# Dumbledore Vs Gandalf - showdown **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2003, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291 "2003-10-24T10:44:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scarf-Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Scarf-Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarf-Ace)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/1 "2003-10-24T10:44:12Z")
Ok so Gandalf can whup a Balrog, and make pretty fireworks, but Dumbledore just doesn’t need to show off like that. Hes so self - assured and confident who knows what powers he has. When he does use them its only when he really needs to and he makes no fuss about it like it was nothing. So my moneys with big D - what about you? ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/2 "2003-10-24T11:04:24Z")
Alright, lemme explain something to you. There are evil people, powerful evil people, and first liutenants to the incarnation of evil in your universe. Dumbledore dealt with one and two. Gandalf dealt with all of them. Draw yer own conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Second](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Second](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Second)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/3 "2003-10-24T11:16:38Z")
Gandalf is two steps below god, no contest. ---
**Author:** ![Baggins111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@Baggins111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baggins111)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/4 "2003-10-24T11:23:47Z")
Gandalf is a “servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor.” You saw what he did to the Balrog. That was no small potatoes. He could soooo kick Dumbledore’s ass there and back again (to borrow a phrase from Bilbo). 'nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/5 "2003-10-24T12:14:43Z")
> [@](#): > > but Dumbledore just doesn’t need to show off like that. Hes so self - assured and confident who knows what powers he has. He uses more magic than Gandalf for everyday things and never btthers to get involved in the important stuff. Gandalf doesn’t use any such thing until Moria. ---
**Author:** ![lilbtagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/6 "2003-10-24T12:15:57Z")
Gandalf, with hardly a finger lifted by Dumbledore. He’s been around for thousands of years and seen things Dumbledore wouldn’t even dare have nightmares of. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/7 "2003-10-24T12:53:45Z")
Funny, I had this very conversation with my 8-year-old daughter. Dumbledore basically is the headmaster of an elementary school for wizards-in-training, and he can’t even keep that in control. He is constantly being bailed out by Harry, Hermione & Ron. Hell, Hagrid could kick his ass. Gandalf would be on him like ugly on an ape. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/8 "2003-10-24T13:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Dumbledore basically is the headmaster of an elementary school for wizards-in-training, and he can’t even keep that in control. There’s an old saying: “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” (My apologies to teachers.) I think that applies here. Gandalf is a practicing wizard; Dumbledore is an academic. Gandalf had trouble with Saruman, and does anyone here think Dumbledore could take HIM? I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/9 "2003-10-24T14:00:09Z")
I offer [http://www.grudge-match.com/History/gandalf-dumbledore.shtml](http://www.grudge-match.com/History/gandalf-dumbledore.shtml) as a cite in my favor. One opinion from this page that sums up my feelings nicely: > [@](#): > > As a confirmed Lord Of The Rings Nerd™, I could lapse into a discussion about how great Gandalf is, using all kinds of weird words that nobody could understand (except other confirmed Lord Of The Rings Nerds™, who don’t need me to convince them). But I won’t, because I’m just such a nice guy. > > But let’s compare their accomplishments to date. Not movie accomplishments, because they suck. No, I’ve read the Harry Potter books and memorized the Lord of the Rings. Let’s do this by the text. > > And if you haven’t read the books, page down a few times might be good about now. > > First Book > Dumbledore managed to set a little kid in front of somebody’s door without dropping him. > Gandalf discovered the origin of the most evil and powerful object in the history of anything, started a quest to destroyed it, and killed a demon of heinous and untold power. > > Second Book > Dumbledore went away on business just when he could actually be useful. > Gandalf came back from the dead, mustered an army of walking trees, made the head of the Order of Wizards look like a little sissyboy, and generally kicked ass. > > Third Book > Dumbledore aided the escape of a convicted criminal. > Gandalf fended off the Dark Lord’s most powerful lieutenant at the doors of the greatest city on (Middle-)Earth. He saved the life of the heir to the Stewardship of the biggest damned kingdom ever, assembled a vast army which marched on the Dark Lord himself, and managed to hold off the largest army in the history of anything by standing on a hill virtually by himself long enough for the Dark Lord to cork off. > > Fourth Book > Dumbledore had a lieutenant and servant of evil right in front of him for a year. It took him that long to notice, even though the dude was in the guise of his best friend. > We don’t know what Gandalf was up to. But even sipping pina coladas at the country club would be more impressive than THAT. > > Gandalf wins, hands (and staves) down. > > - Benjamin Mithrandir…I mean, Massey ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/10 "2003-10-24T14:21:00Z")
[DA Jesus] Wat iz dis’ bullll-shiit? You think you waltz in here and start this thread when I start a TWO PAGE thread on the same thing, and way better than you thread? I shove this thread up your ass and hit “Submit” until it go ‘click.’[/DA Jesus] ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/11 "2003-10-24T20:44:14Z")
Yes there was a previous thread on this topic; all good. But I think the pro-Gandalf arguments in this thread are fantastic. Go Gandalf. ---
**Author:** ![Sanscour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Sanscour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sanscour)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/12 "2003-10-24T21:27:06Z")
Ah yes, Grudge Match. I love that site. Everyone here do yourselves a tremendous favor and check out the Silver Medal Grudgie response. That is classic stuff, worthy of all praise. Why it didn’t beat that craptastic Gold Medal Grudgie response, I’ll never know. Trust me, you freaks love silly poetry. This is worthy of legend especially the final stanza. Sanscour ---
**Author:** ![Zaikan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/77aa72/32.png) [@Zaikan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zaikan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/13 "2003-10-25T01:10:03Z")
I love Dumbledore but Gandalf could whoop his butt blindfolded. And I think apes are kind of cute lost4life.:wally ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/14 "2003-10-26T21:17:27Z")
Gandalf, of course, it’s a no-brainer. Here’s a better one: The Elfwar! Elrond v. Dobby! Elrond has it all in brains, strength and magic – but could he use them? Dobby would act so servile and flattersome that Elrond would just have to walk away in embarrassment. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/15 "2003-10-26T23:59:55Z")
No, Dobby vs. Gollum: War of the CGI! Gollum strangles Dobby in his sleep. Dobby enjoys it. ---
**Author:** ![hebesphenomegacorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b9e5f3/32.png) [@hebesphenomegacorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hebesphenomegacorona)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/16 "2003-10-27T00:24:18Z")
Anakin vs. HP! ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/17 "2003-10-27T00:46:30Z")
Hermione vs. Pippin! Treebeard vs. the whomping willow! Draco Malfoy vs. Wormtongue! Gandalf would kick Dumbledore’s ass with one hand, while holding the newspaper with the other and continuing his breakfast throughout… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/18 "2003-10-27T01:19:51Z")
Posted by **Menocchio:** > [@](#): > > No, Dobby vs. Gollum: War of the CGI! CGI? ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/19 "2003-10-27T04:16:42Z")
Both characters are Computer Generated Images in the movies. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291/20 "2003-10-27T05:08:50Z")
You mean…they’re not real? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbledore-vs-gandalf-showdown/209291.md?page=2)