Robert Jordan's Channeller Strength Ranking

By Linda


This article details Robert Jordan’s channeller strength ranking collated from individual character entries in the Wheel of Time Companion and from his notes. At a booksigning, Jordan said he had a 21-level strength list for women, but obviously his strength ranking has far more levels, even just for Aes Sedai.

For women, the numbers in parentheses refer to Aes Sedai level ranks only. Plus numbers are “above” regular Aes Sedai ranks. The double plus numbers are the six levels above the women's levels for the strongest men.

++1 (top level for men) Ishamael/Moridin, Lews Therin, Rand, Rahvin

++2 Aginor/Osan’gar, Demandred, Logain, Sammael

++3 Asmodean, Balthamel/Aran’gar

++4 Be’lal

++5

++6

1 (+12) (top level for women) Alivia, Lanfear, Semirhage

2 (+11) Cyndane, Mesaana, Sharina Melloy, Talaan din Gelyn

3 (+10) Caraighan Maconar, Graendal, Nynaeve ti al’Maera Mandragoran

4 (+9) Moghedien, Someryn

5 (+8) Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Tamela

6 (+7) 750-year level

7 (+6) Cadsuane Melaidhrin (in Aes Sedai notes)

8 (+5) Egwene al’Vere, Elayne Trakand, Aviendha (Aviendha notes), Metarra din Junalle (minimum in Sea Folk notes)

9 (+4) Mabriam en Shereed, Nicola Treehill

10 (+3) Meilyn Arganya, Viendre

11 (+2) Aviendha (Companion), Kerene Nagashi

12 (+1) 700-year level Edarra, Therava

13 (1) Colinda, Elaida a’Roihan, Lelaine Akashi, Moiraine Damodred (old), Rainyn din Burun, Romanda Cassin, Siuan Sanche (old), Garenia Rosoinde/Zarya Alkaese

14 (2) Aisha Raveneos, Bera Harkin, Cetalia Delarme, Cosain, Galina Casban, Ibrella, Kirstian Chalwin, Kiruna Nachiman, Larelle Tarsi, Leane Sharif (old), Liandrin Guirale, Martine Janata, Merean Redhill, Merise Haindehl, Pevara Tazanovni, Reanne Corly, Saerin Asnobar, Sashalle Anderly, Shalon din Togara, Sheriam Bayanar, Valera Gorovni, Yukiri Haruna

15 (3) Anaiya Carel, Carlinya Sorevin, Desandre Alraed, Dorailla, Katerine Alruddin, Lemai Ambani, Maigan, Marillin Gemalphin, Morvrin Thakanos, Myrelle Berengari, Nesune Bihara, Shemerin, Silviana Brehon, Talene Minly, Theodrin Dabei

---Level above which can make a larger gateway---

16 (4) Amys, Adelorna Bastine, Aisling Noon, Beldeine Nyram, Beonin Marinye, Bernaile Gelbarn, Brendas, Doesine Alwain, Eldrith Jhondar, Ester Stepashin, Faeldrin Harella, Haesel Lusara, Julanya Fote, Kwamesa Taramasu, Masuri Sokawa, Naime din Malzar, Nisao Dachen, Rafela Cindal, Rysael din Yulan

17 (5) Alanna Mosvani, Aloisia Nemosni (max), Alviarin Freidhen, Annharid Matoun, Caire din Gelyn, Cathal Devore, Dailin, Danelle, Delora, Erian Boroleos, Falion Bhoda, Faolain Orande, Felaana Bevaine, Ispan Shefar, Janya Frende, Joline Maza, Lisain din Raed, Meidani Eschede, Melaine, Merana Ambrey, Sabeine Ocalin, Seaine Herimon, Seonid Traighan, Tebreille din Gelyn, Temaile Kinderode, Teslyn Baradon, Verin Mathwin

18 (6) 650-year level Asne Zeramene, Ayako Norsoni, Azzara din Karak, Belinde, Carelle, Chesmal Emry, Coiren Saeldain, Corele Hovian, Delana Mosalaine, Demira Eriff, Earine Malvin, Jeaine Caide, Jennet Cobb, Kairen Stang, Kurin din Calis, Lincora din Omen, Lydinia Morressin, Marith Riven, Mikio Vadere, Narenwin Barda (may be 19/7), Renaile din Calon Blue Star, Samitsu Tamagowa (maximum), Sarene Nemdahl, Shevan Gadarin, Sierin Vayu, Sumeko Karistovan, Tialin, Wallein din Onill

19 (7) Berenicia Morsad, Celestin Eguilera, Chaelin, Chanelle din Seran, Dagdara Finchey, Dorile din Eiran, Elaiva Walfor, Faeral din Rao, Gabrelle Brawley, Gitara Moroso, Lusonia Colewin, Mareil din Chele, Nadere, Niolle din Lembar, Pelana din Saidon, Rhiale, Rubinde Acedone, Sedore Dajenna, Senine din Ryal, Tamra Ospenya, Tarna Feir, Tiana Noselle, Toveine Gazal, Zenare Ghodar, Zerah Dacan

20 (8) Evanellein Lorn, Faiselle Darone, Magla Daronos (max, given as 29 (8), so may be 29 (17)), Samitsu Tamagowa (minimum), Vandene Namelle (but limited herself to be equal to her sister)

21 (9) Covarla Baldene, Ferane Neheran, Irgain Fatamed, Jesse Bilal, Juilaine Madome, Mayam Colona, Rianna Andomeran, Sereille Bagand, Tsutama Rath, Valene Sural

22 (10) Ashmanaille (can make gateway), Cairlyn Nesolle, Carniele Emares, Emerys, Losaine (max, given as 22 (15), so may be 27 (15)), Merilille Ceandevwin (can’t make gateway), Rina Hafden, Ronelle, Samalin Naerodan, Sibella (can’t make gateway), Suana Dragand

---Level above which can make a useful gateway---

23 (11) 600-year level Adeleas Namelle (can’t make gateway), Duhara Basaheen, Escaralde Hamdey, Janina, Nevarin, Serafelle Tanisloe, Shielyn din Sabura, Takima Deraighdin

24 (12) Akoure Vayet, Aledrin Malenry, Andaya Forae, Edesina Azzedin, Kumira Dhoran, Lirene Doirellin, Lyrelle Arienwin, Meira, Saroiya Farseen

25 (13) Beldemaine, Chai Rugan, Elza Penfell, Javindhra Doraille, Jenare Balmaen, Keatlin, Malind Nachenin, Modarra, Moria Karentanis, Sanaiye Asaheen, Velina Behar, Zemaille Amassa

26 (14) Lanita, Mirlene Cornwell, Sareitha Tomares, Turanna Norill, Varilin Zanaire

27 (15) Aeldene Stonebridge, Amico Nagoyin, Amira Moselle, Berylla Naron, Careane Fransi, Janine Pavlara, Losaine (min, given as 22 (15), so may be 22 (10)), Micara, Niande Moorwyn, Ronaille Vevianos, Salita Toranes, Tabiya, Wyndera Ovan

28 (16) Berana Shemon, Hattori Gatano, Joiya Byir, Larissa Lyndel, Marline, Nelavaire Demasiellin, Razina Hazzan

29 (17) Lucilde, Magla Daronos (min, given as 29 (8), so may be 20 (8)), Pura/Ryma Galfrey

30 (18) 550-year level Daviena, Dolera Meith, Emara

---Level below which cannot make any gateway at all---

31 (19) Calindin, Cavandra, Ieine

32 (20) Rosara Medrano, Shanelle, Teire Alentaine

33 (21) Annoura Larisen, Bharatine, Fera Sormen, Silvane Redfor, Valinde Nathenos

34 (22) Adine Canford, Afara, Akarrin Comeris, Cabriana Mecandes, Memara, Shahal Comanli, Shimoku, Therva Maresis, Vayelle Kamsa

35 (23) Cariandre Temalien, Guisin, Phaedrine, Shana Goridien, Siuan Sanche (new)

36 (24) 500-year level Leane Sharif (new), Nacelle Kayama

37 (25) Bennae Nalsad, Caren Endelle, Chilares Arman, Nisain a’Cowel

38 (26) Famelle Juarde, Nubei Peldovni, Reiko Kerevon

39 (27) Ivara

40 (28) Solain Morgeillin

41 (29) Derys Nermala, Eldase Takashi

42 (30) 450-year level Berowin Doraisin

44 (32) Marris Thornhill

45 (33) Daigian Moseneillin, Monaelle

---Level below which was not allowed to test for Aes Sedai---

46 (34) Alise Tenjile, Dimana Corrand, Janira (max), Melore (max), Sarainya Vostovan

47 (35) Sorilea (max, given as 57 (35), so may be 57 (45)), Tamarla

48 (36) 400-year level

49 (37) Keraille Surtovni

50 (38) Merin Hannifor

---Level below which was not allowed to test for Accepted---

54 (42) 350-year level Asra Zigane, Setsuko (max)

57 (45) Sorilea (min, given as 57 (35); Egwene thought her too weak to be tested for Accepted (Lord of Chaos, A Taste of Solitude), so this is her likely level)

60 (48) 300-year level

66 (54) 250-year level Moiraine (new)


Notes

As stated, there are six strength levels for men above the women’s ranks. However, as Jordan repeatedly explained, women have superior dexterity than men to the degree that they make up for the lesser amounts of the One Power that they draw:

Men can be much stronger than women in the pure quantity of the Power that they can channel, but on a practical level, women are much more deft in their weaving and that means the strongest possible woman can do just about anything that the strongest possible man could, and to the same degree.

Robert Jordan on his blog

Very strong male channellers would fill these six levels, with strong male channellers on the same levels as the very strong women, and so on down through the medium and weak channellers.

It is interesting that not all strength levels were “filled out” with characters appearing in the series—notably levels 6 (+7) and 7 (+6), and the ++5 and ++6 men's levels. A few characters have double entries because they were given inconsistent number rankings.

In this ranking, I have included those channellers whose actual ranking was stated in the Companion or Jordan’s notes, plus those where it was stated that they could or could not qualify for a test or gateway ability. I have not included rankings based on further inferences and will not on this list. Such channellers are included on my Saidar Strength Ranking list. Conversely, I have not added channellers with a ranking number in the Companion to my own strength ranking who do not have references in the book as to their relative strength because the two rankings are only approximately compatible. For actual book quotes regarding the female channellers’ strengths, please see the Saidar Strength article linked above.

Some notable changes of mind that Jordan made in the series are the strengths of Aviendha—repeatedly stated as equal to Elayne and Egwene in the books but not in Jordan’s strength ranking, where Aviendha is three levels below them—and Cadsuane, who is not as strong as Elayne and Egwene in the books but is placed a level or more above them in Jordan’s strength ranking. Likewise, Talaan is said to be equal to Nynaeve in the books but is placed a level higher in Jordan’s ranking notes.

Morgase would be lower than Moiraine (new) but she was not given a ranking in the Companion.

Channellers in levels 23 (11) to 30 (18) are able to make very small gateways that are barely, or even not, useful. Note that even level 22 contains channellers who are known to be unable to make a gateway that is useable—Merilille, for instance, relied on Reanne Corly to make a gateway for her to visit the Borderlander army. I have marked where this is known. It may reflect a lack of Talent for making Gateways. Androl is a noted exception; he is a weak channeller who can make very large gateways due to his Talent for the weave.

Comparison with my 21-level saidar strength list:

I will give the 21-level list number first and then Jordan’s ranking level/s. On the whole, the lists are broadly similar.

Level 21 — 1 (+12)
Level 20 — 2 (+11)
Levels 19 and 18 — 3 (+10)
Level 17 — 4 (+9)
Level 16 — 5 (+8)
Level 15 — 8 (+5)
Level 14 and some of 13 and 15 — 9 (+4)
Level 13 — 10 (+3), 11 (+2) and 12 (+1)
Level 12 — 13/1
Level 11 — 14/2
Level 10 — 15/3
Level 9 — 16/4
Level 8 — 17/5
Level 7 — 18/6 to 22/10 inclusive
Level 6 — 23/11 to 33/21 inclusive
Level 5 — 34/22 and parts of 35/23
Level 4 — part of 35/23 and 36/24 to 45/33 inclusive
Level 3 — part of 46/34
Level 2 — part of 46/34 and 47/35 to at least 57/45
Level 1 — below 57/45, for negligible channellers such as Morgase, who was not given a ranking number on Jordan’s list


Written December 2016 and updated January 2018