The Lord Of The Rings: 10 Most Powerful Swords In Middle-Earth

If you can claim you've never picked up a stick or a tube of wrapping paper and swung it around like a sword, pretending to be a hero from a fantasy series, you're either a liar or not very fun at parties.

The sword is a weapon that has a universal coolness to it. It's simple, elegant, and can be designed in many exciting ways. They are also one of the most vital pieces of the puzzle in an epic fantasy saga, so it is no surprise that the iconic masterpiece Lord of the Rings and the world of Middle-Earth, in general, have some of the best.

Middle-Earth has seen its fair share of battles, heroes and villains, and all of them have needed weapons to fight for their beliefs. Of course, while there are plenty of options out there, such as a mace or a bow & arrow, most fighters in LOTR opted for the classic lengthened blade.

Throughout the books, and the Peter Jackson trilogy, viewers/readers, have gazed upon some truly powerful blades. The best of these have become legendary, and these coming ten are indeed the strongest.

Now, before you start arguing, yes, it's true, this is not technically a sword; it's a dagger/short sword. To the likes of Gandalf or Aragorn, this weapon is a measly little thing that they'd liken to a toothpick. Hell, Balin himself called it a "letter opener", so looking down on it makes sense. However, that should be disregarded because Sting is a mighty powerful weapon to a Hobbit.

Sting is a sword of Elven make - as many of the best are - forged by the Elves of Gondolin in the first age, making it an ancient weapon. To an elf, it was a simple short sword, but to the Hobbits Bilbo and Frodo, it was a life-saving tool that helped them slay multiple foes and navigate the wilds of Middle-Earth.

Of course, one of Sting's most powerful attributes - and a unique selling point for it - is that it glows blue when Orcs are close. This is a genuinely invaluable strength, as it allows the blade's wielder to pick and choose their battles. The smartest option is often the best one.

It might not be much to look at, but Sting has proven itself to be one of the most reliable swords in the series.