It ’s hard to cogitate of a more iconic , definitive example of modern illusion thanThe Lord of the Rings . Much   of its ingathering come from the fantastical nature of both its surround and those inhabiting them . At the crux of this saga ’s proud elements are two major wizards - Gandalf and Saruman .

These two sorcerers prove similarlypowerful and influential , though in vastly dissimilar ways . Being at betting odds with each other and basically mirror images of one another , their prominence   largely impacts   the fate of Middle - Earth . As such , one ca n’t help but be curious as to which superstar predominate supreme as a whole .

Gandalf: Defeating The Balrog

As the Grey Wizard put it in Moria , the Balrog is a demon of the ancient earth hold a power far majuscule than any of the Fellowship . Even the fabled Mithrandir himself struggles quite a bit in hit this grotesque foe - " technically " meeting his end before being sent back .

Still , at the end of the daylight , Gandalfdidend up kill this monstrosity ; a wolf who dwarfed him and laid wasteland to Moria simply by plowing through it . Meanwhile , Saruman wasended at the hands of a mere mortal gentleman , Grima Wormtongue .

Saruman: Was Able To Summon His Own Army

Much like a video game player commanding troops in a existent - sentence strategy plot , a corrupt Saruman was able to summon and direct an entirearmyof Orcs in a short period of time of fourth dimension . Not only this , but his thousands of Orc troops take the form of the stronger , more intimidating " Uruk - hai . "

As Gimli note inThe Two Towers,“their armor is boneheaded ; their carapace broad . “And despite the self-coloured defenses of Helms Deep , these Orc elites prove to be worthy opponents for both humankind and Elves .

While Gandalf was venture through Middle - Earth struggling to gather forces to his cause , Saruman scarcely had to go out his column to parent overten thousandof his very own soldier .

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Gandalf: Able To Wipe Saruman’s Spell From King Théoden

One can certainly bespeak to the telling , intimidating nature of Saruman ’s chain of mountains of powers - including his power to corrupt and blockade the minds of people . typeface in point ? King   Théoden ; whose was rendered virtually impotent thanks to a mere spell from Saruman .

Yet , this pull in it all the more impressive that a quick sojourn and " exorcism " from Gandalf was all that it take to wipe off this corruption . A few minutes of piece - cast from Gandalf bear witness sufficient in not only freeing the mind of   Théoden , but also propelling Saruman backward in his tower .

Saruman: Can Influence The Weather And Conjure Storms

away from Saruman ’s ability to birth an US Army of super - Orcs with his industrial machine , he also essay to be quite a " force of nature " too .

During an intense scene ofFellowship , Saruman is seen conjuring an ominous blizzard to stop the heroes from come about through Caradhras . This quick turn into a death tempest that threaten to bury the Fellowship . And the fact that   Gandalf ’s efforts to counter it get up empty would seem to show Saruman has the upper hand when it issue forth to influencing the weather .

Gandalf: His Ressurection And Return As A White Wizard

As it ’s indicated inJ. R. R. Tolkien ’s novels , Saruman has ample experience as a White Wizard , taking this salient form for centuriesandheading the White Council . Yet , between the source material and Jackson ’s film trilogy , it ’s moderately clear that Gandalf ’s leap in power from " Grey " to " White " whiz was huge liken to any transformation from Saruman .

His experience withdeath and resurrectionwould seem to have augment him with more index ,   influence , and wiseness , compared to a debased Saruman .

Saruman: His Alliance With Sauron

It ’s tough to minimise the influence involved in teaming up with perhaps the most prominent figure in Middle - Earth and creator ofthe One Ringitself . Even absent physical form , Sauron is able to displume train to marshal a monolithic USA and tainted mortal , all while watching over Mordor .

With sucha major alliance , Saruman , by association , is able to exert power over Middle - Earth and stay mostly unassailable - at least for a time .

Gandalf: His Independence As A Wizard

Still , Isengard ’s pact with Mordordoescome with one inherent flaw - the once - influential wizard is   essentially beholden to this dark lord . Even in the former - goings of Jackson ’s trilogy , Saruman is command to"build an US Army worthy of Mordor . “And what good is ability if it can not be freely handle ?

Even though Gandalf may not have a subservient , self - craft regular army at his command , hedoeshave the luxury of being able-bodied to do as he pleases . He essentially serve to nobody , only answer call for aid out of the good of his heart and the desire to see Middle - Earth be rid of evil . He even terminate up taking command of the force of Gondor during the battle forMinas Tirith .

Saruman: His Access To A Palantir

Gandalf can certainly travel about swiftly and utilize his wizardly intuition , but he does n’t have the luxury of accessing a Palantir - at least for much of the trilogy . This is a variety of Middle - Earth variation of a television set , communication machine , or wi - fi . It allows for visions and communicating amongst the Brobdingnagian stretch of the earth .

Sarumandoespossess one of these plus , and it ’s how he ’s able to cabal with his ally in Mordor during the trilogy . It gives him noesis , perceptiveness , and general sentience of Middle - Earth happening   which Gandalf simply ca n’t find .

Gandalf: His Vast Influence In Middle-Earth

Evenwiththe element of conjuration in Middle - Earth , one canreallyonly be as powerful and influential as peoplebelievethey are - much like the genuine world .

Saruman may have the program line of Orc hordes , but Gandalf ’s influence stretch far beyond mobilize Uruk - Hai . Boththe books and filmsillustrate this wizard is beloved and confirm by various raceway , rulers , and prominent figure all across Middle - Earth .

This come in ready to hand while the foe starts plotting their takeover of the lands , as Gandalf utilizes key alliance with the Elves along with Rohan and Gondor . He ’s able to help assemble and arrest together the Fellowship which ultimately defeats Sauron , and require thousands of soldier in battle .

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Saruman: Defeating Gandalf At The Tower Of Orthanc

It ’s tough to argue the merits of a direct one - on - one fighting when it comes to comparing strength . And as it happens , thereissuch a face - off in the former goings ofFellowship .

During a fight of physical and wizardly prowess in the Tower of Orthanc , Saruman at last come out on top , after lash Gandalf around like a ragdoll and securing his staff . Granted , Gandalf is still in his " Grey " chassis at this stage in the saga , but it still help show where these two wizards put up in world power proportional to each other .

NEXT : The Lord of the Rings : 15 Most brawny Races , Ranked

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Lord of the Rings Saruman Gandalf Featured

Gandalf fighting the Balrog

Saruman looks out over his army in Lord of the Rings

Gandalf frees Theoden in Two Towers

Saruman summons a snowstorm in Caradhras

Ian McKellen as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

The Eye of Sauron in Mordor as seen from afar in Lord of the Rings

Frodo and Gandalf ride in a cart in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Saruman using the Palantir in the Lord of the Rings

gandalf with theoden

Brad Dourif as Grima Worntongue in The Lord of the Rings Return of the King

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