainly struggled with not putting him on the list!

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

He did not solo the beast with his own power lol.

@dustinlattimore7336 Жыл бұрын

In the earlier lore he also slew Ungoliant

@MichaelMyers87 Жыл бұрын

Earendil had help against Ancalagon.

@gunnarnilsson7265 Ай бұрын

Ungoliant? 13:16

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

Another note! I didn’t include Ungoliant as she was a Years of the Trees character more than a First Age one!

@TheDeviousBandit Жыл бұрын

Oh ok

@paulbrickler Жыл бұрын

Agreed. First Age didn't (technically) start until the Sun and Moon rose, which was after Feanor died, and well after Ungoliant and Morgoth had their tiff. So even the first battles of the Noldorin Elves when they returned to Beleriand, such as the 'battle-under-stars', occurred in the final twilight of the Years of the Trees, and before the First Age. Based on that criteria, it's completely reasonable to leave both Ungoliant AND Feanor off of this particular list, just like it is to leave Galadriel or Gandalf or Gil-Galad off of it.

@boc120 Жыл бұрын

An important caveat! Otherwise she’s right up at #2 for me

@DBat-sp1tp Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this mention. I was wondering why Ungoliant wasn’t on this list.

@miguelletain8822 Жыл бұрын

Ahhhh, right. I was gonna say Ungoliant should have been number two for sure, but that makes sense.

@glennross85 Жыл бұрын

Ive recently realised Turin was a lightning rod, drawing the ire and attention of Morgoth this, left Tuor more or less free to do what he needed to do. Turin is super important to the legendarium on so many levels.

@johns1625 Жыл бұрын

Turin is my favorite. The full story of The Children of Hurin might be my favorite Tolkien story in fact. Poor guy. Blessed with some of the most valuable equipment and armor and friends in the entire world and none of it helped him 😭😭

@bx0xd Жыл бұрын

It's the same play Aragorn makes later to pull Sauron's focus from Frodo's destruction of the ring.

@KS-xk2so Жыл бұрын

Turin and Tuor is a fascinating study in opposites. They have an incredible amount in common, but those things almost always result in positives for Tuor and negatives for Turin. It's literally a "there but for the grace of god go I" situation. Tuor was favoured by the gods, especially Ulmo, and Turin cursed by them.

@johns1625 9 ай бұрын

Crazy how they actually ran in to eachother without even knowing it too

@alanmike6883 Жыл бұрын

The first age is always to me the most fascinating of the ages... Yoyston

@mehdinazarpour7121 Жыл бұрын

best of ages

@carlosmedina3794 Жыл бұрын

I love that ecthelion was mentioned in this list, I've seen a lot of videos and rankings that don't include the slayer of the lord of balrogs and with his helmet!

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately Ecthelion deeds are from the earliest versions.

@kreuzrittergottes9336 Жыл бұрын

Excellent vid. Its sad that Tolkein didnt have more time to flesh out his Silmarillion.

@Makkaru112 Жыл бұрын

Interesting how he wasn’t incarnated and sent back like glorfindel was. I still love the artwork of glorfindel looking at the burial mound of his former body, contemplating the nature of death in a deep manner.

@rebeccaorman1823 Жыл бұрын

Turin was human not an elf. He couldn't reincarnate and be sent back.

@TETASARAIVACS Жыл бұрын

@@rebeccaorman1823I somehow got the impression it was about Fingolfin 😅

@jimland4359 Жыл бұрын

I've always found the concept of having an elf prince a little strange and the thing with Fingolfin/Feanor birthright thing. Like.....guys, your dad is immortal.

@rebeccaorman1823 Жыл бұрын

@@jimland4359 but their dad died and remained in the halls of Mandos so in the end both Feanor and Fingolfin got to be high kings. Despite the immortality thing lines of succession do matter.

@TETASARAIVACS Жыл бұрын

@@jimland4359 “You shall be King when you father dies… except he won’t” 😅 It reminds me of the line of Kings of Númenor: the King lived for so long that even in life they would have their sons, grandsons and even great-grandsons, all heirs to the throne…

@dtice69 Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you included Turin. I get that people may be naysayers of him in general because of all of the evil that followed him but he was never evil and he certainly never did anything with an evil motive, even though his mind was clouded PLENTY of times. Anything negative that followed him was merely Morgoth's insanely powerful curse (a curse from a god) acting through him to hurt others. The fact that he could be seen as arrogant at times (Nargothrond) is also due to the curse in my opinion; a curse doesn't need to always do negative to the person it's placed upon. Building him up to take him down later is a far more effective curse. He also felt the ill deeds of the curse upon those he cared about in his heart. The deaths of Beleg and Finduilas almost broke him and the realization of his sister's death, and that Brandir was being truthful with him, were finally what did him in. Truly a tragic hero at his best, and an antihero at his worst.

@kaidorade1317 Жыл бұрын

Happy New Year Yoystan! Thanks for your added explanation concerning Sauron

@sageofcaledor8188 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for an excellent video! I think you made a great list personally

@alejeron Жыл бұрын

happy new year to you! thanks for all you do!

@Alexs.2599 Жыл бұрын

Happy New Years! Another great video Yoystan thanks. I agree with this list. I have always found The First Age when Beleriand existed fascinating. These characters were so deep and complex.

@shanenolan5625 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Happy New year 🎉

@coolgamingweekly Жыл бұрын

I haven’t returned to your channel in a long time, but IT IS AMAZING!! Happy new year 🎉🎉I’m thinking of taking on reading The Silmarillion.

@Scrub_Jake Жыл бұрын

It’s soooo goood! There’s also some really good audiobook versions here on KZfaq to read along with. At first all the names and places get a bit confusing, it almost reads like the Bible. But once you get past the beginning it gets easier and better. It’s definitely worth a try imo 🔥

@T-adams Жыл бұрын

Have a good 2023 everyone ❤️and thank you Yoystan for making some great KZfaq videos ❤️❤️u inspired me to start reading the hobbit, now I’m reading the fellowship of the ring

@lawrenceburchett7411 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for Melian, she is much overlooked...Nice vid...

@rafaelgustavo7786 Жыл бұрын

Sauron proved to be pluripotent. He used some powerful spells/powers (mostly) without the Ring like a sorcerer (IMHO, a 20th level in dnd 5e): 1) Volcano Control - Orodruin; "There above the valley of Gorgoroth was built his fortress vast and strong, Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower; and there was a fiery mountain in that land that the Elves named Orod-ruin. Indeed for that reason Sauron had set there his dwelling long before, for he used the fire that welled there from the heart of the earth in his sorceries and in his forging; and in the midst of the Land of Mordor he had fashioned the Ruling Ring" 2) Earthquake "I don’t know,’ said Frodo. ‘It’s been going on for a good while now. Sometimes the ground seems to tremble, sometimes it seems to be the heavy air throbbing in your ears." "But it was too late. At that moment the rock quivered and trembled beneath them. The great rumbling noise, louder than ever before, rolled in the ground and echoed in the mountains." 3) Control Weather "The skirts of the storm were lifting, ragged and wet, and the main battle had passed to spread its great wings over the Emyn Muil, upon which the dark thought of Sauron brooded for a while. Thence it turned, smiting the Vale of Anduin with hail and lightning, and casting its shadow upon Minas Tirith with threat of war." 4) Dominate Monster - Orcs, Trolls, Nazgûl, Wargs "From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will, wavered and despaired. For they were forgotten. The whole mind and purpose of the Power that wielded them was now bent with overwhelming force upon the Mountain." "But the Nazgûl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the Dark Tower; and even at that moment all the hosts of Mordor trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their laughter failed, their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. The Power that drove them on and filled them with hate and fury was wavering, its will was removed from them;" 5) Mass suggestion/charm person mass - Númenor; "Ar-Pharazôn, as is told in the 'Downfall' or Akallabêth, conquered a terrified Sauron's subjects, not Sauron. Sauron's personal 'surrender' was voluntary and cunning* he got free transport to Numenor! He naturally had the One Ring, and so very soon dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans" 6) Antimagic field - Sammath Naur; "In his great need he drew out once more the phial of Galadriel, but it was pale and cold in his trembling hand and threw no light into that stifling dark. He was come to the heart of the realm of Sauron and the forges of his ancient might, greatest in Middle-earth; all other powers were here subdued." "But the Temple itself was unshaken, and Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed" 7) Sympathy - the attraction of Gollum and all evils to Mordor "Yes, to Mordor,’ said Gandalf. ‘Alas! Mordor draws all wicked things, and the Dark Power was bending all its will to gather them there." 8) "Create"/control undead - Nazgûl, Barrow Wight. 9) Maybe Shapeshift (but no fair forms) 10) Self resurrect/reconstruct - twice. With and without the ring. 11) Aura of Terror; 12) Plague: With dark winds from the East (like Morgoth did with the disease in the first age, killing Turin's sister);

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

The Ring only augments his power regarding mental domination and corruption. It also makes him do that without dispersing his power. Regarding all other kind of powers that you described, the ring would be useless when carried by him.

@Huskytabby Жыл бұрын

Love this video! Much prefer everything first age over any other age (maybe except the years of the trees?)

@corgi42069 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing back the chill guitar music like I asked last video. I love you

@ChristopherHealy0701 11 ай бұрын

The Leap of Beren and his descent of Ered Gorgoroth, plus he put the moves on the fairest being to ever walk Middle Earth. Honorable mention at least. Great video!

@orrointhewise87 Жыл бұрын

"So it begins." Can't think of a better way to start the yr than watching my favorite channel:) Love the list tho I struggle with Ancalagon also; he was so massive and powerful and epic.....and then dies right away 😂 But I would throw Tom Bombadil into the mix as an honorable mention, even tho he didn't do anything haha But I would replace Sauron with Ungoliant, she could have changed the world had she eaten Morgoth.

@TETASARAIVACS Жыл бұрын

Just a comment: when Morgoth went East for sometime, he left Sauron in charge of ALL his forces. Not Gothmog, not any big and cunning Dragon, but Sauron: second in command.

@myroomisblue2679 Жыл бұрын

I feel like it a skill set difference sauron in the first age he is powerful but he also more skilled at managment. while i think gothmog and the other balrogs in the first age min maxed for straight combat roles. If sauron and gothmog were to spar i think gothmog would win but i have a feeling sauron would beat gothmog in any sort of larger scale war game where strategy and logistics were a factor

@mehdinazarpour7121 Жыл бұрын

@@myroomisblue2679 he also could shapshift to balrog too:)

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

I have forgotten to shoutout Robert Bogue for his Valar tier patronage. Sorry, and thank you sir!

@random22026 Жыл бұрын

Calling the followers of Morgoth/Melkor, 'the drones of his will'--you have a way with words, Yoystan! Happy 2023! 🥳🎉🎉🎆🎇🎇

@varyar77 Жыл бұрын

Happy New Year, sir!

@FireLordJohn3191 Жыл бұрын

Happy New Year, sir.

@LocalHeretic-ck1kd Жыл бұрын

Happy new year Yoystan!

@catherinewhite2943 Жыл бұрын

Happy New Year Yoystan.

@shadowofchaos8932 Жыл бұрын

I would move Turin up one spot for justice and redemption. Tolkien wrote Turin getting vengeance on Melkor in Dagor Dagoroth for a reason. Honorable mention to Huan for defeated Carcharoth, guardian of Angband, bred by Melkor. Sacrificing his life to defeat and defend Beren and Luthian.

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

Fingolfin >> Túrin

@baldrian22 Жыл бұрын

agreed, specialy considering he beat sauron, and Carcharoth was empowerd or driven completly insane and probably gaining some power because of that by the silmarillion.

@ajgibson1307 Жыл бұрын

Happy new year and God bless

@brandonspriggs7717 Жыл бұрын

Happy new year

@jamesbodnarchuk3322 Жыл бұрын

❤it! Happy new year!

@roeienisgaaf Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the great content you have been putting out! Really enjoy your videos. Where can I read up on all the Canon changes? I wasn't aware Ecthelion and Glorfindel switched with regards to Gothmog?

@dustinlattimore7336 Жыл бұрын

Check out Book of Lost Tales 1&2

@eugenemonti5755 Жыл бұрын

Happy new year🎉 best wishes to you and your channel and thanks for another amazing vid I gave a question Do you know how/why Gurthang was sentient also can other weapons become sentient

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Happy New Year to you too Eugene! That’s a great question, I must assume that such items were crafted with such power that they either had or mimicked sentience. I want to explore this idea further in a future video!

@ExodusAttacKGR Жыл бұрын

happy new year dude good to see u again /../,

@andrewmills2071 Жыл бұрын

You are the best. My kids love Tolkien thanks to you.

@Faidrs Жыл бұрын

Glad you put Luthien so high. People usually see her as just beautiful and tragic, but she was just as powerful and strong willed as many of the human and elf men, and her magickal powers were far grater than any of them possessed.

@codyallen2838 Жыл бұрын

She was half Maiar if I remember right so she definitely had some impressive capabilities.

@ChicagoDB Жыл бұрын

Happy New Year!

@scrotusmaximus3043 Жыл бұрын

Nice list, approve 👍👍

@annaroselarsen4218 Жыл бұрын

Happy new year!

@dragonofmordor Жыл бұрын

This list is amazing. Can you do a second age one too?

@john-anderspettersson5919 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a good video and topic. One might add "Ungoliant" to the list as an independent evil being. After all she and Morgoth killed the Tree, a world changing event and set motion to a great many world events and also the Queen Mother to all evil spiders.

@jesuscoyt-munoz2753 Жыл бұрын

Good list @Men of the West but I’m surprised some characters weren’t tied that would’ve been more fun. I could’ve seen Turin and Beren tied for 4th place for most powerful good beings since their great deeds were equally legendary, and Morgoth and Ungoliant tied for 1st place in the most powerful evil beings since in the Silmarillion Ungoliant nearly killed Morgoth had his balrogs not saved him. Still great video as always!

@mrmeowmeow710 Жыл бұрын

Bless you for the info on the scam bots

@mf8733 Жыл бұрын

Danke!

@Thechezbailey Жыл бұрын

I'm with you on Ancalagon. He didn't just destroy Angband when he fell -- he destroyed the entire triple-mountain that Angband was built into, all three of them. He must have been absolutely enormous.

@MrBillclintin Жыл бұрын

I think it's rare Luthien recieves the respect she deserves for her powers, so it's nice to see her next to her mum. I think I would have moved Sauron to third place. I know Sauron would have a limited role in the first age, but if he is to be considered one of the most powerful, then he must be similar but likely less power then Eonwe and Ilmare. I would at any time consider Eonwe and Ilmare individually far more powerful then any balrog or dragon, except perhaps Ancalagon The Black.

@paulbrickler Жыл бұрын

One of the things I like about this list, is, as far as I can recall, the two most powerful beings on the side of the Free Peoples never physically fought, let alone killed, anyone. Of course, it's possible that I'm forgetting something. But it's not what they are known for.

@robertwinters4269 Жыл бұрын

I paused the video to write out a long-winded, blow-hard comment about how even the sons of Feanor, who had no qualms provoking open war with the Valar and committing unspeakable atrocities only came for the Silmaril AFTER Luthien was dead, and she spent the last years of her life basically alone in the forest. Then I thought "best see what Yoisen (sorry, I know, I took a complete guess and no doubt butchered it) has to say first" and, you guessed it-- quite seriously the very next thing to come out of his mouth to end the segment. This man is on top of it and not only knows his stuff but presents it in a refreshing and wholesome way

@scottlouis Жыл бұрын

I was hoping to see Ungoliant on here. She’s my favorite.

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

Ungoliant was Years of the Trees 😄

@john-anderspettersson5919 Жыл бұрын

Agree to that!

@cavetroll666 Жыл бұрын

Ungoliant is my favorite for some reason :)

@Jayjay-qe6um Жыл бұрын

🎆🎇HAPPY NEW YEAR🎇🎆

@paulayers1111 11 ай бұрын

I was expecting Ungoliant to be #1 far ahead of any other foe but I forgot that this is specifically first age

@thorshammer7883 Жыл бұрын

It's likely Ancalagon made some of the Valar present alongside their Host fall back during his short time of terror.

@Count.Saruman Жыл бұрын

There were no Valar present at the War of Wrath.

@thorshammer7883 Жыл бұрын

@@Count.Saruman There should have been a few. Tulkas was there.

@Count.Saruman Жыл бұрын

@@thorshammer7883 No. "To the overthrow of Morgoth [Manwë] sent his herald Eönwë."- Unfinished Tales If a Vala was present, they'd be leading the Host of the West, not Eönwë. Morgoth's Ring also quotes that the Battle of the Powers was the last time the Valar went directly to war.

@thorshammer7883 Жыл бұрын

@@Count.Saruman And ironically Beleriand still sanked.

@thorshammer7883 Жыл бұрын

@@Count.Saruman It still sanked no matter what even with that statement. Many Maiar were there likely and I wouldn't mind if a couple Valar were there. Not all of them of course but a few. A gigantic country's worth of land just going under can be justified under something.

@marionbaggins Жыл бұрын

I called it that Luthien will be on here, the Half Angel/Half-Elven *OG Half Elf - Luthien* helped take on 2 Dark Lords, With a Good Boy to save her Boyfriend, Whoo!!! I am not Joking here, and she only gets second place from her Mother, who is an Angel!!! Ecthelion *In earlier or in the Silmarillion* Kills a Barlog in one Crazy Way, I am not going to say, but man don't mess with him!!! Thanks for a Great Kick Off of 2023 Video, Until *Cough* What did the Movies did Wrong to Faramir...Marion Baggins Out!!!

@thorshammer7883 Жыл бұрын

I criticize both the Valar and Eru for allowing evil to have so much direct physical power and freedom among Middle Earth especially for Morgoth. So many lives were lost because of it in the millions of elves who could been preserved and they abandoned the humans and didn't guide them to righteousness proactively enough as they should have. In the Bible Satan is not allowed most of the time to have that kind of direct contact with humans but is restrained from hurting anybody himself by Yahuah's command and the Archangels who monitor him. Middle Earth is lucky the evil forces did not have the same wicked thoughts of committing the same acts the Watcher Fallen Angels in the book of First Enoch and Jubilees did in proactive manipulative doctrine. Because that led to a apocalyptic nightmare of a era even if the Watchers weren't doing the killings of innocent people themselves but the things they bred that did it. Sometimes you can't allow evil forces the capability to gain that much power in the first place. Even though the Watchers didn't have the authority to move mountains at their own will like Morgoth did their direct manipulations with humans were enough to tempt and lead entire generations to ruin and corrupt near all life on Earth itself requiring Yahuah's intervention. Atleast Morgoth didn't have the same mind and actions to the degree the Watchers and Satan did. Which is very lucky.

@Trekkie46 Жыл бұрын

From this list we see that it's not always power that matters, but a shiny black sword helps.

@emilpanelius1614 Жыл бұрын

shouldn't sauron be 2nd when he stated to be morgoths greatest servant?

@tsemiu Жыл бұрын

I believe melian had the power to shoot beams of light from her hand that would cause any effect she thinks of and telekinesis so strong she could stop the heart of most any being in middle earth, even a dragon. She could hurl a full-grown troll off his feet and hold him against a wall for a good amount of time. I believe she had a plan to travel into the depths of Arda and confront the nameless things who dwelled there. She wanted to rid arda of all threats, and she knew one day these beings would grow tired of the depths and wreck havoc on middle earth, and she alone had the power without limitations to stop them.

@istari0 Жыл бұрын

No Ungoliant? I think Ancalagon is not nearly as big as he is often depicted. It doesn't fit with the sizes of other dragons or large creatures to have one creature so oversized in comparison to everything else. And where could he have possibly been hidden until the War of Wrath? I suspect the devastation he caused when he fell on Thangorodrim was due to a very powerful magical creature falling into the forges of Morgoth, which were filled with all kinds of devastating materials. It would be similar to what happened in WWII when it took a few shells from the battleship Bismarck to sink the battlecruiser Hood by detonating in the Hood's ammunition magazines. Count me among those who think Sauron should be ranked higher. Morgoth would not have picked any being who was not extraordinarily powerful on his own to be his lieutenant and 2nd in command. He was the first commander of Angband when Morgoth ruled from Utumno. He had a hand in most of what Morgoth did. Just the description of Sauron in the Valaquenta is chilling enough. That he survived two more ages and nearly conquered Middle-Earth himself speaks volumes about his power.

@bl5365 Жыл бұрын

while at first I thought the same, it is a similar case to Tom Bombadil, while immensely powerful and would do well in 1vs 1 fights, he said he was ranking them on power as a whole including how prolific they were with and what they accomplished during the age and other than smacking Morgoth around at the trees Ungoliant didnt do much

@tominiowa2513 Жыл бұрын

Based on armour (her citadel being resistant to her own guns at normal combat range) and armament (8 15-inch in 4 turrets), HMS Hood qualifies as a fast battleship, not a battlecruiser.

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

Anacalagon size is very overestimated, he would be 2x bigger than Smaug at best and smaller than Glaurung.

@paulbrickler Жыл бұрын

Regarding Dragons: Do you think that it's possible that, similar to Balrogs, the 'fell spirits' that inhabit their bodies are some of the evil lesser Ainur / Maia that Morgoth corrupted to his service? Just in a different form, at least at first. We know that Maiar can reproduce (Melian did, Ungoliant did), so the lesser dragons of various types in the 2nd and 3rd ages would be their distant descendants. Otherwise, I don't disagree with your theory that they were only given a portion of Morgoth's life / will, not having true life or free will, like Aule's initial dwarves. But after Morgoth was cast out of Arda, we still have active Dragons. Maybe he was able to split off that portion of his life / will / power, so that they were semi-independent?

@braxtonburcham Жыл бұрын

Ungoliant was not a maiar. She was the reverse Tom Bombadil.

@Sacredsubset Жыл бұрын

@@braxtonburcham how did you come to that conclusion ??

@paulbrickler Жыл бұрын

I'm also curious. (But I've got the unpopular opinion that Tom the Bomb was ALSO a Maiar)

@Loe_Jist Жыл бұрын

@@braxtonburcham I wouldn't say she was an anti-Bombadil. Bombadil isn't established enough as a strong enough force for good, positivity, and peace to match Ungoliant's evil, hunger, and desire to consume light and life. Bombadil is more neutral-good but not altogether good. He remains largely indifferent to the battles of Middle Earth and refuses to get involved. However, I've read theories that he MIGHT be the avatar of Eru Iluvatar: he is certainly a powerful being and good-leaning, but still neutral in action and doesn't take sides or get involved. Ungoliant is a peculiar creature. She's one of those things that Tolkien never elaborated on. As deep as Tolkien lore goes, there are plenty of characters, backstories, and side plots that he could've developed more. Ungoliant was in Arda from the beginning, but never given a backstory or even a proper ending. Morgoth found her in the mountains in the south of Aman and she disappeared into the mountains in Beleriand where she presumably just sorta died.

@codyallen2838 Жыл бұрын

I never interpreted Ungoliant or Tom Bombadil as maiar. They seem to be physical representations of some force of nature, or the discord and harmony respectively.

@sirdeacan4309 Жыл бұрын

Could you please do a video on what if the kingdom of arnor survived

@corpsedesecrator2612 Жыл бұрын

Really kool list I agree with the Evil side though I would add Ungoliant maybe tie spot with her and Glaurung as it took a squad of Balrogs to fend her off but spot on the evil side but my good guy list is a little different, if we are not including Year of the Trees era characters then Fëanor would’ve made the list as he was as powerful as Fingolfin in different ways not to mention creating the Silmarils what the whole story of The Silmarillion is about. 1. Eärendil(slayed Ancalagon The Black a being so powerful he was holding of Hosts of Valinor along with other Winged Dragons as Morgoth’s last defense, but with Thorondor’s help this key event that backed Morgoth to a corner to be detained by Eönwë and whomever the other Hosts of the Valar were perhaps Oromë, Tulkas, Ulmo, and who knows and this marked the end of The War Of Wrath but also it was Eärendil whom moved the Valar to send Hosts otherwise they would’ve had no chance so Eärendil cements himself in legend and influence in Middle Earth by all these actions that led to the end of Morgoth’s rule) 2. Fingolfin(simply cause we know the epic battle between Fingolfin vs Morgoth and how Morgoth was permanently wounded severely after that fight but also the fact that upon charging the Gates of Angband to challenge Morgoth he was mistook by all who witnessed him as Oromë even said that his eyes gleamed like a Valar so this guy literally is so powerful that his presence felt that of a Valar and the result from his battle with Morgoth spoke for themself) 3. Eönwë( was the Leader of the Hosts of Valinor sent by Manwë himself to The War Of Wrath to lead I imagined he along with Thorondor, The Great Eagles helped Eärendil slayed many Winged Dragons whom were Ancalagon’s hosts, perhaps it was he along with other Valar like Tulkas and Oromë whom beat Morgoth to submission, in the end also Sauron begged to Eönwë for repent of his deeds under Morgoth implying that Sauron as powerful he was feared Eönwë and thus I would say he is the most powerful Maia) 4. Melian( the Girdle of Melian kept Doriath at peace throughout The First Age it was so powerful that no forces of Morgoth or other evil creatures in Arda could come through. Also a lot of Luthien and during The Second to Third Age Galadriel’s Feats come from Melian) 5. Turin( a very powerful warrior through his journey and he slayed a being as powerful as Glaurung Father of Dragons)

@RantingThespian Жыл бұрын

If we're not including the years of the trees, then Ungoliant wouldn't make the list. She was the cause of the death of the trees, and she fled out of the story before the Sun and Moon rose (which is when the First Age proper began).

@Valdagast Жыл бұрын

I read somewhere that Ancalagon would make Smaug look like a homesick Hobbit.

@codyallen2838 Жыл бұрын

Even without slaying the Balrogs Tuor was pretty badass.

@happywheeler4268 Жыл бұрын

I am late to the party, but I noticed a lot of debate about Fingolfin vs Feanor, and I agree with this list because Yoistan stated this was the First Age, and Feanor dies at the battle under the stars or last of the elder days. I agree with this list totally-at least the good characters. Though I think Turin could be replaced with Fingon he took on Gothmog and another Balrog. I’ll end with a quote from the book: of those with names the greatest servant of Melkor’s was Sauron.

@licmir3663 Жыл бұрын

Melian was quite selfish to abandon her people to their own fate. She must have known that if she left, the realm was doomed and many would suffer and die.

@therongjr 9 ай бұрын

Huan deserves a spot on this list. He was the goodest boy. 16/10

@cherechesalexdaniel811 Жыл бұрын

Great video! I vary much enjoyed it but i do have some disagreements. My ranking for evil beings in middle earth is: 1: Melkor (prime/creation of Arda) 2: Sauron (Second age as he was said by Tolkien to be stronger than end of first age Morgoth, And was able to survive an attack from Manwe with no damage) 3: Ungoliant ( Was able to cause excruciating pain to a weakened Morgoth though she was weaker than the combined might of the Balrogs) 4: Carcaroth ( With the silmariel in his stomach he was said to be the most terrible thing safe Morgoth himself, And was able to breach the gerdel of Mlian which Sauron couldn't do) 4.5: This is where Sauron would be if i only included him in the first age as he was said to be the strongest of Morgoths servants multiple times But Carcaroth (with the silmariel) and Ungoliant no longer served Morgoth so they are likely not included 5: Ancalagon ( Said to be the strongest winged dragon and Gandalf implied that his fire was the strongest of any dragons making him stronger than Glaurung [at least in pure destruction] ) 6: Glaurung ( He could turn the tide of entire battles in morgoths favor, defile the sacred waters of Ulmo, And was overall treated as more dangerous than any Balrog) 7: Gothmog ( Was the strongest of the balrogs and had equal rank to Sauron but was overall just much less versatile and rank doesn't equal power level, but he was still no joke and could likely dominate almost anyone from later ages in single combat) 9: Dragruin ( Was described as giving Huan a hard fight) 10: Balrogs ( Everyone knows them but i don't think they would have done as well against Huan as Dragruin did) Sauron when he fought Huan was also not at full power as Luthian had cast a spell over him fight before the fight. Huan even jumped back just from Saurons aura and Huan likely didn't actually overpower him but he just got Lucky while Sauron wasn't able to kill Huan because of the prophecy.

@cherechesalexdaniel811 Жыл бұрын

I forgot to put the Witch King on the list so i'll do it here. At the beginning of LOTR he is below a standard Balrog as Gandalf the grey ( someone who is negligibly stronger than a Balrog) was able to fight him and 6 other Nazgul off. However he is said to have gotten a power boost in ROTK and now feels confidant in taking on Gandalf the white who he knows is stronger than Gandalf the gray. And while there is no evidence in the books that he would have won against Gandalf here, his willingness to even attempt to fight him implies that he is at least stronger than Gandalf the gray as the Witch King is not foolish enough to fight someone who he knows is superior to him. I know its kind of vague but its the best we can go off of. So the Witch King is either 11th or 10th on the list.

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

Huan overpowered Sauron and mostly soloed him. Sauron escaped while bleeding through the neck and had to heal later on. Sauron was never described as more powerful than Morgoth at any point, maybe equal.

@cherechesalexdaniel811 Жыл бұрын

@@kauetadaieski3131 Read the fight again. Luthian cast her vail across Saurons face when she fainted from his presence alone (something not even Carcaroth could achieve) which is stated to put a spell over Sauron and disorient him. Only than does Huan start fighting Sauron, before that Huan himself was explicitly scared and leaped back when Sauron showed up. So it is a vary lear case of getting off guarded. And it was literally confirmed in one of his latters that Tolkien belived Sauron in the second age was stronger than Morgoth at the end of the first. Thats literally what Tolkien said, Look it up. And this level of power is also backed up by how Souron was able to tank Manwes lightning without any damage when Manwe sent a giant storm to Numenor.

@mikegillettify Жыл бұрын

Pretty decent list. I think if you expanded to 10, you’d have to put Finrod on there.

@arphod Жыл бұрын

Interesting that only Men have ever slain dragons. Glaurung, Smaug, Ancalagon.

@guillecatoniryan7092 11 ай бұрын

Earendil had elven blood in him, not pure human

@alvarez1284 Жыл бұрын

May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks in this New Year!

@theoadams2391 Жыл бұрын

Good list overall but how did u not include Ungoliant....single handedly she seems to best Morgoth which is y he had to call for help from his Balrogs. So with that and the lack of history for Ancalagon, I would say Ungoliant deserves his spot.

@john-anderspettersson5919 Жыл бұрын

Do agree, also her offspring do play a big role...

@LastRedStar Жыл бұрын

A bit off topic on the video, but I'm curious about something in regards to the dagor dagorath. Is that canon or up for debate? Or is it something a fan can consider canon, or at the very least, up for interpretation? And what would happen if Morgoth ever returned? Would his coming be enough to revive those who had fallen into shadow such as Sauron? Would Eru intervene and 'make things right' and correct Morgoth and his servants into redemption after such a conflict? Idk if this is a good question to ask. I never read the books, only what I see on KZfaq, and I'm still a bit confused on the lore.

@RantingThespian Жыл бұрын

The Dagor Dagorath was left out of the Sillmarillion, so its canonicity is vague. I personally believe it to be canon, and don't think it really conflicts with anything that is 100% cannon (LOTR, Hobbit, & the published Sillmarillion), especially since it's a prophecy and not a narrative. It's really up to you to decide what from The Histories Of Middle-Earth, Unfinished Tales, and other releases are canon. I say if it doesn't conflict with the big 3, believe what you want.

@manohman8587 Жыл бұрын

Honestly fingolfin would destroy every good being on this list even feanor

@unnecessarilyepic1107 Жыл бұрын

Depends on how pissed off he is at the moment.

@jenibnlaahad5398 Жыл бұрын

Tolkien him self said Feanor was the greatest elf in mind and body.

@unnecessarilyepic1107 Жыл бұрын

@JEN IbnLaahad and fingolfin was the greatest of arms.

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

@@unnecessarilyepic1107 that was never stated It.

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

Feanor is by far the mightiest being among the children. And It is easy to prove.

@TheDeviousBandit Жыл бұрын

Wasn’t Sauron said to be the most powerful of the servents of Morgoth ?

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

It’s certainly possible and likely even that there is a quote out there that says this. However, based on what he actually did in the First Age and what it seems he was capable of, he was defeated easier than others and ended up doing far less devastation.

@8911145533 Жыл бұрын

@@MenoftheWest didn't Sauron lose to Huan because he was destined to do so?

@TheDeviousBandit Жыл бұрын

@@MenoftheWest yes but correct me if im wrong, it is still stated by Tolkien that Sauron was the MOST POWERFUL of Melkor’s servents. Maybe not as destructive but more powerful.

@TheDeviousBandit Жыл бұрын

@@MenoftheWest no offence btw Love your videos

@hugo-pg5tv Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeviousBandit wasn't it greatest and not powerful?

@bigfloyd8888 Жыл бұрын

Not bad, hard leave out feanor, finrod, fingon, thingol, turgon, barahir, beren, hurin and many others haha

@kirtmanwaring3629 Жыл бұрын

Seems like this has been hashed to death in the comments already but I would put Sauron higher on the list, even by your definition of power which I find somewhat narrow. He basically built Angband up from an outpost in the north to Morgoth’s chief citidel while Morgoth was imprisoned in Valinor. Morgoth, upon his return to Middle Earth, found hoards of orcs ready that weren’t there before. Add to that all the logistical work Sauron had to do maintaining the armies while Morgoth was away in the East corrupting the first men and I think Sauron is responsible for more harm and devistation to the Free Peoples than Gothmog and the dragons put together.

@osmanshah5046 Жыл бұрын

Honestly after morgoth and ungolionth there is a huge power level drop on the evil side. There is a reason the Valar always won when it wasn't a surprise raid

@mp7146 Жыл бұрын

Personally, I wouldnt include Melkor since he does sit at the level of beings of the West, not really as a "Middle-Earth" character. Also his power decreases significantly during the first age, being the most Powerful Valar at the creation of Arda and being comparable to Sauron at the end of the first age. As for Sauron, I do believe as Melkor's right hand man and the only maiar following melkor without becoming a Balrog he does have an immense potential, even if he does not really fight upfront. Maybe Balrogs and Sauron could be ranked higher in terms of magic and potential since they are literal gods, but dragons have more raw strength and fighting capability. And yes i might act high and mighty but this personal opinion isnt fully justifiable, i havent read much more than the Silmarillion and the original lotr books and half my knowledge comes from videos like these, so thank you for making them :)

@G36Sperrfeuer Жыл бұрын

How could it be that ungoliant isn't in the top 5? She destroyed the trees of light, almost killed Morgoth and thanks to her children the world had so much terror. Thorin and his expedition almost failed because of her children, same as Frodo and Sam thanks to shelob.

@davidkosiba624 Жыл бұрын

Sauron was confirmed to be the greatest servent of Morgoth aka he was above Gothmog and Ancalagon by Tolkien

@1spacecadet4 Жыл бұрын

No mention of Earendil? I think, considering he killed Ancalagon, that he'd deserve a mention?

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

@1spacecadet4 Жыл бұрын

@@MenoftheWest fair enough! It's also possible that some of his strength in that battle came from the Silmaril. The light of it maybe harming Morgoths forces. Or at least dazzling them!

@kauetadaieski3131 Жыл бұрын

@@1spacecadet4 he did not solo that beast lol It makes no sense...

@codymcteer5898 Жыл бұрын

I agree with everything and everyone on your list Yoisten except for one thing. I think Ungoliant deserves the number 2 spot over Ancalagon. Let's not forget she almost killed Morgoth and it took every Balrog just to drive her off.

@Count.Saruman Жыл бұрын

This video has several inaccuracies. Sauron's peak was in the Second Age, when he created the ring. Letter 131 says that with the Ring on his hand, his power was actually enhanced. Sauron's decay also did not occur until Númenor. It is there that the expenditure of his will in the corruption of others that he eventually diminished, as well as due to being struck down directly by Eru. Second Age Sauron is far more impressive than First Age Sauron. Additionally, Sauron's rank was higher than Gothmog. The Lay of Leithian refers to him as 'Morgoth's mightiest Lord', the published Silmarillion says he was the greatest of Morgoth's servants that have names (including Ancalagon), and HoME says that Melkor drew many spirits to him, some great (as Sauron) and some less so, as the Balrogs.

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

Sauron still could do things in the First Age that he either could or would not do in future ages. Indeed, his lack of power compared to later ages is why he is so low on the list. It is difficult to measure power in the Legendarium, but based on his potential and actualized depictions of power, this was the best assessment I could conjure.

@Count.Saruman Жыл бұрын

@@MenoftheWest I find there are a lot of things that have been ignored, then. Sauron resisting lightning from the Valar directly wasn't mentioned. That he had a part in all Morgoth's works was not mentioned. That he could accomplish things which his master 'in the furious haste of his malice' could not was not mentioned. These are all more impressive than any feat demonstrated in battle by the others. If you're measuring only sheer power in battle then he might rank lower than Gothmog and Ancalagon, but that was never how Tolkien defined power. From direct quotation in the Silmarillion, the Lay of Leithian, Letters and Unfinished Tales, Sauron was Morgoth's most powerful servant- not counting Ungoliant or things that aren't named.

@PrometheanRising Жыл бұрын

Oh.. this is nice. I had wondered for awhile if one of the impressive qualities of Sauron's Ring was that it actually managed to make him more powerful than he was before he created it so long as he was able to wear and use it. This is a very good idea that Tolkien came up with. Presumably the sort of thing that you can only do once.

@markuhler2664 Жыл бұрын

In my mind Turin deserves a spot because Morgoth deemed it so. Who else was singled out for such torture and cruelty.

@joelgrea6654 Жыл бұрын

Hurin

@markuhler2664 Жыл бұрын

@@joelgrea6654 Shit, I screwed that up, didn't I? Dammit. Now I feel like an idiot. Thanks, man, for the correction though.

@specialk8888 Жыл бұрын

I think Ancalagon deserves his spot as it says in the book that he was so terrible he pushed the host of the Valar all the way back to the sea which no one under Morgorth’s command could do

@ultramaximusreviews Жыл бұрын

How did Tom Bombadil not make this list?

@m78088 Жыл бұрын

Huan and Thorondor had to be on list

@jovanisimoni2871 Жыл бұрын

what about Ungolianta?

@ralphsmith5871 4 ай бұрын

What about Carcaroth?

@mr.zardoz3344 Жыл бұрын

It is an historical fact unknown by most, that Tom Bombadill the strongest fighter and hero all the ages in Middle-Earth, was a raging alcoholic and was in and out of rehab during ALL major battles. He later settled down and farmed a little piece of land bordering the Shire, never to be heard from until the fifth age.

@paulbrickler Жыл бұрын

I'm just glad that, while trolls abound in many spaces, I may sip my cherry cola in peace. Remember when Saruman gave Gandalf grief for smoking pipe-weed?

@mr.zardoz3344 Жыл бұрын

@@paulbrickler Sir, I am no Troll. Just a sarcastic nitwit. Tom Bombadill was quite formidable, and old. So the tales tell.

@paulwagner688 Жыл бұрын

This is a subjective list, to say the least. For after Feanor, Galadriel was the most "powerful" Elf to return to Middle Earth. It's been stated in the legendarium that she was practically coeval with Feanor in terms of power, although her power and valor were markedly different than Feanor's. Add to that the instruction Melian gave her, and Galadriel ends up on almost a Maiar level of power by the end of the Third Age. And then there's Earendil.

@Makkaru112 Жыл бұрын

That’s definitely one of the many reasons Sauron was afraid of her. Also could never find her location nor her mind WHILST being able to read his mind and heart from afar WHILE even at the same time as him prodding around her region. “TheDoorRemainsClosed” ❤️❤️❤️

@JS-gk7rn Жыл бұрын

No way was Galadriel equal to Feanor. He was the most skilled and talented Child of Eru.

@Jayyy667 Жыл бұрын

Lol

@FckAroundAndFindOut Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@dunkelwalde695 11 ай бұрын

Are you basing that off the movies or the literature?