The Limitations of the Istari

[radagastly]

Originally posted by Nikkolas:

So if Saruman had faced the Balrog of Moria he wouldn't have been able to defeat it like Gandalf did? Seems kinda odd since I always thought he was the strongest of the istari.

I suspect that if Saruman looked the Balrog in the face at the Bridge of Khazad-dum and said, with his voice, "You cannot pass!," the Balrog would have believed him and listened. He probably would have lost a hand-to-hand fight though.