Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-4519633-20141022032431/@comment-25926288-20161218121117

I won't argue against what seems to be immovable. But facts are surely facts. Regina and Cora had to team together to easily break the portection spell that Emma's magic fueled. When Cora was alone, it took her some time to break the second porection spell. None of that was Rumple's magic. That was the chalk + Emma's magic.

Noone has ever broke a poretection spell done by Rumple. Noone unless it was blood magic.

Blue has bested Regina once. Regina didn't get bested the second time. That's it. You can't say she's weaker than Regina when they had both occasions in one episode and never since.

The thing with Maleficent I am right about. Anyone can watch the scene and it's word for word that Maleficent says she's useful. That's it. Being useful and being powerful aren't the same thing.

Another thing about besting someone. Maleficent was bested by Cruella, but Maleficent is more powerful than Cruella. (We all agree on that.)

The thing with Apprentice. He is at least as powerful as Regina and Zelena because he easily opens portals with the wand. Both Zelena and Regina once had trouble using it, but never him. The Apprentice has more magical knowledge than them. The Apprentice has faced several Dark Ones and lived. Sure Zoso didn't attack, but he clearly wasn't killed, ever. So, he's not incompetent. If someone is at least as strong as you and has more skill than you, they'll rank higher than you.

With the Dragon, he is slow as molasses. It isn't because he's weak. Tamara threatened him. Tamara had no power. The Dragon would easily beat Tamara, but he was too slow to do it.

TL;DR: If raw power is equal, speed neutralized, than the person with the most knowledge and skill is the "more powerful person".

If Blue = Regina in raw power, speed neutralized, Blue is "stronger" because of greater magical knowledge. At worst, they are equal. Blue isn't on the level of Emma or Blind Witch because she'd crush them anyday of the week.

If Apprentice = Regina in raw power, speed neutralized, Apprentice is "stronger" than Regina because of magical knowledge.

If Regina = Emma in raw power, speed neutralized, Regina is "stronger" than Emma because of her magical knowledge and skill.