Could Gandalf the White defeat the Balrog more easily?

Balrog_of_Morgoth · 03-15-2003, 06:48 PM

Just wondering...

Had it been Gandalf the White in Moria with the Fellowship, how would he have fared?

Is it possible the Balrog would recognize the greater power in him and choose not to pursue them?

Would Gandalf have thrown it down without needing to "trap" it into falling with the broken bridge?

Or would things play out similarly, with Gandalf possibly winning out in the depths of Moria after the bridge, without being beaten himself in the process?

How about Saruman, during his time of greatness? That is interesting to consider too.

Any thoughts?

markedel · 03-15-2003, 07:18 PM

yes he was powerful following his return.

The Ringbearer · 03-18-2003, 04:28 AM

I think that Gandalf would certainly have been able to defeat the Balrog. No offence *glances at name* but the book said that he was unable to be hurt at all after his return.
My guess is that he would have either blown it away completely, or simply ordered it back to its lair/bed. Either way, I would have loved to see it!

Frodo

Kirinki54 · 03-18-2003, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Balrog_of_Morgoth
Would Gandalf have thrown it down without needing to "trap" it into falling with the broken bridge?

Possibly. But not without a fight. The Balrogs were mighty also among the Maiar.

WallRocker · 03-19-2003, 11:17 AM

I could say that Gandalf the WHite could defiently have defeated the Balrog in Moria(after all, he defeated him as Gandalf the Gray didn't he?)(come on... you knew that was coming

)

Seriously I would have to agree with The Rinbearer. Gandalf was not hurt(as far as know) and nothing happened to him(pain-wise) during his stay on ME as Gandalf the White.

Radagast The Brown · 03-19-2003, 04:26 PM

Maybe Gandalf was 'unable to be hurt'. But I don't think he was 'unable to be hurt by a balrog, since the balrog isn't much wicker then him.

Elbereth Gilthoniel · 03-25-2003, 03:27 PM

I agree with Radagast, he said that Aragorn and Gimli and Legolas can't hurt him . I think he would win, but I'm not sure he can not fell down of the bridge.

Balrog_of_Morgoth · 03-26-2003, 07:24 PM

Well, maybe I should re-phrase.

I know he could defeat a Balrog more easily. That is obvious since he is much more powerful as White.

But, how much easier? Balrogs are Maiar as well, and they are in their "true" uninhibited form. I guess it would come down to who was the most powerful Maiar in their beginning.

Obviously, Gandalf was more powerful than the Balrog of Moria.

I would guess that Gandalf the White would have gone to the bridge to ensure the others got past, then meet the Balrog, but he would throw down his foe without breaking the bridge.

How about Gandalf the White vs. Gothmog? If Ecthelion defeated him, surely Gandalf could. But I wonder how that battle would go? I doubt Glamdring could deflect the axe of Gothmog.

durin's bane · 03-27-2003, 06:44 PM

It's possible. After, Gandalf the Grey was able to beat the balrog, so Gandalf the White should have no problem...

Aragorn_of_the_west · 04-09-2003, 11:26 AM

surly gandalf the white could beat the balrog of moria with ease,
but about gothmog- im in doubt.

there is no info in the sil that says that gothmog was a lesser mia
then gandalf- so in my opinion that question is unanswerable

Bombadillo · 04-09-2003, 04:27 PM

Well of course it would have been impossible and wouldn't have made sense, but the battle may have gone like this:
"You cannot pass!!!" Then the same short battle would commence, but Gandalf would have won it immediately and cast the defeated beast down into the chasm. IF it still could whip him to drag him in, he'd get out of its grip before being pulled in, and so would never have fallen and 'died.'

Gothmog I'm assuming is a more powerful Balrog in the Sil, because I don't know about him at all.

Radagast The Brown · 04-12-2003, 11:08 AM

Quote:

originally posted by balrog_of_morgoth
How about Gandalf the White vs. Gothmog? If Ecthelion defeated him, surely Gandalf could. But I wonder how that battle would go? I doubt Glamdring could deflect the axe of Gothmog.

I do think Glamdring could've deflect Gothmog's axe.And yeah, I agree - Gandalf would've win Gothmog. (you must remember - Gandalf was tired when he faught the balrog in Moria)

gandalfstormcrow · 04-12-2003, 07:55 PM

Gandalf the White would've won the battle, hands down, and it wouldn't have taken anything out of him. If the Gandalf the Grey could do it, why wouldn't Gandalf the White? Gandalf the White wouldn't have lost his mojo.

The second part of that question is interesting indeed. Since Saruman was the head of the Order and the most powerful wizard, I don't see why he couldn't have defeated the Balrog. In fact, he could probably defeat many things.

Psycho Kitty · 04-29-2003, 12:08 PM

This is a Balrog people. It wouldnt have been so easy no matter how powerful Gandolf was. It still would have been a savage fight. And you have to assume the Balrog is smart enough to realize Gandolf is white or whatever and has stronger powers. So he would have altered his attack accordingly. But Gandolf was the most powerful outside of sauron i think it says somewhere so in the end he probably would have won. But upsets do happen.

03-15-2003, 06:48 PM	#1
Balrog_of_Morgoth Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Parkersburg WV Posts: 110	Could Gandalf the White defeat the Balrog more easily? Just wondering... Had it been Gandalf the White in Moria with the Fellowship, how would he have fared? Is it possible the Balrog would recognize the greater power in him and choose not to pursue them? Would Gandalf have thrown it down without needing to "trap" it into falling with the broken bridge? Or would things play out similarly, with Gandalf possibly winning out in the depths of Moria after the bridge, without being beaten himself in the process? How about Saruman, during his time of greatness? That is interesting to consider too. Any thoughts? __________________ Fingolfin: The Mighty Elven Lord who challenged Morgoth to single combat!

03-15-2003, 07:18 PM	#2
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	yes he was powerful following his return. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

03-18-2003, 04:28 AM	#3
The Ringbearer Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Crickhollow in the summer, and Rivendell in the winter Posts: 397	I think that Gandalf would certainly have been able to defeat the Balrog. No offence glances at name but the book said that he was unable to be hurt at all after his return. My guess is that he would have either blown it away completely, or simply ordered it back to its lair/bed. Either way, I would have loved to see it! Frodo __________________ 'Go away, and never come back!!' '......what?' 'But you're a part of this world! Aren't you?' Frodo lives!

03-19-2003, 11:17 AM	#5
WallRocker Elven Warrior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: At the computer... Posts: 376	I could say that Gandalf the WHite could defiently have defeated the Balrog in Moria(after all, he defeated him as Gandalf the Gray didn't he?)(come on... you knew that was coming) Seriously I would have to agree with The Rinbearer. Gandalf was not hurt(as far as know) and nothing happened to him(pain-wise) during his stay on ME as Gandalf the White. __________________ Do one thing every day that scares you ~Anonymous~ <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><<>< <>< <>< <>< I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America And to the Republic for which it stands One nation UNDER GOD with liberty and justice for all

03-19-2003, 04:26 PM	#6
Radagast The Brown Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Israel Posts: 6,975	Maybe Gandalf was 'unable to be hurt'. But I don't think he was 'unable to be hurt by a balrog, since the balrog isn't much wicker then him. __________________ Lalala... poof! AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

03-25-2003, 03:27 PM	#7
Elbereth Gilthoniel Enting Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: israel Posts: 80	I agree with Radagast, he said that Aragorn and Gimli and Legolas can't hurt him . I think he would win, but I'm not sure he can not fell down of the bridge. __________________ O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! We still remember, we who dwell In this far land beneath the trees, thy starlight on the Western Seas.

03-26-2003, 07:24 PM	#8
Balrog_of_Morgoth Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Parkersburg WV Posts: 110	Well, maybe I should re-phrase. I know he could defeat a Balrog more easily. That is obvious since he is much more powerful as White. But, how much easier? Balrogs are Maiar as well, and they are in their "true" uninhibited form. I guess it would come down to who was the most powerful Maiar in their beginning. Obviously, Gandalf was more powerful than the Balrog of Moria. I would guess that Gandalf the White would have gone to the bridge to ensure the others got past, then meet the Balrog, but he would throw down his foe without breaking the bridge. How about Gandalf the White vs. Gothmog? If Ecthelion defeated him, surely Gandalf could. But I wonder how that battle would go? I doubt Glamdring could deflect the axe of Gothmog. __________________ Fingolfin: The Mighty Elven Lord who challenged Morgoth to single combat!

03-27-2003, 06:44 PM	#9
durin's bane Lady of Westernesse Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Canada (Help! Our parliament building is melting!) Posts: 761	It's possible. After, Gandalf the Grey was able to beat the balrog, so Gandalf the White should have no problem... __________________ Yada, yada, yada

04-09-2003, 11:26 AM	#10
Aragorn_of_the_west Enting Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Israel Posts: 56	surly gandalf the white could beat the balrog of moria with ease, but about gothmog- im in doubt. there is no info in the sil that says that gothmog was a lesser mia then gandalf- so in my opinion that question is unanswerable

04-09-2003, 04:27 PM	#11
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	Well of course it would have been impossible and wouldn't have made sense, but the battle may have gone like this: "You cannot pass!!!" Then the same short battle would commence, but Gandalf would have won it immediately and cast the defeated beast down into the chasm. IF it still could whip him to drag him in, he'd get out of its grip before being pulled in, and so would never have fallen and 'died.' Gothmog I'm assuming is a more powerful Balrog in the Sil, because I don't know about him at all. __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity?

04-12-2003, 07:55 PM	#13
gandalfstormcrow Enting Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ridding Middle Earth of Sauron before bedtime. Posts: 58	Gandalf the White would've won the battle, hands down, and it wouldn't have taken anything out of him. If the Gandalf the Grey could do it, why wouldn't Gandalf the White? Gandalf the White wouldn't have lost his mojo. The second part of that question is interesting indeed. Since Saruman was the head of the Order and the most powerful wizard, I don't see why he couldn't have defeated the Balrog. In fact, he could probably defeat many things.

04-29-2003, 12:08 PM	#14
Psycho Kitty Enting Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 66	This is a Balrog people. It wouldnt have been so easy no matter how powerful Gandolf was. It still would have been a savage fight. And you have to assume the Balrog is smart enough to realize Gandolf is white or whatever and has stronger powers. So he would have altered his attack accordingly. But Gandolf was the most powerful outside of sauron i think it says somewhere so in the end he probably would have won. But upsets do happen. __________________ Its a common occurance. We all come to terms with it at some time or another. That beautiful feeling of being left behind. With the Golden promise touching anothers horizion. Being left sitting still and waiting for nothing. Unable to move until it comes.

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