The Balrog, Durin's Bane

The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (LTR) #405 · Rare · Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon

Mana cost: {5}{B}{R}

This spell costs {1} less to cast for each permanent sacrificed this turn.
Haste
The Balrog can't be blocked except by legendary creatures.
When The Balrog dies, destroy target artifact or creature an opponent controls.

Power/toughness 7/5 · Illustrated by Colin Boyer · Released June 23, 2023

Prices

• Nonfoil: $1.33 USD · €1.00 EUR
• Foil: $1.96 USD · €1.94 EUR

Nonfoil price since August 29, 2026: down $0.33 USD (19.9%) to $1.33 USD; low $1.04 USD, high $1.76 USD.

Printings

1. The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #646 (LTR) · Rare · 2023 · $5.18 USD
2. The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #195 (LTR) · Rare · 2023 · $0.42 USD
3. The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #405 (this printing) · Rare · 2023 · $1.33 USD
4. Tales of Middle-earth Promos #195s (PLTR) · Rare · 2023 · $4.47 USD foil

Legality

• Standard: Not legal
• Alchemy: Not legal
• Pioneer: Not legal
• Historic: Legal
• Modern: Legal
• Brawl: Legal
• Legacy: Legal
• Timeless: Legal
• Vintage: Legal
• Pauper: Not legal
• Commander: Legal
• Penny: Legal
• Oathbreaker: Legal
• Duel: Legal

Rulings

1. 2023-06-16 · wotc — The Balrog, Durin's Bane's first ability can't reduce its cost to less than {B}{R}.
2. 2023-06-16 · wotc — The Balrog, Durin's Bane's first ability counts every permanent that was sacrificed this turn, by any player.

Played in these commander decks

1. Sauron, the Dark Lord · in 12% of 50 decks
2. Sauron, Lord of the Rings · in 11% of 35 decks

All cards in The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (LTR)