Throughout its seven seasons, the iconic '90s series Buffy the Vampire Slayer followed a close-knit friend group, nicknamed the Scooby Gang, as they battled the forces of darkness. From high school to adulthood, there was no shortage of big bads and demonic enemies for them to defeat. However, not every member of the gang was equally skilled in a fight.
As the Slayer, Buffy Summers was the physically strongest of her friends, but that didn't mean that others, such as Buffy's powerful witch Willow, couldn't hold their own. While no one was flawless when it came time for a supernatural showdown, it was obvious who slew with ease and who struggled to survive.
Dawn Summers Always Gets Kidnapped
The youngest Summers' tendency to get in trouble and lack of strength puts her dead last in of her combative capabilities. While Dawn did eventually learn to hold her own towards the end of the series, most of her screen time placed her in the damsel role. There's a reason Buffy's response to Dawn's latest trouble is "it must be Tuesday."
As for her fighting skills, Dawn's shrieking is probably her strongest defense, though it certainly never saved her from getting kidnapped throughout the show.
Tara Maclay Is A Kind Witch
Before her death, this kind-hearted witch held a respectable amount of power. Still, her natural tendency for peaceful resolution usually led Tara toward whatever non-violent route was available.
While that doesn't mean she wouldn't have tried her best to protect her friends and girlfriend Willow, it's unlikely Tara would be able to defeat an extremely powerful big bad on her own. In of physical fighting, Tara wasn't exactly known for being a brawler. When she was confronted by Glory, Tara could not escape and ended up getting her brain sucked out by a hell god.
Cordelia Chase Doesn't Back Down From A Fight
While she becomes a powerful warrior on Angel, Cordy's time in the Scooby Gang didn't really show off her strong combative abilities. During her Sunnydale days, Cordelia Chase would help out the Scoobies, albeit reluctantly, and proved that when necessary, she wouldn't back down from a fight.
Her strongest moments include helping Xander take refuge in the Summers basement after the town falls under a love spell and assisting Buffy in defeating the vicious hunters of Slayerfest '98.
Anya Jenkins/Anyaka Needs Her Powers
As a vengeance demon, Anyaka possessed great wish-granting power and appeared to have enhanced strength, as noted when she threw Spike across the room in season 7. She also managed to hold her own one-on-one against Buffy when the Slayer was forced to confront her.
Still, despite her strength, Anya Jenkins didn't seem to possess the same level of fighting skills as a human. Without the supernatural enhancement, she was clearly not on the same level as her demonic self.
Xander Harris Holds His Own
Of all his friends, Xander Harris was the only one who didn't have a supernatural ability. Though he gained experience from helping the Scoobies battle demons, his most useful fighting skill was thanks to his Halloween transformation into a soldier. Though the spell only lasted one night, Xander retained knowledge of military training, weapons-handling techniques, and battle tactics, all of which proved to be useful in a fight.
However, in of one-on-one combat, Xander wasn't exactly known for his physical strength. While he never shied away from combat, he did inevitably need help from the Slayer.
Rupert Giles Has Hidden Strengths
Giles was often made fun of for coming off as stuffy and straight-laced, but he proved that appearances could be deceiving when he first had to confront his past in season 2. In one of Giles' best episodes from Buffy, the Scoobies learned that as a young man, Rupert Giles was a magic-dabbling bad boy known as Ripper and not the mild librarian they believed him to be.
Giles’s Watcher training, along with his marksmanship and sword-fighting skills, meant he could hold his own in a physical fight. Throughout the series, viewers see Giles occasionally use violence as a last resort, such as when he attacked Angelus after Jenny's murder, when he beat up Ethan Rayne, and when he suffocated Ben. Still, despite his skills, Giles wasn't always able to defend himself against a truly powerful adversary and was knocked out cold by enemies quite often in the early seasons.
Willow Rosenberg Is A Powerful Witch
Throughout her time on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Willow Rosenberg transformed into a mighty witch. Though she might not have been able to take on any big bads by herself in the early seasons, by the time the Scoobies confronted the hell god in season 5, Willow was ready. She was not only able to launch an attack against her but was also the only member of the gang actually able to hurt Glory.
By the end of the show, Willow learned how to control her power and use it for the greater good, making her truly powerful.
Angel Is A Strong Vampire
Known for fighting the good fight when his cursed soul is firmly intact, Angel is definitely a vampire worth having around when a battle breaks out. He possesses all the abilities of a standard vampire and has the years to prove that he knows how to survive.
Though his biggest weakness was the precariousness of his soul, even as the evil Angelus, he was a skilled and lethal fighter—though he probably wouldn't be much help to the Scooby Gang in his soulless state.
Spike Is Skilled In Battle
Buffy's former big bad, Spike, was always ready for a fight. With a long history of bloodshed and brawls, William the Bloody built up quite the reputation. He became notorious in the supernatural world for killing two Slayers during his unlife.
Aside from the standard supernatural abilities of a vampire, Spike is a highly-skilled fighter who's assisted Buffy in saving the world multiple times. Though his vampire weaknesses could be used against him in a deadly fight, Spike's already proven that he can evade death, and his love for "fist and fangs" means he won't back down.
Buffy Summers Has What It Takes
Of course, Buffy Summers is the strongest of the Scoobies when it comes to a physical fight. From her years of graveyard patrol to saving the world, Buffy always managed to come out on top.
Throughout the series, Buffy learned to perfect her supernatural abilities, constantly training with her Watcher and occasionally going on quests to learn about her Slayer origins. She not only defeated the Master and a hell god, but she also took on ubervamps and the First Evil. If there's anyone in the Scooby Gang to bet on winning when it comes to an epic battle, it's Buffy Summers.