---
name: "The Balrog, Durin's Bane"
mana_cost: "{5}{B}{R}"
cmc: 7
type_line: "Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon"
colors: []
color_identity: ["B", "R"]
keywords: ["Haste"]
set: "PLTR"
set_name: "Tales of Middle-earth Promos"
collector_number: "195s"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Kekai Kotaki"
oracle_id: "d113af33-d75d-44e4-a8dc-31f8984edc42"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/the-balrog-durins-bane-pltr"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# The Balrog, Durin's Bane
- **Mana Cost:** `{5}{B}{R}` (CMC: 7)
- **Type:** Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon
- **Keywords:** Haste

## Oracle Text
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.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [The Balrog, Flame of Udûn](/printing/the-balrog-flame-of-udûn-ltr.md) — Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon
2. [Lash of the Balrog](/printing/lash-of-the-balrog-ltr.md) — Sorcery
3. [The Balrog of Moria](/printing/the-balrog-of-moria-ltc.md) — Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon
4. [Demon of Death's Gate](/printing/demon-of-deaths-gate-m11.md) — Creature — Demon
5. [Balor](/printing/balor-clb.md) — Creature — Demon
6. [Demon of Catastrophes](/printing/demon-of-catastrophes-m19.md) — Creature — Demon

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Tales of Middle-earth Promos (PLTR) #195s
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Kekai Kotaki
- **Total Printings:** 4 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `legal`

## Official Rulings
- *(2023-06-16)* The Balrog, Durin's Bane's first ability can't reduce its cost to less than {B}{R}.
- *(2023-06-16)* The Balrog, Durin's Bane's first ability counts every permanent that was sacrificed this turn, by any player.