How powerful were these 'revised' Balrogs really?

[Agburanar]

Oh. Did the lesser rings make the bearer invisible? Hence Gandalf may have thought that Bilbo's ring was a lesser ring, although he would still have been suspicious of any ring knowing their link with Sauron.

[Aragorn_of_the_west]

Originally posted by Agburanar
Alright, not bred, but they were changed when they allied themselves with Morgoth and forsook the other Valar.

What's with Melkor and Morgoth, are they the same valar or have I got it wrong from the start?

Morgoth was originaly Melkor- the Vala, and Sauron was a Maia- meaning he was of lesser valar then Morgoth(if that answers your question- mabey i misunderstude you).

[Aragorn_of_the_west]

Originally posted by EdBlackadder
I thought that was that the great Rings gave power to their bearer 'according to his stature', so Frodo and Bilbo got fairly minor benefits (such as invisibilty and extended life) while one such as Sauron or Gandalf would gain immense power.

yes- as gollum gained stealthyness and cunning

[Aragorn_of_the_west]

Originally posted by Agburanar
The nine rings, they made the bearer invisible yes? Hence the ringwraiths faded. If, when Bilbo or Frodo wears the ring the hobbit's clothes become invisible as well, why don't the black rider's cloaks become invisible? Could it be because they have already faded and so do not need to wear the rings anymore?

yeah, it is said somewear that the ones who used the ringes a lot
would eventually "fade" and stay in the "world of shadows".