Scarlet Witch vs. Doctor Strange: Who Would Win in an MCU Battle?

In the expansive and ever-evolving world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), two powerful mystical beings stand out: Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch. Both characters wield immense power and magic, yet they use fundamentally different forms of magic. While Doctor Strange relies on eldritch magic, Scarlet Witch harnesses chaos magic, often depicted as the most powerful in the entire MCU. This article explores the potential matchup between these formidable characters, delving into both their abilities and the insights provided by the series What If... and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Background on Doctor Strange

Doctor Stephen Strange is an expert in eldritch magic, a form of magic that involves ancient and arcane knowledge. His prowess in sorcery is attributed to his intelligence, high IQ, and exceptional learning ability. However, despite his impressive magical skills, Doctor Strange has admitted that he cannot defeat Scarlet Witch. In the end credits scene of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Strange acknowledges:

Sydellen, there's no way I fight Wanda.

Background on Scarlet Witch

Scarlet Witch, or Wanda Maximoff, uses chaos magic, a power described as the most powerful in the MCU. She has access to the Darkhold, a tome containing dangerous and darker spells. Her potential is immense, and she possesses the ability to spontaneously create reality-altering phenomena. In the final episode of Wandavision, it is revealed that Wanda's power is so great that her knowledge of the Darkhold could potentially destroy the world.

Agatha Harkness, a powerful witch, explicitly states that Wanda's power exceeds even that of Sorcerer Supreme, which is Doctor Strange in most MCU universes. However, this position is not universal across all MCU timelines, as Doctor Strange is portrayed as the Sorcerer Supreme in the primary 616 universe.

Key Insights from the Shows

Several key moments and insights from the shows support the assertion that Scarlet Witch is the superior fighter in a hypothetical battle against Doctor Strange:

Power of Spontaneous Creation: Wanda is capable of spontaneous creation, allowing her to manipulate reality with ease. This was evident when she effortlessly created and controlled entire realities in Wandavision. Knowledge from the Darkhold: Agatha Harkness mentions in the finale of Wandavision that Wanda's knowledge of the Darkhold is so profound that it could potentially destroy the world, which is a clear indication of her immense power. Exceeding Sorcerer Supreme Power: Agatha explicitly states that Wanda's power surpasses that of the Sorcerer Supreme, implying that her strength is greater than that of Doctor Strange in nearly every universe. Doctor Strange's Own Acknowledgment: The scene in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness where Doctor Strange concedes defeat to Wanda emphasizes the latter's dominance in magical prowess.

While Doctor Strange may have the advantage of intelligence and a vast knowledge of magical spells, his eldritch magic is not enough to counter Scarlet Witch's chaos magic, which is portrayed as more unpredictable and dynamic.

Conclusion

Based on the portrayals in What If... and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it is evident that Scarlet Witch would prevail in a hypothetical fight against Doctor Strange. Her power, combined with the chaotic and spontaneous nature of her magic, makes her the more formidable opponent.

Nevertheless, the relationship between these two powerful entities in the MCU is not a static one. As the universe continues to expand and new characters and elements are introduced, the dynamics between Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch may evolve. Only time will tell if this assessment holds true or if new developments in future MCU projects might change the landscape.

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