Notoriously one of Stephen Strange’s worst enemies in the comics, the MCU version of Karl Mordo appears in Doctor Strange as the titular character’s ally and mentor. A disciple of the Ancient One and Stephen’s guide in the mystic arts, Karl is nevertheless a strong believer in the rules taught by the Celtic sorceress. When he learns the Ancient One herself is using the power of the Dark Dimension to ensure her immortality, he becomes disenchanted with her.
His disappointment increases after Stephen uses the power of the Time Stone to defeat Dormammu. Mordo is set to return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And while his role isn’t yet clear, he would be a fierce opponent for Strange. In fact, there are numerous MCU characters Karl could defeat, and some of them are incredibly strong.
10 Hulk Was Easily Taken Out By The Ancient One
The Hulk is (notoriously) one of the strongest characters in Marvel. While the MCU version doesn’t quite have the destructive potential of his comic version, he’s always an opponent to be feared. But like any fighter, he has his weak points. During the Avengers Time Heist, the Hulk was easily taken out when the previous Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, propelled Bruce’s astral self out of his body.
Since Doctor Strange can also use this technique, it’s safe to say Mordo will be able to do it too. Naturally, Mordo doesn’t have the Hulk’s sheer physical strength, but like the Ancient One, he doesn’t need it. All he needs to do is challenge the Hulk’s spirit, which is one attack Bruce wouldn’t be ready for.
9 Spider-Man Is Vulnerable Against Magic If Incredibly Resourceful
Spider-Man: No Way Home had a lot of interesting elements and amazing battles, but one of the best confrontations may have been between Doctor Strange and Spider-Man. Interestingly enough, Spidey is able to return to his body after Strange pushes him out. It’s unclear why this is possible, but Doctor Strange quickly takes steps to immobilize the web-slinger and trap him in the Mirror Dimension.
It’s through Spider-Man’s quick thinking that he’s able to relieve Stephen of his sling ring and defeat the sorcerer. However, Spidey’s success is in no small part caused by Stephen’s own arrogance. Mordo doesn’t have that personality flaw and would quickly exploit Spidey’s vulnerability to magic.
8 Loki’s Arrogance And Dismissiveness Of Mortals Could Be His Downfall
As the Asgardian God of Mischief, Loki is an incredibly powerful and versatile sorcerer. A shape-shifter with strong illusionary magic and telekinetic abilities, he also has the physique of a Frost Giant, which naturally gives him superhuman strength and durability.
But Loki is also arrogant and tends to look down on mortals. This is why during his confrontation with Doctor Strange, he is unable to do much. Strange simply uses his sling ring to keep Loki falling for thirty minutes, then sends both Loki and Thor away before the God of Mischief can retaliate. Mordo would doubtlessly use the same method.
7 The Winter Soldier Wouldn’t Have A Lot Of Defenses Against Powerful Spells
After being captured by Hydra and brainwashed for decades, Bucky Barnes is turned into a living weapon: the Winter Soldier. As the Fist of Hydra, he commits countless assassinations for the organization. With his programming gone, Bucky is significantly less dangerous, but even at his most lethal, he’d have trouble overcoming powerful spells.
Granted, magic doesn’t make someone immune to bullets or having their windpipe crushed by a metal arm, but Mordo has proven to be both ruthless and intelligent in the past. An excellent martial artist, he would likely find it easy to sneak up on the Winter Soldier and target him with his astral abilities. And if all else failed, he could turn to the same method he used on Loki.
6 Captain America’s Shield Isn’t Magic-Proof
A super-soldier like his best friend, Steve Rogers is best known for being the peak of human perfection and also for relying heavily on his vibranium shield to fight. A highly versatile tool in Steve’s arsenal, it’s proven to be immune to countless forces, including, on one occasion, Thor’s hammer.
But vibranium wouldn’t help Steve against Mordo’s eldritch powers and astral projection. Much like the Hulk, Loki, or Spider-Man, he could easily be taken out using the sling ring or immobilized in the Mirror Dimension.
5 Iron Man Could Easily Become An Erased Memory
Mordo tends to be far more careful with the use of his abilities than Stephen Strange, but he’s no doubt familiar with the spell used by Stephen in Spider-Man 3. The incredibly dangerous spell, known as the Runes of Kof-Kol, can be used to erase the minds of the world of a particular person or event.
Characters like Tony Stark would be particularly vulnerable to this. If the world–Tony included–were to forget the determining events that lead to the creation of Iron Man, Tony would most likely revert to his pre-Afghanistan person. The spell also seems capable of wiping away material traces of an event; so, in theory, could destroy every single armor Tony created. Iron Man would cease to exist.
4 Ant-Man May End Up Becoming A Giant Target
Considering the potential of the Ant-Man suit, it’s safe to say that Scott Lang may very well be among the strongest MCU characters. The Disney+ series What If…? has already proven that–using skills similar to Ant-Man’s–Yellowjacket could take out most of the Avengers. As Giant-Man, Scott also manages to do devastating damage to the forces of Thanos, crushing Cull Obsidian.
But despite his amazing strength, the character has his limits, and he simply doesn’t have Mordo’s fighting prowess or ruthlessness. He also has the tendency not to take things seriously. In his giant form, he could become a target for Mordo’s magic. While he may have more luck approaching Mordo in his miniature form, Mordo would likely turn the tables on him with relative ease.
3 Cull Obsidian Is A Challenge But He Lacks Intelligence
One of the members of Thanos’s Black Order, Cull Obsidian goes up against Iron Man and Wong during Avengers: Infinity War. His strength is impressive but the threat he poses is significantly lessened by the fact that he seemingly lacks intelligence.
In New York, Wong severs his arm and sends him to the Arctic using his portals. Mordo could do the same, although he’d likely be inclined to go for the head.
2 Agatha Harkness May Find Herself Facing An Opponent Who Can Wield Her Favored Weapons
The main antagonist in WandaVision, Agatha Harkness, is an incredibly talented witch who manages to be a threat even to Wanda Maximoff. Resistant to the Hex, she seeks to manipulate Wanda and claim her power. In fact, Agatha’s preferred form of attack involves stealing the magic of other sorcerers. But it’s apparent from her confrontation with Wanda that she doesn’t expect others—and particularly Wanda—to be able to do the same thing.
When faced with Mordo, she may find herself with a nasty problem on her hands. Unlike Wanda, Mordo has plenty of ways to immobilize Agatha without using magic at all. Most importantly, he can also steal her magic, which he’d certainly be very interested in doing so considering how badly she abuses her powers.
1 Wong’s Abilities May Not Be Enough To Defeat Mordo
Since Wong and Mordo once fought side by side, it’s hard not to compare the two sorcerers. Wong is Stephen’s staunchest ally, and after Strange’s death in the Snap, he actually becomes the Sorcerer Supreme. He’s proven himself to be an exceptional fighter and martial artist, even managing to defeat the Abomination in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
But Mordo has always demonstrated that he’s capable of a degree of ruthlessness the likable Wong simply cannot channel. It’s possible that, in a fight between the two, Wong would be less willing to kill his former ally. The same thing cannot be said about Mordo, which could give him the edge he needs to defeat Wong.
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