The Balrog, Durin's Bane

Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon

This spell costs {1} less to cast for each permanent sacrificed this turn.

Haste

The Balrog, Durin's Bane can't be blocked except by legendary creatures.

When The Balrog dies, destroy target artifact or creature an opponent controls.

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	Legal
Arena	Legal
Block Constructed	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (2)

Rocketman988 on Demon Till Your Dreams Come True

9 months ago

As far as the three demons you mentioned, the main reason I don’t run them is because the other cards I run do more than than them for my game plan. Demon of Death's Gate is basically just a big beater that I’ll never want to cheat into play with its alternative cost. Three other creatures on field will always be more valuable. If I have to reanimate a target anyways then, I’d rather reanimate Kuro, Pitlord, which offers more than just being a big beater. We just have too many good demons that are big bodies PLUS value to run something that is just a big body.

Likewise, Death-Rattle Oni will usually not kill much when he enters the field because our demons are bigger than chump blockers OR have evasion and go unblocked. If you play more cards similar to Pestilence Demon, I could see it, but just watch out about nuking your own creatures in addition. I would not play this demon just for a potential cheap creature to play, since with enough reanimation and rituals, you can just play higher quality demons in the slot.

The Balrog, Durin's Bane is a great card with awesome Rakdos synergy. Literally the only reason I’m not running it is because I can’t think of anything in my list I’d want to replace with it. If you have a recommendation, I’d love to hear it!

77hi77 on Demon Till Your Dreams Come True

9 months ago

Rocketman988 that's a fantastic reply! Thanks so much! I have some time off this week and you bet I'll be rereading the Rakdos Game Theory section to figure out how to adapt it. If I can summarize that incredibly complex and nuanced section into one oversimplified sentence: We're relying on temporary mana (rituals and such), and we're making sure our opponents' board states are as slim as ours.

Did you ever toy with creatures that cheat themselves out? I keep thinking about Demon of Death's Gate, Death-Rattle Oni, and The Balrog, Durin's Bane. The 9/9 is a juicy Burnt Offering target that doesn't have any other effects, but I keep thinking about it. The Death-Rattle can be a 1 drop board wipe if you structure it right (like, Rakdos swing, Pestilence Demon). The Balrog has built in removal when we sac it, so it's currently in my deck but I've never successfully cast it. Did any of those cross your mind or do you find it's better to reanimate instead of creatures with built in ways to cheat themselves out?

Again, thanks a million and I'll link you to my deck!