This puts Gandalf the Grey around the same level of First Age elves. That’s a good question. Ian McKellen in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) GANDALF THE GREY, who appeared in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I was just listening to a Manly P. Hall lecture on white, grey, and black magic. As Gandalf, Frodo and the Elves prepare to depart the Grey Havens, the white staff has been restored, and appears bigger than before, but whether repaired of replaced, the design is identical, rather a completely new staff in its own right. Gandalf was an Istari, which is a Maiar (angel) in the form of a human wizard. This allowed Gandalf to shatter Sarumans' staff and take the mantle of white wizard instead of grey. Gandalf (/ ˈ ɡ æ n d ɑː l f /) is a fictional character and a protagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.He is a wizard, a member of the Istari order, and the leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the Army of the West. This allowed Gandalf to shatter Sarumans' staff and take the mantle of white wizard instead of grey. He is far more charismatic and has some limited foresight. However, he was not all-powerful, seeing as the Witch-King of Angmar broke Gandalf's staff. The challenge is clearly stated to be between Dumbledore and Gandalf the GREY. Poll: Face-off: Gandalf the Grey vs Gandalf the White. @stupid_people It is not clear that Saruman lost power when he became, in his own words, "of many colors" and he was still stronger than Gandalf the Grey. Because Saruman had abandoned his purpose Eru appointed Gandalf to be the next white wizard. Others have given spot-on answers to the basic question, noting in general that the colour of each Istari belongs to the robes he has chosen, and perhaps is a clue to his natural interests and talents. Robed in white, Gandalf became what Saruman should've been, had he not been corrupted by ambition and jealousy. Gandalf is the only being in the entire world that has actually died (left Ea) and returned. Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) GANDALF … Albus Dumbledore vs. Gandalf the White 132 ... Gandalf the Grey is indeed powerful too, but he's ... and that was before he was Gandalf the White. So we have to judge him on his merits and abilities up to the point where he falls into the chasm -- i.e. When Gandalf reappears in The Two Towers (Book III of VI) he makes it clear that he is now Gandalf the WHITE. White magic is that done for completely unselfish purposes and black magic is that used for selfish gain. Grey, naturally, lies somewhere in between. In The Lord of the Rings, he is initially known as Gandalf the Grey, but returns from death as Gandalf the White. VS. -Legends/Canon for Palpatine -Gandalf the white. Gandalf is overall more powerful as Gandalf the White. By sacrificing his life for the good of others, Gandalf turns from grey to white. White magic is that done for completely unselfish purposes and black magic is that used for selfish gain. He was able to defeat Saruman, breaking Saruman's power over Theoden and breaking his staff after the Ents took Isenguard. After his encounter with the Balrog on 15 January T.A. I was just listening to a Manly P. Hall lecture on white, grey, and black magic.