In a fresh take on Tolkien’s legendarium, an analysis has ranked the five Istari Wizards—from the obscure Blue Wizard Pallando to the legendary Gandalf—based on the author’s writings and their deeds in Middle‑earth. The study, drawing on Tolkien’s letters and unpublished notes, argues that Pallando and Alatar are the weakest, followed by Radagast, Saruman , and finally Gandalf as the most powerful and effective.

Pallando and Alatar: The Enigmatic Blue Wizards

According to the analysis , Pallando, also known as Palacendo or Romestamo, was the weakest of the Istari. tolkien wrote very little about him, noting only that he was sent to the East and South of Middle‑earth to rally the Haradrim and Easterlings against Sauron. his mission failed, and his ultimate fate remains unknown, a point the article stresses as a key reason for his low ranking.

Alatar, Pallando’s compainon, is described as slightly stronger but still among the weakest. He was one of the original three wizards chosen for Middle‑earth, a pupil of the Vala Orome, and carried the names Haimenar and Morinehtar. No details survive of his actions, leaving both Blue Wizards as largely speculative figures in Tolkien’s mythos.

Radagast the Brown: Nature’s Whisperer

The ranking places Radagast the Brown next, noting that while he was not as powerful as Saruman or Gandalf,his affinity for beasts and birds earned him the title of the Wizard of the Wild. the article cites Tolkien’s own description of Radagast’s role in alerting Gandalf to the Nazgûl’s movements as evidence of his usefulness, despite his limited magical prowess.

Saruman the White: Pride’s Price

Saruman is described as once the most powerful of the Istari, with a mesmerizing voice, control over weather,and the ability to create devices like the palantír. The analysis points out that his ambition to claim the One Ring led to his downfall, reducing his effectiveness and ranking him below Gandalf in overall impact.

Gandalf the Grey/White: The Ultimate Fulcrum

Gandalf is presented as the strongest and wisest of the Istari. The article highlights his pivotal role in defeating Sauron, from confronting the Balrog in Moria to leading the defense of Helm’s Deep. Tolkien’s own writings, including the Ring of Fire and Narya, are cited to justify Gandalf’s top placement.

Unanswered Questions About the Blue Wizards

While the analysis is thorough , it leaves several specific questions unanswered: What exactly happened to Pallando after the War of the Ring? Did Alatar ever encounter any dark forces, as his name Morinehtar suggests? And why did Tolkien choose to omit their stories entirely? These gaps remain a mystery, underscoring the limits of the source material.