Balrog

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Balrogs, &, are the most physically imposing of the non-unique major demons in NetHack. As in the Tolkien legendarium, it is armed with a bullwhip and broadsword, at the very least. Unlike all other major demons, balrogs are incapable of summoning other demons; they share this property with foocubi.

A balrog can technically steal your weapon with its bullwhip; however, due to the way monsters prioritize weapons, it will only wield the bullwhip if it somehow loses its broadsword.

Having tremendous melee combat ability, a comfortably low AC, high magic resistance and a pair of valuable elemental resistances, a balrog is among the best general-purpose pets you can get out of a polymorph trap. Once you outfit it with weapons and armor, a pet balrog makes for a lethal bodyguard; perhaps its only drawback is that, as it is not a spellcaster, it cannot tend its own wounds between encounters.

Encyclopedia entry

... It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as
if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped
the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed
about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming
mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand
was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it
held a whip of many thongs.
'Ai, ai!' wailed Legolas. 'A Balrog! A Balrog is come!'

[ The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]


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