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Strongest Characters in The Rings of Power: A Character Review
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Memory Ngulube
Published May 10, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
Memory Ngulube joined Screen Rant in April 2024 as part of the Movies and TV team. Since then, she has written for the Perennials and Streaming team, covering a wide range of topics from new releases to old movies and TV shows. Memory is currently a Classic TV writer. **
Before joining Screen Rant, Memory was a freelance copywriter who specialized in email marketing and social media management. While she enjoyed her job, her true passion was always movies and TV.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power_** has featured characters with remarkable strength in its first two seasons. In The Rings of Power, strength is defined in different ways. It’s not just about physical dominance or battlefield excellence, though characters like Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) excel in that area. It’s also about wisdom, cunning, bravery, and intelligence.
Not every character has reached their full potential, but even the little we have witnessed in the series is a testament to how formidable these protagonists (and antagonists) are. From battle-worn Elves who have witnessed the rise and fall of empires to humans whose cunning, resilience, and intelligence prove that strength can be wielded in different ways, the series presents a fascinating spectrum of power. With The Rings of Power season 3 around the corner, it's worth looking into some of the strongest characters the TV show has introduced thus far.
Elrond
_ Elrond (Robert Aramayo) wearing armor and with a bloodied face in Rings of Power season 2
Elrond (Robert Aramayo) may not immediately come across as the most physically imposing figure in The Rings of Power_, but that’s precisely what makes his strength so compelling. In fact, Elrond is only seen on the battlefield for the first time in the show's second season. Unlike some Elves, whose power comes from their mastery over swords, Elrond’s strength lies in intellect and diplomacy.
Throughout_ The Rings of Power_, Elrond proves himself a master negotiator, not only during the forging of the Rings but also in mending the relationship between his kind and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Elrond's influence may be more intellectual, but his ability to navigate alliances that could determine the fate of entire civilizations is what makes him one of The Rings of Power's most powerful characters.
Celebrimbor
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As one of the most significant characters in The Rings of Power_, Celebrimbor's (Charles Edwards) strength doesn’t lie in brute force but in creation, knowledge, and intelligence. The Elven smith possesses a level of skill and craftsmanship that no one else in Middle-earth has. Because of this, he was the one who forged the Rings that not only healed the Elves' dying realm but also became the envy of many who wanted power.
What truly showcases Celebrimbor’s power is the creation of the Rings themselves, because it highlights how dangerous his gift is. The Elven smith’s strength is quiet and philosophical, but it shows that the ability to create something as powerful as the Rings of Power can be more important and influential than being a warrior.
Gil-galad
_ High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) watching Galadriel's strange behavior in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 2
Gil-galad's (Benjamin Walker) power in The Rings of Power_ is mostly political. As the High King of the Elven race, he essentially determines his people's future, and that sets him apart from other characters in the series. For most of The Rings of Power, Gil-galad is in the background and doesn’t get the chance to shine. However, that changes when he becomes one of the Elves in possession of a Ring of Power, ultimately elevating his strength.
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While The Rings of Powe_r emphasizes Gil-galad’s role as a ruler, those familiar with_ Middle-earth's history know that he is also a formidable warrior. The Prime Video fantasy series offers a glimpse of the High King in battle when he and his people march to Eregion to fight the Orcs. Hopefully, later installments of The Rings of Power_ will get to show that side of him more.
Adar
_ Adar (Sam Hazeldine) with his army of orcs attacking Eregion in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 7
Although Adar (Joseph Mawle, Sam Hazeldine) was a key figure in The Rings of Power_, he actually wasn’t part of Tolkien’s work. The creators of the Prime Video series included him to depict the Orcs as more than just mindless creatures who kill and destroy, but as those who seek a home. Despite his unconventional origin as one of the Elves that Morgoth turned into an Orc, Adar proved time and time again that he was a formidable character.
What made Adar one of the most powerful and dangerous characters in The Rings of Power was his determination to create a home for his "children." Because of this, he was willing to go to war for his ambition and defeat anyone who stood in his way. In the series, Adar portrayed a level of cruelty and brutality like no other. He wasn’t afraid of anyone, including Sauron, whom he openly betrayed — though that eventually led to his death.
Galadriel
_ Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) protecting the elves from the Uruk in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8
Galadriel is, without question, one of the most openly powerful characters in The Rings of Power_. At the beginning of the series, Galadriel’s battlefield skills aren’t really shown. However, when she journeys to Númenor, where she convinces the humans to go to war, the audience finally sees why she was the commander of the Northern armies as she demonstrates to the Númenórean recruits how to kill an Orc.
Galadriel is one of the most skilled fighters in the series, capable of taking on entire armies with precision and confidence. Her centuries of experience as an Elf give her heightened agility, endurance, and strength that few can match. While her battlefield prowess is what makes her strong, she becomes even more powerful once she possesses one of the Rings of Power.
The Dweller
_ The Dweller (Bridie Sisson) a female Mystic in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 2Image via Prime Video
Similar to Adar, The Dweller (Bridie Sisson) isn’t part of The Lord of the Rings_' canon but was instead created specifically for the show. As one of the most mysterious characters in the series, The Dweller’s presence alone is terrifying. The fact that the Dark Wizard sent her to search for The Stranger, one of the most powerful protagonists in the show, is a testament to her strength.
Although The Dweller lost her fight with The Stranger, their confrontation showed the extent of her magical strength when she put him into a deep sleep. The Dweller embodies raw, arcane force in a way that makes her stand out, not just among the mystics but also among other characters in the series.
The Stranger
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The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) arrives in Middle-earth in a blazing meteor, quickly proving that he is no ordinary being. His presence alone in The Rings of Power_ signals a level of power far beyond that of Men, Elves, or Dwarves. Even without fully understanding his own abilities, The Stranger still managed to wield pretty impressive magic.
At the end of _The Rings of Power _season 2, it is revealed that The Stranger is Gandalf.
Given that The Stranger is still in the early stages of discovering his true identity, his ability to perform powerful, elemental magic without training suggests that what we have seen in_ The Rings of Power_ so far is merely a fraction of what he can do. All in all, The Stranger represents untapped power, making him one of the show’s most important protagonists.
Dark Wizard
_ Ciaran Hinds as The Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power.
The Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds) is considered one of the most powerful beings in The Rings of Power_ for several reasons. The Dark Wizard has a level of magical authority and ancient knowledge that very few characters in Middle-earth possess. Even with limited screen time so far, his presence carries enormous weight.
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What makes the Dark Wizard so formidable is his mastery of magic. When he meets The Stranger, one of the few times he is seen using his ability, the Dark Wizard easily disposes of the assassins he had sent to find the Istar. His years of experience are what put him above The Stranger, but as time goes on and The Stranger fully leans into his magic, the two will be evenly matched.
Sauron
Sauron showing his dark blood in The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power
Even before Sauron is fully introduced in The Rings of Power_, Galadriel's years-long search proves that he isn’t someone who can be easily defeated. Sauron’s strength goes beyond anything we've seen so far in The Rings of Power. He's remained hidden for centuries, biding his time, concocting his devious plans.
As the Great Deceiver, Sauron is the definition of manipulation and deception. This makes him one of the most dangerous characters in the show. Because Sauron is a master strategist, he doesn’t rule through fear alone but instead operates through the shadows to gain the trust of those around him. By presenting himself as an ally, he coerced Celebrimbor into forging the Rings, ultimately giving himself even more power.
Tom Bombadil
_ Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) winking in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 6
In The Rings of Power_, Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) is depicted as an enigmatic figure whose true strength isn’t always on full display. This makes him more dangerous, because it's difficult to understand what he's capable of. The Eldest's power is older and deeper; his magic inspires both fear and calm, depending on who he's dealing with.
Bombadil is one of the most powerful characters in The Rings of Power because he challenges the very idea of what power means in Middle-earth. Instead of dominating and conquering, Bombadil seems able to resist the lure of power that rules the show's other characters, just as he remains unbothered by the One Ring when he meets Frodo in Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. It's no wonder that he is the one tasked with helping The Stranger harness his magic. It remains to be seen what else he can do in _The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power **_season 3.
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Release Date**
September 1, 2022
Network
Amazon Prime Video
Showrunner
John D.