The enigmatic and terrifying Sutekh the Destroyer from Doctor Who has long been a subject of intense debate among fans, particularly within wiki communities dedicated to power scaling and character analysis. Discussions frequently revolve around accurately representing his capabilities and influence within the vast Doctor Who universe. This article revisits Sutekh’s established feats and expands upon the arguments for a more comprehensive understanding of his power, potentially aligning with a higher-tier classification within wikis such as the Doctor Who Wiki or VS Battles Wiki. Let’s explore the evidence that suggests Sutekh’s power may exceed his current wiki profile, focusing on both canonical appearances and expanded universe (EU) narratives.
The central point of contention often lies in Sutekh’s power level. Current wiki ratings, which may place him at a certain tier (referencing the original text’s mention of “4-A”), might not fully encapsulate the breadth of his demonstrated abilities. Arguments for an upgrade, such as to “High 1-C” as proposed in fan discussions, stem from a careful examination of his feats against formidable entities and his manipulation of fundamental forces within the Doctor Who cosmology.
One compelling piece of evidence for Sutekh’s immense power is his ability to breach the TARDIS’s defenses. In his initial appearance, Sutekh projects an astral form directly into the Doctor’s TARDIS, even while its shields are fully engaged. This is not a trivial feat. The Doctor himself expresses astonishment, stating, “Nothing can enter the TARDIS.”
Doctor: Nothing can enter the Tardis. Unless
Sarah: Unless what?
Doctor: Mental projection of that force is beyond imagination, yet it might explain the stabiliser failure. Let’s see. Was it at this end of the Spectrum?
This intrusion is particularly significant when considering the TARDIS’s known resilience. The TARDIS has been shown to withstand attacks from incredibly powerful beings, including even holding back the Black Guardian, a cosmic entity of immense power. Sutekh’s ability to bypass these defenses with apparent ease suggests a power scale that surpasses even entities that the TARDIS can effectively contain.
Further reinforcing this notion is the Doctor’s own assessment of Sutekh’s power. When Sarah Jane Smith directly inquires about Sutekh’s capabilities, the Doctor’s response is unequivocal and chilling:
Sarah: Just how powerful is Sutekh Doctor?
Doctor: He’s all-powerful. If he ever gets free, there isn’t a lifeform in the galaxy that could stand against him.
Sarah: Not even your lot, the Time Lords?
Doctor: Not even out lot.
The Doctor, a Time Lord with vast knowledge of the universe and its threats, explicitly states that Sutekh is “all-powerful” and that no lifeform, not even the Time Lords, could stand against him should he be unleashed. While such pronouncements could be interpreted as hyperbole to emphasize the immediate danger, they carry significant weight coming from the Doctor and align with the on-screen portrayal of Sutekh’s terrifying presence.
To further solidify the argument for Sutekh’s elevated power level, we can turn to the Doctor Who expanded universe, specifically the Tenth Doctor comic series published by Titan Comics. These comics, while considered non-canonical by some, offer additional insights into characters and storylines, often exploring grander scales of power and cosmic threats. In the comic arc focusing on Sutekh’s return, his capabilities are showcased in dramatic fashion.
In this storyline, Sutekh is depicted as being powerful enough to aid a collective of Elder Gods who have been defeated by the Doctor and banished from the universe. These are not minor deities; among them is one of the Gods of Ragnarok. The Ragnarok pantheon themselves are incredibly powerful, having created the Land of Fiction as a mere side project and having survived the destruction of Old Time, an event that eradicated their universe’s equivalents of the Daleks and Time Lords. This places the Ragnarok Gods at a “High 1-C” power level according to certain wiki scaling systems, making Sutekh’s ability to assist them in returning to the universe a truly remarkable feat.
Furthermore, within the same comic arc, Sutekh confronts and overpowers these very Mad Gods, including the God of Ragnarok and the entity known as the Eater of Worlds. The Eater of Worlds is explicitly stated to have destroyed entire worlds throughout its existence, highlighting its immense destructive power. Sutekh not only withstands an attack from the God of Ragnarok but also seemingly defeats the Eater of Worlds, further cementing his status as a being of extraordinary power within the expanded universe narrative.
Beyond arguments for a potential wiki power upgrade, Sutekh exhibits a diverse and terrifying array of powers throughout his appearances in Doctor Who, both on television and in expanded media. These abilities solidify his reputation as a formidable and god-like antagonist.
Sutekh’s Demonstrated Powers:
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Fire Manipulation: In “Pyramids of Mars,” Sutekh demonstrates the ability to ignite objects psychically. He sets fire to bindings with a mere thought, showcasing control over fire as a weapon.
Sutekh: Come Here… (Crackling Sound)
Bernice: OH!
Robot: You did not imagine he could burn through the bindings?
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Animal Manipulation: Sutekh displays a particular affinity for scarabs, utilizing them as instruments of terror and destruction. He can command swarms of scarabs to attack and devour his enemies, as seen with Kamose.
Sutekh: …See what rises from it, released from the ancient graves.
Kamose (gasps of horror)
Tut: Golden Scarabs! Hundreds of them! They’re moving!
Sutekh: Come Kamose, step closer to me! (The Scuttling of Insects and Kamoses screams as they tear his flesh to the bone and devour him)
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Soul Devouring: Sutekh possesses the chilling ability to consume souls, adding to his god-like and malevolent persona. He explicitly mentions this power, relishing the prospect of devouring a soul.
Sutekh: Your soul is ripe like a fine wine. To consume it will almost be a pity. And yet..
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Death Manipulation: Perhaps Sutekh’s most defining power is his ability to inflict death with a mere breath or utterance. He is repeatedly referred to as the Destroyer, and this power manifests in his immediate and effortless killing of individuals. He uses this power against cultists and even against powerful beings like King Nocturne and Isis.
Sutekh: I am here. Your god is here. (breathes and a body hits the round)
Cultist: Have pity, have mercy!
Sutekh: Hush my servant. (breathes in and he dies) Be at peace.
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Teleportation: Sutekh can teleport at will, appearing and disappearing instantaneously, enhancing his dramatic entrances and escapes.
SFX (Sutekh appears)
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Earth Manipulation: Sutekh can exert control over the earth itself, causing tremors and groundquakes, demonstrating a connection to the planet and its elements.
Ace: Doctor the ground is shaking!
Doctor: Hold on Ace! Hold on!
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Weather Manipulation: Sutekh’s presence and influence can warp the weather, summoning storms and darkening the skies, reflecting his power over the natural world.
Cultist: Look at the sky! It’s turned black!
Reporter: Isn’t that just a storm? I think it’s just a storm.
Cultist 2: That’s not a storm. It’s really happened. The triumph of Sutekh
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Time Manipulation: Sutekh exhibits control over time itself, capable of creating time storms and manipulating temporal flow, as indicated by the Doctor’s explanations.
Ace: It’s a time storm! Sutekh’s whipping up a time storm!”
Bernice: Sutekh has taken over his body. Pulled him back in time.”
Doctor: .. We’ve materialised at the right place, but obviously not in time. A temporal reverse? Some vast impulse of energy must have drawn the Tardis off course.
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Necromancy: Sutekh can raise the dead, reanimating corpses to serve him, further emphasizing his dominion over life and death.
Sutekh: Arise, my brothers, arise and kneel before the might of Sutekh. (Osiran corpses emerge from their tombs)
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Telekinesis: Sutekh utilizes telekinesis to manipulate his environment and overcome obstacles. He clears paths through rock and debris with a thought and uses it to engage enemies like the Eater of Worlds.
Sutekh: The rocks that seal this room, they are nothing to me. You are nothing to me. This entire universe and everything in it is nothing to me. It takes no more then whim. (Collapsed cavern and rubble explode as Sutekh clears himself a path)
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Power Granting: Sutekh can bestow powers upon his servants, as seen with Scraman, granting enhanced healing, shapeshifting, and death manipulation abilities, demonstrating his capacity to amplify the abilities of others.
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Enhanced Senses: Sutekh possesses heightened senses, capable of perceiving events on Earth from Mars and sensing the Doctor’s presence telepathically, showcasing his vast awareness and reach.
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Regeneration: Sutekh demonstrates a form of regeneration or resurrection. Even after his physical body is destroyed, his consciousness endures and can inhabit new forms, suggesting a form of low-godly resilience.
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Possession: In the Tenth Doctor comics, Sutekh is shown to possess his son Anubis, indicating the ability to take control of other beings.
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Attack Reflection?: In the comics, Sutekh appears to deflect energy blasts from the Gods of Ragnarok, hinting at a potential ability to reflect or redirect attacks.
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Energy Manipulation: Sutekh can project bolts of green energy, using it as a weapon against his enemies, including the Mad Gods.
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Technopathy: Sutekh’s consciousness is stated to be capable of harming Osiran AI, suggesting a degree of technopathic ability or influence over technology.
In conclusion, Sutekh the Destroyer is undeniably one of Doctor Who’s most powerful and terrifying villains. Evidence from both his televised appearances and expanded universe narratives strongly suggests a power level that warrants serious consideration within wiki-based power scaling discussions. His feats against the TARDIS, the Doctor’s own pronouncements, and his confrontations with cosmic entities in the comics all contribute to a compelling case for recognizing Sutekh as a being of immense and potentially universe-altering power, worthy of a high-tier classification such as High 1-C within relevant wikis. His diverse range of powers further reinforces his status as a truly god-like antagonist within the Doctor Who mythos.
