Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness brims with variants of powerful Marvel characters. They include some of the most powerful superheroes in Marvel Comics, introducing and reprising in some cases characters from earlier movies and shows like the X-Men and Fantastic Four. Some variants display more power than others, and one in particular arguably ranks as the most powerful character in the MCU.
The debate over the most powerful variants in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness manifests in the biggest and bloodiest MCU battle yet. The Scarlet Witch takes on the Illuminati council in an all-or-nothing display of her extraordinary power, settling the debate for many about where she ranks among other Avengers.
Baron Mordo
Baron Mordo reigns as the Sorcerer Supreme in Earth-838 after the death of Doctor Strange. Though he exhibits enough power to sit on the Illuminati council, he doesn't display the degree of sorcery that fans might expect, making it hard to gauge his power.
This Mordo likely possesses much more knowledge of the multiverse and mystical power than his 616 counterpart, though. Mordo ranks among Doctor Strange's most powerful villains in Marvel Comics and it seems this trend continues throughout the MCU multiverse.
Captain Carter
Captain Carter displays all the superhuman strength, agility, and endurance that her What If..? version does. With her vibranium shield and advanced jetpack, she proved a powerful member of the Illuminati — at least until Wanda Maximoff showed up.
The Scarlet Witch brutally dispatches Captain Carter with her own shield, proving Wanda's magic far exceeds Peggy's peak human power. Even so, Earth-838 Captain Carter still counts among the most important versions of Captain America.
Reed Richards
Reed Richards brings extraordinary intellect to his role as the founder of the Baxter Foundation and the Fantastic Four. His ability to stretch his body allows him physical dexterity that few can compete with. He also approaches problems with thought and care.
Unfortunately, none of those attributes deterred the Scarlet Witch in the movie. She used her magic to stretch out Reed Richards and ultimately kill him in a horrific moment that proved a shocking end to the MCU debut of a massive Marvel Comics icon.
Professor X
Professor X possesses the greatest telepathic mind in the comics, using his gift to find other mutants and help them. He uses his power to try to help Wanda and succeeds in reaching a deep and painful part of Wanda's memory. Unfortunately, it's not enough.
Wanda breaks Professor X's neck in a shocking moment. His power to shield his mind proves useless against her raw magical power. Professor X tried to similarly reason with Wanda in House of M but also failed to dissuade her in that landmark comic storyline.
Black Bolt
Black Bolt stands among the most powerful Inhumans in Marvel Comics and that power extends to the Earth-838 variant. This Black Bolt destroyed the Supreme Strange of his universe with his voice, amplified by the tuning fork on his forehead.
His power creates massive destructive sonic blasts but he never gets the chance to use it against the Scarlet Witch. She magically erases his mouth and his scream erupts inside his mouth and head in the movie's most shocking moment.
Captain Marvel
The Earth-838 Captain Marvel shares all the cosmic power of the 616 version. She generates massive cosmic blasts and shields, allowing her to stay in the fight against the Scarlet Witch longer than her Illuminati counterparts.
Her ability to fly and crash through objects fails to make a difference though when Wanda simply rips away Captain Marvel's power. Still, Maria Rambeau exhibits enough power to make her a powerful version of Captain Marvel.
Supreme Strange
Many Doctor Strange variants exist in the movie. Perhaps the most powerful used the Darkhold to defeat Thanos before the Mad Titan could complete the Infinity Gauntlet. The Supreme Strange from Earth-838 possessed extraordinary magical knowledge and power.
He also realized the true threat of his own power. This led the Illuminati council to kill him. Black Bolt used his sonic power to destroy him, and the council then lied and said he died in battle saving the universe from Thanos.
Sinister Strange
The Sinister Strange variant also explored the dark potential of the Darkhold. His knowledge and power led to him opening a third eye. This power in the comics stems from the Eye of Agamotto and grants him amazing magical insight.
He resided in a universe collapsing similar to the What If..? Doctor Strange, and may have been able to arrest some of the disintegrations of his reality. He proved less powerful than the Earth-616 Doctor Strange, though, and died by falling out a window.
Undead Strange
The Undead Strange combines the mystical power of Defender Strange, the variant from the beginning of the movie with Earth-616 Strange's embrace of the Darkhold. He reanimates from the dead and also takes control of the spirits of the dead.
He unleashes the power of the Darkhold against Wanda's demonic minions, but his true power comes in his ability to convince America Chavez of her own power and potential. He lets go of his need to be the hero and achieves real enlightenment.
Wanda-838
Earth-838's Wanda Maximoff becomes the avatar of the 616 Scarlet Witch and destroys the entire Illuminati council one by one. She defeats the cosmic power of Captain Marvel, the intellect of Reed Richards, and the telepathic ability of Professor X.
In the end, this variant proves the most powerful in the movie by approaching the Scarlet Witch with empathy and compassion, two things that the Earth-616 never allowed herself. Her love and concern for herself exceed any of 616 Wanda's anger or power.