Who Is The Best Wizard Of All Time?

[Victoria]

Belgarath or Beldin from the Belgariad series. I think I prefer Beldin, but would rather be stuck in a lift with Belgarath.

[Sam]

Howard wrote: "Harry Copperfield Blackstone Dresdin, is my favorite Wizard. From "The Dresdin Files""
Harry is also one of mine. Have you not learned the rules? Never reveal all of a Wisards name... I just finished "Cold Days. It was the greatest...

[Emma]

Rincewind (from the Discworld books) because he's so bad at magic but always manages to save the Discworld from a) destruction b) The Things from the Dungeon Dimensions c) 11 year old Sorcerers and d) all of the above! Gandalf might have an impressive staff and Dumbledore's got his wand, but Rincewind's got an old darned sock with a half brick in it!

[Victoria]

And a potato!

[Alec]

I would have to choose Merlin

[Tom]

Sethra Lavode

[Samantha]

Looks like it's between Merlin, Gandalf, and Dumbleedore (I can't just say Dumbledore anymore... I heard someone say Dumbleedore and now its stuck!). But I must say Merlin came first and both Gandalf and Dumbleedore have Merlin-esque traits, so I'm gonna have to go with Merlin, too :)

[David]

Top 5

Merlin from - multiple legends

Pug from

Raistlin from

Belgarath from

Gandalf from


Others may be more powerful, like Richard Rahl and Rand al'Thor, or more popular like Harry Potter, Garion or Dumbledore, but the 'best' would also be the most wise and knowledgeable. ;)

[Paul]

Lana wrote: "I wish I could say Gandalf, because he is awesome and a classic, but I just can't. I love Raistlin Majere from the Dragonlance books. He's the first wizard I encountered -- in sixth grade -- and he..."

Yep... The nod must go to either Raistlin or Elminster

[Paul]

Hazel wrote: "Micaela wrote: "I don't know who Rastlin Majere is and Sauron is a very good wizard. Even though he's bad."

Raistlin's a character in the Dragonlance Chronicles. I really recommend them. They're b..."

Tracy Hickman might take exception to being referred to as a "lass" ;)

[[deleted user]]

Mark wrote: "Catweazle played by Geoffrey Bayldon in the 1970,s British television series."

I'd forgotten about Catweazle and the "Telling Bone". Nice one!

[Matthew]

Lorenzo wrote: "The Druid Allanon (The Sword of Shannara). Is there any doubt?"
There is.

[Pratiti]

I love that this discussion is still going strong. I followed this thread for a while last year. ;)
Nice to know that people are still reading quality literature and talking about it.
Also: I must say either Gandalf or Jonathan Strange.

[Victoria]

David Krae wrote: "Top 5

Merlin from - multiple legends

Pug from

Raistlin from

Belgarath from [bookcover:The Belgariad Boxed Set|446..."

I would argue that Beldin is wiser that Belgarath :~P

[Peter]

I'd go Belgarath. Harking back to Gandalf, Sauron, etc, they were Maia - demigods really, so imo don't qualify.

Rand Al'Thor would be my second choice.

Both Belgarath and Rand are 'ordinary' people with an aptitude who grow into their powers, rather than being handed them on a plate.

[Bill]

Peter wrote: "I'd go Belgarath."

As much as I love Belgarath, Polgara, Garion, Beldin, et al, I really don't think of them as "the best" because they let themselves be led, rather than leading.

The prophecy did more of their decision-making than usual in these types of books. Gandalf tried to lead (the Balrog and the Necromancer kind of interfered in that); my nominee Bayaz guided events to his liking; the Bel-s and Pol-s kind of waited for events to go to hell, then let the prophecy lead them where they needed to go.

[Stephen]

My favorite random wizard read is the adventuring journal of Korel. You can find it free online.

[Isabella (All Da Ladies Luv Leo)]

GANDALF!

[Sienna]

Is this a trick question? Gandalf the grey/white

[Matthew]

Has anyone mentioned Slartibartfast of Magrathea? He was certainly a wizard when it came to designing fjords - won an award for it, I believe.

[Morgan]

Definitely Gandalf or Dumbledore...i like them both so i cant decide

[Samantha]

Tony wrote: "Obviously, the Wizard of Oz was the best of all time. He was able to control a city and half the country based on his being a wizard, and did not even have any magical powers."

Except he wasn't a wizard, and he admitted that to Dorothy. None of the inhabitants of Oz had ever seen a real human and assumed he was a wizard because he was very intelligent (which was like magic to them) and looked like a male version of Glinda and the other good witches. They had also never heard of "Kansas" or a hot air balloon.

[Ruth]

like, totally Gandalf

[Mallory]

I like Rincewind, from the Discworld series. Even though he can't do any magic...

[Penny]

For me it has to be Merlin, I have a very soft spot for Arthurian legend. But not only was he possessed with enormous power, he also had the wisdom needed to guide a fledgling king!! If it were all true of course!!

[[deleted user]]

Penny wrote: "For me it has to be Merlin, I have a very soft spot for Arthurian legend. But not only was he possessed with enormous power, he also had the wisdom needed to guide a fledgling king!! If it were al..."

I am horrified! Of course it was all true......

[Emmy]

Brandon wrote: "Tim the Enchanter, duh!

(Bahaha, nah I agree about Gandalf)"

lol................totally agree with you both!

[Emmy]

That so wrong on so many levels! Why are we discussing this really? It is Gandalf! POINT BLANK...

[Hardhouse247]

Dworkin Barimen, from Roger Zelazny's The Chronicles of Amber. Creator of the Primal Pattern, which in turn give form to Amber. The one true world, which all others are just shadows (including earth). Creator of the Multiverse and a means to travel between them must rank you up there.

[David]

RICHARD PRYOR in the production of the Wiz!

[Ethan]

RADAGAST!!!!!!!!!

[Paul]

MICKEY MOUSE as The Sorcerer's Apprentice :-)

[Ray]

Mr Leakey. From "My Friend Mr Leakey."

Best Wizard Ever.

[[deleted user]]

Of course, Zifnab!!! Yes, he is certifiably insane but which one of the great wizards aren't?!?

[Albert]

Allanon from the original Shannara Trilogy or Obi-Wan Kenobi. The rest are all pretenders to the throne.

[Sparrowlicious]

Sparrowhawk (Earthsea)

At least when he was still a mage. :')
I mean com on, he transformed into a dragon ... to battle dragons! And then a dragon even sought him out to fix some major world problem and he even got to ride on the eldest dragon, Kalessin.
asödljfdf
Just saying.

[Peter]

Hardhouse247 wrote: "Dworkin Barimen, from Roger Zelazny's The Chronicles of Amber. Creator of the Primal Pattern, which in turn give form to Amber. The one true world, which all others are just shadows (including eart..."

Good point.

[Allen]

The problem is that each writer casts their Wizard with a different amount of 'power' to affect change in their story. Some of the best (Gandalf and Raistlin) have their best moments off stage in the text (Gandalf recounts his battle with the Balrog, Raistlin's fight with Fistandantilus is only partially recalled). Feist has a whole set of Wizards and deals with the concepts of magic well, as does J K Rowling.

So I guess it depends on what you want from your 'Conjurer of cheap tricks' ;)

As an aside (no wish to derail), I read a set of books as a child where there was a wizard with a magical pipe that lit up with different colours. He had a daughter and the story was written from the perspective of a boy who joined them on their adventures. Anyone remember the series? It's been driving me mad trying to remember what they were called.

[Paul]

Who is the best wizard of all time?

Well, hell guys, I'd say it was that God-fella from them there Bibble and Coran books ;-)

[Samuel]

Hm... I'd say Rincewind! ;)

[Peter]

Paul wrote: "Who is the best wizard of all time?

Well, hell guys, I'd say it was that God-fella from them there Bibble and Coran books ;-)"

Wizards generally aren't gods. Different rules apply. Which is why I reckon Gandalf is disqualified.

[Veronika]

of course Gandalf is the best wizard ever!

[[deleted user]]

Peter wrote: "Paul wrote: "Who is the best wizard of all time?

Well, hell guys, I'd say it was that God-fella from them there Bibble and Coran books ;-)"

Wizards generally aren't gods. Different rules apply. W..."

Gandalf wasn't a god - he was a Maia, which is more like an angel if I understood the Silmarillion. But I still think he was a bit grumpy and short on action to be the best wizard of all. I'm sticking to Ged / Sparrowhawk, who both opened and closed the door between life and death.

[Owen]

If the metric is pure magical ability who could possibly be stronger than Rand al'Thor?

[P.T.]

Merlin.

[Laurisa]

What about Zyll in The Rock of Ivanore?

[Bii]

Dumbledore? Gandalf?

[[deleted user]]

I would say Raistlin Majere due to the fact that he did defeat the Gods of Krynn, then you have Belgarion due to the Orb of Aldur.

[Andrew]

Oz!

[Allen]

Some of these suggestions seem to be down to how 'powerful' a wizard is in a book. I'm more inclined to define 'best' as the one that felt like a great character. Willy waving or 'who would win in a fight' isn't something I'd equate with 'best'.