Race: Forsaken
Sex: Female
Faction: Shadow
Rating: 7.7
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Arena Status: Active (S2)
Lanfear, born Mierin Eronaile during the Age of Legends, stands among the most compelling figures in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series. One of the thirteen Forsaken, she epitomizes ambition, beauty, and betrayal, becoming a force that shapes the narrative across several pivotal moments. Her story weaves a tragic and destructive tale of power, obsession, and ultimately, survival.
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| Lanfear, One of the Forsaken |
Who Is Lanfear in The Wheel of Time?
Before adopting the name Lanfear, Mierin Eronaile was a gifted researcher at the Collam Daan, a floating university of unparalleled innovation during the Age of Legends. Ambitious and brilliant, she discovered what she believed to be an unlimited energy source outside the Pattern, only to inadvertently drill a hole into the Dark One's prison, unleashing chaos and eventually precipitating the War of Power. Her yearning for prestige and status, as well as her obsession with her former lover Lews Therin Telamon, defined much of her life.
Upon swearing allegiance to the Dark One during the Collapse, Mierin renamed herself Lanfear, or “Daughter of the Night.” Among the Forsaken, she sought to dominate not only her rivals but also the Dark One himself. Lanfear’s ultimate desire was to wield the Choedan Kal, the most powerful sa’angreal in existence, and ascend above both the Creator and the Shadow.
How Powerful Is Lanfear?
Lanfear was as strong as any woman could be in the One Power, equaled only by Alivia and Semirhage. Her skill in wielding the One Power made her one of the most formidable Forsaken, though she was outclassed in raw strength by all the male Forsaken, such as Ishamael and Demandred. Nonetheless, Lanfear's deftness with weaves and mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod (the World of Dreams) compensated for this disparity.
Her strength diminished significantly after her capture by the Eelfinn and Aelfinn, entities who fed upon her ability to channel. When she was reincarnated as Cyndane, she retained much of her skill but suffered a notable reduction in power, which left her resentful and embittered.
What Is Lanfear’s Role in the Series?
Lanfear is a manipulative and cunning character, often adopting guises to further her plans. Early in the series, she masquerades as Selene, a stunningly beautiful noblewoman who aids Rand al’Thor while attempting to seduce him into embracing glory and power. Later, she takes on the roles of Else Grinwell in the White Tower and the haggard Silvie in Tel’aran’rhiod, subtly guiding the protagonists while advancing her schemes.
Her influence extends beyond direct manipulation, as her reputation among the Forsaken establishes her as a rival to Ishamael and a key player in the Shadow's efforts to control Rand. Her machinations reveal her ultimate desire: to reclaim Lews Therin (now reborn as Rand) and rule the Pattern as his equal—or superior.
Key Appearances in the Series
Lanfear first appears as Selene, a mysterious and captivating woman who helps Rand and his companions navigate an alternate dimension through a Portal Stone. Her allure and cryptic advice leave Rand wary but intrigued. Lanfear confronts Rand directly after his conquest of Callandor, revealing her identity and proposing an alliance to overthrow both the Dark One and the Creator. Rand’s rejection of her offer solidifies her resentment.
Disguised as Keille Shaogi, a peddler, Lanfear aligns herself with Asmodean in an attempt to manipulate Rand further. Her presence underscores her obsession with controlling him and leveraging his power. Lanfear’s confrontation with Rand on the docks of Cairhien leads to a climactic showdown. Her rage over his perceived betrayal (his relationship with Aviendha) prompts her to attack, but Moiraine Damodred intervenes, pushing both herself and Lanfear through a ter’angreal doorway into the realm of the Eelfinn.
Reincarnated as Cyndane, Lanfear becomes a shadow of her former self, physically diminished but no less dangerous. Her loyalty to the Dark One falters, and her schemes grow increasingly desperate, culminating in her role during the Last Battle.
What Makes Lanfear Unique?
Lanfear’s unparalleled skill in Tel’aran’rhiod makes her a dominant force in the dreamworld. She considers the World of Dreams her “personal property,” and her exploits there are legendary. However, Moghedien and Perrin Aybara each prove capable of defeating her in this realm, highlighting her vulnerabilities.
Lanfear’s defining traits are her unquenchable ambition and her obsession with Lews Therin. Her desire to reclaim him as her partner drives much of her antagonism toward Rand al’Thor, and her envy of Ilyena Sunhair fuels her hatred. This personal vendetta adds depth to her character, making her more than just another servant of the Shadow.
The Wolf Name: Moonhunter
Among wolves, Lanfear is known as Moonhunter, a title that reflects her predatory nature and connection to the celestial. This moniker highlights her role as both a hunter and a symbol of the night, aligning with her dark allure.
Why Is Lanfear Important to The Wheel of Time?
Lanfear is central to the series' exploration of power, obsession, and identity. Her fall from grace—from a promising researcher to a tool of the Dark One—mirrors the broader themes of corruption and redemption. Though she ultimately fails in her quest for dominance, her influence on Rand and the other Forsaken leaves a lasting impact on the story’s trajectory. As one of the most dynamic and dangerous characters in the Wheel of Time universe, Lanfear remains an enduring symbol of ambition and its perilous consequences.
Lanfear's Raw Power
Lanfear’s raw power stands as a defining trait, placing her among the most formidable figures in the Wheel of Time universe. While her power is substantial, particularly in her mastery of the One Power and her ability to manipulate Tel’aran’rhiod, it is not without limits, especially when viewed across the expansive landscape of fantasy characters. In consideration of her abilities, strengths, and combat prowess, Lanfear earns a score of 8.0 for raw power. This rating reflects her near-peak potential for a channeler while accounting for vulnerabilities and context-dependent limitations.
Strength
Lanfear’s physical strength is largely irrelevant in discussions of her power. Her capabilities do not stem from brute force or physicality, as she relies almost exclusively on her mastery of the One Power and her intellectual cunning. Although the strength of her will and presence can be felt even in situations where physical dominance might typically be required, her raw physical capacity does not compare to individuals who utilize or embody physical might. She is neither a warrior nor a brute, preferring to dominate through subtler, more insidious methods. As a result, this category does little to elevate her raw power rating.
Magical Ability
Lanfear’s magical ability is the cornerstone of her strength, and it is where she truly excels. As one of the Forsaken, she was among the most powerful female channelers of her age, equaled only by a select few. Her proficiency with the One Power is so exceptional that it includes mastery over intricate and devastating weaves, with her deftness compensating for any disadvantage she might have compared to male channelers. Her skill in manipulating Tel’aran’rhiod, the World of Dreams, is almost unmatched, earning her a reputation for near-total dominance within that realm. She considers Tel’aran’rhiod her personal domain, underscoring her expertise in this esoteric and dangerous aspect of the One Power.
Lanfear’s ambition also played a role in her magical achievements. During the Age of Legends, her research at the Collam Daan led to the discovery of a new energy source, which unfortunately resulted in the drilling of the Bore and unleashed the Dark One’s influence upon the world. While the act itself was catastrophic, it demonstrates her intellectual and magical daring. This hubris, however, is a double-edged sword that often works against her, as her unbridled ambition blinds her to risks and undermines her effectiveness.
Combat Prowess
Lanfear’s combat prowess is complex, as her abilities are situationally potent but lack the versatility to dominate every battlefield. Her command over the One Power enables her to unleash devastating attacks, shield herself, and control her environment with frightening efficiency. In the World of Dreams, she is almost unstoppable, capable of rewriting reality to suit her purposes. Her ability to strike through Tel’aran’rhiod gives her an advantage that many opponents cannot counter.
However, her reliance on magical strength exposes her to vulnerabilities in physical confrontations. When unable to channel, such as during a moment of overconfidence or betrayal, she is effectively powerless. Her confrontation with Moiraine at the docks of Cairhien, which resulted in her being pushed through a ter’angreal, highlights this vulnerability. Her failure to anticipate Moiraine’s physical intervention suggests a lack of adaptability in close combat scenarios.
Additionally, Lanfear’s unwillingness to accept limitations in her strength often undermines her combat effectiveness. Her obsessive desire for dominance over Lews Therin and the world at large clouds her judgment and forces her into situations where her tactical decisions falter. This deficiency in tactical adaptability diminishes her raw power score despite her overwhelming magical strength.
Lanfear's Tactical Ability
Lanfear’s tactical ability is a multifaceted strength, though it is hindered at times by her arrogance and overconfidence. She combines an exceptional intellect with the ability to improvise under pressure and a penchant for intricate manipulation. Across the spectrum of fantasy characters, she earns a 7.5 in tactical ability. While she excels in planning and leveraging unique resources, her failure to adapt to unforeseen outcomes and tendency to overestimate herself limit her rating from reaching the highest echelons.
Strategic Mind
Lanfear demonstrates a formidable strategic mind in her ability to weave long-term plans that align with her personal goals, often at the expense of her allies or even the Dark One. She orchestrates events in pursuit of her ultimate ambition: gaining power over Lews Therin and ascending to rule over creation itself. Her manipulation of Tel’aran’rhiod, which she considers her personal domain, showcases her ability to craft plans that rely on both her mastery of the Dreamworld and her understanding of the weaknesses of her adversaries.
For example, her strategy to seduce and manipulate Rand al’Thor (the reincarnation of Lews Therin) involved assuming various guises, such as Selene, a young woman in distress, to appeal to his protective instincts. Her ability to infiltrate and mislead is matched by her skill in constructing compelling narratives that lure her targets into a sense of trust or obligation. However, these plans often unravel when met with resistance, particularly when her emotional fixation on Rand blinds her to alternative courses of action. While her strategies are impressive in their scope and complexity, they are frequently undermined by her inability to anticipate betrayal or to account for variables outside her control.
Resourcefulness
Lanfear’s resourcefulness shines in her ability to utilize her environment, allies, and unique powers to gain the upper hand. Her mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod enables her to reshape the battlefield in the Dreamworld, giving her unparalleled flexibility in that realm. She uses the World of Dreams not only as a means of direct confrontation but also as a tool for espionage and manipulation. For example, she plants information and aids others under false pretenses to steer events in her favor, as she does when masquerading as Else Grinwell in the White Tower.
Additionally, her knowledge of ancient artifacts, such as the Choedan Kal sa’angreal, demonstrates her ability to incorporate rare and powerful resources into her plans. She recognizes their strategic value and attempts to leverage them to overthrow both the Dark One and the Creator, believing that their immense power will enable her to achieve her ambitions. Despite this resourcefulness, her reliance on specific tools or scenarios sometimes becomes a liability, as she struggles to adapt when these resources are unavailable or when her plans are disrupted.
Resource Arsenal
Lanfear’s access to a vast arsenal of unique resources enhances her tactical effectiveness. As one of the Forsaken, she wields knowledge from the Age of Legends, including mastery of the One Power and Dreamwalking. Her ability to use Tel’aran’rhiod as a battleground and her command over intricate weaves allow her to execute plans that would be impossible for lesser channelers. Moreover, her familiarity with the psychological weaknesses of her opponents, particularly Rand al’Thor, provides her with a unique advantage in manipulating them.
However, her resource arsenal is not without its limitations. Lanfear’s dismissal of alliances and her betrayal of other Forsaken leave her isolated and vulnerable to counterattacks. Her overreliance on her perceived superiority often blinds her to the potential strength of her enemies’ resources, as seen when she underestimates Moiraine during their confrontation at the docks. This tendency to overestimate her control of the situation diminishes the overall utility of her resources, as she frequently mismanages them in pursuit of her ambitions.
Lanfear's Influence
Lanfear’s influence within the Wheel of Time universe is a defining aspect of her character, reflecting a complex interplay of charisma, reputation, and indomitable willpower. Across all fantasy settings, her ability to sway others, inspire awe or fear, and assert her dominance places her firmly at an 8.5 on the scale of influence. This high rating acknowledges her exceptional command over others and her unparalleled ability to manipulate, but it also considers the limitations imposed by her overconfidence and her inability to sustain loyalty from her peers.
Persuasion
Lanfear's persuasion is legendary, largely due to her ability to craft narratives that align with the desires of her targets. Her beauty is almost preternatural, acting as a tool to lower the defenses of those around her. In her guise as Selene, she weaves an aura of mystique, subtly manipulating Rand al’Thor by appealing to his protective instincts and ambition. By posing as a distressed and enigmatic figure, she gains his trust without revealing her true nature as one of the Forsaken.
Her skill at persuasion extends beyond her physical allure; she also possesses a keen understanding of psychology. She often tailors her approach to the specific vulnerabilities of her targets, as seen in her interactions with Perrin Aybara. She plays on Perrin’s insecurities and ideals to further her own goals, demonstrating her ability to adapt her tactics. However, her persuasion is not infallible. Rand’s growing resistance to her overtures, as well as Perrin's eventual triumph over her compulsion, reveal her overreliance on manipulation as a strategy.
Reverence
Lanfear commands a significant degree of reverence, both within her own era and in the Third Age. Her status as one of the Forsaken instantly inspires fear and awe among those who understand her power and history. Among the Forsaken, she is regarded with a mix of admiration and wariness, particularly due to her strength in the One Power and her ambitious nature. Even her name, “Daughter of the Night,” evokes an aura of otherworldly power and mystery.
Her reputation as the most beautiful woman of her age further enhances her mystique, and her mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod ensures that even seasoned Dreamwalkers regard her with caution. However, her reverence is undermined by her contentious relationships with other Forsaken, many of whom see her as a rival rather than an ally. Her inability to maintain the Dark One’s full trust and her frequent betrayals erode her standing within the Shadow’s hierarchy, preventing her from reaching the highest level of reverence possible.
Willpower
Willpower is perhaps Lanfear’s most striking trait, as it is the foundation of her resilience and her ability to manipulate others. Her determination to reclaim Lews Therin Telamon and ascend to ultimate power drives nearly all of her actions. This single-minded focus allows her to endure setbacks, including her capture and reduction in strength by the Eelfinn and her subsequent reincarnation as Cyndane.
Her willpower is evident in her refusal to submit completely to the Dark One. Unlike other Forsaken, she harbors her own ambitions to usurp her master, showcasing her ability to maintain her agency even under the Shadow’s influence. However, her willpower also blinds her to the futility of certain pursuits, such as her obsessive attempts to win Rand’s love. This stubbornness, while admirable in its intensity, often leads to her downfall.
Lanfear's Resilience
Lanfear’s resilience, both physical and metaphysical, stands as a cornerstone of her enduring presence in the Wheel of Time universe. Evaluated strictly within the parameters of her ability to withstand damage, recover from injuries, resist magical assaults, and defy existential threats, her resilience merits a 7.5 out of 10. This places her in a tier of formidable characters who demonstrate remarkable durability but fall short of being truly unassailable due to notable weaknesses in some areas.
Physical Resistance
As a channeler and a Forsaken, Lanfear’s physical resistance stems more from her innate connection to the One Power than from any inherent physical fortitude. While her beauty and grace dominate her outward appearance, her physical body is not built to endure significant direct damage. In instances where she is injured or killed, such as her fateful encounter with Moiraine Damodred at the redstone ter’angreal doorway, her survival often relies more on external interventions—such as reincarnation by the Dark One—than on any innate ability to endure physical harm.
Despite her vulnerabilities, she exhibits sufficient stamina and endurance during her numerous confrontations with opponents. Her physical presence, while not her primary strength, is reinforced by her ability to manipulate the One Power to shield or heal herself. However, she lacks the raw durability of characters whose resilience is rooted in physical endurance, making this her weakest area within the resilience framework.
Magical Resistance
Lanfear’s magical resistance is significantly stronger than her physical resilience, owing to her profound skill and strength in the One Power. As one of the strongest female channelers of all time, she is adept at shielding herself from magical attacks and weaving complex defenses. Her ability to manipulate Tel’aran’rhiod further bolsters her resistance to magical threats, as her mastery of the Dreamworld allows her to anticipate, counter, or evade magical assaults originating from within that realm.
Her defenses, however, are not without limits. In her reincarnated form as Cyndane, her strength in the One Power is notably diminished due to the Eelfinn’s feeding on her ability to channel. This reduction impacts her capacity to resist overwhelming magical force, as evidenced by her comparative disadvantage against the male Forsaken, whose raw power often surpasses her own. Nevertheless, Lanfear’s skill in weaving intricate defenses compensates for this, ensuring she remains one of the most magically resistant figures within the Wheel of Time universe.
Longevity
The hallmark of Lanfear’s resilience lies in her longevity, both literal and metaphorical. Her survival through multiple lifetimes underscores her ability to endure existential threats that would obliterate less formidable beings. After being pushed into the Eelfinn’s realm and reduced in power, she is later reincarnated as Cyndane, demonstrating her connection to the Dark One and his capacity to restore her existence despite significant setbacks.
This longevity is further supported by her mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod, which grants her a unique kind of temporal resilience. Her presence in the Dreamworld allows her to evade direct confrontations when necessary and to plot her return to power even after catastrophic defeats. However, her reliance on external forces, particularly the Dark One’s intervention, limits her autonomy in achieving true immortality. While she can recover from death itself, her ability to do so depends on the Shadow’s favor, which is not guaranteed given her history of betrayal and ambition to usurp even her master.
Lanfear's Versatility
Lanfear's versatility is among her defining traits, encompassing her capacity to adapt to shifting circumstances, exploit opportunities, and wield an extensive repertoire of skills and abilities. Her ability to navigate complex situations, blend into various roles, and manipulate both individuals and environments grants her an edge that few can match. However, this versatility has limitations, particularly in areas that rely on unpredictability or pure chance. Evaluated strictly according to adaptability, luck, and hidden advantages, Lanfear earns a 7.0 out of 10 for versatility, reflecting her broad but not all-encompassing skillset.
Adaptability
Lanfear's adaptability is one of her most formidable assets. From her emergence in the Age of Legends to her reappearance as a Forsaken, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adjust to new circumstances and challenges. Her skill in disguises, most notably her persona as Selene, showcases her ability to seamlessly integrate into different social and cultural contexts. She wields her beauty and charisma as tools to manipulate others, whether she is ingratiating herself with Rand al'Thor or misleading his companions. This talent for adaptation is not limited to social manipulation; she also adjusts her strategies depending on her goals, whether seeking power, attempting to seduce Rand, or undermining her fellow Forsaken.
However, her adaptability is hindered by her ego and ambition, which often blind her to the long-term consequences of her actions. While she can modify her approach to achieve immediate objectives, she struggles to recognize when her methods are unsustainable or self-destructive, as seen in her repeated underestimation of the Dark One’s wrath or her rivals' cunning.
Luck
Lanfear’s relationship with luck is complex. While she benefits from fortuitous circumstances on occasion, her success is largely a product of her calculated planning and raw ability rather than happenstance. For instance, her ability to escape seemingly dire situations, such as her survival of the collapse of the Collam Daan and her reincarnation as Cyndane, owes more to her connections to the Shadow and the Dark One's intervention than to sheer luck. These outcomes are not random but rather a reflection of her importance to the Shadow’s plans.
At the same time, Lanfear’s luck is far from extraordinary. She encounters significant setbacks that are outside her control, such as her reduction in power by the Eelfinn and her ultimate death at the hands of Perrin Aybara. These incidents highlight the limits of her fortune and suggest that, while skilled, she cannot rely on chance to turn the tide in her favor.
Shaved Knuckle in the Hole
Lanfear’s greatest hidden advantage lies in her mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod, the World of Dreams. This skill allows her to influence events in the waking world indirectly, granting her a level of control and flexibility that few can match. Her manipulation of the Dreamworld enables her to evade direct confrontations, gather intelligence, and exert influence over others in ways that are difficult to counter. This capability serves as a “shaved knuckle in the hole,” a trump card she can deploy when conventional tactics fail.
However, this hidden advantage is not without its limits. Her claim to unparalleled mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod is debatable, as other Forsaken, such as Moghedien, demonstrate comparable—if not superior—prowess in the Dreamworld. Moreover, her reliance on this skill can leave her vulnerable when confronted outside her domain of expertise, particularly when facing direct combat or overwhelming force.
Lanfear's Alignment
Lanfear is defined by her lust for power, her manipulative tendencies, and her belief that she is destined to control not just the world but the very forces of creation. Her rivalry with other Forsaken, particularly Ishamael, and her obsession with Lews Therin Telamon (the Dragon of her age, later reborn as Rand al’Thor), shape much of her narrative. Even her betrayal of the Shadow to pursue personal power reflects her complex and self-serving motivations.
Lanfear’s actions are driven by her ego and ambition, often disregarding established hierarchies and alliances. Her willingness to betray the Dark One, the ultimate source of her power, underscores her chaotic tendencies. She operates without consistent regard for rules, norms, or the overarching plans of her faction, seeking her own ascendancy at the expense of everyone else. For instance, her ambition to wield the Choedan Kal and overthrow both the Dark One and the Creator exemplifies her disdain for order and her reckless pursuit of ultimate power.
Lanfear's actions are driven by selfishness and a complete disregard for the well-being of others. Her manipulations of individuals like Rand, as well as her frequent willingness to destroy lives and manipulate entire nations, highlight her malevolent and self-centered motivations. She is not evil in the service of a cause, as some of the other Forsaken are; instead, her evil is rooted in a desire for personal dominance and revenge against those she perceives as having wronged her.
Lanfear was born as Mierin Eronaile during the Age of Legends, a time when humanity reached unprecedented levels of technological and magical advancement. As a member of the Aes Sedai, she possessed immense strength in the One Power and played a pivotal role in events that shaped the world, including drilling the Bore into the Dark One’s prison.
Lanfear’s allegiance to the Dark One positioned her as one of the Forsaken, a group of channelers who betrayed the Light to gain immortality and power. Despite her official status as one of the Shadow’s most feared agents, her repeated betrayals and schemes demonstrate that her true loyalty lies with herself. This tenuous connection to her faction reflects her chaotic alignment and self-serving nature.
Lanfear’s chaotic evil alignment is further supported by her volatile personality and her disregard for any cause greater than her own ambition. While her immense power and intellect allow her to manipulate those around her, her lack of emotional restraint and obsession with Lews Therin consistently undermine her plans. Even among the Forsaken, Lanfear is viewed as unpredictable and dangerous, both to her enemies and her supposed allies. This alignment, combined with her immense power, makes her one of the most intriguing and dangerous figures in the Wheel of Time universe. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated character alignment matrix across all planes of existence.
Lanfear's Trophy Case
PPET Rankings
| Season | Rank |
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| 2 (2024-2025) | TBD (of 204) |
Overall Conclusion on Lanfear and Position Across Planes of Existence
With a rating of 7.7, Lanfear stands as a formidable figure in the pantheon of high-powered characters across fantasy universes, yet she falls short of the top-tier echelon occupied by the most transcendent and omnipotent beings. This rating encapsulates her immense strengths in manipulation, raw power, and Dreamwalking but accounts for limitations that, while not trivial, prevent her from reaching the absolute pinnacle. Lanfear's positioning slightly below other characters such as Demandred, who holds a higher score, reflects a nuanced assessment of her capabilities, weaknesses, and decision-making patterns.
Lanfear’s power and influence are unquestionable, yet there are clear reasons for placing her slightly below Demandred, whose score reflects a more focused and disciplined approach to power. Lanfear’s capabilities are vast, including her nearly unmatched skill in Tel’aran’rhiod and her near-maximum strength in the One Power. However, her effectiveness is often undermined by her own personality traits and tactical decisions, which differentiate her from more consistently pragmatic characters.
Lanfear’s mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod is one of her standout traits. As a Dreamwalker, she considers the dream world her personal domain and demonstrates a level of skill that would make her an apex predator in many universes. However, her claim to be the most skilled is demonstrably false, with characters like Moghedien and even Perrin Aybara surpassing her in certain situations. This overestimation of her abilities reflects her tendency to inflate her own capabilities, which often leads to overreach.
Lanfear’s strength as a channeler is at the very peak of what is possible for a woman, which alone elevates her above the vast majority of fantasy characters. However, in terms of raw destructive capability, she falls short compared to male Forsaken like Demandred, who can achieve higher levels of raw output due to their inherent strength in the One Power. While Lanfear can compensate with precision and creativity, this inherent disadvantage caps her potential when matched against individuals capable of overwhelming brute force.
Lanfear’s fatal flaw lies in her arrogance and lack of emotional control. Her obsession with Lews Therin/Rand al’Thor often clouds her judgment, leading to tactical missteps that diminish her overall effectiveness. While Demandred demonstrates a calculated, militaristic focus, Lanfear’s schemes are often motivated by personal vendettas or unchecked ambition. This distinction is key to understanding why her power ranking falls slightly below his.
In a multiverse comparison, Lanfear’s abilities place her as a powerful but not invincible figure. Her skills in manipulation and power make her an undeniable force, but her lack of strategic discipline and frequent self-sabotage prevent her from ascending to the highest tiers of power.
Lanfear’s inherent pride and jealousy drive her to betray allies and take unnecessary risks, limiting her potential. Unlike Demandred, who commands armies and wields tactical influence, Lanfear prefers to work alone, often disregarding opportunities for collaboration that could amplify her power. Lanfear’s resilience is notable but not exceptional. Her reincarnation as Cyndane marks a decline in her capabilities, and her subservience to Moridin highlights her diminished standing among the Forsaken.
Ultimately, Lanfear’s score of 7.7 reflects her status as one of the most dangerous figures in her universe, but her flaws, combined with the existence of stronger and more disciplined characters, prevent her from breaking into the highest tier. Her tragic overconfidence and inability to learn from failure define her as a character of immense potential but self-imposed limitations, making her a fascinating figure in the Wheel of Time series and a compelling subject of comparison across fantasy worlds. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated power ranking across all planes of existence. This will only be sortable on desktop viewing. The below table shows a summary within the same plane of existence of this article.
