Which Fictional Wizard Would Win In A Magical Mega-Duel?

Reputation:Gandalf is one of Middle-earth's wisest and greatest beings. He has lived over 2,000 years and helped many creatures fight darkness.

Beard Length:His beard is about 2 to 2½ feet long and grey, turning white as it grows.

Strengths:As one of the Maiar, Gandalf possesses immense power and wisdom. He has great magical strength. He swings a sword and rides Shadowfax, his horse, fast and true.

Weaknesses:Gandalf's main flaw, as Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White, is his human body. In a tough fight, his mortal flesh gets hurt by an arrow or blade just like any other man.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(2001)

Reputation:Dr. Stephen Strange, once a top surgeon, is now a powerful sorcerer. He acts brash, cocky, and arrogant. He has the talent to back up his boasting. He has saved the world multiple times, defending Earth from evil magic.

Beard Length:He keeps his beard and goatee short and neat.

Strengths:Strange learns fast. He is a natural sorcerer and a brilliant human. He once held the Time Stone (the Eye of Agamotto), which let him see the future. A magical flying cape also saved his life.

Weaknesses: Strange is openly arrogant and vain. He thinks he knows everything. His cockiness puts him in trouble against strong opponents, and his pride invites problems.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"If I tell you what happens, it won't happen."Avengers: Endgame

Reputation: Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts headmaster, is one of the most skilled and respected wizards in the Harry Potter universe.Harry PotterHe is respected by magic users worldwide and feared by evil forces. His presence alone protects the students at his school.

Beard Length:More than three feet long, Gandalf often ties it decoratively into bunched, fluffy grey segments.

Strengths:At 115 years old, Dumbledore filled his brain with all known magical knowledge. He has experience in both theory and using magic in fights.

Weaknesses:Dumbledore dedicates himself to protecting his students, which lets others use that against him. Also, though a skilled fighter, he is 115 and not as quick as he was.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to be one that rises against them and strikes back!"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceJ.K. Rowling.

Reputation:In Arthurian legend and the real world, Merlin is the most famous wizard. He used magic to start King Arthur's birth, then acted as a mentor and guide. He is a wise, brilliant enchanter, and remains a key part of Arthur's long story.

Beard Length: Merlin's beard often appears very long. Its length seems to change based on the depiction, from a few feet down to the floor.

Strengths: He is wise, stoic, and naturally holds magical power. A mortal mother and a demonic incubus gave him supernatural parentage, which caused his extraordinary powers.

Weaknesses:His mortal form looks older and frail. No magic can save him from a sword or sling strike. He admits he never studied magic; it came naturally, so his powers mostly rely on instinct.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"The best thing for being sad is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You can age and tremble in your body. You can lie awake hearing your veins. You can lose your only love. You can see the world ruined by evil lunatics. You can see your honor trampled in dirty minds. There is only one thing for it then - to learn. Learn why the world moves and what moves it. That is the only thing the mind never tires of, never separates from, never worries about, never fears or distrusts, and never regrets."The Once and Future King, T.H. White

Reputation:Aragorn summarizes Saruman best inThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: "Once he was as great as his fame made him. His knowledge was deep, his thought was subtle, and his hands were skillfully adept; he had power over minds. He persuaded the wise and intimidated the smaller folk. He still keeps that power. Few in Middle-earth were safe talking to him, even after his defeat."

Beard Length:About 1½ feet long, yet his hair is nearly as long as his beard.

Strengths: As a fallen White Wizard, his power matches Gandalf's.

Weaknesses:Saruman is deadly but arrogant, fueled by power and darkness. Much of his power comes from his Staff of Power. If that staff breaks (maybe Gandalf breaks it?), he loses access to magic, though he remains a master manipulator.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"I gave you the chance to help me willingly, but you chose the path of pain!"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Reputation:Snape acts contemptuous, short-tempered, and vindictive. He is not a favorite teacher at Hogwarts. Still, Snape shows undeniable wizard skill, using his wand quickly and mastering potions.

Beard Length:Books do not show Snape with a beard; films show him clean-shaven. Mary GrandPré, the illustrator for US Scholastic editions, draws Snape with an oily goatee.

Strengths: Snape nearly beats others at potion-making. He also masters occlumency, making his mind nearly immune to magical intrusion or penetration.

Weaknesses:Snape acts very vain and defensive about his intellect and skills. He also carries a large grudge about his life's job: secretly watching over and guiding The Boy Who Lived.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "The mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter - or at least, most minds are." - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling

Reputation:Snape is one of the biggest villains. Most people in the Harry Potter universe fear speaking his name—hence the nickname He Who Must Not Be Named.Harry Potteruniverse

Beard Length:His snake-like change means Voldemort has no hair.

Strengths: The dark wizard instills absolute fear in people. Combine this with his huge skill in dark magic, and he becomes one of the world's most frightening wizards.

Weaknesses: His need for power hurts him; his blinding ambition sometimes stops him from making good choices. Also, dark magic mastery can still be stopped by powerful 'light' magic.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it." - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling

Reputation:Also known as Darth Sidious and the Dark Lord of the Sith Empire, Palpatine schemed to rule the evil Galactic Empire for decades. He caused the total destruction of the Jedi Order.the Jedi Order.

Beard Length: No beard at all.

Strengths:Palpatine masters dark Force strikes, especially Force lightning that bursts from his fingertips. He also has skill with telekinesis, lifting and throwing large objects with his mind. He controls the Empire using his Force mastery and his ability to see the future.see into the future.

Weaknesses:Surprisingly, Palpatine trusts too much. He trusts his apprentice, Darth Vader, will not suddenly find the power of love and throw him into a reactor core.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "Those who do not serve my ends, no matter how powerful they are, will be eliminated." - Return of the Jedi: The Original Audio Drama

Reputation: According to the legends of The WitcherGeralt of Rivia is one of history's greatest monster hunters. He fights with swords and spells just as well.

Beard Length: He has a full, short-cropped, grey-white beard.

Strengths:Mutagenic experiments gave Geralt superhuman strength, pain resistance, durability, fighting skill, and near immunity to sickness and exhaustion. He was trained from birth.

Weaknesses: His long life caused mental and emotional breaks several times. Geralt feels world-weary, drained physically, emotionally, and psychologically from generations of loss and tragedy.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "People like to invent monsters and monstrosities. Then they seem less monstrous themselves. When they get blind-drunk, cheat, steal, beat their wives, starve an old woman, when they slay a trapped fox with an axe or riddle the last existing unicorn with arrows, they like to think that the Bane entering cottages at daybreak is more monstrous than they are. They feel better then. They find it easier to live." - The Last Wish, Andrzej Sapkowski

Reputation:The wizard Shazam lives in the Rock of Eternity. He gives young Billy Batson his magical powers. This reclusive, extremely powerful wizard acts like a god. He goes by his real name, Mamaragan, and seeks a champion to fight evil forces.

Beard Length:In his older age, his beard reached almost one foot long, thick, and bushy.

Strengths:He possesses the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury.

Weaknesses:Though he lives a long time, Raistlin has aged over centuries. He cannot fight with the same fury as before, so he seeks a pure-hearted champion.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "You must say it with purpose. With belief. With good intentions. With thoughts of your parents and your family. Say it and you will be transformed into your greatest potential. Say 'Shazam!'" - Shazam

Reputation: He is considered one of the most powerful archmages in the Dragonlance Chronicles., Raistlin has gold skin and eyeglass-shaped pupils. This curses him to see time's damage everywhere. He has a reputation for arrogance, and his wild personality comes first, but he is famous for being a Hero of the Lance who defeated the Queen of Darkness., Raistlin has gold skin and eyeglass-shaped pupils, which curse him to see the ravages of time on all things. He has a reputation for arrogance, and his tempestuous personality precedes him, but he's rightly famous for being one of the Heroes of the Lance and defeating the aptly named Queen of Darkness.

Beard Length:No beard at all.

Strengths:Besides his natural magic power, Raistlin has the powerful Staff of Magius. He uses it to float or teleport, and it also works as a tactic tool.

Weaknesses: Raistlin used his magic power because he feared his own weakness. He is small and physically weak—he resents this. He is completely untrustworthy and built enemies whom he betrayed.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "Hope denies reality. It is the carrot dangling before the draft horse to keep him plodding toward it." - Dragons of Winter Night,Margaret Weis

Reputation:Harry Potter is known as The Chosen One and The Boy Who Lived. This reputation follows him as the prophesized defeater of ultimate evil. Potter lives up to this prophecy. His nemesis, Lord Voldemort, causes annual mayhem. Potter becomes a full-fledged master of magic during his time at Hogwarts.

Beard Length:No beard exists.

Strengths: He becomes the hero who saves all mankind from a magical fascist. He does this using sheer bravery. He risks his life for what is right, using his natural talent and deep goodness.

Weaknesses:Potter acts impulsively, jumps to conclusions, and lets false leads manipulate him. He is also fiercely loyal; this dedication to friends can hurt him.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, you try again tomorrow after a mistake. Out there, facing death or watching a friend die right before your eyes... you do not know what that feels like." - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007)

Reputation: Harry Dresden, ofThe Dresden Files, is a hard-boiled private detective. He tracks people and casts spells. Harry Dresden is a wizard PI, dealing mostly with paranormal cases in Chicago.

Beard Length:Light stubble.

Strengths:Harry Dresden is powerful for his age and experience. He excels at thaumaturgy, which creates a magical link between a person and an object, like a voodoo doll. Dresden uses this skill mainly to find people. He also shows great talent for elemental spells and kinetic energy spells.

Weaknesses:As Harry Dresden learns and improves as a wizard, he remains unfocused and chaotic in his magic use, making him a loose cannon. Mortal enemies wear him down, making him vulnerable.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom: "Everyone is down on pain because they forget something important: Pain is for the living." - White Night, Jim Butcher

Reputation:Jareth is the Goblin King. He rules the twisted, surreal magical maze kingdom in Labyrinth, and acts as a guileful trickster. He has a habit of taking too much interest in teenage human girls.

Beard Length:No beard. He has an epic head of feathered blond hair.

Strengths:Jareth masters disguise and manipulation through physical change. He also generates magical crystal orbs from his hand. These orbs show dreams, reveal others' locations, or enchant minds.

Weaknesses:Jareth acts incredibly arrogant and childishly mischievous. He also needs intense love, respect, and appreciation.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"I ask for so little. Just let me rule you and you can have everything that you want." - Labyrinth

Reputation: Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, sailed away on a wrecked boat by his brother. He landed on an island. Prospero learned magic and became a powerful sorcerer.

Beard Length:Prospero has a full, bushy beard, four to eight inches long. It likely grows thicker the longer he stays on his island.

Strengths:Prospero learns fast. He teaches himself magic and masters enchanting and controlling others. He has power over the spirit Ariel and the monster Caliban. Prospero can even bring back beings from the next world.

Weaknesses:Prospero has tunnel vision. He often cannot see things outside his main focus, like his brother trying to cheat him.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"My high charms work, and these, mine enemies, are all knit up in their distractions. They now are in my power." - The Tempest,William Shakespeare

Reputation: Stoic and powerful, the mystical sorcerer fromFantasiaYen Sid is very serious. He secretly has a kind, forgiving heart beneath his harsh look. He also looks like Walt Disney.

Beard Length:About three feet long and split into two points.

Strengths:Yen Sid moves objects with his mind and will. For example, he makes the water flood his chamber in the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" scene. Wearing his hat increases his power, letting him perform many spells, including bringing objects to life.

Weaknesses: Much of Yen Sid's strong magic comes through his wizard's hat. If the hat breaks, it could stop him from using mystical forces. He also has loose rules for hiring reliable apprentices.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:N/A

Reputation:A student at Brakebills University, a school that teaches magic in the world of The Magicians, Quentin Coldwater shows great talent for magic and mystical forces. He has a natural gift, though his control is often chaotic and undisciplined.

Beard Length:He is usually clean-shaven with a light five o'clock shadow.

Strengths:Quentin Coldwater shows great skill materializing things like swords from other places. He can also reverse entropy on objects and bring a loved one back to life, which many thought impossible.

Weaknesses:Quentin Coldwater is neurotic and depressed. He struggles with making decisions, and his battle magic skills fall short. He masters rituals and complex problems, but he performs poorly in life-or-death magical fights.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"You ever want something so badly and then realize that it's nothing like what you thought? And maybe that you are stupid for ever actually even wanting it?"The Magicians

Reputation:Lo-Pan is an ancient sorcerer and warrior. The curse of "No Flesh" struck him. This makes him an immortal, incorporeal spirit with huge power. He can briefly take on a physical body.

Beard Length:He has a stringy, one-foot-long black beard.

Strengths:Lo-Pan manipulates minds well. He hypnotizes people and makes them obey. Lo-Pan controls demons that follow him. He commands the hitmen The Storms—Thunder, Lightning, and Rain—who all have elemental powers. Lo-Pan also fires powerful energy beams from his face and mouth.

Weaknesses:Lo-Pan is cowardly, seeks power, and needs a mortal body. Once he gets that form, he is as weak as anyone else. His forehead also reacts badly to knives.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"Magic... The darkest magic. My soul swims in it... Scattered across time, trapped in the world of formlessness."Big Trouble in Little China

Reputation:As a ruthless, sadistic alien wizard, he attacks the Dragon Ball Z universe.Dragon Ball ZBabidi acts single-minded, merciless, and insulting. He mocks, belittles, and kills in his hunt for power and control.

Beard Length:He has no beard, only facial growths that look like whiskers.

Strengths:Babidi uses intense magical power through his will. Besides dangerous spells, Babidi bends minds and projects energy force fields to stop attacks.

Weaknesses:Physically, Babidi is very weak and needs magic for protection. He also acts incredibly arrogant and overconfident in his skills, causing him to underestimate foes. Danger makes him a coward.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"Spare the Supreme Kai for now. For what he did to my father, I will take my own sweet time with his destruction."Dragon Ball Z

Reputation: Jafar serves as the Grand Vizier of Agrabah and the Sultan's most trusted advisor. Jafar is one of the kingdom's most powerful figures. His snake staff and villainous facial hair clearly mark him as a bad guy to anyone who isn't blind.

Beard Length:He has about six inches of a well-groomed goatee, curled in a villainous way.

Strengths:Before becoming a genie, Jafar was a powerful sorcerer.mostJafar, a powerful sorcerer, used manipulation as his main strength. He bent people, like the Sultan, to his will.

Weaknesses:Jafar's greed for power is his main failing. He seeks greater power, even if it harms himself.

Greatest Proclamation of Wisdom:"A snake, am I? Perhaps you'd like to see how"snake"I can be!" -Aladdin (1992)