Gandalf the Grey vs. Albus Dumbledore?

Question

If they both coexisted in a world where magical powers were equal to each other(they both have the same limitations, etc.), who would win in a duel/battle between Gandalf the Grey and Albus Dumbledore at the PEAK of their powers? This also raises this question: of the two, who is the greater wizard?

Ok, I know it's tempting to suggest that since the Elder Wand is "all powerful" that Dumbledore wins. I have nothing against Dumbledore, but please assume that there is no such factor that dictates in ultimates. Please use either their experiences, traits, and attributes that are expressed throughout their respective series.

Answer 1

It's hard to compare the two because they're from different stories that compare wizards in different ways. In Lord of the Rings wizards like Gandalf hardly ever use their powers unless they really need to. In the Fellowship of the Ring, when they are freezing in Cahadras [spelling? haven't read LOTR for a while], Gandalf doesn't even light the fire for them until they've tried like a million times. In Harry Potter, magic controls the wizard world, and Dumbledore uses it all the time.

I think these two wizards have a different type of 'magic.' But I think Gandalf would win. He serves as a beacon of good; he has the power to resist the ring and the power to do much more. Even though he doesn't use magic a lot, Gandalf is very powerful. He doesn't showcase his magic, because he doesn't need to. I'm probably just saying this cause I like The Lord of the Rings :D

Everyone loves Mithrandir :D

also...for the person above me? I think Gandalf didn't return from the dead on his own, he was sent back by Eru/Illuvatar to 'finish' his duty on Middle Earth. Even in Middle Earth--no one escapes death. Even the elves!

Answer 2

Albus Dumbledore Vs Gandalf

Answer 3

Gandalf The Grey Would Kick Dumbledore's A** And Then He Would Shove Dumbledore's Wand Where The Sun Don't Shine.

Answer 4

I would agree because Dumbledore having the Elder Wand makes him impossible to beat.

However! I believe that Gandalf would have won had Dumbledore had a wand other than the Elder Wand. Dumbledore isnt the fighting type of guy, he doesnt like to fight unless he has to, and with Gandalf's personality being close to that of Albus Dumbledore, I would like to believe that they would be friends or at least allies. If they had to duel, and Dumbledore didnt have the Elder Wand, I think Gandalf would definetly win.

Heres some food for thought:

If the Dark Lord Grindelwald possesed the Elder Wand, how was Dumbledore able to beat him? The Elder Wand is supposed to be unbeatable.

ROFL Todd! GREATER question!
Definetly Voldemort, he had 8 horcruxes, Sauron only had one ring :D.

Answer 5

Gandalf The Grey

Answer 6

Dumbledore, not only—as many answers have pointed out—because he had the Elder Wand, but also because he was powerful enough to defeat Grindewald in the first place to win the Elder Wand.

The greater wizard, Dumbledore. He's like a Renaissance Scholar of Wizardry.

RP

Answer 7

Although Gandalf is much older and wiser than Dumbledore i think that in a duel like this Dumbledore would defeat Gandalf because with the elder wand his powers are bigger than Gandalf's. But if Gandalf was Gandalf the White although Dumbledore would have the elder wand he would be no match for the unlimited powers of the almighty white wizard!!!

Answer 8

Gandalf the White would win but Gandalf the Grey would lose
Albus dumbledore has a wand, but he cannot fight. Gandalf not only has his staff, but he has a powerful sword and an elven ring of fate. The greater wizard, and the wiser wizard cannot be judged, they are both equal.

Wait, infact, they would not gight. they would want to cleanse the world of all evil, and by combining their powers, good will come out on top. They are both wizards of a pure heart, so they would not want to fight each other

Answer 9

Gandalf the Grey is a Maia, non-human and has been shown to be capable of returning from death (transition from Grey to White) with greater powers. This gives him an edge on Dumbledore who, while he is similar in outlook, cannot return from death beyond his capability to advise via his portrait, the second Hallow or through an altered state on Harry Potter's part. Dumbledore's humanity made him susceptible to some very real tragedies, and I think he is slightly less accepting of them than Gandalf, who has had thousands of years to learn better. It is interesting that their temptations ("The Greater Good") are quite similar. I imagine Dumbledore would also have had "great need of it" when it comes to the One Ring, just as Gandalf reflects to Frodo when he refuses Frodo's offer. Dumbledore/Grindelwald has reflections in Gandalf/Saruman. A good question! But of course the use of magic is vastly different in the two worlds.

P.S. to tivovovo below: point taken about Gandalf being sent back, rather than doing it on his own. Tolkien's world is somewhat more directed in this manner than Rowling's. There are numinous forces at work in Middle Earth; even the forests and nature itself feel good and evil in ME, while the only real manifestation of this in Rowling's wizarding world is the weather and natural disaster wrought by dementors and Death Eaters. And, although the Elves can die, they do not pass into the unknown reserved for Man; they are separated from Eru in a very real way, defined by Tolkien--the tragedy of immortality, sort of a purgatory without resolution until the world is made again. Gandalf, too, would be part of this. It is a fundamental difference in the inhabitants of Tolkien's world and Rowling's. The spiritual fabric is part of the mythology in Tolkien, whereas it is mostly untouched in Rowling's story. She maintains all the accepted religious Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter; the world is basically ours. She never explains how wizards fit into the religious stories of Muggles but somehow the wizards celebrate them just the same. So it is much less likely that God would send Dumbledore back than that Eru would send Gandalf back. The worlds are constructed that way. Sorry to go on so long!

Answer 10

It seems Gandalf holds an edge over Dumbledore because Dumbledore faces only evil wizards.But Gandalf has to face dark powers controlling other powerful species.[ This is because you ruled out use of Elder wand ! ]