Albus Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard in the world of Harry Potter. It is hard to imagine anyone strong enough to defeat him in a duel. Yet there are some who could. Many of the wizards and witches from the Harry Potter world, though, are too weak to duel Dumbledore. There are, however, a surprising amount of people who are strong enough. We will go into the reasons why we think they'd be able to defeat— or at least be somewhat of a match for— Dumbledore in a duel. As for those who are too weak, we will get into why they couldn't defeat Dumbledore.

In addition to being great at dueling, Dumbledore is a master strategist. So in order to be strong enough to defeat him— or at least give him some trouble— you would need to be a genius, evil or otherwise. In a similar vein, those who are too weak to defeat him are more than likely unintelligent, or at least not as intelligent as Dumbledore himself. In order to defeat Dumbledore, you have to be determined and brave. You have to never give up and keep going no matter what. Because Dumbledore definitely will.

Welcome to: 15 Characters Who Are Strong Enough To Take On Dumbledore (And 10 Way Too Weak).  

25 Strong Enough: Voldemort

Yes, that's right. The Dark Lord himself would be able to take on Dumbledore. Of course, it's rare for that to actually happen in the books or the movies. Since, you know, Voldemort was terrified of Dumbledore. Yet if he wanted to, Voldemort could absolutely defeat Dumbledore in a duel. Voldemort knows his way around a wand. Not only that but he— like Dumbledore— knows about wandlore, which would likely be an advantage in a duel. Voldemort is also an evil genius, who would be able to anticipate Dumbledore's moves before he even made them. There's a reason they stalemate in the fifth book.

24 Way Too Weak: Lucius Malfoy

Especially after spending time in Azkaban, Lucius Malfoy definitely couldn't defeat Dumbledore. Granted, he couldn't do so even at the height of his strength. There are a couple of reasons for this. One reason is that while Lucius Malfoy may be reasonably intelligent, he is no genius. And you need a genius level intellect to defeat Dumbledore or at least be a match for him. Another reason is that Lucius Malfoy is many things, but brave is not one of them. He's a coward who would give up at the first sign that he might be defeated.

23 Strong Enough: Gellert Grindelwald

Gellert Grindelwald is one of the few people to actually duel Dumbledore in the world of Harry Potter. Though he was ultimately defeated, we know he put up a good fight. He and Dumbledore are actually remarkably similar. That's why the two of them got along so well when they were younger. Grindelwald, like Dumbledore, is a genius. An evil genius, mind you, but a genius nevertheless. He, like Dumbledore, is a master strategist. We think the two would be evenly matched and it would take all of Dumbledore's skill to defeat Grindelwald had they ever had the chance to fight again.

22 Way Too Weak: Dolores Umbridge

Dolores Umbridge may have been a formidable foe for Harry and his friends at Hogwarts, but she would be no match for Dumbledore. Though she is capable of some pretty impressive magic, even somehow managing a corporeal Patronus, she is nowhere near Dumbledore's level. She also is not anywhere close to intelligent enough to anticipate Dumbledore's next moves. In addition, she is not brave or determined enough to carry on fighting when things get tough. She would absolutely rather hide behind her authority, or someone else, than engage in a proper duel.

21 Strong Enough: Narcissa Malfoy

Narcissa Malfoy was able to fool the Dark Lord Voldemort himself. Her determination and her bravery are shown by her plan to undermine Voldemort and protect her son, Draco. She was willing to save her family, no matter the cost. That shows that she is more than determined and brave enough to take on Dumbledore. Her plan to protect Draco also shows that she is capable of strategizing, and doing so fairly quickly. After all, she wanted to walk away from the Battle of Hogwarts with her family and that's exactly what she did. She would be able to anticipate Dumbledore's moves with few problems.

20 Way Too Weak: Peter Pettigrew

Though he was sorted into Gryffindor at Hogwarts, Peter Pettigrew is not brave. He was one of the creators of the Marauder's Map and is capable of the advanced magic necessary to become an Animagus, but that is likely due to help from his much more intelligent friends. Pettigrew is cunning, but he's no genius and therefore would not be a match for Dumbledore. Dumbledore could easily defeat and even eliminate him. Pettigrew spent much of his life hiding. Hiding behind his more powerful friends, hiding in his Animagus form, hiding behind Voldemort. The kind of person who would do that is definitely no match for one of the greatest wizards in history, Albus Dumbledore.

19 Strong Enough: Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix was Voldemort's right hand. To gain such a coveted position among Death Eaters, she must have been a powerful and intelligent witch. We wouldn't call her brave exactly, but she is definitely determined. She was loyal to Voldemort until the end, no matter what happened to her. That shows her determination. All of these characteristics would make her a formidable opponent for even Dumbledore. After Voldemort himself, she is probably the most likely on this list to defeat Dumbledore. She would be able to match his skilled wand work and possibly even anticipate his moves.

18 Way Too Weak: Barty Crouch Jr

Barty Crouch Jr. is pretty intelligent, we'll give him that. He was able to pull off impersonating an Auror and delivered Harry to Voldemort. However, he did slip up. He did not always act as the real Alastor (Mad Eye) Moody would have acted. He took Harry out of Dumbledore's sight and for that he paid a price. Dumbledore, of course, realized that something was wrong and came to Harry's rescue. Because of this, we think that Barty Crouch Jr. would not be able to defeat Dumbledore. While both of them have advanced magical ability, Dumbledore would be able to anticipate Crouch Jr.'s moves while he would not be able to anticipate Dumbledore's.

17 Strong Enough: Severus Snape

Severus Snape was a double agent, one of Voldemort's Death Eaters while teaching at Hogwarts and secretly helping Dumbledore. The skill that was necessary for this is intense. Not only did Snape need to be an accomplished Occlumens— meaning he could keep other wizards, or Legilimens, from reading his mind— he needed to be brave and determined. Not to mention the smarts and cunning required. Luckily, Snape had all of that covered. Because of this, we think that Snape would prove a match for Dumbledore.  Fortunately, for Dumbledore, the two were on the same side. As Snape, if he were actually trying, might have a good chance of defeating Dumbledore.

16 Way Too Weak: Draco Malfoy

If it wasn't for his mother and Snape's Unbreakable Vow, Draco likely would not have survived his sixth year at Hogwarts. His attempts at bringing about Dumbledore's demise were all unsuccessful. If it wasn't for Harry, Draco likely wouldn't have survived the Battle of Hogwarts. Draco is often saved by others and ultimately was unable to eliminate or in any way hurt Dumbledore. He needed help from the Death Eaters to do so and, ultimately, Snape dealt the final blow. Because of his lack of bravery and determination, Draco would tire easily in a duel with Dumbledore. Though he is somewhat intelligent and is capable of some impressive magic, he is not a genius and is not on Dumbledore's level, magic-wise. Therefore the Hogwarts Headmaster could easily defeat Draco.

15 Strong Enough: Minerva Mcgonagall

Only the best of the best can teach at Hogwarts. And that definitely applies to Minerva Mcgonagall. Not only is she skilled in Transfiguration and knows her way around a wand, she is also remarkably intelligent. She would definitely be a match for Dumbledore in a duel, able to anticipate his moves before he made them. The two of them would be so evenly matched that it's hard to say who would win. Maybe Dumbledore, but only by a hair. And he would need all of his incredible skill with magic to do so.

14 Way Too Weak: Fenrir Greyback

Though Fenrir Greyback is a fearsome character, he would be no match for Dumbledore. The Hogwarts Headmaster would outsmart him every time. Greyback is primarily  a creature of brute strength, not very clever with a wand or at all, really. Definitely not a genius level intellect with extreme knowledge of magic like Dumbledore. He is not Dumbledore's equal and that's why he couldn't defeat him in a duel. During the Battle of Hogwarts, he is defeated in a duel by Hermione, showing that he does not have any extraordinary magical ability. And that is a requirement to defeat— or at least slow down— Dumbledore.

13 Strong Enough: Kingsley Shacklebolt

Kingsley Shacklebolt is a powerful wizard. He is a member of the Order of the Phoenix, regularly fighting Voldemort and the Death Eaters capably. In addition, Shacklebolt is an Auror, a member of an elite force of wizards that act sort of as wizard police, fighting Dark wizards. Dueling is what he does, basically. Therefore, he definitely knows how to skillfully use a wand. In addition to that, being an Auror requires a kind of intelligence. Dare we say genius? Kingsley Shacklebolt is definitely a match for Dumbledore both in dueling skills and in genius level intellect.

12 Way Too Weak: Rubeus Hagrid

Ah, Hagrid. You've got to love him. He is Harry's first introduction to the wizarding world and is a caring and loyal friend through it all. He's definitely brave, there's no question of that. However, he is not skilled enough with magic or intelligent enough to take on Dumbledore. Dueling Dumbledore requires skill with a wand and a genius level intellect, neither of which Hagrid possesses. Luckily, the beloved half-giant doesn't have to worry. He and Dumbledore are on the same side and therefore wouldn't be likely to duel.

11 Strong Enough: Hermione Granger

Brave? Check. Determined? Check. Genius level intellect? Check. Skill with a wand? Check. Hermione is the perfect match for Dumbledore, duel-wise. Luckily for both of them, they wouldn't be likely to duel. Since they're on the same side they would fight alongside each other, not against each other. However, we just know that Hermione would be able to anticipate Dumbledore's moves before he made them. And that's saying a lot. Hermione also showed herself capable of advanced magic at a young age. We are sure adult Hermione would be even more capable.

10 Way Too Weak: Cornelius Fudge

Though he was Minister of Magic for a time, he was not a very powerful wizard. In fact, his incompetence led to Voldemort regaining power. He was so insistent that the Dark Lord was not back that he ignored all of the evidence that he was. Brave and determined, he is not. Genius level intellect? Definitely not. Master of strategy? No way. Dumbledore would defeat Fudge easily. Luckily for Fudge, it never came to a duel between them. Instead, Dumbledore offered Fudge proof that Voldemort was indeed back. So there was no need for dueling.

9 Strong Enough: Dobby

Yes, you read that correctly. Dobby. Why not? He's definitely brave and determined and has shown himself capable beyond what many wizards thought he could do. He saved Harry's life multiple times. He was able to apparate in places where even certain wizards couldn't, showing an extraordinary talent for magic. As far as genius level intellect goes, we're not so sure, but Dobby definitely has the qualities that would lead to him defeating— or at least causing trouble for— Dumbledore. Luckily, Dobby and Dumbledore are on the same side so they wouldn't need to duel.

8 Way Too Weak: Rufus Scrimgeour

Yes, another Minister of Magic is on this list. Though he succeeded Cornelius Fudge, he wasn't much better than his predecessor. He was not as incompetent, though he was somewhat colder. He was once head of the Aurors which does require some intelligence, but he might not be a genius or a master strategist like Dumbledore. Scrimgeour is somewhat brave and kind of determined, but not enough to make a difference against Dumbledore. Luckily, for Scrimgeour, Dumbledore would be too kind to duel him. Though we have to say, Dumbledore would definitely win.

7 Strong Enough: Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody

Moody was a well known Auror, and as is mentioned before, being an Auror requires a high level of intelligence. Perhaps even genius? In Moody's case, it's definitely genius. Being an Auror also means he is skilled at dueling. Therefore he would be a good opponent for Dumbledore. He is also skilled at non-verbal magic which is quite difficult. That shows off his extraordinary abilities with magic, which one would need to duel Dumbledore. Moody is also definitely brave and determined and would not give up in a fight. In fact, it took Voldemort himself to eliminate Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. And that shows that he would be a formidable opponent for any wizard.

6 Way Too Weak: Sirius Black

Yes, Sirius Black was intelligent. He was one of the creators of the Marauder's Map, after all. He was capable of the advanced magic possible to become an Animagus. He was brave and determined. Yet, he still wouldn't be much of an opponent for Dumbledore. Why? Well, Sirius was eliminated by Bellatrix Lestrange. She is, as is mentioned before, strong enough to defeat— or at least evenly match with— Dumbledore. If she was able to defeat Sirius, then Dumbledore would also do so easily. Luckily, for Sirius, he and Dumbledore are on the same side and therefore wouldn't need to duel.