Just how strong is Moiraine?

[FortyFiveAuto 1]

She's been out of the loop for the past few books, but is there any indication of just how strong Moiraine would be in the Power versus some of the other notable WoT channelers of saidar?

 

Probably Lanfear/Cyndane is the most powerful of all female channelers. On a 100 point scale, this would probably place her between 90-95. Graendal I believe would be the next most powerful, but all we can tell is that she's slightly less capable than Lanfear. Next would be Moghedien, I think, and if Nynaeve can hold her own against The Spider, that probably puts her in the low to mid 80's. We can go on to say that Egwene, at least potentially, is somewhere less than Nynaeve, and that Talaan the Windfinder apprentice and Sharina Melloy the old novice are somewhere among Nynaeve and therefore Moghedien.

 

What about Moiraine? She was certainly stronger than Egwene during her pilgrimage to Tar Valon, and probably on a level with Siuan Sanche. Where did they stand among the Sisters? Would she be on a level with Egwene's full potential, or somewhere less?

 

How would you rank her among the others?

[Sivart Reborn 7]

I believe Moiraine and Siuan were the most powerful Sisters up until the Emond's Fielders. Mid 60s to low 70 on your 1 to 100 scale I think.

[Marie 73]

She isn't as high as Eggy at full potential, and before Siuan was stilled they were the same level.

 

However, only a few (Aes Sedai) generations ago, they would not have been counted that strong. Back in the AoL they would have been rather weak. I'd say somewhere in the 50s or 40s, at best.

[jan 14]

I'm not sure why I'm putting this in spoiler... I suppose just in case someone doesn't know she's supposed to come back! Anyway, I wonder what her power will be like after she comes back - will she lose/gain?

[Mea 0]

Gain of course! And she will be hotter! Or maby not. In my world that's not possible.

[Ishmael Moridin 0]

I think moiraine and siuan are almost of the same strength, around the 65 on the scale of 1-100.

 

When we are talking of strong channelers, should'nt we include alivia, who surprised lanfear with her strength ? On the same scale,she may be 98!!

[FortyFiveAuto 1]

I agree, Alivia is very strong. Could it be an indication that women can grow stronger without that blasted Oath Rod?

 

But didn't Alivia have an angreal when she faced Cyndane? I thought that Nynaeve gave her one.

 

Even so, she was supposed to be considerably stronger than Nynaeve. You can't get much stronger than Nynaeve, not without getting close to Cyndane, so you could be right.

[Ishmael Moridin 0]

Also there is a very strong 'grandmother' - sharina malloy with the Rebel Aes sedai.

 

I know that is off topic....

 

 

 

What will remain to be seen is that when moiraine comes back if she is healed and can channel again, we might get a better picture of how strong she exactly is, now that the fab 3 have had some time with saidar and could be considered to be reaching their full potential.

 

 

[Marie 73]

Moiraine has all ready reached her full power. She is far weaker than Eggy who is weaker than Nynaeve.

 

The Oath Rod really has nothing to do with it, I think. Aes Sedai were stronger in centuries past, so it seems it's more likely a simple weaking of the channeler gene pool, in combination with poor recruiting methods by the White Tower.

 

I think it's important to remember that absolute strength isn't that important to RJ, and he values the women's abilities with the Power more.

 

Also, a little breakdown:

 

Lanfear is strongest, then Cyndane, followed by Alivia, Semi comes next, then it's Nynaeve, followed by Moggy, Eggy comes next, then it's Cadsuane, Nicola after her, and then it's Moiraine/Siuan.

 

RJ uses a 21(1 being strongest) point scale, which places Mo on level 10.

[FortyFiveAuto 1]

I disagree, to an extent.

 

Absolute strength is the cornerstone of hierarchy in the White Tower.

 

It doesn't matter much to, say, Aiel, who judge deference based on individual merit. Sorilea is the classic example. She can hardly channel, but she is the most respected out of all Wise Ones.

 

By contrast, all Amyrlin Seats are well above average in strength. Wisdom, pragmatism, and diplomacy are important, but without strength, an Aes Sedai will not earn respect, especially not from those stronger than her.

 

Also, your strength in the One Power dictates the scope of your abilities it. For example, a weaker person may have the knowledge of Traveling, but without the strength for it, you will not be able to accomplish it. The same goes for dividing flows of the Power.

 

Marie, where did you find that break-down?

[Marie 73]

What I meant was, not important to RJ. To the women yes, but he has made it so a woman's true strength as it were lies in her ability, not raw power. Obviously raw power in addition to ability is a powerful combination.

 

The breakdown is in the books, actually. Alivia could be stronger or equal to Cyndane, but that isn't real clear yet. The 21 scale came from a booksigning I think.

[Ishmael Moridin 0]

Check out the theories in Wotmania .45, I remember reading a 21 level breakdown of all channelers of randland.

[Marie 73]

Actually, there is a breakdown in the FAQ of Wotmania if I remember correctly.

[Ishmael Moridin 0]

Actually, there is a breakdown in the FAQ of Wotmania if I remember correctly.

 

Yep, that's right, I did'nt know that....

[Fenix 0]

I always believed from what was said in the books that Nyneave is one of the strongest. Lanfaer is the strongest one but if we put 95 to her I would put Nyneave ot 85/90 at least. As I know from the books Moiraine is weak. Compared to the same scale, maybe 60 or max 70. Egwene should be about 70/80 and this would put Cyndane and Nicola between the 80 and 90 where Nyneave is. I always thought she was one of the best just because everbody says that...