Grace, I thought about moving Eowyn up in the seeding, I did! But I couldn't bring myself to set her against Frodo in the 3 vs 6 matchup, and I DEFINITELY couldn't set her against Aragorn in the opening round 😭 lol. So much as it pained me, this was where she fit best in the bracket. But I knew I had to include her too, even though it meant her uncle and brother, for instance, didn't even get to take the field/court!
haha, I know, it doesn't feel quite right for Gollum to rank so slow. but while I included some weight for importance to the narrative and being a fan-favorite in the heroes bracket, for the villain bracket I went with closer to a straight ranking by raw power. In that regard, Gollum is hardly the most imposing of the villains. But that could just be paving the way for some major upsets! We'll see haha
Haha, I know, but it's a chance for the Captain of Gondor to prove his quality!
In an initial draft of the bracket, he didn't even make the top 8, so on the one hand it's a victory for him even to appear. But it's also a super tough matchup for him.
And yeah, I'm rooting for him haha. Don't know that he'll go too far, but who knows? Anything could happen!
Well I think I've used the language of "vote for your favorites!" a few times here and on social media, but other than that I've left it open. You definitely can approach it as who is the best fighter or most powerful in Middle-earth! But if I were to guess, I think most people are picking their favorites
So happy to hear it! And I get those who are contending for their favorites or bemoaning the hard choices they're facing because of me: the arguing about rankings and complaining about matchups is part of the fun (to a point haha). But your point is well taken, just getting to have these discussions and participate in this is the *real* fun!
Oh I know! I had a hard time setting some of the matchups because I was thinking how difficult it would be to choose between them! Glad you're enjoying it though
Glad to hear it! And I know, I *really* wanted to get another round in so that we weren't starting with just eight from each section of the bracket because it produces some incredibly tough matchups right away. But in the end this worked best with the timeframe that I had. Maybe next year!!
Why Galadriel vs Eowyn first round?! 😭😭😭
But truly, this is awesome
Grace, I thought about moving Eowyn up in the seeding, I did! But I couldn't bring myself to set her against Frodo in the 3 vs 6 matchup, and I DEFINITELY couldn't set her against Aragorn in the opening round 😭 lol. So much as it pained me, this was where she fit best in the bracket. But I knew I had to include her too, even though it meant her uncle and brother, for instance, didn't even get to take the field/court!
Haha, thank you! It's already been so much fun!
Fun! I get to push buttons!
I can't believe you made me choose between Aragorn and Faramir in the first round.
I know, I know! 😅 I'm sorry! lol
How is Gollum a 7 seed? The selection committee needs to rethink that one.
haha, I know, it doesn't feel quite right for Gollum to rank so slow. but while I included some weight for importance to the narrative and being a fan-favorite in the heroes bracket, for the villain bracket I went with closer to a straight ranking by raw power. In that regard, Gollum is hardly the most imposing of the villains. But that could just be paving the way for some major upsets! We'll see haha
Every tournament needs an under-ranked team masquerading as a Cinderella. Gollum may be that here.
Saruman’s magic, I presume
Shelob doesn’t get enough respect.
Bet that really stings for her
Haha, no doubt.
I can't believe you matched Faramir against Aragorn in the first round.
Also go Beorn! He's an underdog just because you have to have read the books.
Haha, I know, but it's a chance for the Captain of Gondor to prove his quality!
In an initial draft of the bracket, he didn't even make the top 8, so on the one hand it's a victory for him even to appear. But it's also a super tough matchup for him.
And yeah, I'm rooting for him haha. Don't know that he'll go too far, but who knows? Anything could happen!
I was pretty amazed how much I had to think before ultimately picking Aragorn.
Wait wait wait…is this our favorite or who would win in a fight? 😅
Well I think I've used the language of "vote for your favorites!" a few times here and on social media, but other than that I've left it open. You definitely can approach it as who is the best fighter or most powerful in Middle-earth! But if I were to guess, I think most people are picking their favorites
This was so fun talking about the choices with my wife. 😁Thanks for making this!
Love that you two could share this haha. You're welcome! Thanks for participating!!
I love this SO much! Forget those complaining about rankings and selection... the fact that this exists is the highlight of my day!
So happy to hear it! And I get those who are contending for their favorites or bemoaning the hard choices they're facing because of me: the arguing about rankings and complaining about matchups is part of the fun (to a point haha). But your point is well taken, just getting to have these discussions and participate in this is the *real* fun!
The stew pun 😂
glad someone caught and appreciated it 😂
I audit all your posts meticulously, gotta make sure you’re staying funny
It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it 😂
Need a Silmarillion version of this: Valar, balrogs, dragons, Noldor, Numenorians, wolf-Sauron, necromancer-Sauron, hot-Sauron …
agreed! though all the versions of Sauron almost need their own bracket to duke it out amongst themselves...haha
How fun!! Thank you
Oh you're welcome! I've had a lot of fun with it already and am glad people are enjoying it so far haha
I love this! But it was difficult voting against some of these in the first round
Oh I know! I had a hard time setting some of the matchups because I was thinking how difficult it would be to choose between them! Glad you're enjoying it though
Next year, I demand the possibility of a Durin v. Durin’s Bane final.
Hahaha, that would be epic!
Love this! There are some tough match-ups!
Glad to hear it! And I know, I *really* wanted to get another round in so that we weren't starting with just eight from each section of the bracket because it produces some incredibly tough matchups right away. But in the end this worked best with the timeframe that I had. Maybe next year!!
You know, if Sam doesn't end up the champ, it was rigged, right?
Yeah, I think he's got a good chance to go all the way!