Ancalagon vs Gothmog - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Might · 06-11-2009, 01:25 PM

Meh... I wouldn't be so sure... I personally don't see how Ancalagon could defeat Gothmog.
Yes, Ecthelion did it, but he did so using a trick, noth through "normal" combat, I don't know how Ancalagon would manage that. I mean, his fire wouldn't be of use I guess, since Balrogs are creatures of flame and shadows. The only thing would be trying to bite him or maybe pick him up and let him fall from a certain height, but I don't see him being able to do either thing with Gothmog hitting him with his axe and the whip.

Erendis · 06-12-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Might

I don't see him being able to do either thing with Gothmog hitting him with his axe and the whip.

Well,since it is mentioned that Smaug could fly so quietly that he could avoid being noticed,why couldn't Ancalagon do so?Come ouy of the blue and grab Gothmog!

Anyway,althogh Ancalagon is more elegant,in any other term,Gothmog is superior!

Oh,and let us not forget the cases of Glaurung and Smaug-both killed by one single person,a Man.

The Might · 06-15-2009, 01:04 PM

What just came to mind whilst reading the last posts, is that the general vulnerability of dragons seems to play the decisive role in giving balrogs the upper hand in a battle.

Now, balrogs too are vulnerable, but usually it appears that it takes quite a lot to kill them. Never is a balrog killed with a sword, or an axe, or an arrow (at least not that I am aware of, and I am not taking early BoLT texts into account where they are much weaker). They always fall to their deaths - Gothmog, Glorfindel's balrog and the one in Moria all fall to their deaths.

Now dragons on the other hand don't need to fall from so high, you jsutn eed to find their weak spot - their underbelly. Glaurung died because of it, Smaug also, and I daresay that this is a very likely way of how Earendil defeated Ancalagon.

So the question is - how could Ancalagon catch Gothmog and drop him from high above without getting a big axe stuck in his underbelly? I personally don't see that happening easily, especially with the trusty whip with which Gothmog could hold on well.

06-11-2009, 01:25 PM	#1
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Meh... I wouldn't be so sure... I personally don't see how Ancalagon could defeat Gothmog. Yes, Ecthelion did it, but he did so using a trick, noth through "normal" combat, I don't know how Ancalagon would manage that. I mean, his fire wouldn't be of use I guess, since Balrogs are creatures of flame and shadows. The only thing would be trying to bite him or maybe pick him up and let him fall from a certain height, but I don't see him being able to do either thing with Gothmog hitting him with his axe and the whip. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

06-15-2009, 01:04 PM	#3
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	What just came to mind whilst reading the last posts, is that the general vulnerability of dragons seems to play the decisive role in giving balrogs the upper hand in a battle. Now, balrogs too are vulnerable, but usually it appears that it takes quite a lot to kill them. Never is a balrog killed with a sword, or an axe, or an arrow (at least not that I am aware of, and I am not taking early BoLT texts into account where they are much weaker). They always fall to their deaths - Gothmog, Glorfindel's balrog and the one in Moria all fall to their deaths. Now dragons on the other hand don't need to fall from so high, you jsutn eed to find their weak spot - their underbelly. Glaurung died because of it, Smaug also, and I daresay that this is a very likely way of how Earendil defeated Ancalagon. So the question is - how could Ancalagon catch Gothmog and drop him from high above without getting a big axe stuck in his underbelly? I personally don't see that happening easily, especially with the trusty whip with which Gothmog could hold on well. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown