@NIGHTBRINGER , your thoughts on the duel?
Short version, I'd say that the T-800 would prevail 95 times out of a 100. It's not impossible for the cave troll to win, but it is highly unlikely.
Long version:
While not definitive proof, consider that the Fellowship (with admittedly a fair bit of difficulty) were able to eventually fell the cave troll. Importantly, consider that they were able to accomplish this task with nothing more than medieval weaponry (swords, spears, bow & arrow). Now imagine that in that scene we replace the cave troll with the T-800, without doubt, it kills every living thing in that room without taking anything but superficial damage. They would pose zero threat to it and their only recourse would be to flee (or die). Admittedly, just because they can't inflict any significant damage on the T-800, does not mean that the cave troll can't (which I believe it can), but it does demonstrate the relative level of threat that the T-800 poses.
Strength - [slight advantage for the cave troll]
In terms of absolute strength the cave troll has the advantage, but probably not by as much as people might think. The troll can produce great amount of force, however, that strength is relatively uncoordinated. Also, the mithril example raised by
@Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl cannot be ignored. Even if we grant the premise that the mithril cannot be pierced, it was not plate armour, but more akin to mail, meaning that the force of the blow would still have been directly transferred into Frodo's body. Think of a bullet hitting a bullet-proof vest, the bullet is stopped but with any sufficient caliber you're walking away with broken ribs and some internal damage. Frodo on the other hand is severely winded, but doesn't seem to have any lasting effects.
The T-800 on the other hand has better relative strength (body mass to strength ratio) and is much more controlled and precise with its application of force. Additionally, the T-800 can produce more concentrated force (think pounds per square inch). Still, overall, the troll can probably hit harder.
Size/Weight/Reach - [massive advantage for the cave troll]
This is the troll's greatest advantage over the T-800. Without this, the fight would be over near instantly. The superior size of the troll means that the T-800 can be more easily grabbed/grappled/thrown. It also means that the cave troll can hit the T-800 well before the T-800 is in range to retaliate. Lastly, the superior height of the troll means that its most vital areas are out of reach of the T-800.
Durability - [massive advantage for the T-800]
We've seen swords, arrows and spears do significant damage against the cave troll (and eventually kill it), while at the same time, these primitive weapons are useless against a T-800. The T-800 can easily shrug off most gun fire (excluding extremely powerful calibers with armour specialized armour-penetrating rounds or futuristic energy weapons), let alone medieval weaponry. I'm betting the T-800, even unarmed, could punch straight into the flesh of the troll. Futuristic advanced metal alloy is going to be more resistant to damage than flesh and bone, even if it is the flesh and bone of a troll.
Pain threshold - [massive advantage for the T-800]
@Killer Angel stated that the cave troll had an "
absurdly high pain threshold", and while that is true relative to a human, dwarf, elf or hobbit, the reverse is true when compared against a T-800. The T-800 registers damage, but doesn't feel pain. It doesn't even flinch in the face of grievous damage, while the cave troll can be made to react. When Frodo slashes the cave troll's hand, it recoils in pain. That's a blow from a tiny hobbit wielding a tiny sword. That same blow would have done nothing against the T-800. The T-800 wouldn't have been deterred at all by that strike. The troll also recoils in pain when speared by Aragorn and hit by Legolas' arrows. This is massively important, because it means that the T-800 can break any grapples initiated the troll. If Frodo could free himself from the troll's grasp, the T-800, even unarmed, could very easily do the same.
Intelligence - [massive advantage for the T-800]
While the T-800 does not possess the general intelligence of a person (but has more specialized intelligence than an average person), it is significantly more intelligent than a troll. We fully see the capability of the T-800 in T2, which despite
@Killer Angel 's dismissal, definitely counts. Aside from being reprogrammed to protect John Conner, it possesses no more intelligence than any other T-800 unit (aside from the experience that it gains throughout the film). It is a typical T-800 unit and thus reflects the intelligence potential of the T-800's software and hardware. Moreover, it is preprogrammed with the knowledge, tactics and information to fulfill its primary function (to kill things). What does this mean against the cave troll? It means that the T-800 will be much better able to utilize its surroundings (the construction yard and the items contained within). It also means, that the T-800 will be able to better recognize and exploit the weaknesses of the troll. Lastly, the troll will not recognize the threat the T-800 possesses. In it's entire life, anything the size of a T-800 (a large person) could only produce x amount of force and sustain x-amount of damage, etc. Things that small cannot usually harm it. The troll would be completely unaware of the strength and toughness that the relatively small T-800 has. Know thy enemy. It would be no different than underestimating a cobra snake if you knew nothing of venom.
Endurance - [massive but inconsequential advantage for the T-800]
I say inconsequential, because I think this fight is over before either combatant fatigues. However, if it did go longer, the T-800 would never tire.
Senses - [slight advantage for the T-800]
The cave troll is accustomed to places with minimal light, but a T-800 can see perfectly in even absolute darkness. The T-800 could use this, along with its much smaller size and superior intellect to to move out of sight and sneak up on the troll. It might not chose to do this, but the option is available depending on the layout of the construction yard. It is an unlikely scenario, but not impossible, so still a slight advantage.
Killer Instinct - [slight to moderate advantage for the T-800]
Like a Saurus warrior, the T-800 was created for a very specific singular task... in this case, it's a terminator... it terminates things. A troll is big, powerful and dangerous, but it was not purpose design-built.
. It also recoils quickly from a single sword cut to the arm (from Frodo) and is severely hampered when Aragorn stabs it with a Dwarf Vault Warden spear. Plus, while it seems to take a load of stab wounds in the shoulders from Merry and Pippin, it ultimately takes only a single arrow into its lower neck from Legolas to kill it off pretty much instantly - the Terminator could easily take advantage of that weak spot.
) debate involving T2 a while back.
