Gandalf vs. Witch King

      Okay, so for many years now, those of you who have read the Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, and Silmarillion have been at war with those who haven’t [read the book] over the conflict of Gandalf vs. the Witch King. I will analyze this via common sense, the book, and the movies—hopefully this debate will finally be put to rest. Let’s get started!

Common Sense: In this section we focus on equipment and character traits

  

·    The Witch King is an undead Numenorean that was given the greatest ring of the nine. His sword and mace/morning star origins are unknown. Some say they were forged in Angband (ICE/MERPS) some say they could be forged by Sauron (unlikely, Sauron wouldn’t waste his time for a lowly servant)—whatever the case may be, the most probable outcome is that his weapons were originally his and became enhanced when he became a wraith—a morgul dagger is an example of this.

·   The WK magic is great as well. We know that he commanded Angmar and sent the Barrow Wights to the graves of Arnor men—we also know that blades that hit the WK can often disintegrate—coupled with a fellbeast and the prophecy: “Not by the hand of man shall he fall”—you have one powerful individual. 

·   Experience wise, WK is just as perilous, he has been around since the Second Age and has fought in many battles. He also probably fought in the Second Age, but he is mostly known for his victory over Arnor. The WK has been around for thousands of years, making him a well experienced veteran of war.

·   Now let us move on to Gandalf’s character—he is the wisest of the Maia (surpassing Sauron), and was given the red ring Narya by Cirdan. His sword was wielded by the High Elf Turgon of Gondolin and his White Maiar staff is enchanted from unknown origins.

·   Gandalf’s magic at this point is the most dangerous outside of Sauron’s magic. We know that Gandalf used his power during the events of the Hobbit to set goblins and wolves aflame. He did magic outside the gates of Moria which dealt with fire, and he used magic to kill the Balrog. Gandalf is very proficient with fire and lightning, as demonstrated on Weathertop.

·   Finally experience, Gandalf is very knowledgeable about the world and its inner workings. His empathy is one of his strongest traits, usually learning how an individual thinks based on conversations Gandalf has had with them. Gandalf has fought in many battles, probably during the First Age (War of Wrath), maybe some during the events of Arnor, Battle of Five Armies, and Helms Deep (just to name a few). He was also capable of going hand to hand with a Balrog—he is no wuss in melee and he seems to have capabilities of a warrior mage (see profession of the week).  

     Conclusion: Based on common sense, Gandalf is better armed, holds better magical feats, and is more experienced. Based on these, Gandalf is the victor in the common sense category.

     Book Wise: This will be shorter.

Gandalf has held off all nine nazgul at Weathertop—they feared his wrath because he thought they had Frodo. They eventually do battle with him and Gandalf uses fire and lightning to beat them back, it is after this that he flees to Rivendell, four wraiths pursue him and that is why Aragorn faced only five at Weathertop. With this feat in mind, the beating of a Balrog and the fact that Aragorn beats five nazgul (WK included) with a torch and normal sword, suggests that Gandalf the Grey could have easily matched WK by himself.

     Now some could argue that Sauron wasn’t at full power, but then again, neither is Gandalf at this time. It is hypothesized that Sauron could never regain his full strength without the One Ring; therefore the WK would have always been set at a certain rate of power. Now Gandalf is at a set rate of power as well, but the difference is, is that his set is greater than the WKs’. Where WK is set by a powerful Maia, Gandalf’s power is set by a powerful Vala (which is a greater Aniur than maia. Morgoth was a Vala).  

      So as far as feats and book knowledge goes, Gandalf steals the show here again. The WK is just not as impressive. WK runs off from Glorfindel, he is beaten by Aragorn with a torch, he is forced to make a tactical withdraw from Gandalf the Grey, beaten by Aragorn and Glorfindel (force the nine into the river at Rivendell and the flood of white horses takes them), has the rest of the nazgul driven off by Gandalf the White at the flight from Osgiliath, and most acknowledging of all, is beaten by Eowyn and Merry—two individuals that Gandalf the White could have easily defeated on his own.  With these concepts in mind, and the fact that Gandalf wrestles with Sauron himself in magic protecting Frodo at Amon Hen—Gandalf takes the book series against the WK as well.

      Lastly, the Movie:

This is a very weak source, given that there are many inconsistencies—first we see Radagast the Brown (weakest of the Istari) beat the WK who is in close range of Sauron himself. Now it could be argued that Sauron allowed the WK to be beaten to draw out the White Council, but even so, Saruman and Elrond beat all nine by themselves. There is even a scene where Saruman and the WK duel and Saruman beats him—and we all know that Gandalf the White beats Saruman in Return of the King. Also, Aragorn beats the WK with four other nazgul, but loses to Gandalf the White when aided by Gimli and Legolas.

      So in regards to the movies—it is too inconsistent to tell and I rate it a tie due to the WK beating Gandalf in that one extended scene (that was deleted for obvious purposes). Therefore, acknowledging all of the sources and materials presented—I say Gandalf the White could without a doubt beat the WK without too much effort. I thank you all for reading this lengthy excerpt and look forward to many more vs. battles and other things ahead. I will upload the profession of the week as soon as possible as well as pics of my armies. Happy readings!