There's an interesting selection of magic users in real-life human mythology, and, naturally, those archetypes manifest in our modern fiction. Role-playing games typically have the most powerful mages driving the storyline behind their own unique world, and some of them are available as player characters.
This list is a mix of characters from the lore, player characters, and other famous mages who appear as NPCs or as part of the quest line. All of them are spellcasters of some kind, and whether they're officially known as Sorcerers, Wizards, or Mages, they're some of the most powerful and dangerous beings in the RPG universe.
Updated on August 18, 2023, by Kristy Ambrose: The RPG library is always growing and so does our list of powerful magic users. The new entries are a mix of vintage and brand-new characters from across the vast gaming spectrum that role-playing games cover, from CRPGs to modern MMOs. The evolution of the Mage, Wizard, Sorcerer, or Necromancer continues, and their lore is always different depending on the adventure. That includes those who use their power to augment scientific research, extend their lifespan, retain their youth, unveil the secrets of the universe, and discover life beyond death.
15 Zacharius - Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous
As the hero travels through the ravaged land of Golarion, slaying demons left and right, they'll come across a book, statue, plaque, or certain artifacts that reference a mage named Zacharius. He was a hero, the legends say, a human mage of incredible bravery and power who fought alongside Yaniel while defending Drezen.
Or did he? As the story progresses, it's revealed that Zacharius was so powerful that he used his magic to defy death and rose again as a Lich. Eventually, your character will meet him, hovering and glowing in all his undead glory, and he'll be happy to show you how he did it.
14 Merlin - Hand Of Merlin
The character of Merlin appears as part of the backstory in Hand of Merlin, not a playable character as some might hope. The game is set in an alternate history, in a post-Arthur age in which Eldritch horrors plague the land. Characters aren't built from scratch but instead chosen from pools of pre-rolled choices that are either Mystics, Warriors, or Rangers.
The whole story was set into motion thanks to the power of Merlin. His powers were lessened when King Arthur was killed, but he still had enough magical ability to seek out and train a special group of select heroes to confine the evil that coninues to spread. He's the NPC that gives the heroes their various tasks and quests, which are an interesting mix of dark fantasy and historic fact.
13 Ahzidal - Skyrim
According to Skyrim lore, Ahzidal was the first Nord to be a true master of arcane magic, and perhaps the first human who was able to wield the power of the Elves with equal ferocity. Part of his power was innate, as he was recognized as talented in his youth and trained with the Elven masters, but he was also driven by vengeance.
After he returned from training abroad, he was shocked to find his hometown of Saarthal had been sacked and burned by the Snow Elves. He was instrumental in ending the dominance of the Mer in Tamriel and eventually joined the order of Dragon Priests. By the time you face him, he has succumbed to his lust for knowledge and is locked in a state of magical undeath.
12 Soraka - The Starchild, League Of Legends
Soraka is one of the most powerful mages available in League of Legends. She's a heavenly being manifest in a form that allows her to visit Runeterra and fight for the downtrodden. That's her backstory in a nutshell, but it gives you an idea of how powerful she is.
Her nickname, the Starchild, is a nod to her celestial origins. Her powers are mostly supportive, primarily for healing and defense, but include impressive abilities like elemental resistance and the ability to nullify the power of others.
11 Cloud Of Darkness - Final Fantasy 3
Cloud of Darkness is the final boss of Final Fantasy 3 and doesn't appear until the end, so you have plenty of time to be intimidated by legends of her immense power. The final goal of Cloud of Darkness is to cover the world in her shadow, destroying any life that touches it.
Her shape is humanoid, from what we see of it, as she emerges from a literal black hole. Cloud of Darkness had magical powers that were enough to defeat all four of the Warriors of Light at one point. This is her first appearance in the series, but she appears in some form in almost every game.
10 Jon Irenicus - Baldur's Gate 2
The classic CRPG Baldur's Gate 2 begins with the character waking up in a laboratory owned by this mad mage. Jon Irencius vacillates between Bond villain and angry deity when measured by the depth of his power and the breadth of his complex schemes.
In the course of becoming strong enough to confront Irenicus and destroy him, the protagonist learns that a long life of training with the Elves and conducting sordid experiments gave the mage his incredible power. He's one of the most difficult RPG antagonists to beat, so make sure your hero is maxed out before you enter the endgame to face him.
9 Flemeth - Dragon Age
Flemeth is known as the Witch of the Wilds or The Mother of Vengeance, and she's one of the most important characters in Dragon Age lore. Flemeth is a character of legend, an ancient master of magic whose first act of real magical power was one of brutal revenge, and she appears in most of the series.
Flemeth's specialties include shapeshifting and using the power of demons as her own. She isn't just one of the most powerful mages in her own right, either. In her long life, she's given birth to many children, and they are also powerful magic users.
8 Magus - Chrono Trigger
Magus is one of the main antagonists in Chrono Trigger, and he has a long and compelling history filled with evil deeds. He's often pictured holding one of his favorite weapons, a scythe, but he's primarily a mage and one of the most powerful mages.
The magical abilities that Magus possesses are both devastating and impressive, including the power of telekinesis, electrokinesis, ice manipulation, and dark magic. He can also create black holes and is immune to any kind of spell that warps space and time.
7 Azshara - World Of Warcraft
Azshara is one of the oldest characters in the World of Warcraft universe, and it's because of her awesome magical powers and deep connection to the arcane that Azeroth exists in the first place. In her natural life, she oversaw the Golden Age of the Night Elf civilization, was beloved by her people, and feared by her enemies.
Only some kind of deadly inner weakness could defeat a mage as powerful as Azshara, and that was exactly what happened. Her vanity drove her to seek out demon lords in an attempt to gain more magical power, and her attempt to bring them into Azeroth using the Well of Eternity as a portal resulted in the well's destruction.
The world was changed forever in an event called the Great Sundering, and Azshara was banished to the depths of the Great Sea to survive as the Queen of Nazjatar, until eventually becoming a rad boss in the Battle for Azeroth expansion.
6 The Mage Of Zamorak - Runescape
There are all different kinds of power, and not all of them involve large explosions or the sudden decimation of several enemies. The Mage of Zamorok is a member of the Zamorak Magical Institute, which means his magical knowledge must be one of the most powerful mages, to begin with.
In addition to his titles, he not only sells any kinds of runes, which are essential for certain kinds of magic use, but he's also able to teleport players into the Abyss. However, if you're wearing any item that references a god other than Zamorak, the services he offers are limited.
5 Vivi - Final Fantasy 9
Most players discount Vivi when they first meet him in Final Fantasy 9, taking his awkward demeanor and lack of human facial features to mean that he's a cosmetic throwaway character you can't take seriously. Over time, however, he becomes one of the most powerful mages not only in this game but the entire Final Fantasy series.
Vivi Ornitier has an interesting history to explain his power. He was part of a line of sentient dolls that were mass-produced as weapons, but befriends the protagonist. Vivi's talent with Black Magic, which drains levels and deals elemental damage, makes this a deadly magic user and one of the most powerful mages in RPGs.
4 Mordenkainen - Dungeons & Dragons
Sometimes referred to as the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok, Mordenkainen was from Oerth, a kingdom from Dungeons & Dragons. He's featured as a character in stories and modules about Waterdeep and the northern part of the Sword Coast.
Mordenkainen is officially an Archmage, and players who roll a spellcasting character have probably seen his name before. He's a prominent fixture in the wizarding profession of D&D and has given his name to several spells, like Mordenkainen's Electric Arc and Mordenkainen's Force Missiles.
3 Yennefer Of Vengerberg - The Witcher 3
Yennefer has made a name for herself outside of the game thanks to her prominent appearance in the popular Netflix adaptation. She could be the most powerful mage in The Witcher, and her appearance as a main character in the live-action version has made Yennefer of Vengerberg one of the most popular magic users of the 21st century.
Yennefer was born with innate magical powers and trained at Aretuza under another accomplished mage, Tissaia de Vries. She's the youngest member of the Supreme Council of Sorcerers and is also a teacher and mother figure to Ciri, a character that comes into her magical powers as a Witcher.
2 Ganondorf - The Legend Of Zelda
Ganondorf began as the King of the Gerudo, a people well versed in the art of stealth fighting, thievery, and desert survival, so he was already a deadly fighter when he presented himself to the court of Hyrule. The lore describes that he was also a talented magic user, and when he found out about the existence of a divine object called the Triforce, Ganondorf made it his ultimate goal to find it and become even more powerful.
Only two things stand in Ganondorf's way; Princess Zelda, a powerful mage in her own right, and her champion, a plucky fighter named Link who has some magical powers of his own. Almost every game in this series gives Ganon yet another deadly magical ability that the heroes must face and defeat. The success of The Legend of Zelda IP owes a lot to Ganon, one of the gaming world's most powerful mages.
1 Gotoh - Fire Emblem
Gotoh is one of the most powerful mages of Fire Emblem, and he's responsible for teaching other powerful mages, such as Miloah and his daughter Linde. His official title is Bishop, but he's also a powerful magic-user known as the White Sage.
He is only briefly available as a player character because he's so OP. He can use any tome or staff and can cast both offensive damage and healing spells. Unlike other spellcasters, Gotoh has a high defense rating and a lot of hit points, so he's more like a military unit than a squishy caster.