He has been on Middle-earth since the Second Age and was a key player in the events surrounding Sauron and the Ring Of Power. He was sent from across the sea to guide and assist the world of Middle-earth under the guise of an old man. Without his leadership, the quest of the Fellowship surely would have failed before it even began. He is a friend to great Kings and Elven Lords, and is but one member of his order, the Istari. And of course, he has the best fireworks in all the land. He is Olórin, Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim, and Gandalf, and he is one of the most beloved characters in Lord of the Rings.

Gandalf is a Maia spirit, who are the subjects of greater spirits known as Valar, and was born well before the conflict of the Ring. He hails from Valinor, the land across the Western sea. In wizard form, Gandalf is not fully aware of his true strength, but it emerges when the time is right. Yet, despite his mag🐭nificent abilities, Gandalf is still low on the totem pole of powerful beings in Tolkien’s lore.

This might be surprising to a lot of characters, as he's often regarded as one of the strongest people in that universe. He may be a great hero in The Lord Of The Rings, but his deeds pale in comparison to some. Here’s a look at t🐻he beings in Middle-earthꦗ and beyond that outrank Mithrandir in even his strongest form.

20 Saru𝓡man (In His Prime)

Saruman the White fashioned himself as Saruman of Many Colours when he betrayed his Order to Sauron, and dreamed of becoming a Lord Of The Ring. Such an act ꦚdiminished him, and put him on a ruinous path.

When he first arrived on Middle-earth, however, things were different.

Saruman was the leader of the Istari, and its most prominent member . He was the first to appear in Middle-earth from across the sea, was noble in voice and bearing, and an accomplished craftsman. Ha♕d he attempted to subdue Gandalf at this time he may well have won, for his abilities were great, and were only lessened by his jealously and lust for power.

19 Shelob And Ungo𒆙liant, Spiders Of The Void ꦬ

Few know Shelob’s true nature. She is a spider born of darkness and void, and is the spawn of Ungoliant, a dark primordial being. Alone, Shelob would have little chance against the angelic light of Mithrandir. But if she an𓆏d her siblings teamed up with Ungoliant, things might play out differently.

Ungoliant descended from the void beyond the world, and took the form of a spider.

She ate light and spewed webs of𝓰 darkness in return. She was forever hungry, and devoured all things good and pure to feed her emptiness. Against such a fearsome creature Gandalf would have little power, and it's fortunate she ate herself in famished desperation long before Gandalf’s tale began.

18 🦹 Nienna, The Sorrowful

Nienna i😼s a member of the Valier, and is acquainted mostly with grief and mourning. When the great Music unfolded, Melkor the Mighty sought to oppose it with a song of his own, and became antagonistic to all his siblings. This act turned Nienna’s song to lamentation, and sorrow was woven into the fabric of the world before it even began.

She lives in the Hall of Mandos, where spirits go to await the end of days. Her power lies in her ability to bring wisdom, empath൩y, and strength through sorrow. Though she is seldom seen, she is remarkably powerful, and Gandalf would be utterly crushed by the weight of her mournful song.

17 ꦡ The Balrog Captain, Gothmog ꦍ

One of Gandalf’s greatest tests was against the Balrog of Moria. Balrogs are also Maiar spirits, twisted and corrupted by Melkor into demons of fire and terror. One such creature came to dwell in Moria, where it was awakened, and confroꦚnted by Gandalf. After a mighty contest both were slain, and Gandalf was sent back to Middle-earth in even greater might, his task unfinished.

Gandalf only just defeated a regular Balrog, and would be in serious trouble if he ever faced off against Gothmog, their High Captain in the First Age.

Gothmog was a terrible creature, and the most powerful Balrog that ever lived. He slew many Elven heroes, and led the siege on Gondolin, the fabled city of Turgon The Wise. Even in truest form, Gandalf would likely fall before him, though it would be an 𝔉epic battle to behold.

16 Melkor, The Great Enemy 🤡

Melkor, commonly known as Morgoth, is the Dark Enemy of the World. He was present during the Ainulindalë, and attempted to overcome its melody with a song of his own.ꦑ He is the mightiest of the Valar, and seeks to hold dominion over all others. He squanders his strength in violence and tyranny, and is contemptuous to all things save himself.

Melkor was exiled from Valinor and took residence in the dread fortress of Angband. From there he wrought generations of torment and strive upon the people of the Middle-earth, and could quell the spirit of Gandalf with the slightest touch. In🌌 the end, it took the combined might of all the Valar to cast him into the Void.

15 🃏 Manwë, ⛄The Eldar King

As Ulmo is akin to Poseidon, Manwë is akinღ to Zeus. He is the chief of the Valar, and Lord of the wind, clouds, and sky. He iღs an ally to all things that go on wings, and the eagle lord Gwahir is his messenger.

In might he is equal to Melkor, and knows best the will of Eru.

Gandalf is a Maiar of Manwë, and was sent to Middle-earth under his command. An uprising from Gandalf toward Manwë would🅰 be unthinkable, and would only end in tragedy for the misguided wizard. Luckily the two remain in friendship and confidence, and were able to overthrow Sauron as a result.

14 �♌� Tom Bombadil, The Joyful

Tom Bombadil is Tolkien’s greatest enigma, and surely the oldest being in on Middle-earth. He proclaims that he was present before the coming of the Elves, though no 🎃precise origin story is given for him. Instead, we can only speculate, and imagine that he was a part of the land the moment it was conceived.

He is a joyful soul, and this hides an immense well of power. No earthly s🌸trife seems to trouble him, and he is immune to the power of the Ring. Such propensity aligns Tom with the Valar or perhaps something greater, and Gandalf would never be able to overpower him.

13 🅺 Smaug, The Magnificent

Smaug is the descendent of wyrms and fire drakes that once haunted the halls of Angband. His forefathers include Glaurung, who torme💫nted Túrin Turamber to his demise, and Ancalagon The Black, the most powerful dragon that ever lived.

In a direct confrontation, it’s unlikely that Gandalf would be able to stand for long against the fearsome power of Smaug. His physical stre𓄧ngth alone would be enough to over👍power the wizard, and his flames would put Gandalf’s magical abilities to the test. Such a contest would be great indeed, and the world of Middle-earth is lucky it never came to pass.

12 ꦅ ඣ Sauron, The Deceiver

Sauron was a Maiar spirit, and Melkor’s greatest servant. He was only less evil than his master in that once he served anothe🐎r Valar, and not himself. He became known as The Great Deceiver, and wrought generations of terror and woe upon the free peoples of Middle-earth.

Gandalf truly feared Sauron.

The Valar forbade Gandalf from using the full extent of his power against Sauron. But even if he did, it may have been futile. Sauron’s spirit was 😼immense and terrible, and would have capitalized on any shred of doubt he found within his opponent. Without the Ring, Sauron might be a fair match for Gandalf, but with it there would be no hope.

11 ♈ Estë, The Gentle ♈

🌊The Valar were present during the Ainulindalë, the great song sung by the all-powerful Eru that brought about 🐭the beginning of the world. The Valar took part in the song, and thus have great power while on Arda, the world that Eru devised.

One of their female members, or Valier, is Estë, and she is a goddess of healing and rest. She walks only by night, and dwells in the garden of Lórien with he husband, Irmo. Though she is known as The Gentle, her restful powers alone would be enough𒀰 to still and dominate Gandalf, even if he was in a fit of rage.