After the confrontation on the bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf and the Balrog fall into the abyss below. Such is the power within these individuals, the fall is not sufficient to slay them, and their battle continues as they fall into the dark below Moria. After plummeting for what seems to take forever, their descent stops as they plunge into the pool at the bottom of the abyss. Its fire extinguished, the Balrog flees up the Endless Stair, the edifice that connects the deepest depths with the very pinnacle of Zirak-zigil, with a weary Gandalf in pursuit. The battle continues as the two adversaries approach the summit. On the peak of Zirak-zigil, the contest is decided as Gandalf draws upon his inner reserves and clashes one last, fatal time with the dark servant of Morgoth.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Duel on Zirak-zigil is played in a circular playing area, 30" (60cm) in diameter. You do not need to create a special board for this game unless you wish to, simply mark out the boundaries of the playing area onto your gaming board using string.
The Good side has Gandalf the Grey.
The Evil side has the Balrog.

SETUP

The playing area represents the uppermost peak of the mountain Zirak-zigil, where Gandalf and the Balrog hold their final titanic battle. The peak actually slopes outwards from the centre of the board, which represents the pinnacle of the mountain, but for the sake of simplicity a flat board scattered with rocky outcrops and debris represents this.

The Evil player deploys the Balrog 6" in from the edge of the board. When he has done so, the Good player deploys Gandalf 6" in from the edge of the board and immediately opposite the Balrog.

SEQUENCE OF PLAY

1. Priority phase
2. Action phase

THE PRIORITY PHASE

Good automatically has priority on the first turn. On subsequent turns both players roll a dice. The player who rolls the highest score has priority and will act with their model first. If the dice roll is drawn, priority automatically transfers from one side to the other – the side that had priority in the previous turn will always lose it on a tie.

THE ACTION PHASE

There are three different things that each player can do in the Action phase, starting with the player who won priority. These can be done in any order but each can only be done once per turn. Once the player with priority has finished his actions, the other player may act.
1. Move
2. Cast a spell
3. Make a close combat attack

The Zirak-zigil gaming arena.

MOVE

Both characters move D6" (2D6cm). This represents both the fact that they are fatigued and the uneven footing on the mountain peak. Characters may never move through other characters or the debris and other terrain features. Should a character roll a 1 whilst rolling for movement, that character has slipped on the treacherous ground and slides down the mountain (see Sliding Down the Mountain).

CASTING A SPELL

Both the Balrog and Gandalf have a small array of magic powers that they can use, and these are detailed on their profiles below. Each character may use a single power at any point during their turn.

CLOSE COMBAT ATTACKS

A character may make a close combat attack if it is in base-to-base contact with its enemy. The Balrog causes 2D6 damage in close combat, whilst Gandalf causes D6 damage on the Balrog.

SLIDING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

Both Gandalf and the Balrog have come to the peak up the Endless Stair, constructed by the Dwarves long ago. The footing on the mountain itself is difficult and the terrain below the peak is assumed to be too treacherous to easily tread. If a model slides down the mountain as a result of movement or from falling down at the end of a combat they are moved D6" (2D6cm) directly towards the edge of the board.

If a character moves off the playing area for any reason they are assumed to have fallen to their death far below.

OBJECTIVES

The Good side wins if the Balrog falls off the mountain or is reduced to 0 wounds.
The Evil side wins if Gandalf falls off the mountain or is reduced to 0 wounds.

Gandalf and the Balrog fight to the death.

THE COMBATANTS
GANDALF		THE BALROG
Move	Wounds	Move	Wounds
D6" (2D6cm)	20	D6" (2D6cm)	40
Special Rule 5+ save against each wound suffered. Magic Powers Gandalf may spend up to 2 Power Points each turn. Each point of Power allows him to: - Cast a spell (once per turn) - Re-roll a save (once per save) SPELLS Sorcerous Blast Summoning his reserves of power, Gandalf propels a bolt of pure energy at the Balrog, striking it with great force and knocking it backwards. Range: 6" (12cm) If Gandalf casts a Sorcerous Blast at the Balrog it takes D3 wounds and is pushed backwards D3" (D6cm). Gandalf can cast Sorcerous Blast with an additional point of Power and instead do D6 damage to the Balrog (the Balrog is still only pushed back D3"/D6cm). Revive Bones re-knit and wounds close as Gandalf focuses his magical energies on himself. Range: Self Gandalf instantly regains D3 wounds. Gandalf can cast Revive with an additional point of Power to instead heal D6 points of wounds.		Special Rule Regenerates a single wound at the end of each turn on a D6 roll of a 5+. Magic Powers The Balrog has 1 Power Point per turn. Each point of Power allows it to use one of the following abilities each turn. SPELLS Stomp The mountain shakes as the Balrog drives his foot into the ground with all his might. Range: Battlefield Gandalf and the Balrog are struck by shards of stray debris and both take D3 wounds. Flame Breath The Balrog breathes a burning cloud of flame that quickly envelops Gandalf in its folds. Range: 6" (12cm) Gandalf takes D6 wounds. Lash The flickering coils of the Balrog's whip arcs out and drags Gandalf closer to the Balrog. Range 6" (12cm) Gandalf is moved D6" (2D6cm) towards the Balrog.

Related Articles:

Check out Daren Parrwood's Light-up Balrog, originally featured in Issue 281 of White Dwarf Magazine.	The guys of Warhammer World work long and hard to produce scenery for you to play on. Check out their Zirak-zigil gaming board, constructed especially for the The Lord of The Rings 2003 Open Day.

Download the rules and playsheet for this game: [PDF Document 78.5 Kb].

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