13 Most Powerful Wizards in the Harry Potter Universe, Ranked
In the world of Harry Potter, many wizards exist at varying power levels. Between the core heroes (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) and the supporting players, the universe has a variety of wizards with unbridled power.
Some of the most powerful wizards in this universe come from the rich history of this world. Certain sorcerers have packed a powerful punch with actions that have rippled into the world of Harry Potter himself, and some only existed as brief notes and simple references in books and films.
This list below consists of thirteen wizards of various power levels from the world of Harry Potter. Each wizard (no matter how often they appeared) showcased immense skill with a wand (or, in some cases, lack thereof). That skill has served everyone on this list to varying degrees, showcasing their impressive abilities.
13. Bellatrix Lestrange
Bellatrix Lestrange earned the title of one of Lord Voldemort’s most loyal followers. Part of her danger resides in her lack of conscience, making her a force of nature for her opponents. Over her appearances, Lestrange proved herself as someone who could hold her own with her dark magic against the likes of Albus Dumbledore. That could involve her psychotic sensibilities, which struck fear into her victims and made her a dark force. She existed as someone who did not care about the repercussions of her actions, making her all the more dangerous in the process.
12. Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody
Ron Weasley said it best regarding Mad Eye’s ability, stating, “Half the cells in Azkaban are full because of him.” This legacy made him a powerful wizard loyal to protecting the world, and losing his mind in the process. Moody has mastered multiple fields of magic, including Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms. While eventually becoming a paranoid older man, his knowledge never wavered. His skills evolved into a true master of his craft, making him a formidable wizard.
11. Harry Potter
Harry Potter may seem an obvious choice on this list of powerful wizards. The infamous “boy who lived” got thrown into a world he did not understand. He learned from an array of strong professors (i.e., Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape), but had something many of the most prolific wizards did not. Harry had a support system varying from teachers, friends, and family. Combined forces did more than just teach him about the wizarding world (and spells) but showed him what it took to become a great wizard. He could not have done it without the knowledge, skill, and help bestowed from those around him. Such abilities helped him take down the dangerous lord Voldemort.
10. Rufus Scrimgeour
Rufus Scrimgeour lived as one of the most powerful wizards of government in the world of Harry Potter. His abilities as a wizard remained superior to most, including the skill to create a non-corporeal Patronus charm. That charm serves as a mark of truly next-level magical abilities and talents. While not necessarily an ally to Harry, he devoted his life to maintaining order in the wizarding world by whatever means necessary. That devotion and proficiency in spell-casting made him a formidable wizard.
9. Severus Snape
Besides a brilliant potions professor, Snape’s skill as a wizard goes back to his early years at Hogwarts. Sirius Black claimed that Snape knew more hexes and curses as a first-year student than most seventh-years. He had a definite knowledge of the arts that involved his ability to manipulate his closest allies and true enemies. Putting those skills into action helped him serve as a double agent for Dumbledore, working a grand plan to protect Harry, and honor the life of Lily Potter.
His skills vary from wizardry (casting spells), to potion-making, making him a key player in the fight against Voldemort and a powerful wizard and alchemist.
8. Salazar Slytherin
Salazar Slytherin has heralded the title of one of the most powerful wizards of his generation and existed as one of the founders of Hogwarts. Besides creating the Basilisk, Salazar mastered other impressive wizarding abilities. They include Parseltongue (the ability to speak snake language, as Harry Potter himself has), Legilimency, and general dark magic. Such skills made him a significant and memorable presence in the early stages of the wizarding world.
7. Sirius Black
Much like Severus Snape, a key element of Sirius Black’s power resides in his intelligence. He had the title of the only wizard to escape Azkaban without assistance and eluded the Ministry of Magic for years. He evaded capture thanks to his powerful ability to transform into an Animagus.
Combined with his ability to cast nonverbal spells, he was a powerful presence in the wizarding world. That became of particular use with his role as a member of Dumbledore’s army.
6. Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall might earn the title of the second most powerful wizard in Hogwarts. Rivaled only by Albus Dumbledore, McGonagall existed as a skilled witch in both transfiguration and general spell-casting. Such talents helped her survive even when taking on multiple stunning spells at once in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Such resilience got put to the test in “The Battle of Hogwarts,” which included a duel against Voldemort that she survived.
5. Voldemort
Voldemort’s skill level rivals that of the great Albus Dumbledore. His abilities in the dark arts make him a significant threat to whoever he comes in contact with. Over time, his past helped him invoke a supreme level of intelligence. For example, the creation of Horocruxes made him an evil wizard but less human in the process. It contributed to his power growth, making him one of the wizarding world’s most deadly adversaries. That ability made him not care about the damage he caused, using some of the most powerful and darkest spells imaginable.
4. Gellert Grindelwald
Before Voldemort, Gellert Grindelwald might have earned the title of the most influential and wicked wizard of his time. Besides his general skills in the dark arts, Grindelwald’s abilities became amplified by one key factor: He became the first to master one of the most powerful wands in the world, the Elder Wand.
With the power of the Elder Wand, Grindelwald led a global war across the wizarding world. That war left absolute destruction in his wake, making him an unparalleled force of nature. His beliefs and general skill to demolish those he encountered made him one of the darkest (and most dangerous) wizards in history.
3. Albus Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore’s blend of intelligence and powers makes him a force of nature in the wizarding community. While a master in every wizarding practice, Dumbledore had a genuine kindness. Not only did he prove a master of his craft (i.e., becoming invisible and casting Gubraithian Fire), but Dumbledore’s ranking comes from one key detail: Dumbledore existed as the only wizard that Voldemort ever truly feared.
He also single-handedly controlled the protective measures of Hogwarts, which many considered what made him not only the greatest wizard but the greatest Hogwarts Headmaster. His ability to equally exude love for his students and strike fear into his enemies makes Dumbledore one of the strongest wizards in the world.
2. Nicholas Flamel
Nicolas Flamel remains heralded as one of the most prolific wizarding alchemists. His vast knowledge helped him create one of the wizarding world’s most powerful items, The Sorcerer’s Stone. This earned him the power of immortality, making him arguably one of the most brilliant brains in the wizarding world. As an ally to Dumbledore, Flamel also showed real strength as a wizard, particularly in the fight against Grindelwald.
1. Merlin
This may seem like an obvious choice as Harry Potter’s most powerful wizard. While he did not have a specific role in the film, Merlin’s presence loomed large in the wizarding world. He existed as more than just a famous wizard revered in Hogwarts. He became admired and studied by students and professors and eventually took his fame a step further.
His prolific nature (and mastery of every form of wizardry) took hold in the world’s vernacular. This included phrases like “Merlin’s Beard!” became commonplace in the wizarding world. Such minute gestures (besides just a respected history) and general knowledge of his powers quickly make him the most powerful in the world of Harry Potter.
