Who is the best fighter in the LOTR world

Originally posted by Kadan
Gurthang is the sword that will kill all of the mightiest within Ea. And the sword that would 'kill' Melkor in the Dagor Dagorath.
Ringil as a sword is below Turin's. But both blades are greater then Narsil.
Anyway, as for the question of this thread.
Tulkas is practically the God of War, and is the single greatest warrior in all of Arda (and Ea,) if he could be added then he'd take the spot.

Actually, Hurin took down 70 Troll's after picking up a Troll battle axe that was lying around, and took them all down with a single strike.
Not only that but he utterly destroyed Melkor/Morgoth's armies, and was only defeated because quite literally all of his foes were on top of him.
Don't forget Earendil as well. And Elendil and Gil-Galad were strong for sure, but only by Second Age standards.

Hurin was stated to be the greatest warrior in all of Arda behind Tulkas.
Hurin was a greater fighter then Fingolfin bro.
Maybe not in power, but certainly in skill.
It goes.
Hurin
Fingolfin/Feanor
Turgon
Turin/Tour
Earendil
Beren
Ecthelion
Think I forgot a few.
It either goes like that, or Fingolfin/Feanor are both on the top. But I'm pretty sure I'm right.
Melkor actually feared Hurin's bloodline enough to curse it. And he also hated Hurin quite hugely.
Didn't know where to put Fingon,

Hurin was said to be the best MORTAL warrior and Tolkien actually emphasize that part: “the mightiest of the warriors of mortal Men” - in my opinion it would be easy to say he was the mightiest of all if Tolkien really though that so.
As for skill I think it would be hard to surpass someone with 400 years of military experience like Fingolfin.
If I remember correctly one of the strong points about Hurin is that he didn't tire and while his brother Huor was stronger he could maintain his strength more time, that for example wouldn't make a difference for an elf since they are tireless(in comparison to men), imagine for Fingolfin.

The best fighter is Bombur. But only if he's in a barrel at the time. 😉

Fingolfin is the greatest martial combat of the elves. Hurin is the best of Men. Orcs? I can't recall any in the books being particularly capable. No idea on dwarves. Samwise the Brave is the mightiest Hobbit to ever live.

I forget, were any of the Elven groups/cultures noted as being more powerful than the other?

Yes, the Noldor IIRC were the most militarily powerful of the Elves, and the Noldor tended to produce the most powerful elves (with some exceptions like the Sindar Luthien, though she was also half-Maia), such as Fingolfin, Feanor, Ecthelion, and Galadriel.

Originally posted by NemeBro
Yes, the Noldor IIRC were the most militarily powerful of the Elves, and the Noldor tended to produce the most powerful elves (with some exceptions like the Sindar Luthien, though she was also half-Maia), such as Fingolfin, Feanor, Ecthelion, and Galadriel.

Don't forget good old Glorfindel, Turgon, and the sons of Feanor.
Think I missed some...

Tulkas and easily

Talion?

Originally posted by KuRuPT Thanosi
Tulkas and easily

Aragorn

Originally posted by Daisy Roberts
Aragorn

Many men in the first age would beat him.

I would honestly have to say Aragorn.

Fingolfin, and Turin probably comes second

How does Galadriel stack up to Fingolfin?

Originally posted by PaulsHomeAlone
I would honestly have to say Aragorn.

In the movies, yes, very likely.

Legolas would rape him.

The Eegles

Originally posted by XSUPREMEXSKILLZ
How does Galadriel stack up to Fingolfin?

As a combatant, not well.

Originally posted by Mindset
Legolas would rape him.

No. Even Gimli outscored Legolas in the battle of Helm's Deep.