Of all of The Tolkien works, Eru, Iluvatar, was most obviously the most powerful. But he can't really count; He's like, "THE" god. He is creation itself, and so on.
Of those who ever entered middle earth, the Vala were the most powerful.
Good Vala: Manwe was king, but I don't think he was most powerful. Tulkas wasn't as wise, but he was, well, Hercules, if you take my meaning. Ulmo might take the most powerful as well, becaus ehe was lor dof the ocean.
Bad: Melkor. He was the only Ainur turned bad. The only one. In his own way, Morgoth- Melkor was more powerful than any other Vala one on one. His army took on all the Vala at the same time. Says somethin for him.
Children of Iluvatar: Of all the children, it was said the feanor as the the most pwerful bar none. Even though he lost, Feanor had to be damn powerful to take on all the Balrogs at one time. His only contestant was his brother Fingolfin, in my opinion. Fingolfin did a good job of fighting a god like Vala.
In the 2nd age: There isn't a good amount written for this age, but, there's some.
Good: I think King Gil Galad of the elves take this, or maybe Elendil. One of the two. Celebrimbor needs to be added there too. because Galadriels real power only bloomed until the 3rd age, and Cirdan never really took part, I don't count them. Glorifindel wasn't super powerful, but he was a high Elf of Valinor.
Bad: The most powerful that was active had to be Sauron. I mean, the balrogs were more Powerful, but not smart. Other than him, not much was written about powerful intelligent enemies.
3rd Age:
Good: At this point the Istari entered middle earth. At the End of the Third Age, I wonder if Mithrandir Gandalf could take Sauron. I had this discussion with tothers, and we agree that, if the rings of power get taken out of the equation, Gandalf could take 'em. Bombadil was obviously more powerful than either of the two, but he's a bit wacko.....
I think, in terms of men, they didn't have as much "Power" in the metaphysical, being men. But Aragon was just as courageous as either Elendil or Isildur.
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"Onen i-Estal Edain, u-chebin estel anim."
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