Throughout the Marvel Universe, magic has consistently remained a universal force of power that refuses to abide by all known laws of science and can be used by sorcerers, wizards, witches, and other beings. Doctor Strange is just one of those magic users and can call upon the powers of divine entities such as the god-like Vishanti trio and the demon lord Ikthalon through the form of spells.
Although most Marvel fans will be familiar with a handful of Strange's basic spells, his true magical arsenal is almost limitless. From the electrifying Bolts of Balthakk to the deadly Fangs of Farallah, these spells blur the boundaries between the weird, the powerful, and the majestic, showcasing the countless mythical inhabitants of the vast multiverse and proving that Stephen Strange lives up to his name.
The Icy Tendrils Of Ikthalon
Originating from the Boreas Dimension, Ikthalon was a demon lord comprised entirely of ice and, despite not wanting to harness the power of demons, has been called upon by Strange in his most desperate moments. The Icy Tendrils of Ikthalon could allow Strange to conjure extremely cold weather and temperatures, ice-cold winds and snow, and could freeze a target within ice.
This spell first appeared in Doctor Strange (Vol 2) #33 in 1978, where Strange battles against freaky four-armed versions of himself with enhanced abilities, alongside one of his most powerful villains, the Dream Weaver - forcing him to rely on the power of a demon.
The Bolts Of Balthakk
Balthakk was another demon Strange has called upon multiple times in the Marvel Universe, being entirely comprised of pure energy and belonging to the extradimensional mystical beings known as the Principalities.
The spell itself called upon Balthakk's power to summon incredibly powerful offensive electrical bolts, which would electrocute opponents to a crisp, which, despite him not wanting to rely on the abilities of demons, help Strange defend himself in very extreme circumstances.
The Images Of Ikkon
One of Strange's most frequently used spells throughout the comics, the Images of Ikkon seemingly creates multiple duplicates of Strange to confuse and dominate his enemies with ease, and it also holds a variety of different visual-projection-based abilities.
Strange has used this spell in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in Avengers: Infinity War during his battle with Thanos on Titan, proving how powerful and effective it was, as Thanos had to use the power of an infinity stone just to beat the spell and reveal the real Strange.
The Vapours Of Valtorr
Valtorr is another deity whose powers can be summoned by Strange, taking a serpentine form, and originating from the Dark Dimensions, home of some of the Marvel Universe's wildest alternate realities.
First appearing over 60 years ago in Strange Tales #115 in 1963, the Vapours of Valtorr called upon Valtorr's powers to conjure an overwhelming dark mist that not only concealed everything within itself, but also blocked out all sources of light - blinding his enemies and giving Strange a much-needed advantage.
The Crimson Bands Of Cyttorak
The near-indestructible Crimson Bands of Cyttorak can be conjured by Strange after summoning the power of Cyttorak, a war-loving powerful deity who is viewed as both a demon and a god at the same time, blurring the lines between Strange's own moral grounds. The spell itself traps its targets in tons of crimson red bands, preventing any motion or escape.
Despite first appearing in Strange Tales #125 in 1964, the spell recently reappeared during Strange's stand against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, being confirmed by the Russo brothers after many debates amongst Marvel fans. However, the spell was short-lived - as it was immediately ripped apart by the Mad Titan, making the spell relatively forgettable in the grand scheme of the Infinity War.
The Fangs Of Farallah
Another member of the mystic Principalities, Farallah of the Hunt is another extradimensional being whose powers could be summoned by Strange to aid him in battle. Very little is currently known about Farallah's origin, apart from his involvement in the War of the Seven Spheres, where he, alongside members of the Octessence, attempted to force Strange to fight for them.
The Fangs of Farallah is one of the strongest spells Strange can handle, summoning Farallah's mighty jaw to trap opponents and imprison them, making it impossible for them to escape - allowing Strange to catch his breath. Marvel fans first saw the powerful spell being used in Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #1 in 1974, however, Strange calls upon Farallah's powers very rarely - meaning the spell's existence may still be unknown to most fans.
The Moons Of Munnopor
Ruling over the realm of Munnopor, the mystic principality of the same name is one of the most unique entities Strange has called upon throughout Marvel Comics. Appearing in some of the best 1960s Doctor Strange comics, Munnopor has manifested a Triple Goddess - the mother, the bedlam, and the maiden - who all rule over the realm from Munnopor's many moons, passing their knowledge onto travelers.
The Moons of Munnopor is one of the spells Strange can use with Munnopor's power and would be an incredible sight to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Strange can literally conjure Munnopor's moons, which not only help amplify the powers and abilities of previously cast spells, but also banish opponents to wherever he pleases, an incomprehensibly powerful and useful ability for Strange to have.
The Flames Of Faltine
Whilst calling upon the power of the Faltines, a race of extra-dimensional beings born from pure magic and residing in the ancient Faltine realm, Strange can cast a spell known as the Flames of the Faltine. This spell itself is simple but effective, summoning the fire-based powers of the Faltine to conjure a huge ever-lasting flame that Strange can control similar to a flamethrower to overwhelm his enemies.
The Flames of the Faltine were first used in Strange Tales #150 in 1960, where Strange and Yao, a comic version of the Ancient One not in the MCU, used the spell to light candles to travel through different realms to escape the villainous Kaluu and search for the Book of Vishanti, which may only be recognisable to die-hard Marvel Comics fans.
The Seven Suns Of Cinnibus
The Seven Suns of Cinnibus, or the All-Seeing Light, is another simplistic yet effective spell Strange can cast by calling upon the powers of the peaceful dimension Cinnibus' Seven Suns, which never set and constantly burned with the light of wisdom. The spell invokes this power to conjure an overwhelmingly blinding light that uncovers all darkness and can blind Strange's enemies, and has, at some points, been used to heal, and to create cages of light.
Despite first being seen all the way back in Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #34 in 1979, the spell has been used very rarely throughout Marvel Comics, so many Marvel fans may still be unaware of its existence. Similarly to the Crimson Bands of Cyttoak, the spell briefly appeared during Avengers: Infinity War, but was very short-lived.
The Crystals Of Cyndriarr
Potentially Strange's deadliest spell, the Crystals of Cyndriarr summoned the powers of the immortal deity Cyndriarr to unleash a barely-unavoidable wave of death and destruction. The spell conjures a countless and seemingly endless quantity of mystical yellow crystals that fly in a blast which, upon immediate contact, cause the enemy, or anything in its way, to perish instantaneously.
Strange uses this spell incredibly rarely throughout Marvel Comics due to its immeasurable power and destructive capabilities. The spell's first appearance was by the Shadowqueen Shialmar against Strange, rather than by Strange, in Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #44 in 1980 - which Strange and Silver Fox barely escaped from with their lives.