Hey everyone!
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In this video, we’re going to be
covering the 5 most POWERFUL defensive spells in the Harry Potter universe. I made a video
covering the 8 most powerful OFFENSIVE spells months ago, so I figured it made sense to
do the same thing for spells on the other side of the spectrum.
Let me reiterate, this list will not include any offensive spells like avada kedavra, fiendfyre
etc. Purely defensive magic will be featured- and these spells will be ranked in terms of
MAXIMUM defensive capability and usefulness.
Comparing spells can sometimes be difficult- particularly as in Harry Potter we haven’t
actually been able to witness first-hand the effects of defensive spells against various
offensive spells. Additionally, the properties of individual
spells are usually very unique, and these differences make them hard to compare. Where
one spell might be extremely powerful in one circumstance, it might be useless in another,
but I’ll try my best to consider this when I’m ranking them. The list will feature
both defensive spells that one might use in a combat scenario, as well as more protection-based
spells that one might cast in order ward off an imminent threat. I’m not going to include
spells like the disillusionment charm or the fidelius charm, as that just avoids combat
altogether- that’s not what I’m going for.
Additionally, this list reflects my OWN opinion- these rankings are not set in stone and I’d
love to hear what YOUR top 5 defensive spells would look like. If you come up with your
own, then comment it down below, and if you agree with mine- then let me know!
5. Impedimenta AKA The Impediment Jinx
"Swift use of this jinx can freeze an attacker for a few moments, or stop a magical beast
in its tracks. The jinx is a vital part of any duellist’s arsenal."
That quote is from Miranda Goshawk’s ‘Book of Spells’, an essential component of the
Hogwart’s student curriculum- and it couldn’t be more right, Impedimenta is truly a MUST
have for a combat-prone witch or wizard. The Impediment Jinx is used to slow or stop a
target in its tracks, which can provide any witch or wizard with extra time to consider
their options in a combat scenario. Hermione openly expressed her appreciation for the
spell:
"I like the look of this one, this Impediment Jinx. Should slow down anything that’s trying
to attack you, Harry. We’ll start with that one."
And Harry, upon learning it, ends up using it a ton of times. The spells show up numerous
times in the Triwizard tournament, battle of the seven potters, battle of the astronomy
tower, battle of the department of mysteries, the little hangleton graveyard and more. The
spell is truly vital, and with Death Eaters chasing you, I’m sure you wouldn’t pass
up an opportunity to slow them down.
4. Fianto Duri & Repello Inimicum
I know what you’re thinking, that’s two spells, but hear me out. Fianto Duri & Repello
Inimicum go hand in hand, and are often paired together. They go like spaghetti and meatballs-
like butter and popcorn- they are a package deal. In the films, both spells are cast by
Flitwick, Slughorn and Molly Weasley when setting up protective enchantments around
Hogwarts. These protective enchantments were set up in advance of the Battle of Hogwarts,
and given what was on the line- the lives of students and the protection of the school-
I’m willing to bet that these spells are nothing to scoff at. These spells, which were
also paired with Protego Maxima, set up a protective shield around the perimeter of
the school that stopped any unwanted visitors from getting in. The shield produces a blue-ish
white light, and disintegrates any unwanted visitors on the spot if they come in to physical
contact with it. Spells that hit the shield produce large resonating explosions, but,
unless they are extremely powerful, won’t be able to break through. In Harry Potter,
countless death eaters and snatchers were bested by this shield, and it was not until
Lord voldemort came along that the shield was eventually taken down. The apparent effort
exhausted by Voldemort in an effort to take the shield down is a testament to its power
and durability.
3. Expelliarmus
Coming in at #3 on the list is Expelliarmus. Okay, I know what you’re thinking -expelliarmus?
Isn’t that just a disarming charm that’s taught to members of the duelling club at
Hogwarts? The answer to that is yes, however, it’s also the spell that Harry uses to defeat
Lord Voldemort. The name expelliarmus comes from the latin
words “expellere” which means “to drive away” and “arma” which means “weaponry”.
Expelliarmus was taught to students in the ‘duelling club’ in the great hall as well
as in the room of requirement, where Harry taught it to members of Dumbledore’s army.
Harry, who frequented the spell, was a strong proponent of its efficacy.. Expelliarmus is
traditionally used to disarm your opponent and strip them of their wand. It’s used
extensively in duels, but can actually send an opponent flying through the air if the
casting is particularly powerful. So while it is easy to learn, it is exceptionally useful,
and is one of the main reasons that Lord Voldemort was defeated. When Voldemort cast Avada Kedavra
on Harry in the battle of hogwarts, Harry responded with expelliarmus, which then sent
Voldemort’s Avada kedavra back at him by the elder wands recognition that Harry was
its true master. Harry’s defeat of Voldemort using Expelliarmus WAS largely circumstantial,
but Expelliarmus still had a valuable part to play. So while it’s not the most complicated,
Expelliarmus did prove to be one of the most significant spells in the series.
2. Expecto Patronum
"This ancient and mysterious charm conjures a magical guardian, a projection of all your
most positive feelings. The Patronus Charm is difficult, and many witches and wizards
are unable to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, a guardian which generally takes the shape
of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity. You may suspect, but you will never
truly know what form your Patronus will take until you succeed in conjuring it."
Coming in at #2 on the list is Expecto Patronum. Expecto Patronum, otherwise known as a patronus
charm, is used to create a protective shield around a wizard or witch. A patronus charm
is produced when a witch or wizard casts the spell Expecto Patronum- and it should be noted
that there are two types of patronus charms, corporeal and incorporeal. The more basic
form of the spell is the incorporeal patronus, which assumes no animal form and simply resembles
a burst of white vapour or smoke, and the more advanced form of the spell is the conjuring
of a corporeal patronus.
The ability to successfully cast a corporeal patronus is considered a very impressive feat
in the wizarding community, and casting it is generally the sign of a powerful witch
or wizard. The patronus evokes a positive energy force considered to be the ‘spirit
guardian’ of the caster, and the reason that it ranks so high on this list is because
it is the ONLY known defence against both Dementors and Lethifolds. Given how many run-ins
Harry, and other witches and wizards from the series, have with dementors, I think that
this spell is basically essential.
1. Protego (In all of it’s forms)
Topping the list of defensive spells today is none other than Protego. For me, Protego
makes the top of this list by a mile, and that’s because there are so many different
versions of protego, which in its most basic form is known as the shield charm. Protego
(regular) is a defensive ability that any witch or wizard should possess in their magical
arsenal. It blocks physical entities, reflects spells, and even rebounds conjurations back
towards the caster. It’s a great well-rounded defensive ability- but one thing that shouldn’t
be overlooked, is that there are 6 different variations of this powerful spell, and each
version becomes incrementally stronger than the last. However, one thing that should be
noted is the transition from an on-demand combat based spell, to more of a protective
enchantment type spell.
Starting with the Regular Protego, it goes Protego Duo, Protego Totalum, Protego Maxima,
Protego Horribilis, and finally Protego Diabolica.
Protego Duo is just a slightly more advanced form of the regular Protego, Protego Totalum
is where things start to pivot towards more of a protective shield type spell, Protego
Maxima is a more powerful version of Protego Totalum, Protego Horribilis is the MOST powerful
of the traditional protective shield formats, and Protego Diabolica is a whole other animal.
Ever heard the adage "The best defense is a good offense"? Well, Protego Diabolica is
unimaginably strong in both offensive and defensive settings. It’s possibly the most
powerful spell across both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, and we first see it the
Crimes of Grindelwald when Gellert Grindelwald casts it inside the Lestrange mausoleum.
The spell creates a ring of protective black fire around the target, and anyone who is
an enemy of the caster will be instantly incinerated when they try to enter the circle. The shield
can also be controlled like a weapon, and the caster has the capacity to extend tendrils
of black flames towards enemies. Anyone struck by one of these tendrils will suffer the same
fate as someone trying to enter the circle, and if that isn’t enough already, the spell
eventually escalates in to what can only be described as a fiery-winged demon with the
capacity to destroy entire cities. Though the spell eventually turns in to what
could certainly be described as an offensive ability, it’s still a defensive spell at
its roots.
And that’s it for this list! What do you guys think? Do you agree with some of these
decisions? What would YOUR top 5 look like? Let me know down in the comment section below.
Until next time
YER A WIZARD ARRY