tactical discussion, countering balrogs

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Originally Posted by lord of dor-lomin

If a fall can kill a Balrog, why didn't Durin's Bane die when he and Gandalf fell a million miles down from the bridge?

I mean, just think of how fast they'd be going after falling that far. Hitting water going that fast should kill you, right?

I think that lord of dor-lomin is correct regarding 'falling kills balrogs.' I assume that a fall, though even from a great height, can only wound not destroy a Balrog. Nor can they be drowned easily. I would say, seeing the examples provided, that the Balrogs must be seriously wounded before these other means of death are available.

Though not very obvious from the book, obviously Gandalf gives the Roggie more than a few paper cuts and spells (lightning bolts, fireballs, something?) before he casts him into ruin on the mountain.