Question: Exactly how powerful is a Balrog? Could it defeat a Nazgul or a Witch-king?
Answer:It depends on whose Balrog you're talking about. The Balrog were never more than a few in number, since they were Maia, just as Gandalf and Sauron were. Although the movie Balrog (Durin's Bane) was huge and fearsome, Tolkien's were much more man-like, although exuding fire and darkness, spreading terror among Melkor's enemies. It is unlikely that a Nazgul, even their leader, the Witch-King of Angmar, could have defeated a Balrog, although Gandalf did.
Answer: It depends on whose Balrog you're talking about. The Balrog were never more than a few in number, since they were Maia, just as Gandalf and Sauron were. Although the movie Balrog (Durin's Bane) was huge and fearsome, Tolkien's were much more man-like, although exuding fire and darkness, spreading terror among Melkor's enemies. It is unlikely that a Nazgul, even their leader, the Witch-King of Angmar, could have defeated a Balrog, although Gandalf did.
scwilliam