The Balrog, Durin's Bane (LTR)

The Balrog, Durin's Bane
Casting Cost: {5}{B}{R}
Card Type: Legendary Creature - Avatar Demon
Power/Toughness: 7/5
Card Text:
This spell costs 1 less to cast for each permanent sacrificed this turn.
Haste
The Balrog, Durin's Bane can't be blocked except by legendary creatures.
When The Balrog dies, destroy target artifact or creature an opponent controls.
Artist: Kekai Kotaki

Card Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths:
  • High power and toughness for its mana cost, especially when you can make use of the cost-reduction ability.
  • Haste allows it to attack immediately, making it an immediate threat.
  • Difficult to block, requiring the opponent to have a legendary creature.
  • Provides some utility when it dies, allowing you to destroy an opponent's artifact or creature.
• Weaknesses:
  • Relatively high mana cost without sacrifices.
  • Vulnerable to removal spells that don't destroy, such as exile or bounce spells, due to its utility being tied to dying.
  • No built-in protection against spells or abilities.

Deck Utility:

• Sacrifice Synergy: Fits naturally into Rakdos or other sacrifice-focused decks where its casting cost can be reduced.

• Aggro or Midrange: Can serve as a finisher in aggressive or midrange strategies due to its haste and difficulty to block.

• Artifact and Creature Removal: Useful in metas where powerful artifacts or creatures are prevalent, as it can remove one upon dying.

• Commander: Could be a powerful commander for a sacrifice- or attack-focused deck, although its utility is perhaps better suited for the 99.

The Balrog, Durin's Bane is a potent force in the right deck. Its combination of haste and an unconventional blocking restriction make it a unique and challenging threat for opponents. Moreover, the ability to reduce its casting cost via sacrifices and to destroy a target upon dying adds layers of strategic depth. It's a card that demands an immediate answer and punishes opponents if they don't have one.