Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-34924658-20150405041917/@comment-26255666-20150425012737

Exactly, you said it perfectly "Darkness =/= Magic Powerful". Cruella would do anything to anyone because she has no loyalties or love for anyone but herself whereas Maleficent clearly cares about her child (and can even be maternal whereas Cruella has no maternal bone in her body) and seems to even care (somewhat) for Regina as well.