Rank 4: Azog
- Subsidiary type: Mountain Orc
Azog is the powerful leader of the Gundabad-orcs. He settled in the former dwarven settlement and later also in Kazad-dûm. Hence, he also liked to call himself King of Moria.
He is primarily known for beheading the dwarf king Thrór and engraving his name into the severed head. He provoked the dwarves with the headless corpse, triggering a years-long war of revenge. In the end, he was killed by Dáin Ironfoot, who sought vengeance for the murder of his father Náin.
In the Hobbit films, however, his story was somewhat altered and embellished. Dáin did not take his life but only his arm. Thus, Azog’s ultimate goal became to take revenge and eradicate Dáin’s bloodline. It often shows how great a danger the pale orc leader poses. In the first Hobbit film, for example, he almost manages to kill Thorin Oakenshield. Later, he leads his troops into the Battle of the Five Armies, demonstrating not only his extraordinary fighting skills but also military cunning. In a final duel, Azog and Thorin ultimately kill each other.
Whether in the book or the films, Azog is a powerful orc that one would prefer not to have as an enemy.
