Like Rhynox's list but don't buy the whole Neidar suck PR.
Anyone soloing or even tanking those dudes is in a badass guild combo, end of story. Enough with the point scoring tho.
Rhynox left Ariakas off his list.
Forcefield to resist damage, lots of health poisons, blocking guards, raising the dead guards again, its a very cool idea but somehow in the end it is something of a let down. No uber gear, never really feared for life once realised the poisons where not too nasty and if you have to first kill the DA guards to get to him that is more challenging. I killed him once with a friend and the DA guards killed the friend when we were leaving.
He also left off Kitriana and Skie but I have no experience there.
Likwise with Elrond..
No one mentioned Oliphaunts, which are surely badass with breaking bones but since they are too stupid and just stand there watching their haradrims die it makes them totally irrelevant!
Some of which kinda sucks, but again enough with the other points. Sorry.
I like the quote from Mithros on Eden forum (I think) "Combat should be like a game of chess."
A boss battle, that gaming favourite, how many console games have you been owned by the boss until you learn the tactics. Eg stand in the bottom left corner of screen to escape his wave of flame, then focus on taking out the glowing orbs with your ranged weapon and finally go for the head. heh. Was playing God of War II on PS2 again this week actually, good sh1t - boss battles a plenty. Buying the first one of ebay to give it a go as well.
Genesis is a little lacking in terms of this tactical fighting for many battles. We also by now know what we are doing with these old favourites and in many cases are able to easily manipulate them to our ends. Or know tricks to negate some of the dangers.
So for example Ashburz, he is a challenging battle, can have great gear and is more risky than many encounters.
He will switch between his attackers at random but can be manipulated by moving rooms till he attacks your tank again.
His stun makes it more tactical, most people don't go there alone.
His heal is also a factor to be worried about.
The area is also dangerous because he can block your escape but there are other ways out.
However the favourite other way also has a cool down timer so there is plenty to think about when facing him.
He is a good challenge. I am not saying make him more deadly, just think what elements are there that make it enjoyable.
He is not never escape! But still hard to escape.
Being hunted gets the blood pumping.
His unpredictable nature makes it more challenging.
His equipment and weapons power can make it worthwhile but also could have things go wrong if he unexpectedly break your armour.
I think however that Mergula is our current ultimate boss battle experience.
His damage can be insane, especially if you leave and return.
The fact he hurts all team members _a lot_ gives it a real edge. Everyone has to be on their toes.
The equipment appeals to many and is somewhat guaranteed ie at least he will have a great cloak.
If its a challenge good to have a reward, not like Ashie who is often killed for junk.
He has guards which arrive and can swing the fight his way. It also makes things more tactically challenging.
He is one where the team will always discuss who to do what before fighting him if anyone not down with the plan already.
The guards also hunt giving it an edge of danger.
Attackers can be stunned which leaves you wondering stay or flee.
I think the most challenging boss battle is the Balrog.
Just because for many the Balrog is considered the benchmark of badassness. So a rumour like Tarlok soloed the Balrog is a real talking point compared to any/every other boss.
One other point the "you do not have the dis to attack" annoyance it is kinda screwing up group involvement in boss battles like Yeti and Balrog. Why do we never see "TitanplayerA is looking especially brave!" like we do for npcs? Also the effective ways to buff your dis that exist in the game are kind of unbalanced towards sword users IMO. But thats one or two other topics probably.
So we are still not at the console boss stage of complexity.
With ranged combat and distance between combatants in a room not much of a factor its all toe to toe stuff. That sort of limits things for starters.
But we can still have situations like where we must have one person blocking/chasing and hunting/slaying the guy who is trying to run for help while two are facing the boss trying to distract him from the maimed ally who temporarily is taking double damage. Being able to taunt him will switch the boss to you but with boosted damage, need to think about it before you go being a hero. If you get him hurt he goes mental and starts throwing fireballs which can be negated if the person he is targeting jumps under the water in the pond, (better hope that they killed the octopus earlier in the fight) etc etc. All made the more urgent by the mood music of the screaming maiden being tortured by Boss Nasty who you have to be quick enough to rescue or boss guts her and all suffer morale penalty.
The key for me would be a team required, everyone needing to be alert, everyone needing to know what the plan is and do their part but not being able to plan for every eventuality and having to be able to adapt to surprises.
So great work to the wizzies who come up with these challenges for us, I do really love the existing bosses (this isn't console world and hack and slash is fun too) we mortals always look forward to more. So double thanks for not just killing us all and making it fun!
Que God of War music...
DEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN DUM DEEEEEEEEEEENNNN DUM
See that guy strolling across and the phrase "Inexorable" springs to mind.