- Photo:
- Doctor Strange
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Any Sorcerer Supreme or Master of the Mystic Arts is only as good as their book of spells, and the litany of Dr. Strange spells offered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is as extensive as any other magical collection. Fans of the MCU can witness Dr. Strange casting spells of all shapes, sizes, and schools of magic in every single one of his on-screen appearances, and each spell comes with its own specific purpose - and level of effectiveness.
There are countless Stephen Stranges out there in the Multiverse of Madness, but none of them can do the job of Sorcerer Supreme quite as well as Doctor Strange-616. With him, it’s not just the spells themselves, but when - and why - he uses them. Timing, after all, has always been his thing.
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Images Of Ikonn - ‘Infinity War’
- Photo:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? When the tide of his personal match against Thanos on Titan began to turn against Strange.
What Does It Do? The spell generates dozens of duplicates of its user, each of which is supposed to be indiscernible from the original, and each of which can make magical attacks of their own. It invokes the name of Ikonn, a deity known as the Lord of Illusions.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange was attempting to use the Images of Ikonn to overwhelm Thanos in battle, binding him with dozens of Eldritch Whips at once.
Did It Work? For a moment, this tactic seemed to work. But then Thanos activated the Soul Stone, which immediately revealed the real Strange and destroyed all of the copies.
Cool spell? - Photo:
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Parachronal Cognition - ‘Infinity War’
- Photo:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? Strange famously used the Time Stone to glimpse 14,000,605 possible outcomes of the upcoming battle with Thanos, before returning to the present to share what he had seen.
What Does It Do? Parachronal Cognition allows a magic user to view countless potential future timelines as they branch off from the current one - and, ideally, pick up on some key steps that can be taken to ensure the optimal outcome.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange was trying to find a future in which Thanos was defeated.
Did It Work? It worked for one timeline out of 14,000,605, but that was the only timeline Strange needed.
Cool spell? - Photo:
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Transmutation - ‘Infinity War’ And Elsewhere
- Photo:
- Avengers: Endgame
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? During his brief, but frenzied, one-on-one battle with Thanos and a mostly-filled Infinity Gauntlet on Titan. Also, for more casual fun.
What Does It Do? Transmutation is the act of magically transforming one thing into another thing, usually as that thing passes through a Mandala of one’s creation.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? When Thanos used the Infinity Gauntlet to pull together a singularity out of thin air and launch it at Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme tried to transmute it into something harmless.
Did It Work? Strange was able to turn Thanos’s black hole projectile into a collection of pretty blue butterflies, and leave the Mad Titan visibly confused. Strange has also successfully transmuted tea into beer, water into wine, and his civilian clothing into sorcerer garb.
Cool spell? - Photo:
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Shield Of The Seraphim - ‘Infinity War’
- Photo:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? As the stolen ship of Ebony Maw crashed into Titan with Strange, Iron Man, and Spider-Man on board.
What Does It Do? Essentially an upgrade of the Taos Mandalas, the Shield of the Seraphim surrounds Strange and anyone near him in a large, spherical series of shields, protecting them from harm. This protective barrier has the added bonus of being vaguely angelic.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange was trying to have him and his fellow heroes survive a high-speed spaceship crash onto an unknown foreign planet.
Did It Work? It did. Strange, Iron Man, and Spidey were all able to walk away from the crash, none the worse for wear.
Cool spell? - Photo:
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Sling Ring Portal Creation - ‘Doctor Strange’ And Multiple Other Films
When Did Strange Use It?: All the time. Using the Sling Ring to create a portal is the first magical trick that Doctor Strange ever learns, and he never stops using it.
What Does It Do?: Sling Ring portals can be opened up in the size and shape of a sorcerer’s choosing, and create an immediate mode of transport from one location to another. Individuals or entire armies can step through a portal and find themselves elsewhere in the universe. A well-timed portal can also be used offensively, either by redirecting projectiles or by closing them on a limb.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange uses portals for a variety of purposes, perhaps most ambitiously as he transported he and his fellow heroes from Titan to Earth in time for the final battle of ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
Did It Work?: Sling Rings have yet to let Doctor Strange down.
Cool spell? - 6
Crimson Bands Of Cyttorak - ‘Infinity War’
- Photo:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? During the Battle of Titan against Thanos, when the group of heroes briefly worked together.
What Does It Do? Summons red-hot metallic bands from another dimension to both bind and cause pain to an opponent. The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak are made of the same sort of material that encases the Juggernaut in Marvel Comics.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange first wrapped the Crimson Bands around the Infinity Gauntlet to prevent Thanos from using it, and then wrapped them around his other arm in an attempt to pull the Gauntlet from his grasp.
Did It Work? Almost. In fact, the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak would have worked perfectly here, if not for the untimely intervention of Star-Lord before the Gauntlet was removed.
Cool spell? - Photo:
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Dreamwalking - ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness’
When Did Strange Use It? Doctor Strange used Dreamwalking to inhabit the (deceased) body of his multiversal doppelganger, buried back on Earth-616.
What Does It Do? Dreamwalking allows an individual to inhabit the body of one of their own variants from across the multiverse. Dreamwalking is a form of chaos magic and is thus highly dangerous to the user and both universes involved in the spell. One must possess the Darkhold in order to Dreamwalk.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange was trapped in another reality, and desperately needed to get back to his home universe in time to save America Chavez and Wong from the Scarlet Witch. The deceased body of his doppelganger was his only means of doing so.
Did It Work? It worked beautifully. Strange was able to inhabit his zombified other-self, burst from the grave, and make it to Mount Wundagore in time to save the day. He was even able to perform powerful feats of magic while Dreamwalking. The spell did incur a cost, however, permanently opening up Strange’s third eye.
Cool spell? - 8
Dimensional Warping - ‘Doctor Strange’ And In Most Other Film Appearances
When Did Strange Use It?: Stephen Strange might take a trip into the Mirror Dimension himself for any number of purposes, but he’s often used this spell offensively, too, in order to keep an opponent occupied somewhere that they can’t do any harm. He’s even used it defensively.
What Does It Do?: Dimensional Warping involves the manifestation of gateways into other dimensions. Specifically, those who have studied under the Ancient One tend to dimensionally warp into the Mirror Dimension.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange has attempted to send Kaecilius, Spider-Man, and Wanda Maximoff into the Mirror Dimension for various safekeeping-related reasons. He’s also used it to absorb a powerful energy projection from Thanos.
Did It Work?: For a time. Each of Kaecilius, Spider-Man, and the Scarlet Witch were able to escape the Mirror Dimension eventually, so it only ever works as a temporary measure. On the other hand, it did successfully dissipate that energy attack from Thanos - and that resulted in a bunch of Mirror Dimension shards that could then be thrown back at the Mad Titan.
Cool spell? - 9
Bolts Of Balthakk - ‘Infinity War’
- Photo:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? During his brief one-on-one clash with Thanos on Titan.
What Does It Do? The Bolts of Balthakk infuse the ground around its user with energy and then draws that energy out in the form of powerful bolts of molten electricity. The bolts are borrowed from Balthakk, an interdimensional being of pure energy.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange was trying to take Thanos down, or at least delay his inevitable victory.
Did It Work? Several blasts from the Bolts of Balthakk had no discernible effect on an Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Thanos.
Cool spell? - Photo:
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Warding Spell - ‘Infinity War’
- Photo:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When Did Strange Use It? It’s unknown when Doctor Strange performed a warding spell on the Eye of Agamotto and the Time Stone within, but it had to be sometime before the Ebony Maw appeared on Earth and attempted to take it from him.
What Does It Do? A warding spell prevents anyone but the person who laid the spell from interacting with a certain object. In the case of the Eye of Agamotto, Strange’s warding spell burned anyone who tried to open it with eldritch fire.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange was trying to keep the Time Stone safe, even in the event of his unavailability or demise. According to him, the spell only gets stronger after its caster has perished.
Did It Work? To date, no one has been able to access the Eye of Agamotto save for Strange himself. He did ultimately open it up and hand the Time Stone to Thanos, but at least he had the choice.
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Astral Projection - 'Doctor Strange' And In Most Other Appearances
When Did Strange Use It? The first time Strange astrally projects, it’s not by choice, with the Ancient One palm-striking his soul right out of his body shortly upon meeting him. Thereafter, Strange used astral projection willingly for a number of purposes, most notably to fight a ghost while his mortal body was being operated on. It’s also the means to his final, near-mortem conversation with the Ancient One.
What Does It Do? Temporarily separates the soul from the material body so that it can float around independently, and sometimes communicate with those still on the earthly plane.
What Was He Trying To Do With It? Strange has mostly used astral projection for communication purposes, such as the time he had to talk Christine Palmer through the treatment of his own unconscious body, but he did also need to fight that ghost off long enough for Christine to complete the work.
Did It Work? It always works. It’s when somebody else astrally projects that the trouble typically starts.
Cool spell? - 12
Runes of Kof-Kol - ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’
When Did Strange Use It?: Doctor Strange has apparently used the Runes of Kof-Kol on several occasions - some of them frivolous - but he most famously employed it to remove the world’s knowledge of Spider-Man’s identity.
What Does It Do?: A “standard spell of forgetting,” the Runes of Kof-Kol removes all knowledge of some truth or event from the world’s memories, save for those individuals pre-selected by the spellcaster to remember.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: After Peter Parker was outed as Spider-Man by Mysterio, he went to Doctor Strange seeking help. Strange was just trying to do Spidey a solid by putting his alter ego back in the bottle.
Did It Work?: It might have, had Parker not requested a handful of exceptions at the last minute. After trying to cram MJ, Aunt May, and Ned into the list of rememberers, the Runes of Kof-Kol spiraled out of control. As a result, several supervillains from other universes appeared on Earth-616, and then the universe itself very nearly collapsed. Oops. In the end, however, the spell was performed successfully, and everyone’s memories of Peter Parker were erased - with no exceptions, save for Peter himself.
Cool spell? - 13
Tao Mandalas - ‘Doctor Strange’ And Multiple Other Films
When Did Strange Use It?: The Tao Mandalas is perhaps Doctor Strange’s most frequently used spell and has made an appearance in most of his on-screen battles.
What Does It Do?: The physical manifestation of glowing mystical energy in the form of a shield or a melee weapon, usually wielded in a handheld fashion.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange has mostly used the Tao Mandalas to protect himself from attacks, including in battle against Kaecilius, Ebony Maw, and Thanos. He’s also used them to create platforms for Star-Lord to jump on and to shield others from aerial bombardment.
Did It Work?: Usually. One notable exception would be the Scarlet Witch tearing through a series of Taos Mandalas as she made her assault on Kamar-Taj.
Cool spell? - 14
Flames Of The Faltine - ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’
When Did Strange Use It?: During the battle against Gargantos in New York.
What Does It Do?: This spell summons a blast of green flames from another realm where the beings are made of pure magic. The Flames of the Faltine burn hotter than any earthly flame ever could.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Scorch Gargantos.
Did It Work?: The Flames of the Faltine were probably intended to distract more than debilitate, and in that sense, they worked well. But they really didn’t do much to slow down Gargantos.
Cool spell? - 15
Mystic Moons Of Munnopor - ‘Endgame’
When Did Strange Use It?: Before he got caught up on flood control, Strange briefly entered the fray of Endgame’s big final brouhaha, and there he used the Mystic Moons of Munnopor to take out several of Thanos’ minions at once.
What Does It Do?: The spell opens up one or more chasm-like portals to the titular Mystic Moons of Munnopor, which produce an irresistible draw. This is typically used to banish enemies.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange was attempting to thin out Thanos’ legions by taking as many hench-folks out of the fight as possible.
Did It Work?: And how. Purple tendrils of energy burst from the ground, hefted up dozens of Thanos’ soldiers, and slammed them into the ground with incredible force. None were seen getting up thereafter.
Cool spell? - 16
Locator Spell - ‘Thor: Ragnarok’
When Did Strange Use It?: To aid Thor when the God of Thunder was on Earth, looking for his father.
What Does It Do?: Uses some form of biological matter to pinpoint the location of one’s relative anywhere in the world.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange used a strand of Thor’s hair to find out where Odin was hiding in Norway.
Did It Work?: It did, and Strange was then able to open a Sling Ring portal that delivered Thor and Loki right to Odin (just in time to watch him perish).
Cool spell? - 17
Eldritch Whips - ‘Doctor Strange’ And Subsequent Films
When Did Strange Use It?: In both the battle against Thanos on Titan and the battle with Gargantos in the streets of New York.
What Does It Do?: The spell generates ropes of fiery energy that can be used to whip or snare an opponent, ideally to restrain them.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange first experimented with Eldritch Whips during his fracas with Kaecilius and his zealots at the Sanctum Sanctorum. Years later, he attempted to bind Thanos to prevent him from accessing the Stones in his Infinity Gauntlet. He and Wong next used Eldritch Whips in an attempt to lasso Gargantos.
Did It Work?: Neither attempt worked for longer than a few seconds.
Cool spell? - 18
Sacred Sword Of Vishanti - ‘Infinity War’
When Did Strange Use It?: Stephen Strange pulled out all of his tricks during his one-on-one showdown with Thanos on the Mad Titan’s home planet, and the Sacred Sword of Vishanti was one of them.
What Does It Do?: The spell summons a sword made of pure sorcerous energy, which can then be wielded in combat. The magic to create it is borrowed from the Vishanti, mystical deities, and the patron saints of the Sorcerer Supreme.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Stab Thanos.
Did It Work?: Unlike Tony Stark, Strange was not able to draw so much as a “drop of blood” from the Mad Titan’s hide. The Sacred Sword of the Vishanti might have bought Strange a few more seconds of time, but it got put away fairly quickly as their battle progressed.
Cool spell? - 19
Winds Of Watoomb - ‘Infinity War’ And ‘Endgame’
When Did Strange Use It?: In the wake of Ebony Maw’s surprise landing in ‘Infinity War,’ and as a massive wave of water threatened to drown the Avengers HQ in ‘Endgame.’
What Does It Do?: The Winds of Watoomb emit a large wave of glowing wind that can be further manipulated to push something away or to contain it.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: Strange uses to Winds to clear smoke and debris out of the way as Ebony Maw touches down on Earth. He then uses it to hold back the lake next to the Avengers Compound as it threatens to spill onto the ‘Endgame’ battlefield and drown the participants.
Did It Work?: The Winds of Watoomb worked for their intended purpose, but they did take up enough of Strange’s focus and energy that he was unable to participate any further in the big battle of Endgame.
Cool spell? - 20
Musical Projectiles - ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’
When Did Strange Use It?: Two different Doctor Strange variants hurled musical projectiles at one another as they duked it out in a universe previously destroyed by an incursion.
What Does It Do?: The spell appears to transform musical notes into hard light projections, which can then be thrown at an opponent. These musical projectiles can slice right through flesh or material, like the leather strap by which one Strange had the Darkhold affixed to his hip.
What Was He Trying To Do With It?: The Strange of Earth-616 was trying to subdue his other self and get his hands on the Darkhold.
Did It Work?: For Strange-616, it certainly did. He used a musical note to cut the Darkhold right off his worse half’s hip, and then he put him down for the count with a particularly orchestral flourish that sent the other Strange flying out the window and onto a conveniently-placed architectural spike.
Cool spell?
