Have you ever wondered? (Part 1)

Dungeons & Dragons 4^th Edition has changed the way we see the classes we play at our tables.  We now define the classes into specific roles: The Defender, the Striker, the Leader, and the Controller.  Have you ever wondered what roles some of our favourite movie protagonist might play?  Have you ever wondered what monster role our favourite antagonist play:  Controller, Skirmisher, Artillery, Lurker, Brute, or soldier? Over the course of the next couple of months, I will attribute class roles to our favourite heroes and monster roles to our favourite villains.

Lord of the Rings is my absolute favourite novel.  This novel is the basis for anything fantasy in this day and age (that includes all you W.O.W. players).  Its story is as legendary as its author, the great and unfortunately late J.R.R. Tolkien.  The heroes in this story are legendary and their enemies... relentless.

Part 1 will predominantly look at the Fellowship of the Ring followed by the supporting characters (from the book?).

Fellowship of the Ring:

1. Gandalf Greyhelm: (Controller/Striker) I had problems with this one.  His role in the story follows the role of a controller.  He is instrumental in rallying troops and organising the offense in many of the battles.  He seems to assume the role of a Sorcerer and a Wizard at the same time. He assumes the role of the Wizard, during Bilbo’s farewell party, in the battle of Minas Tirith and the battle of the Black Gate, by mobilizing the troops at both of these locations.  He is a Sorcerer during his epic battle with the Balrog in the mines of Moria, the battle of Helm’s Deep, and his battle within the walls of Minas Tirith.
2. Aragon, son of Arathorn: (Striker/Leader) Stryder assumes two distinct roles in this novel. In the early parts of the novel up to and including the battle of Helm’s Deep, he is a Striker at heart being a Ranger and all that.  He strikes fast and hard, moves quietly and neutralizes enemies very quickly.  In the latter half, he becomes a leader, leasing the men from Gondor, to the Gates of Mordor, inspiring every last one of them.  He ends up healing Eowyn, after her confrontation with the Witch King of Angmar.
3. Legolas, prince of the elves of Mirkwood:  (Striker).  There is no contest here. This Elf can do absolutely anything acrobatic, can hit anything he wants to and can move over, under, and through anything.  He is a true Bowmaster and proved some very cool moves during the battle of Helm’s Deep.
4. Gimli, son of Gloin:  (Defender).  He makes no bones about it (except for the plethora of enemies he kills).  He is the most impatient of the group and one of the most robust in battle.  He seems to attract foes the moment he steps onto a battlefield.  He must have plenty of HP for the battles he is in and his Endurance skill must be phenomenal.
5. Boromir of Gondor: (Defender) Son of Lord Denethor.  Boromir is a Defender.  The best example was during the orc kidnapping of Merry and Pippin.  I have never heard of a character taking so much damage and still be able to stand.
6. Frodo, son of Drogo: I have a lot of trouble placing Frodo in one of the roles. I don't think he is of any role whatsoever.  He has the constitution of a Dwarf and the courage of an Elf, yet he falls into no role that I can think of.
7. Sam Gamgee: (Leader/Defender)He is another difficult one, but given the amount of coaxing and courage he gave Frodo during their trip to Mordor, I would say he was predominantly a leader, followed by the role of defender, for his extreme bravery in the defense of Frodo throughout their travels.
8. Meriadoc Brandybuck: (Striker)  Toe to toe he would not stand a chance against most foes, but give him opportunity and flanking, he sould do some serious damage.  Stabbing the Witch King of Agmar was nothing shy of striker personality.
9. Pippin Took: (Defender).  I thought a striker at first because of his sneaky ways in the first part of the book.  Later though, he proves his worth as a defender in the siege of Minas Tirith.

Do you have any different view about the roles I have attributed to the characters of the Fellowship?  Post a comment whether you agree or disagree.  

Part 2 of the nemesis of the Fellowship will follow shortly.  So stay tuned to see what roles I give the enemies of our heroes.