Balrogs vs Dragons - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gurthang · 11-01-2005, 05:32 PM

Well, considering that both are beings of fire, the outcome is rather hard to determine. All in all, it's an extremely tight match.

Balrog:
Sword
Whip
Magic(see Gandalf discussing the door in Balin's Tomb)
Creates Shadow
Maia

Dragon:
Teeth/Claws
Tough, Scaly Armour
Spellcasting Eyes
Emits Light
Fell Spirit.

All those attributes pretty much offset the opponents. There are only two aspects that give distinct advantages to one side: the Dragon's ability to fly and Dragon's weak stomach. Regardless of whether or not a Balrog has wings, it's generally assumed that it can't fly. So the Dragon, which definitely can, has the upperhand. On the other side, the Dragon's belly is soft and vulnerable, making it very susceptible to an underside attack.

So the real question is whether or not the Dragon's ability to fly overrides it's extremely weak tummy.

Eonwe · 11-01-2005, 06:32 PM

you forgot one thing in your otherwise excelent list. some dragons had fire. think on this: if a dragon can't or chooses not to fly, were are you going to attack him? i really see no way i would get killed if i was a dragon.

Bergil · 11-01-2005, 06:51 PM

I meant, that stealth wouldn't help AGAINST a balrog, but it would against a dragon, because the balrog can take a lot of damage.

Gurthang · 11-01-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bergil

I meant, that stealth wouldn't help AGAINST a balrog, but it would against a dragon, because the balrog can take a lot of damage.

But wouldn't a Dragon also be able to take a lot of damage? And in The Hobbit, it talks about Dragons 'sleeping with an eyelid open' or something like that. Not easy to sneak up on.

The fact that a dragon might choose not to fly, just brings us back to the point where the battle is pretty much even.

Boromir88 · 11-02-2005, 06:08 AM

Quote:

I meant, that stealth wouldn't help AGAINST a balrog, but it would against a dragon, because the balrog can take a lot of damage.

Ok, I gotcha now, thanks for clearing that up.

the phantom · 11-04-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

So the real question is whether or not the Dragon's ability to fly overrides it's extremely weak tummy.

Nice thought, Gurthang.

Flying is definitely a nice perk when engaging enemies, but if the battle was dragon versus balrog, flying wouldn't be very beneficial.

You see, flying is nice because it allows the dragon to blast its opponent with fire while staying out of range and thus not allowing its opponent to land a blow. The dragon's fiery breath is its main weapon while airborne.

Now, a balrog is a spirit of fire. Isn't it likely that a dragon's breath would be useless against a balrog?

If so, then flying would not be of much use.

Kuruharan · 11-04-2005, 06:53 PM

Egad! How has this thread avoided being referenced here.

11-01-2005, 05:32 PM	#1
Gurthang Sword of Spirit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oh, I'm around. Posts: 1,401	Well, considering that both are beings of fire, the outcome is rather hard to determine. All in all, it's an extremely tight match. Balrog: Sword Whip Magic(see Gandalf discussing the door in Balin's Tomb) Creates Shadow Maia Dragon: Teeth/Claws Tough, Scaly Armour Spellcasting Eyes Emits Light Fell Spirit. All those attributes pretty much offset the opponents. There are only two aspects that give distinct advantages to one side: the Dragon's ability to fly and Dragon's weak stomach. Regardless of whether or not a Balrog has wings, it's generally assumed that it can't fly. So the Dragon, which definitely can, has the upperhand. On the other side, the Dragon's belly is soft and vulnerable, making it very susceptible to an underside attack. So the real question is whether or not the Dragon's ability to fly overrides it's extremely weak tummy. __________________ I'm on a Mission from God.

11-01-2005, 06:32 PM	#2
Eonwe Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In a world grown ever smaller. Posts: 678	you forgot one thing in your otherwise excelent list. some dragons had fire. think on this: if a dragon can't or chooses not to fly, were are you going to attack him? i really see no way i would get killed if i was a dragon. __________________ I've got bridge club on Wednesday, Archery on Thursday, Dancing on a Friday night!

11-01-2005, 06:51 PM	#3
Bergil Wight Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the Lepetomaine Gambling Casino For The Insane Posts: 157	I meant, that stealth wouldn't help AGAINST a balrog, but it would against a dragon, because the balrog can take a lot of damage. __________________ I support...something.

11-04-2005, 06:53 PM	#7
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	Egad! How has this thread avoided being referenced here. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no... Last edited by Kuruharan; 11-04-2005 at 08:55 PM. Reason: I always think of a better way of phrasing things two hours after originally posting.