Hey everyone!
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In this video, we’re going to be
covering the top 8 most POWERFUL offensive spells in the harry potter universe. We won’t
be covering defensive or protective spells like sacrificial protection, salvio hexia,
or the patronus charm- we’re going to be honing in on the spells that a witch or wizard
might use in in an effort to deal MAXIMUM damage.
Comparing spells can sometimes be difficult- particularly in the case of offensive spells
because we haven’t actually seen many of them used against each other. Additionally,
the properties of individual spells are usually very unique, and if they were all more or
less the same then it would basically negate the requirement for more spells. With all
of that in mind- bear with me in this video as I attempt to rank the top 8 most powerful
offensive spells. This list is just reflective of my opinion, but I will try my best to rationalize
the choices that I’ve made on this list. If you agree with my list-great! But I also
implore you all to come up with your own lists. If you come up with your own, comment it down
below.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
8. Bombarda Maxima
Bombarda maxima is the most powerful version of the exploding charm, bombarda. The primary
function of bombarda was to blast open sealed doors or to blow bars off of windows- while
bombarda maxima allowed for witches and wizards to do this on a much more exaggerated scale.
Unlike the tiny explosions caused by bombarda, bombarda maxima provoked large, violent explosions
capable of demolishing entire walls. Umbridge notably uses bombarda maxima in the films
to break in to the room of requirement. Bombarda is often confused with the blasting curse,
Confringo, which is used to achieve a similar outcome - causing the targeted object of the
curse to explode. Though we don’t see Bombarda used a whole lot in the flms, I think that
it would be silly to ignore it’s inherent destructive potential. It’s a spell that
blows things up..on a large scale! I think #8 is fair. I should also note that bombarda
ONLY appears in the films.
7. Crucio Crucio, aka the Cruciatus curse, aka the torture
curse, is one of the three unforgivable curses, and is widely regarded as one of the most
sinister spells in the entire wizarding world. It causes the victim to experience excruciating
pain, pain beyond what they could otherwise possibly conceive. The name comes from the
latin words for “pain” and “torture” and alludes to the adjective ‘excruciating’
which is a descriptor of its effects. The cruciatus curse was freely used until 1717,
when it was named as one of the unforgivable curses. Using the curse after 1717 would get
you sent straight to Azkaban. Known proponents of the cruciatus curse include Bellatrix Lestrange,
Barty crouch Jr, and Lord Voldemort. It was most notably used by Lestrange on Frank & Alice
Longbottom, driving them into complete insanity. Casting Crucio is said to require a wand and
incantation, and its effects are said to vary depending on the casters desires and emotions.
To produce the excruciating pain implied by the name, the caster must despise the victim
and enjoy causing pain. Harry Potter, after crucio was cast on him, described it as feeling
like’ his head was being split open’ while ‘having his bones set on fire’. While
crucio causes immense suffering, it has been expressed that the spell can’t actually
kill you, it can only stimulate the pain receptors in the body, and for this reason Crucio is
not higher on the list.
6. Sectumsempra
Snape’s very own spell, Sectumsempra. We first see Sectumsempra in the films when Harry
uses it on Malfoy in the half blood prince. Sectumsempra is a vicious dark curse that
acts like an invisible sword, causing lacerations, haemorrhaging and cuts upon it’s target.
Often after being struck the target will lay there motionless as they lose blood. It is
somewhat of a speciality of snapes, and is featured in his textbook for advanced potion-making.
The only treatment for sectumsempra is ‘Vulnera Sanentur’ which was also invented by Snape.
What’s so dangerous about Sectumsempra is that it was seemingly easy for Harry to cast,
but still nearly killed Draco Malfoy the first time that Harry Potter used it. While the
unforgivable curses require intent and an understanding of the spells to effectively
cast them, Sectumsempra seemingly doesn’t require this same level of intent or deep
understanding- but still produces the same lethal results. Sectumsempra WOULD be higher
up on the list, but we’re not actually fully aware of just how lethal sectumsempra is..Was
Harry’s casting on Draco just a fluke? Either way, I’ve seen enough of it in action to
place it on this list.
5. Tempest Jinx In one scene in Fantastic Beasts, we see (who
we think) is Grindelwald locked up in an incarceration carriage being escorted by various aurors.
The man locked up in the carriage is actually a transfigured abernathy. It is during this
scene that Grindelwald casts the ‘Tempest Jinx’. The tempest jinx is an atmospheric
jinx that causes bolts of lightning to emerge from the clouds, striking his targets. This
is an incredibly powerful spell and just another example of Grindelwald’s elemental mastery.
The follow excerpt describes the powerful effects of the spell when Grindelwald uses
it on multiple aurors:
"Still driving the carriage, Grindelwald swirls his wand in the air toward the surrounding
storm clouds. One by one, forks of lightning strike the broomstick riders, knocking each
in turn from the sky."
While we don’t know a lot about this spell- casting it clearly displays elemental mastery,
which is the calling card of a truly powerful witch or wizard. Grindelwald uses it to EASILY
get rid of multiple aurors, and if he’s summoning lightning from the sky then I’m
willing to bet that it could do some damage.
4. Avada Kedavra Avada Kedavra aka the killing curse is a favourite
of many dark witches and wizards and is one of the three unforgivable curses (perhaps
the worst). Avada kedavra’s purpose is simple, it causes the victim to instantly die. If
you want to kill your victim, then this is the spell to use. Lord voldemort is a known
proponent of the spell, which creates a blindingly intense green bolt of light right before the
victim simply drops dead. There are two theories for how they die, the first claiming that
the victims internal organs cease to function after being struck, and the second claiming
that the soul of the victim is magically ripped from their body. The only known counter-spell
to avada kedavra is sacrificial protection, which was most notably used by Lily Potter
and uses the power of love. The name “Avada Kedavra’ comes from the word ‘abracadabra’
which means ‘let the thing be destroyed’. Avada Kedavra is used very often in the books/films
- most notably by Voldemort on Harry Potter’s parents and by Snape on Dumbledore. Though
there is no way to block avada kedavra effectively, you CAN move objects in the way of the green
jet of light that it produces. Avada Kedavra IS powerful, but it’s really not that special,
and I think that if you want to cause damage on a larger scale, there are some better options,
that’s why I’ve placed it at #4.
3. Firestorm
Let me briefly introduce this one with an excerpt from the book:
"But then, through the darkness, fire erupted: crimson and gold, a ring of fire that surrounded
the rock so that the Inferi holding Harry so tightly stumbled and faltered... Dumbledore
was on his feet again, pale as any of the surrounding Inferi, but taller than any, too,
the fire dancing in his eyes; his wand was raised like a torch and from its tip emanated
the flames, like a vast lasso, encircling them all with warmth."
Firestorm, otherwise known as ‘lasso of flames’ is an incantation that produces
a large ring of fire from the casters wand. When the caster moves, the ring of fire moves
with them which will effectively ward off anyone trying to hurt them. While this may
seem like a defensive spell at first, firestorm also has offensive capabilities, and the caster
also holds the ability to shoot individual jets or balls of flames at nearby enemies.
This ability pairs well with partis temporus which allows a gap in the flames for the caster
to safely pass through. Dumbledore used this spell to ward off the masses of inferi who
were guarding the horcrux. Even in his weakened state this spell proved to be MORE than enough
to serve its purpose. Because of this massively powerful spells ability address a large number
of enemies, I think that it deserves this placing on the list.
2. Fiendfyre
Let me start with an excerpt outlining the effects of Fiendfyre:
"It was not normal fire; Crabbe had used a curse of which Harry had no knowledge: As
they turned a corner the flames chased them as though they were alive, sentient, intent
upon killing them. Now the fire was mutating, forming a gigantic pack of fiery beasts: Flaming
serpents, chimaeras, and dragons rose and fell and rose again, and the detritus of centuries
on which they were feeding was thrown up in the air into their fanged mouths, tossed high
on clawed feet, before being consumed by the inferno."
Fiendfyre is one of THE most powerful spells in Harry Potter, period. Voldemort is a known
proponent of the spell, and he can be seen using it against Dumbledore in their epic
duel in the ministry atrium. Fiendfyre produces enchanted flames of an enormous scale that
essentially destroy anything in its path, often taking the form of gigantic fiery beasts.
True to Voldemorts affinity for snakes, Voldemort’s own fiendfyre takes the shape of a gigantic
fiery serpent. Fiendfyre is extremely advanced dark magic, and is also one of only a few
known ways to destroy a horcrux.
The following excerpt from the book further outlines how dangerous Fiendfyre really is:
“Fiendfyre — cursed fire — it’s one of the substances that destroy Horcruxes,
but I would never, ever had dared use it, it’s too dangerous.”
1. Protego Diabolica
Here it is, the most powerful offensive spell: Protego Diabolica. But wait, isn’t Protego
a..defensive spell? Traditionally, yes, but the version of protego that we see in the
crimes of grindelwald, protego diabolica, has clear offensive capabilities. Protego
diabolica is potentially the most powerful spell any of us have witnessed across all
Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. It even makes fiendfyre look weak in comparison.
We first see Gellert Grindelwald use protego diabolica in the Lestrange mausoleum. Protego
diabolica is a dark spell that creates a ring of protective black fire around the target.
Anyone who is an enemy of the caster will be instantly incinerated when they try to
enter the circle. However, allies should be fine to enter it unharmed - though I’m not
sure that I’d want to test it. In addition to its obvious defensive capabilities, the
possibilities of this spell seem endless, as we also see Grindelwald controlling the
spell like a weapon, extending tendrils of black flames towards his enemies. With these
tendrils, Grindelwald was able to prevent aurors from escaping the mausoleum via apparition.
The spell eventually escalates in to what can only be described as a fiery winged-demon,
similar to fiendfyre. It’s mentioned that if the spell hadn’t been stopped by the
combined efforts of the protagonists, that it would have destroyed all of Paris. A single
spell that can destroy an entire city? This definitely outclasses avada kedavra by a little
bit.
And that’s it for this video, I hope you enjoyed it! Leave your own top 8 lists down
in the comment section below. Until next time, YER A WIZARD ARRY.