Ok first off Sauron did not create Balrogs, nor did he influence them, nor did he command them. In the Sil there are ARMIES of Balrogs, I believe that only 6 survived, one that settled in Moria. Sauron was a mair, (however you want to spell it, the important thing is that Sauron and Balrogs are of the same thing.) All of the mair were mentioned in the Song of Ainur, this means that Illuvitar made all of them, including Sauron. Melkor was the one who influenced them to become evil, but he made Sauron a Lieutenat, and captain of his palace. Melkor controlled the Balrogs, Sauron never did "control" them, probably just gave them homes in strategic places. As for powers, Sauron could beat the crap out of any Balrog, in the Sil it says Sauron could turn into any shape he wanted! he even turns into a vampire to escape Huin the hound. And besides that some of Melkor went into Sauron! So the line of power goes like this, Maya, Sauron (the Istari) other mair (Bolrogs, and other demos) then probably Elves, and all the rest are about even, I think.
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