Power Rankings - Cosmere

[Riino He/Him]

3 hours ago, Skylano said:

This specifically is why I have Taln at #1

I'm not doubting that at all; I'm just talking more about herald match-ups and their interesting powers.

 

3 hours ago, Skylano said:

During the end of Well of Ascension during the fight against the Koloss he uses up several years worth of strength to hold for a few hours, so I think that anything specifically on hand isn't quite enough to get him super high on the list.

Agreed here, when first reading this section I honestly though that he would be able to hold more against the Koloss than he did. 

3 hours ago, Skylano said:

I think I might add him and Miles too because Miles as a compounder is just incredibly hard to beat without any kind of aluminum.

The issue with Miles is that you don't have to kill him in combat, just restrict him, then guillotine him because the blade is too wide to heal around. So in combat, yes, just as Wax found, he is too difficult to kill, but restricting him is another method, or trapping him until he runs out of gold.

[Nitpicking]

On 4/28/2025 at 9:58 AM, Skylano said:

I also forgot about that lol

So probably put him a bit higher if he can find a way to maneuver around his Torment (especially since we don't know exactly what it is) and the fact that he's a Mistborn, Surgebinder, and a couple of others. Definitely above Yumi in that case since she's already a Cognitive Shadow. Also probably the Blackthorn, Szeth, and Elantrians but only because he is an Elantrian himself.

14. The Blackthorn (with current knowledge)

You mean the Blackthorn spren? If so, where is Dalinar on your list?

9 hours ago, Skylano said:

I think I might add him and Miles too because Miles as a compounder is just incredibly hard to beat without any kind of aluminum.

Give me a little prep time and a team, and I could kill Miles (if he doesn't have his criminal army) quite easily.

1. Use explosives and/or artillery to deprive Miles of his guns and other tools.
2. Five strong people--not even pewterarms, just strong fighters--grab Miles and chain his legs to big weights.
3. Throw him in a pond that's at least 3 meters deep. (Short chains, obviously.)
4. Don't bring him back up until his body visibly rots.

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

13 hours ago, Riino said:

Ok yeah, probs by pure skill of the sword and unassisted physical strength. But I feel that Nale would match up pretty well, especially with the powers we saw in his fight vs. Szeth in the Temple (I can't remember which one, though). Nale's strength and speed were remarked to be incredible even by Kaladin, and Nale wasn't at full strength. But as their power currently stands, Nale would beat Taln, but at full strength, probs not. But I think that would be a great fight to see nonetheless. 

The powers that Nale demonstrated I'm pretty sure are common to all Heralds. I think that Taln would definitely beat Nale in a fight, but Nale wouldn't be a pushover. 

[Riino He/Him]

33 minutes ago, epl2 said:

I think that Taln would definitely beat Nale in a fight, but Nale wouldn't be a pushover. 

I was thinking along the same lines. This would imply that Taln is either better by pure swordsmanship or has some external source of power we don't yet know about. But likely, he was just the better soldier before he was appointed a herald.

[Skylano]

14 hours ago, Nitpicking said:

You mean the Blackthorn spren? If so, where is Dalinar on your list?

Honestly I forgot Dalinar, but with what he did at Thaylen Field I think he is strong, but mostly as a way to assist other Radiants. In a 2v2 with a Dustbringer or Stoneward that much Stormlight has crazy potential. I just don't think that in one on one combat that Dalinar would be as strong as he was, even as a Radiant, outside of being able to heal continuously from the Stormlight. So yes maybe above the Blackthorn but I think that Szeth would still be able to win any single combat between them.

14 hours ago, Nitpicking said:

Give me a little prep time and a team, and I could kill Miles (if he doesn't have his criminal army) quite easily.

The other thing is that the vast majority of people don't know what Miles is doing if they aren't a Ferring or Misting, so making a plan like that would be out of the question for most Surgebinders. Also since it's mostly single combat I think he'd outlast a good number of people on the list.

1. Taln

2. Nightblood

3. Ishar

4. Rashek

5. Susebron

6. Nale

7. Herald Kaladin

8. Final Empire Kelsier

9. Vin

10. Hoid

11. Elantrians

12. Elend Venture

13. Zahel

14. Miles Hundredlives

15. Radiant Dalinar

16. Szeth

17. The Blackthorn (from Spiritual Realm)

18. Yumi

[Nitpicking]

You rate Elantrians as a group above Dalinar? Consider that he's a Bondsmith, and that if he breaks an Elantrian's Connection to the land, they instantly lose AonDor and have no way to regain it.

[Skylano]

I think that Elantrians are really an untapped resource right now honestly. Brandon has said that they can do pretty much anything as long as the know the correct Aons to "code" the instructions for the Dor. I know they can heal and shoot energy using Investiture but I do think that Elantris 2 and 3 are going to introduce more of those uses as they are discovered.

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

In a specific matchup between Elantrians and Dalinar, he might have an advantage due to this, but Elantrians are generally more powerful than him. I would argue that Szeth is more powerful than Dalinar as well. 

 

If you wanted to expand the list, you could add Marsh, Wax, & maybe Xisis. 

[Skylano]

12 hours ago, epl2 said:

I would argue that Szeth is more powerful than Dalinar as well.

Normally I'd definitely agree, but now he doesn't have Surges or access to Stormlight in Retribution's territory. So I think if he stayed a Fifth Ideal Skybreaker he'd be much higher up, he just chose not to and that's why I've put him so low. Also I don't remember, did the Honorblades stay on Roshar this time or did they vanish again?

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

On 4/30/2025 at 7:11 AM, Skylano said:

Honestly I forgot Dalinar, but with what he did at Thaylen Field I think he is strong, but mostly as a way to assist other Radiants. In a 2v2 with a Dustbringer or Stoneward that much Stormlight has crazy potential. I just don't think that in one on one combat that Dalinar would be as strong as he was, even as a Radiant, outside of being able to heal continuously from the Stormlight. So yes maybe above the Blackthorn but I think that Szeth would still be able to win any single combat between them.

The other thing is that the vast majority of people don't know what Miles is doing if they aren't a Ferring or Misting, so making a plan like that would be out of the question for most Surgebinders. Also since it's mostly single combat I think he'd outlast a good number of people on the list.

1. Taln

2. Nightblood

3. Ishar

4. Rashek

5. Susebron

6. Nale

7. Herald Kaladin

8. Final Empire Kelsier

9. Vin

10. Hoid

11. Elantrians

12. Elend Venture

13. Zahel

14. Miles Hundredlives

15. Radiant Dalinar

16. Szeth

17. The Blackthorn (from Spiritual Realm)

18. Yumi

So… Wit is an Elantrian Awakener Lightweaver Lerasium Mistborn (Potentially feruchemist as well) with a Dawnshard and more healing than should be possible.

He can’t hurt people, but he definitely won’t lose to anyone on the board.

[Nitpicking]

@SpiritOfWrath, Hoid is only an Elantrian in the far future of the Cosmere (from the Stormlight Archive/Wax and Wayne era).

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

2 minutes ago, Nitpicking said:

@SpiritOfWrath, Hoid is only an Elantrian in the far future of the Cosmere (from the Stormlight Archive/Wax and Wayne era).

That don’t mean he isn’t one, tho. We have Kell before he loses his powers, why can’t we have Wit after he gets his?

And on another note, what about dragons?

[Skylano]

22 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

He can’t hurt people, but he definitely won’t lose to anyone on the board.

My opinion on it is that if he gets smacked around and can't really do anything to retaliate, I don't think that he would win in comparison to very many people. His whole shtick is that he keeps collecting powers from around the Cosmere but he can't really use any of them to hurt people. However, I agree completely that as soon as he can get rid of his Torment like Sigzil did, he'd be up at 3-6.

Also with dragons I did not think of that earlier so I might put Xisis up there at 6 or 8 since we don't know the full extent of their power. The wish thing and the fact they can get power from their followers from anywhere is obviously really good but we haven't seen any dragons vs knights type rust anywhere (sadly)

I think the ones to add right now are Marsh (12 or 14), Xisis (6, 8, or 11), and Wax at 12 or 13 since he's Twinborn but hasn't fully manifested his Mistborn powers yet. Also thinking of moving Dalinar above Miles because Miles wasn't really invulnerable, just difficult to kill, and Dalinar can heal almost as well with a Perpendicularity.

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

34 minutes ago, Skylano said:

My opinion on it is that if he gets smacked around and can't really do anything to retaliate, I don't think that he would win in comparison to very many people. His whole shtick is that he keeps collecting powers from around the Cosmere but he can't really use any of them to hurt people. However, I agree completely that as soon as he can get rid of his Torment like Sigzil did, he'd be up at 3-6.

Also with dragons I did not think of that earlier so I might put Xisis up there at 6 or 8 since we don't know the full extent of their power. The wish thing and the fact they can get power from their followers from anywhere is obviously really good but we haven't seen any dragons vs knights type rust anywhere (sadly)

I think the ones to add right now are Marsh (12 or 14), Xisis (6, 8, or 11), and Wax at 12 or 13 since he's Twinborn but hasn't fully manifested his Mistborn powers yet. Also thinking of moving Dalinar above Miles because Miles wasn't really invulnerable, just difficult to kill, and Dalinar can heal almost as well with a Perpendicularity.

I mean, Miles has guns but Dalinar can Connect things... that would be a really weird matchup because they are so different in every way. I don't think we could really say who would beat who. 

Knowing what we currently do with dragons, I think Xisis should definitely go at 8 out of an abundance of caution, but we really don't know any of their powers or abilities. They can also shapeshift, but it would seem to be only between human and dragon form.  

[Qianweilian He/him]

1 hour ago, epl2 said:

Knowing what we currently do with dragons

I mean, our only knowledge is from stories in our world and some very short precious moments scattered through Tress. I had to look up who Xisis was and I just don't think we have enough information to place him on the list

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

2 minutes ago, Qianweilian said:

I mean, our only knowledge is from stories in our world and some very short precious moments scattered through Tress. I had to look up who Xisis was and I just don't think we have enough information to place him on the list

We also know some based on Frost, Dragonsteel Prime, and WoBs, but you are essentially correct. However, I think we should add Xisis to the listing as dragons are a major power in the Cosmere, and he is the one that we know most about. We don't really know much about the Blackthorn or the Heralds either, but it is essential to have them on the list. 

[AlmightyGir]

Here me out here:

1. Stick.

[Skylano]

27 minutes ago, AlmightyGir said:

Here me out here:

1. Stick.

Hell yeah I'll add it in the next batch

[Skylano]

Updates!

1. Taln

2. Nightblood

3. Ishar

4. Rashek

5. Susebron

6. Nale

7. Herald Kaladin

!8. Hoid

!9. Xisis

10. Final Empire Kelsier

11. Vin

12. Elantrians

!13. Waxillium Ladrian

14. Elend Venture

15. Zahel

!16. Radiant Dalinar

17. Miles Hundredlives

18. Szeth

19. The Blackthorn (from Spiritual Realm)

20. Yumi

!21. Stick

Edited May 12, 2025 by Skylano

[Qianweilian He/him]

How about the following getting added?

• Not-Wax and Not-Wayne from TLM
• Telsin
• MeLaan
• Kenton (white sand)
• The Lord Mastrell (At the beginning of white sand)
• Azure/Vivenna
• Wax/Marasi/Kelsier w/ Bands of Mourning
• Sazed
• Zane
• Adolin

Edited May 5, 2025 by Qianweilian

[Qianweilian He/him]

My list:

1. Taln
2. Nightblood
3. Rashek (I think he could beat Ishar)
4. Ishar
5. Nale
6. Susebron
7. Other Heralds
8. Kaladin
9. Hoid
10. Wax with Bands of Mourning
11. Xisis
12. Vin (By HoA, I think Kelsier would lose to her)
13. Kelsier (TFE)
14. Elantrians
15. Wax
16. Elend
17. Zahel/Vasher
18. Adolin
19. Azure/Vivenna
20. Wayne
21. Dumad (Wax imposter)
22. Gertruda (Wayne imposter)
23. Sazed
24. Zane
25. MeLaan
26. Szeth
27. Imposter Blackthorn
28. Yumi
29. Kenton's father
30. Telsin
31. Kenton

    2^(-1). Stick

Yikes, this is a big list

Edited May 5, 2025 by Qianweilian

[Entr0pic He/him]

36 minutes ago, Qianweilian said:

My list:

1. Taln
2. Nightblood
3. Rashek (I think he could beat Ishar)
4. Ishar
5. Nale
6. Susebron
7. Other Heralds
8. Kaladin
9. Hoid
10. Wax with Bands of Mourning
11. Xisis
12. Vin (By HoA, I think Kelsier would lose to her)
13. Kelsier (TFE)
14. Elantrians
15. Wax
16. Elend
17. Zahel/Vasher
18. Adolin
19. Azure/Vivenna
20. Wayne
21. Dumad (Wax imposter)
22. Gertruda (Wayne imposter)
23. Sazed
24. Zane
25. MeLaan
26. Szeth
27. Imposter Blackthorn
28. Yumi
29. Kenton's father
30. Telsin
31. Yumi
32. Kenton

    2^(-1). Stick

Yikes, this is a big list

You mentioned Yumi twice. 

[Lord Spirit he/him]

   0. The Stick

1. Ishar
2. Nale
3. Taln
4. Heralds
5. Kaladin (WaT)
6. Rashek 
7. Hoid
8. Riina
9. Szeth (5th ideal)
10. Marsh (era 2)
11. Nightblood (WaT)
12. Vin (no mists)
13. Raoden
14. Praxton 
15. Vasher 
16. Elend
17. Susebron (healed and tenth heightening)
18. Thunderclast
19. Dalinar (WaT pre-ascension)
20. The Pursuer
21. Wayne (TLM)
22. Sazed (pre-ascension)
23. Kenton
24. Kelsier (TFE)
25. Wax (TLM)
26. Adolin (WaT)
27. Dilaf 
28. Shai
29. Shuden 
30. Vivenna (OB)
31. Miles
32. Kiin (strongest non-invested)
33. Yumi 

The term “most powerful is subjective”. I’m basing this list on combat strength, but there are other definitions. In terms of most investiture, Yumi is up there with the heralds and Elantrians. I’m also ignoring political or military power. Characters are listed at their peak mortal strength.

Unpopular opinion, Kelsier isn’t that powerful. He only trained for about a year with his powers. He defeats a single inquisitor, but it’s close. He wasn’t that strong by allomantic standards compared to Rashek or Elend. 
 

And despite not being able to harm others, there are very few people who could actually defeat Hoid. 

Edited May 5, 2025 by Lord Spirit

[Riino He/Him]

11 hours ago, Skylano said:

6. Nale

7. Herald Kaladin

 

They weren't too far apart when they were battling in the temple, and now Kaladin has Risen up to Herald, I believe he would become so much stronger.

[Lord Spirit he/him]

1 hour ago, Riino said:

They weren't too far apart when they were battling in the temple, and now Kaladin has Risen up to Herald, I believe he would become so much stronger.

They’re both 5th Ideal radiants who are heralds. Nale should be stronger, but Kaladin is about as close as he can get for only having lived 20ish years.