Balrogs in AD&D?

Attalus · 06-15-2003, 04:01 PM

I was just looking in the Monster Manual (3rd Edition), looking for Balrogs, and I couldn't find them. Did AD&D ever have an official description of these demons?

Sir Exxon · 06-15-2003, 04:04 PM

I think Balrogs are Tolkien-only. I atleast haven't heard of any AD&D-Balrogs.

06-15-2003, 04:23 PM

Attalus, the 1st edition monster manual had Balrogs and full stats.
give me some time and I'll try and find some info for ya.

The first edition of Deities and Demigods also had Elric of Melnibone, Yerkoon (of elric fame) the Gods of the Elric series, Fafhred and the Grey Mouser and many more that it ended up later that they didn't have the copyrights to print...so later editions did not have these...anyway brb with the info if I can find it.

Djinn Raffo · 06-15-2003, 04:33 PM

The first edition also had the stats to some of H.P. Lovecrafts Old Ones. Cthulhu was in it and i think Yog Sothoth.. maybe some others.

Chewbacca · 06-15-2003, 04:41 PM

http://www.planetadnd.com/monster_ra...er.php?mid=164

Here ya go, its fan-made, not official. That site also has a fledgling LOTR D20 conversion, one of the new feats is "Craft ring of power" Yikes!

I have the first edition MM1 MM2 and Fiend Folio and the Core Rules Cdrom,(and people wonder why I dont update to 3e) AFAIK the Balrog has never been published in official AD&D material.

Although in my opinion, the Type VI Demon, AKA Balor, in the original Monster Manual is similiar to the Balrog in both powers and the picture in the book. Plus he's got a mean whip. [img]smile.gif[/img] Perhaps the 3rd ed monster manual has it's equivilant.

Hope this help! [img]smile.gif[/img]

edit: It's odd that with all the new tolkien hype because of the movies that there isn't an official LOTR sourcebook, or maybe there is and because I don't keep up with 3rd ed. I have missed it. It seems like the kind of licensing that WOTC would eat up in a heart beat.

[ 06-15-2003, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

Attalus · 06-15-2003, 04:48 PM

Thanks, Chewie! OMG, what a monster! 150 HD!

Balrog
Fire, gargantuan
Hit dice: 150 (base)
Initiative: 90%
Speed: slow
AC: 0 (base)
Attacks: fire sword, whip
Damage: 1d20+10, 1d12+6

Special Attacks: Dark cloud(spell)
Special Qualities: Intimidate

Climate/Terrain: underground, caves
Organization: individual attacks
Challenge Rating:
Treasure: very expensive
Alignment: cahotic evil
Advancement: 14000 xper

General description: The Balrog is the Tolkien's creature in Moria. It is a fire demon with wings and bull horns. It has a gigantic fire sword and a powerful whip.

Chewbacca · 06-15-2003, 04:57 PM

No problem! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Yep, it's a meanie with alot of hit-points! No wonder Gandalf had to kick it's butt all through out caves and up on mountain tops.

06-15-2003, 05:00 PM

Here are the official 1st edition AD&D stats for Balrogs as seen in the first edition Monster Manual:

Type VI Demon (Balor etc....)
Frequency: Rare
No. Appearing: 1-3 or 1-6
AC: -2
Move: 6"/15"
Hit Dice: 8+8
% in lair: 20%
Treasure type: F
No. Attacks: 1
Damage Attack: 2-13
Special Attacks: Whip and Flame for 2-12/3-18/4-24
Special Defense: +1 or better to hit
Magic Resist: 75%
Int: High
Alignment: CE
Size: L (12' tall)
Psionic Ability: 180
Attack/Defense modes: a,b,c,e / f,g,f

They Shed darkness at will, cause fear as dragon fear continuously, see invisible objects, cause pyrotechnics (start fires) dispel magic, suggestion, telekenisis, symbol of fear, sleep, discord, stunning, and may gate in other type II or higher demons at will, all abilities may be used as many times as desired.

I know it doesnt sound too terrible compared to the munchkinesque 3rd edition rules, but you get a good DM and this thing will kick your ass.

Kaltia · 06-15-2003, 05:08 PM

*Snarls briefly whilst her pet mini-balrog, Smuag, hisses* *Kat, ever the fanfic writer, can be heard mumbling, "It's like crossovers!" in dismay*

Chewbacca · 06-15-2003, 05:12 PM

I think between what has been presented here, the type VI Balor has more and better powers than the Balrog. The Balrog does have way more Hit Points in his favor though.

I love the Balor's shroud of fire and his many-tailed whip.
I fondly recall the first time an unfortunate player of mine got whipped by a Balor (literally) and dragged into the flames. All because he drew emnity with a Demon out of the deck of many things. Fortunately, his fear saving throw was passed and a quick teleport spell from the ring of spell storing saved his butt... that time. Ah...memories! [img]smile.gif[/img]

06-15-2003, 04:01 PM	#1
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	I was just looking in the Monster Manual (3rd Edition), looking for Balrogs, and I couldn't find them. Did AD&D ever have an official description of these demons? __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

06-15-2003, 04:41 PM	#5
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	http://www.planetadnd.com/monster_ra...er.php?mid=164 Here ya go, its fan-made, not official. That site also has a fledgling LOTR D20 conversion, one of the new feats is "Craft ring of power" Yikes! I have the first edition MM1 MM2 and Fiend Folio and the Core Rules Cdrom,(and people wonder why I dont update to 3e) AFAIK the Balrog has never been published in official AD&D material. Although in my opinion, the Type VI Demon, AKA Balor, in the original Monster Manual is similiar to the Balrog in both powers and the picture in the book. Plus he's got a mean whip. [img]smile.gif[/img] Perhaps the 3rd ed monster manual has it's equivilant. Hope this help! [img]smile.gif[/img] edit: It's odd that with all the new tolkien hype because of the movies that there isn't an official LOTR sourcebook, or maybe there is and because I don't keep up with 3rd ed. I have missed it. It seems like the kind of licensing that WOTC would eat up in a heart beat. [ 06-15-2003, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ] __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

06-15-2003, 04:48 PM	#6
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	Thanks, Chewie! OMG, what a monster! 150 HD! Balrog Fire, gargantuan Hit dice: 150 (base) Initiative: 90% Speed: slow AC: 0 (base) Attacks: fire sword, whip Damage: 1d20+10, 1d12+6 Special Attacks: Dark cloud(spell) Special Qualities: Intimidate Climate/Terrain: underground, caves Organization: individual attacks Challenge Rating: Treasure: very expensive Alignment: cahotic evil Advancement: 14000 xper General description: The Balrog is the Tolkien's creature in Moria. It is a fire demon with wings and bull horns. It has a gigantic fire sword and a powerful whip. __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

06-15-2003, 04:57 PM	#7
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	No problem! [img]smile.gif[/img] Yep, it's a meanie with alot of hit-points! No wonder Gandalf had to kick it's butt all through out caves and up on mountain tops. __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

06-15-2003, 05:08 PM	#9
Kaltia Jack Burton Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Canterbury, England Age: 36 Posts: 5,817	Snarls briefly whilst her pet mini-balrog, Smuag, hisses Kat, ever the fanfic writer, can be heard mumbling, "It's like crossovers!" in dismay __________________ The wolf is as cunning as he is ferocious; once he's had a taste of flesh then nothing else will do.

06-15-2003, 04:04 PM	#2
Sir Exxon Zartan Join Date: October 15, 2001 Location: Oslo, Norway Age: 35 Posts: 5,367	I think Balrogs are Tolkien-only. I atleast haven't heard of any AD&D-Balrogs.

06-15-2003, 04:23 PM	#3
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	Attalus, the 1st edition monster manual had Balrogs and full stats. give me some time and I'll try and find some info for ya. The first edition of Deities and Demigods also had Elric of Melnibone, Yerkoon (of elric fame) the Gods of the Elric series, Fafhred and the Grey Mouser and many more that it ended up later that they didn't have the copyrights to print...so later editions did not have these...anyway brb with the info if I can find it.

06-15-2003, 04:33 PM	#4
Djinn Raffo Ra Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: Ant Hill Age: 49 Posts: 2,397	The first edition also had the stats to some of H.P. Lovecrafts Old Ones. Cthulhu was in it and i think Yog Sothoth.. maybe some others.

06-15-2003, 05:00 PM	#8
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	Here are the official 1st edition AD&D stats for Balrogs as seen in the first edition Monster Manual: Type VI Demon (Balor etc....) Frequency: Rare No. Appearing: 1-3 or 1-6 AC: -2 Move: 6"/15" Hit Dice: 8+8 % in lair: 20% Treasure type: F No. Attacks: 1 Damage Attack: 2-13 Special Attacks: Whip and Flame for 2-12/3-18/4-24 Special Defense: +1 or better to hit Magic Resist: 75% Int: High Alignment: CE Size: L (12' tall) Psionic Ability: 180 Attack/Defense modes: a,b,c,e / f,g,f They Shed darkness at will, cause fear as dragon fear continuously, see invisible objects, cause pyrotechnics (start fires) dispel magic, suggestion, telekenisis, symbol of fear, sleep, discord, stunning, and may gate in other type II or higher demons at will, all abilities may be used as many times as desired. I know it doesnt sound too terrible compared to the munchkinesque 3rd edition rules, but you get a good DM and this thing will kick your ass.

06-15-2003, 05:12 PM	#10
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	I think between what has been presented here, the type VI Balor has more and better powers than the Balrog. The Balrog does have way more Hit Points in his favor though. I love the Balor's shroud of fire and his many-tailed whip. I fondly recall the first time an unfortunate player of mine got whipped by a Balor (literally) and dragged into the flames. All because he drew emnity with a Demon out of the deck of many things. Fortunately, his fear saving throw was passed and a quick teleport spell from the ring of spell storing saved his butt... that time. Ah...memories! [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

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