The Balrog, Demon of Might (19P18)

Urgency (19P17)

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Data

The Balrog, Demon of Might (19P18) is a Moria Minion from the Age's End set.

EN Nonfoil First Edition EN Promo Nonfoil First Edition EN Foil First Edition EN Promo Foil First Edition

Collection Info Title The Balrog Subtitle Demon of Might Unique Yes Collectible No Set 19 - Age's End Rarity P - Premium Card Number 18 Language EN - English Revision 0

Gameplay Info Playable Yes Culture Moria Side Shadow Card Type Minion Race Balrog Twilight Cost 14 Strength 17 Vitality 5 Site Number 4 Game Text Damage +2. Fierce. While at an underground site, skip the archery phase, the maneuver phase, and The Balrog cannot be assigned to skirmish companions of strength 6 or less. Lore “The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it...”

Technical Info Wiki Base Card ID LOTR-EN19S018.0 TLHH ID LOTR19018 GEMP ID 19_18 LOTRO Hex ID 62 AD 1E 12 LOTRO Image ID 19_018

Strategy

Released in the final set of TCG cards, Demon of Might is undisputably the most powerful version of the Balrog ever printed. With an innate Damage + 2 and Fierce, is causes pain to even well-prepared Fellowships, but its real strength lies in its text. The fact that is skips the maneuver phase while underground is extremely potent; it prevents followers from being used, stops several versions of The One Ring from being equipped, prevents maneuver wounding and serves as a counter to Madril, Defender of Osgiliath. This card can also be played with other minions if your opponent floods the twilight pool, and will protect them all from maneuver and archery wounding (Both of which are common in the Expanded format.). This Balrog is not the first to prevent assignments to low strength characters, but this ability is also handy, as it forces the opponent to sacrifice important companions to it. Combine with Cavern Entrance to deny your opponent even more effects.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strong Versus...

• Madril, Defender of Osgiliath (And consequently, Ithilien Blade)
• Decks that flood the twilight pool
• Extreme follower decks
• Wounding decks
• Archery decks
• Maneuver dependant cards, such as Gil-Galad, High King of the Noldor
• The One Ring, The Great Ring (And also The Binding Ring and Such a Weight to Carry)

Weak Versus...

• Choke Decks.
• Decks with at least one very high strength companion (E.g. Durin III)
• Extreme Site Manipulation decks, which may prevent you from playing an underground site
• Decks with Armor, Gimli's Helm or other Damage protection effects
• Smeagol, Always Helps with Don't Look At Them (If the Balrog isn't Underground.)
• A New Light

Alternate Personas

Portrait	Name	Game Text
	The Balrog, Durin's Bane (2C51)	Damage +1. Fierce. While you can spot The Balrog, discard all other minions. Skip the archery phase. Discard The Balrog if not underground.
	The Balrog, Flame of Udun (2R52)	Damage +1. Fierce. To play, spot a Orc. Discard The Balrog if not underground. Shadow: Exert The Balrog and remove to play a Orc from your discard pile.
	The Balrog, Terror of Flame and Shadow (6R76)	Damage +2. The twilight cost of The Balrog is –3 if you can spot a minion. The Balrog cannot be assigned to skirmish companions or allies of strength less than 6.
	The Balrog, The Terror of Khazad-dum (12R79)	Damage +1. While The Balrog is at an underground site, it is fierce and cannot take wounds or be exerted. ​