In pop culture, there are two aging powerful wizards that are considered by many to rank among the most powerful fictional characters of all time. One of these characters is Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts who has proven his skills as a wizard time and time again. He might be old, but Dumbledore's power is in a league of its own. The only reason why he was caught in a vulnerable position by the Death Eaters was because of prior events that had seriously weakened him.
Meanwhile, Gandalf is the wise wizard from the world of Lord of the Rings who has proven his mettle as a powerful sorcerer on countless occasions. He's no slouch, and it's clear that a battle between him and Dumbledore would be an epic confrontation indeed. Here's an in-depth look at why each fighter stands a chance of winning this battle.
10 DUMBLEDORE: His Wand Lets Him Channel Magic More Efficiently
In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, wands serve as a great way to channel and cast magic. This allows users to cast an array of spells that can incapacitate their opposition with ease.
Given that Dumbledore wielded one of the strongest wands in existence, it's easy to see why this weapon could prove to be a major thorn in Gandalf's side. However, this tool could prove to be a major weakness as well...
9 GANDALF THE GREY: Destroying Dumbledore's Wand Will Leave Him Vulnerable
Gandalf is a very smart wizard, there's no doubt about that. So, it's only a matter of time before he realizes just how much of a hindrance Dumbledore's wand will be in battle.
As a result, it wouldn't be surprising if Gandalf decides to exclusively target Dumbledore's wand in battle. Of course, breaking the wand of the greatest wizard who ever lived is easier said than done... but it'll certainly make Dumbledore think twice and refrain from placing his wand in a vulnerable situation.
8 DUMBLEDORE: He's A Powerful Wizard Without His Wand As Well
However, it would be foolish to think that Dumbledore would be down and out for the count simply because his wand is out of commission. After all, there's a reason why he's revered by so many people in the wizarding community.
Even without his wand, Dumbledore has shown that he can cast effective and powerful spells. So, while the loss of his wand would undoubtedly prove to be a major hindrance, it wouldn't mean that Dumbledore is completely helpless.
7 GANDALF THE GREY: His Intelligence Can Turn The Tide Of Battle
Gandalf is considered by many to be one of the wisest wizards in Middle-Earth. His intellect is revered by many and one of the major reasons why so many people hold him in such high regard.
He's bound to figure out powerful and effective strategies in the heat of battle without losing his focus. Of course, Dumbledore is pretty wise as well, but Gandalf just slightly edges him out in this department.
6 DUMBLEDORE: Gandalf's Magic Was Less Powerful Before His Resurrection
Keep in mind that Dumbledore's battle is against Gandalf the Grey, not his reincarnated version. A battle against Gandalf the White would arguably be pretty one-sided, but that's not the case when it comes to Gandalf the Grey.
Of course, Gandalf the Grey is also pretty powerful in his own right, but it's not the most powerful version of Gandalf. This means that Dumbledore has a greater chance to win.
5 GANDALF THE GREY: He's A Capable Swordsman As Well
However, there's one area where Dumbledore can be absolutely dominated during this battle. In close-quarters combat, Gandalf easily has an upper hand because of the weapon he wields.
Glamdring, the Elven blade he uses, would put Dumbledore in a spot of trouble. He'd need to maintain his distance at almost all times during this battle, while Gandalf would be comfortable fighting at both short and long ranges.
4 DUMBLEDORE: He's Possibly The Most Powerful Wizard To Ever Exist In The Harry Potter Universe
In his prime, Dumbledore truly had no equal who could best him in a one-on-one wizarding duel. Even though he might seem like an old man, his wizarding power is on a completely different level.
Gandalf is probably the most powerful opponent he'd ever face, but Dumbledore wouldn't go down without a fight. After all, even the Dark Lord himself shied away from a direct confrontation with the Headmaster of Hogwarts, which showed just how much he feared the greatest wizard to have ever lived.
3 GANDALF THE GREY: His Mastery Of Light And Fire Spells Is Incredible
Gandalf is known for wielding fire and light spells with great finesse. His mastery of these sorceries is truly amazing and would likely prove to be his go-to move during a theoretical battle against Dumbledore.
Dumbledore would have his work cut out for him as he tried to deflect and avoid these damaging attacks. Gandalf is no slouch and would definitely turn up the heat in a serious battle, quite literally, in this case!
2 DUMBLEDORE: His Legilimency Skills Can Be A Huge Hindrance
There's one trick up Dumbledore's sleeve that could honestly take Gandalf by surprise. With his Legilimency skills, he could take over Gandalf's mind and predict what this wizard might bring out in battle.
It would be foolish to think that Gandalf would have no protection whatsoever while his mind was being invaded. However, this would prove to be a distracting influence that could possibly sway the final outcome of the battle.
1 GANDALF THE GREY: He's Fairly Adept In Healing Spells As Well
If Gandalf did end up getting injured during a fight against Dumbledore, it shouldn't be too big a deal. After all, he knows his fair share of healing spells as well.
As a result, Gandalf can always come back from a grievous strike after taking some time out to heal. Dumbledore would obviously make this hard for him, but not impossible.