Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Marvel's What If...? episode 9.

Marvel is positioning Doctor Strange to become the MCU’s most powerful superhero after the events What If…?  season 1. This mantle currently belongs to Scarlet Witch, but that doesn’t mean she’ll hold onto it indefinitely. It changed hands once before when Scarlet Witch surpassed Captain Marvel by proving herself in an epic battle against Thanos.

The changing power dynamic may seem unusual, especially as Doctor Strange was previously stated to be weaker than Wanda in an episode of WandaVision. In the show's finale, Scarlet Witch’s power grew to an even greater level, thus solidifying her place at the top of the MCU’s power scale. However, Strange's command of the mystic arts as well as his actions throughout What If...? have elevated him up the pecking order, ensuring his hitherto debated status as the Sorceror Supreme.

Related: What If…? Episode 9 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character

The portrayal of Strange Supreme in Marvel’s What If…?  episode 9 provides further evidence for Benedict Cumberbatch’s MCU character having the potential to be even more powerful in the MCU’s future. In the season finale, the same villainous Doctor Strange who caused the destruction of his own universe in episode 4 was arguably the Guardians of the Multiverse’s most important asset in the battle to stop Ultron. Considering that he began the fight with all six Infinity Stones, the odds were stacked in Ultron’s favor, but the Guardians were able to remain in the fight for several minutes – much to Ultron’s frustration and surprise. Their ability to survive as long as they did is owed in large to part to the impressive protection spells cast by Strange and the other potent attacks unleashed by the character.

Strange Supreme made it abundantly clear that he’s the strongest MCU hero to date and the best that the Guardians of the Multiverse had to offer. He’s in another class to the main timeline’s Strange, since he broke the Masters of the Mystic Arts’ rules and drained powers from magical entities. That being said, him being able to get to this level at all is an indication that the primary version of Strange at least has what it takes to attain such a tremendous amount of power. Of course, it’s unlikely that he’ll go as far as Strange Supreme did to get there, but there may be other ways of making this happen.

Based on what’s been said about Doctor Strange 2, the character reaching new heights in Phase 4 does look like a feasible scenario. It’s already been stated that Doctor Strange will be stronger than ever when he comes back into play. And when taking into consideration that the safety of the multiverse will be at stake in his next MCU appearance, Doctor Strange being equal or near the power level of Strange Supreme in Marvel’s What If…? may become necessary.

More: What If...? Season 1 Ending: MCU Multiverse Future & Season 2 Setup

Key Release Dates