Gandalf the Grey was able to defeat the Balrog (granted, at the cost of his physical form), so the end result would likely be the same for the significantly more powerful Gandalf the White.

Can Gandalf defeat a Balrog?

First of all, although Gandalf does manage to defeat the Balrog in Moria 60 years later, the Balrog is a very different enemy to a dragon.

Why was Gandalf so afraid of the Balrog?

The Balrogs are essentially demonic equivalents to the wizards. It is hard to fathom the exceptional might of these creatures. With every subsequent age in Tolkein's Middle-earth, the magic in the world diminished, becoming less great in scale.

Is a Balrog as powerful as Sauron?

Sauron was originally Mairon and was a Maiar associated with Aule who valued crafting above all else. Secondly, Balrogs were the epitome of malice and power while Sauron only ever won one of three fights he ever had. Sauron was the great deceiver. His power lies in planning, subterfuge, manipulation, and corruption.

Was Gandalf allowed to use his full power against the Balrog?

Was Gandalf allowed to unleash his power against the Balrog because he was fighting a fellow maia, or did he defeat it without doing so? Gandalf was forbidden from using his full power and glory, to avoid inciting fear or awe in the Children of Iluvatar.

Gandalf's Speech To The Balrog & What It Means | Tolkien Explained

Could Sauron dominate a Balrog?

But it is doubtful that Sauron (without the One Ring) could have commanded the Balrog to say attack Lorien or fight against Minas Tirith. The main powers of a Balrog are not against armies of lesser enemies, or in breaking castle walls, but rather against other powerful opponents like Wizards or Elf-lords.

Why isn't Gandalf as strong as Sauron?

Though wizards are technically Maiar, they do not possess all the same abilities in their wizard forms. This is why, despite Balrogs and Sauron also being Maiar, Gandalf wasn't evenly matched in his wizarding form—especially as Gandalf the Grey.

Can a Balrog defeat Smaug?

The movies didn't show it, but the Balrog all but defeated Gandalf in a battle of spells. As mighty as he was, Smaug was killed by a single arrow shot by a lone human. So, the bottom line is that some brutish beast like Smaug (regardless of his size) wouldn't have been a threat to a Balrog.

Was Sauron afraid of the Balrog?

Sauron does not fear Durin's Bane because essentially they had been allies back “in the olden days". Both Balrogs (all balrogs) and Sauron chose to serve Melkor/Morgoth.

Why did Saruman not become a Balrog?

If the Balrogs are corrupted Maiar, then would Saruman eventually become one? Saruman wouldn't become a Balrog, because his nature is inherently different and he's kind of stuck in the body he's in.

Why was Legolas scared of the Balrog?

Legolas doesn't appear to have any hesitation in his actions throughout the films, but it's clear that his blood runs cold when a Balrog appears in the Mines of Moria. Their connection with the ancient foe known as Morgoth makes Balrogs far more fearsome than other enemies in the eyes of Elves.

Did Gandalf know the Balrog personally?

However, in the Tolkien novel, Gandalf actually never knew about the Balrog. All he knew was that Moria had been evacuated because of something called Durin's Bane, and that it still lurks inside. And while he does know that Orcs attacked the Dwarven kingdom, it was many years ago, and so he hoped they were gone.

Why doesn't Gandalf fight Smaug?

First off, it simply wasn't his job and doing so would have bordered on breaking the mandate of the Istari. He -- along with the other wizards -- was sent from Valinor to oppose Sauron by stirring up resistance amongst the free peoples of Middle-earth.

Could Galadriel have defeated the Balrog?

7 Durin's Bane - The Balrog

Throughout Tolkien's works, two characters, Gandalf and Glorfindel, faced off against a Balrog, and though they won, the battle cost them their lives. Though Galadriel herself never (as far as we know) went face to face with a Balrog, she would likely have met her match if she did.

Who killed the strongest Balrog?

The Elf Ecthelion leads the charge against the Orcs, and fights Gothmog, the greatest Balrog; they wound each other and both fall into the king's fountain in Gondolin; both drown.

Who else killed a Balrog?

The only recorded instances of Balrogs having been slain are Gandalf's slay of Durin's Bane, Echtelion's slay of Gothmog and Glorfindel's slay of an unnamed Balrog.

Why was Sauron afraid of Galadriel?

In his notes, Tolkien remarks that Sauron saw Galadriel as his equal. Add that to the fact that she's untrusting of Sauron (yes, even when he's in his Annatar guise) and an unwavering, single-minded force, and it's more likely than not that Sauron feared Galadriel — or the potential she held to upend his plans.

Who woke the Balrog in Moria?

For more than five millennia, the Balrog hibernated in his deep hiding place at the roots of the mountains in Khazad-dûm. He remained undisturbed throughout the Second Age and most of the Third, before the mithril-miners of dwarf-King Durin VI awoke him in T.A. 1980.

Who did Sauron fear the most?

Sauron's deepest fear was that Aragorn would use the Ring against him. With its powers of domination, Aragorn could comfortably take over the entirety of Sauron's dark army. Though this would eventually corrupt Aragorn, it would allow him to destroy Sauron and take his place.

What elf killed a Balrog?

Glorfindel fought the Balrog and succeeded in slaying the monster, but was himself mortally wounded. His body was recovered by the great eagle Thorondor and buried under a stone cairn, where afterward grew yellow flowers.

What is stronger Balrog or dragon?

Still, the dragons proved more effective in battle. Then there's Gandalf the Grey, who managed to kill a Balrog single-handed, but decided to manipulate some Dwarves and one very reluctant hobbit into dealing with Smaug.

Which Balrog is strongest?

Gothmog, one of the first Balrogs to become Morgoth's allies in the First Age, is regarded as the most powerful Balrog in Middle-earth. As the High Captain of Angband, he is given the title 'Lord of Balrogs'. Although he carries a fiery whip to battle just like the rest, he is also renowned for having a large black ax.

Who killed Morgoth?

In Dagor Dagorath, the penultimate battle between good and evil in the legendarium, Turin is the one that will kill Morgoth.

Who was more powerful than Gandalf?

5 Saruman The White

He was originally the chief of the wizards as well as the White Council that was formed to fight against Sauron. He was more powerful than Gandalf at these stages, but his study of dark magic turned him to support Sauron. However, before he turned to the dark forces, he was a very powerful wizard.

Why is Saruman more powerful than Gandalf?

Saruman was a higher-ranked wizard and the leader of the White Council, while Gandalf was primarily seen as a wise warrior and counselor to Frodo. Gandalf became stronger as the White Wizard and the leader of the wizards, ultimately besting Saruman in combat due to his loyalty and growth in power and authority.