The Balrog, Flame of Udûn MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 297
2023-06-23 - Number 395
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Avatar Demon |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Trample When a legendary creature an opponent controls dies, put The Balrog, Flame of Udûn on the bottom of its owner's library.
An evil of the Ancient World, both a shadow and a flame.
Cards like The Balrog, Flame of Udûn
In the diverse landscape of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, The Balrog, Flame of Udûn stands out as a formidable presence. Its closest analogs are cards known for their massive destructive abilities, such as Doom Whisperer, which also thrives on intimidating stats and an impactful presence on the battlefield. However, The Balrog distinguishes itself through its inherent abilities that can drastically alter the board state, akin to the havoc one would expect from a demon of its lore.
Peering into the realm of big, game-ending creatures, it’s worth considering Inferno Titan. This giant enters the stage with an immediate effect on the board, dealing damage divided as you choose among the foes. While The Balrog may not have this initial impact, its ongoing threat potential makes it equally a card to be dealt with urgently. Another creature cast from a similar mould is Grave Titan. This card produces tokens which creates a growing army, somewhat reminiscent of The Balrog’s ability to dominate the board as the game progresses.
Comparing these titans of Magic: The Gathering, The Balrog, Flame of Udûn appeals to those who enjoy commanding powerful creatures that can switch the momentum of the game. Its unique mechanics offer a different kind of strategic value that can be pivotal in clashes of titanic forces.
Cards similar to The Balrog, Flame of Udûn by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Balrog, Flame of Udûn card offers a significant edge by potentially allowing you to eliminate an opponent’s creature while also bringing a formidable creature onto the battlefield. This aspect is crucial for outpacing your opponent in resources and maintaining a lead in the game.
Resource Acceleration: This card may include mechanics that enable you to ramp up your mana resources more quickly than usual. A prompt increase in your mana pool can lead to more impactful plays, tipping the scales in your favor as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: Should this card have the capacity to act at instant speed, it can be a game-changer. With the ability to interact on your opponent’s turn, you can surprise them and disrupt their strategies effectively, all while keeping your options open during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Balrog, Flame of Udûn requires sacrificing a portion of your hand to unlock its full potential, a move that could deplete your strategic options and leave you vulnerable to your opponent’s moves.
Specific Mana Cost: This formidable creature demands a specific combination of mana types, constraining its integration into a multicolor deck and potentially causing a delay in its summons to the battlefield.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a considerable mana cost to bring The Balrog, Flame of Udûn into play, it competes with other high-impact cards. Players must weigh its power against the opportunity cost of not playing other game-changing cards with potentially lower mana requirements.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Balrog, Flame of Udûn, is a card that can seamlessly transition into various deck archetypes. Given its formidable presence on the battlefield, it can bolster both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in decks that revolve around powerful creatures or those that utilize sacrifice mechanics, unlocking new dimensions in your gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where large, impactful creatures dominate, The Balrog, Flame of Udûn can hold its own against top-tier threats, making it a sensible addition to keep pace with competitive metas.
How to beat
The Balrog, Flame of Udûn card presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its formidable abilities. To gain the upper hand against this card, players should consider a strategy centered around moving quickly and utilizing control spells. Since it has the potential to be a game-changer, the key is to prevent your opponent from leveraging The Balrog’s full power.
Employing exile effects or spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can circumvent The Balrog’s indestructibility. Additionally, using counterspells effectively can prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Keep in mind that once it hits the field, it will require careful maneuvering to overcome. Ensuring you have answers to powerful threats like The Balrog in your deck can make all the difference in a match. While it’s a daunting adversary, with smart deck building and strategic play, it can be managed or even turned into a weakness for your opponent.
In sum, facing off against The Balrog, Flame of Udûn requires readiness and adaptability. Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, cards that can neutralize powerful entities without triggering their indestructibility offer a pathway to defeating them, securing your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase The Balrog, Flame of Udûn MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the The Balrog, Flame of Udûn and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The The Balrog, Flame of Udûn Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by John Tedrick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 297 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Tedrick | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 395 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Tedrick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where The Balrog, Flame of Udûn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Balrog, Flame of Udûn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | The Balrog, Flame of Udûn will be put on the bottom of its owner's library only if it's still on the battlefield when the ability resolves. If it leaves the battlefield before that point, it will stay in whatever zone it's in, even if it's returned to the battlefield before the ability resolves. |