There are dozens of epic battles throughout The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, but one of the most epic is the standoff between Gandalf The Grey and the Balrog that lived deep within the depths of the Mines of Moria. It was the first time fans of the series were able to witness just how powerful of a being Gandalf was while also seeing just how real the threat of Sauron’s dark forces could be. Luckily, Gandalf was there to handle that fearsome foe.
Fans of The Lord Of The Rings will already know exactly how the battle between the two went, but there is a fact that many people wonder about. With how powerful Gandalf the White was, it’s worth considering how he would have faired against the Balrog. Some say the fight would have been similar, and others say Gandalf would have steamrolled the foe, but the answer is likely somewhere in the middle.
What Was The Battle Between Gandalf And The Balrog Like?
While The Lord Of The Rings fans may not get to see the entire epic battle between Gandalf and the Balrog, that’s probably a good thing. The two foes fought for two days and nights across a huge battlefield. While both Gandalf and the Balrog were able to inflict plenty of damage, it was this battle that showed everyone just how battle-ready Gandalf was. He never wavered against the overwhelming foe, which is likely why he was able to persevere and defeat the creature.
After being pulled into the pit from the bridge in Moria, Gandalf, and the Balrog fell for what felt like an eternity. The two battled the entire time that they were falling, though they would eventually drop into a massive lake that rested at the bottom of the pit. The lake was a lucky break, as this kept the two from smashing into the hard grounds of the mountain, but it also allowed the Balrog to flee from Gandalf. Yes, Gandalf the Grey was already so mighty that the Balrog tried to get away from him when it had the chance.
Gandalf wasn’t about to let the Balrog get away after pulling him from the fellowship, so he pursued the beast. The two would eventually continue their battle on Durin’s Tower, where Gandalf would finally manage to best the beast. He would throw it from the mountain, and the Balrog would die as it fell. Though Gandalf the Grey would also lose his life in this battle, he would soon return as the even more powerful Gandalf the White.
How Different Was Gandalf The White From Gandalf The Grey?
While it may not initially seem like there is much of a difference between the two forms of Gandalf, even with the evidence from the film trilogy, there is a shocking difference between the two. The biggest difference was the fact that in his Grey form, Gandalf was unable to realize the true strength that he had within himself. His role as a Grey Wizard was never to be the most powerful wizard in Middle Earth, but instead to learn and aid the other wizards that were sent to the lands.
The most obvious difference is seen between Gandalf’s run-ins with Saruman. Their first interaction in the trilogy results in Gandalf The Grey being bested with ease, but once he becomes a White Wizard, Gandalf turns the table on Saruman with ease. There are additionally plenty of clues that there is no question that if Gandalf had seized the ring while he was Gandalf the White, he’d have been able to defeat Sauron with ease with the caveat being that he would eventually turn into an even greater force of darkness later on.
The demeanor between the two forms of Gandalf is also something of note. While Gandalf the Grey was powerful and sure of himself, Gandalf the White was an entirely different being that exuded a different energy. Fans never actually get to see the full extent of Gandalf the White’s power during The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, but how calm and sure of himself he is in a variety of situations makes it clear that he’s hardly ever concerned for the safety of himself or others. There were only ever a few foes that Gandalf the White was unsure of, but again, that also needs to be taken with a grain of salt due to him using his power in a supportive role instead of one of pure dominance over Sauron’s forces.
Could Gandalf The White Have Obliterated The Balrog?
Considering the Balrog serve the dark lords of The Lord Of The Rings, and Gandalf the White was at least capable of rivaling Sauron’s power, it’s safe to say that he would have been able to contend with the Balrog in a completely different way. Despite that, Balrogs are powerful beings in their own right, and it probably wouldn’t be fair to say that Gandalf The White would have no struggle against one of the creatures. What can certainly be said is that if Gandalf the Grey could defeat a Balrog while losing his life, Gandalf the White would have been able to defeat the creature without dying, and it likely wouldn’t have been as long of a battle.
It is possible that fans underestimate the power of Gandalf the White (despite acknowledging how powerful he is) as the untapped pure power that he may wield could have potentially made him a walking war-winning machine. If Gandalf were interested in demonstrating his power against the foes of the realm, it’s possible that he would have some sort of magic ability that could have defeated a Balrog nearly instantly. Due to the fact that Gandalf remains conservative with his magics after his return to the mortal realm, all anyone can do is guess about that fact. Speaking realistically, Gandalf would win, likely handily, but he would likely have some level of struggle against a foe as powerful as a Balrog.
The Lord Of The Rings is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.