Who Is The Best Wizard Of All Time?

[Bill]

Allen wrote: "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."

I kind of went with a mixture. I felt that several of these guys were pretty great characters, but didn't show enough of their power to impress me as much as they could have. Meanwhile, some of the super-powerful spell-slingers were just plain unlikable.

I still go with Bayaz, because as "evil" as he is, he's still more human than a bunch of the nominees.

[Jim]

Of course Gandalf is the greatest best wizard. I normally try to be open minded but this is open and shut.

[Allen]

I would concur with Bayaz he is a cracking character and, like Gandalf, someone who doesn't have all the power and answers, so has to work to achieve his ends.

[Jeremy]

Mohram from the Chronicle of Thomas Covenant.

[Phil]

My character Brag A. Doom from my old D&D game.

[Jeffrey]

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

How can you not know who Raistlin is? Dragonlance needs to be turned into a movie so the rest the nonreading planet can share his awsomeness. In my opinion it comes down to him and Merlin. I'd argue little Harry Potter before Dumbledore and While Gandolf gets third place he isn't really a contendor.
1. Raistlin
2. Merlin
3. Gandolf
4. Ged
5. Harry Dresdin (I changed my mind on Potter)
6. Dumbldore
7. Harry Potter

[Bethanie]

Merlin was a pretty cool dude he was sort of the origin for both Gandalf and Dumbledore. So, Merlin is my choice since its a more inclusive answer :)

[Sharil]

Howard wrote: "Harry Copperfield Blackstone Dresdin, is my favorite Wizard. From "The Dresdin Files""

Agreed!

[Samuel]

Good sirs, I am.

[Steve]

Allanon from Shannara was fantastic and Pug from The Magician and Midkemia series.

[Kion]

Pug from the Magician is very good - I like his evolution from a simple boy to an unbelievably powerful wizard.

However, for me Gandalf the Grey is king of the wizards. He was truly wise and yet subtle. He was also amazingly humble given his great power. He empowered those around him to find their own strength. That is true magic in my view - giving something to others which helps them to discover their own inner worth.
He also fought a Balrog to death proving his spiritual quality and was re-born as Gandalf the White not many can claim such an accolade: being re-incarnated to a higher order.

Exit Darkness, Enter Light

[[deleted user]]

Harry Potter...on second thought, I love Hermione more...

[Jeffrey]

Damn! I forgot Pug.
1. Raistlin
2. Merlin
3. Gandolf
4. Ged/ Pug (They can tie)
5. Harry Dresdin (I changed my mind on Potter)
6. Dumbldore
7. Harry Potter

[Pandora]

The "of all time" debate can go on for all time, but if there were at least a top 10, some names I'd expect to see would be Gandolf, Dumbledore, Merlin, Harry Dresden, etc. I would NOT add Harry Potter, because he wasn't particularly "great" most of his wizardry was happenstance and aided by others. Voldermort would get higher billing than HP on my list. Maybe we should first define some criteria and then rank based on who fits this or that criteria the best.

[Shanawaz]

Pandora wrote: "The "of all time" debate can go on for all time, but if there were at least a top 10, some names I'd expect to see would be Gandolf, Dumbledore, Merlin, Harry Dresden, etc. I would NOT add Harry Po..."

oooh like that idea ... kick it off what criteria should we have

[[deleted user]]

Just to prove that I'm an annoying teenage girl: HARRY POTTER!!

No, in all seriousness I'm gonna join the Gandalf (when he was grey) or Merlin camp. Although, Rincewind was pretty epic ;).

[Allen]

The OP didn't say 'great' they said 'best'.

As a writer, when creating a wizard character you have to make choices about how their abilities will affect the story, so powerful is pretty relative depending on the author's need for it to move the story in the direction they want it to go. Make magic too prevalent and you end up with David Eddings.
The best wizards have character and a brain first. The magic is usually second. Most writers using Merlin give him some great lines. Gandalf (Tolkien) has a way about him that conveys his superior knowledge, wisdom and power without being too patronising. Bayaz (Abercrombie) has similar attributes, but (intentionally by the author) does come over as patronising. Dumbledore has a greater plan than anyone realised. Snape, the ability to play a difficult double role.
Terry Brooks' Allanon is unfortunately the same character as Bremen and later Walker Boh. The differences between them aren't well defined by the author.
Raistlin (Weis) is beautifully characterised by his physical weakness and really makes the Dragonlance novels more than the sum of their parts.
I'm afraid that whilst I enjoy Jim Butcher, I wouldn't rate Dresden in a best wizard list. The books have a little too much formula for that.

[Jeffrey]

Allen's reasoning is partly why I put him at the top of my list. He is his own foil as well as his twin brother's. His physical weakness makes him more interesting. Later when he becomes physically stronger it is his internal struggles that define him. Reaching godhood and destroying the world says something as well. His awesomeness is more than just in his magical ability. This is partly why I keep Potter on my list. His magic is kind of sucky compared to everyone else, but it is what he does with the little he has (and the high expectations of others) that makes him interesting.

[Kenny]

Asandir , from Janny Wurts ” Wars of Light and Shadow ” series

[Andrew]

Merlin.

[Kenny]

Pug might be the greatest single wizard. I must concede.

[Chris]

I say Dumbledore

[Carlotta]

Rincewind LoL!

[Cammie]

Merlin is the wizard that all good wizards have been modeled after since.

[Isaglz]

GANDALF 'CAUSE HE IS HOT!

[Jake]

Bayaz from first law and Quickben from Malazan

[Vanessa]

Radagast!

[Zoran]

Hazel wrote: "so what? So's Raistlin Majere, and he's been mentioned. He was a successful wizard, thus he was a damned good wizard, and surely that was the question, who's the best wizard. Well, centuries of rul..."

Raistlin Majere. He killed gods.

[Sarah]

Hmmmm... well... Merlin... Gandalf... and Kale!!! From DragonSpell ;3

[Jennifer]

Definitely Gandalf!

[[deleted user]]

Dumbledore.

[Jerrid]

I would have to say Merlin, although I very much enjoy Gandalf and Esrahaddon as well.

[Cathie]

I was going to say Gandalf hands down, but then I saw Rastlin meantioned...now I'm unsure of myself. But you ALSO have Belgarath and Beldin.... Beldin can change into a bird and we all know how much of a bad ass Belgarath is....Dumbledor, Merlin and Zedd had a few good moments in time... damn... I guess if all of these wizards got into a battle my money is on Gandalf..because only HE came back to life to fight another day!

[Sophie]

Gandalf :)

[Rich]

Stephen Strange or Kent Nelson. :-)

[Bill]

I really didn't like Raistlin. He lacked real depth, just walking around coughing and acting broody while his brother waited on him hand and foot... until Fistandantalus (I feel like I spelled that wrong), and the god-like power, when he just turned into an asshole.

Besides: it's Dragonlance, and Dragonlance wasn't even TSR's best world.

[Dragovak]

I would say Fistandantilus (He's one of the reasons Raistlin is so awesome !), Merlin, I mean, he's the father of all wizards ! or Gandalf (I won't even bother saying why (:

[Peter]

Zoran wrote: "Hazel wrote: "so what? So's Raistlin Majere, and he's been mentioned. He was a successful wizard, thus he was a damned good wizard, and surely that was the question, who's the best wizard. Well, ce..."

So did Belgarion.

[[deleted user]]

GANDALF the GREY!!! :)

[Meriam]

Radagast the brown!!

[Georg]

Howard wrote: "Harry Copperfield Blackstone Dresdin, is my favorite Wizard. From "The Dresdin Files""

Dresden, my friend he's called "Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden" from "The Dresden Files" by Jim Butcher

[Ana]

Gandalf and Radagast <3

[Ben]

GANDALF!!!!!!!!!

[Gabriel]

I'm going to have to go with Mrs. Weasley.

[Aaditya]

What about Harry Potter? He's a Wizard too. :) My favorite Wizard of course is Dumbledore. Gandalf is too grumpy for me. But he's a great creation. A great creation who inspired Dumbledore inch by inch.

[Zhanaestilinski]

Lauren wrote: "Gandalf the Grey is THE wizard to end all wizards. He fought a Balrog, died, came back to life as Gandalf the White, resisted the temptation to take the ring as his own, fought valiantly for thousa..."

Here, Here!

[Louise]

Gandalf, hands down.

[Daniel]

--- Merlin the Magician has returned to the world to resume his fight against the forces of darkness and chaos.

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[[deleted user]]

dumbledore

[[deleted user]]

Daniel wrote: "--- Merlin the Magician has returned to the world to resume his fight against the forces of darkness and chaos.

That’s right, less than a month ago on Dec 12, 2012‘Revelations: Book One of The Me..."
... :)