Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-32352572-20180707023006/@comment-31507215-20180711030233

^That's really not the point. His world can live on a different moral code if he wants it to. Tolkien's the author. That's how it works.

Besides, whether or not Tolkien used explosives does not mean he should like them. If anything, it would probably heighten his dislike for them.

@SWVWC - To your point about being "Mr. Nice Guy", yes they could have. Gondor was a strong, well trained, well armed kingdom. They would have no need of explosives.

Also, in both Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith, the explosives were something new and terrifying to them. If the men of Gondor/Rohan used explosives, they would not have been near as shocked as they were.