What do you think was voldemort's biggest mistake???
At the end of book seven I'm sure voldemort will be defeated.
Death-eaters around the world will wonder where it all went wrong.
I think the answer is:
Upon leaving school, voldemort should've followed Slughorn's advice and entered the ministry of magic.
Within the ministry he could've used his powers of charm and legilimens to manipute others, gaining power and promotion.
He would have become minister for magic.
As minister for magic he'd have power and the connections to promote pure bloods, beat down mud-bloods, and promote the dark arts.
Voldemort's mania for having 7 horcruxs was his downfall. He got too greedy. He had one horcrux. It was enough.
Voldemort's mistake was over-confidence and greed and it cost him everything.
If voldemort could turn back time, what would he change?
I think he would realise a brave and bold all out assault on the magical world was doomed to failure. His only chance of true success was a less obvious strategy to win, more cunning, a bit more slytherin, he should have become minister for magic first before trying to change the magical community.
He would've done better to think more, and act less rashly. He should have acted less like a gryffindor and more like a slytherin. Big mistake.
Anyway, that what i think.
What do you think was voldemort's biggest mistake?
Full Version: What Was Voldemort's Biggest Mistake?
Interesting topic. I think that Voldemort's biggest mistake was that he did not kill Slughorn as soon as possible. I think he did the right by not joining the ministry because he needed to travel around and meet wizards from all parts of life so he could learn from them. It is because he travelled so much that he is such a powerful wizard. Had he joined the ministry he would have been confined to the ministry and thats it; he would never have the chance of taking his magic to the next levels. Slughorn was the biggest because we, the readers, know that he is the only one who Voldemort mentioned horcruxes too. Also, if there are more who know he has spoken to about horcruxes then he must kill them to ensure his survival.
i think his worse mistake was acting upon the phropecy having only heard half of it. he unkowningly gave some-body the power to kill him.
by acting upon the phropecy early he created his downfall. if he had waited to hear the rest of the phropecy he would have had a better cahcne to not make that mistake.
i like the other ideas but what difference would horace slughorn hae made? he has never said anything important apart from tom riddle asking about horcuxes, but dd already knew about them (or had an inkling)
by acting upon the phropecy early he created his downfall. if he had waited to hear the rest of the phropecy he would have had a better cahcne to not make that mistake.
i like the other ideas but what difference would horace slughorn hae made? he has never said anything important apart from tom riddle asking about horcuxes, but dd already knew about them (or had an inkling)
Agreed, he made a mistake at the prophecy, jumped to conclusions and he underwent it, he did the wrong thing. He really should of went for Minister of Magic. 
Well, before we can define the mistakes, there is another question we must ask: What is Voldemort's ultimate goal?
In my opinion, he is controlled by bloodlust as much as anything. While he aspires to overthrow the ministry, his desire to promote fear and intimidation, for him to be viewed as the most powerful, most feared wizard in the history of the world overpowers it. Voldemort would not do well biding his time in the minsitry. Dumbledore may have never openly opposed Lucius, but if Riddle had decided to rise to power as minister, he would have defied him. Voldemort knew he had to go into hiding if he wanted to gain power. Voldemort wanted to be feared, and he wanted to rid himself of the name "Riddle." It makes more sence for him to work in secret and in hiding. Much scarier that way.
The prophesy was probobly his biggest mistake in that sence, because it goes right to the heart of his power. His being defeated by Harry undermined his invincibility. No matter how hard he tries, people will always remember that he was beaten once.
-Fish
In my opinion, he is controlled by bloodlust as much as anything. While he aspires to overthrow the ministry, his desire to promote fear and intimidation, for him to be viewed as the most powerful, most feared wizard in the history of the world overpowers it. Voldemort would not do well biding his time in the minsitry. Dumbledore may have never openly opposed Lucius, but if Riddle had decided to rise to power as minister, he would have defied him. Voldemort knew he had to go into hiding if he wanted to gain power. Voldemort wanted to be feared, and he wanted to rid himself of the name "Riddle." It makes more sence for him to work in secret and in hiding. Much scarier that way.
The prophesy was probobly his biggest mistake in that sence, because it goes right to the heart of his power. His being defeated by Harry undermined his invincibility. No matter how hard he tries, people will always remember that he was beaten once.
-Fish
I do not think that LV's biggest mistake was never goining the ministry. I do not believe that his goals would have been attained in that position because people such as DD would have caught on, and sought to fight him sitll. I do agree with those who said that his biggest mistake was to attempt to kill the baby that was reffered to in the prophecy. Although, it was in the prophecy that he should take such action. He was a man who was quick to act, not unlike Harry. I don't think that it is pssible to prg his biggest mistake down. He was merely being himself. If her were able to change his personality and desire for world domination, he would probably fair better.
Voldemorts big mistake was obviously the prophecy because he was gaining power until that point.
Now Voldemort rules by fear so hs ideal way into power would have been to overthrow the Government, not to join it. The evnets of Lord Voldemort have before been described as a certain German dictator (we cant say his name) who tried to take power in 1923 but he failed.
If Voldemort rose up through the ministry then he wouldnt have learned all the things about the dark arts which he did through travelling and i dont think he would have been the same person.
Now Voldemort rules by fear so hs ideal way into power would have been to overthrow the Government, not to join it. The evnets of Lord Voldemort have before been described as a certain German dictator (we cant say his name) who tried to take power in 1923 but he failed.
If Voldemort rose up through the ministry then he wouldnt have learned all the things about the dark arts which he did through travelling and i dont think he would have been the same person.
I agree with what the previous posters have said. Acting upon the prophecy without 100% knowledge of it was a very large mistake.
It's true that Tom made a big mistake when he chose to hunt down Harry without fully hearing the prophecy. But then he was so much caught in his arrogance that he believed himself to be invincible and that he wouldn't even consider the fact that things would turn out so badly for him.
It;s true that he could have entered ministry, but that would have meant for him to share power with others and be dependent on others for several things and as we know he was always independent and he disliked anything that associated him with ordinary. Sure he would have been the minister for magic, but then he would have been only one of many such ministers and that was something he would never agree to. No he wanted absolute and total power over the world, kind of the lord of the land and so he chose the path he did. Remember death eaters are not associates or friends or even followers. They are but slaves dancing to his tunes and that's what gives him satisfaction and happiness. People cowering in front of him.
I believe that his biggest mistake was not finishing off Harry when he had the chance at the end of the triwizard tournament in the graveyard. Harry was alone and defenseless and in hostile territory. In stead of playing around with him, he could have finished him off as and when his task was complete. But being a typical pyscho, he could not resist giving a theatrical performance just to soothe his ego and send across a message to his servants. This weakness for flamboyance and his underestimation of Harry in spite of knowing the prophecy and having paid the price for it, allowed Harry to escape once again. this is what would come to haunt him in the end. Even in the battle of department of mysteries, he did not kill Harry immediately but chose to make a small talk before firing the killing curse, taht allowed Dumbledore to come to Harry's aid.
Tom's biggest weakness and mistake has been his arrogance and his tendency to underestimate what he does not knwo or understand. This will be his downfall in the end
It;s true that he could have entered ministry, but that would have meant for him to share power with others and be dependent on others for several things and as we know he was always independent and he disliked anything that associated him with ordinary. Sure he would have been the minister for magic, but then he would have been only one of many such ministers and that was something he would never agree to. No he wanted absolute and total power over the world, kind of the lord of the land and so he chose the path he did. Remember death eaters are not associates or friends or even followers. They are but slaves dancing to his tunes and that's what gives him satisfaction and happiness. People cowering in front of him.
I believe that his biggest mistake was not finishing off Harry when he had the chance at the end of the triwizard tournament in the graveyard. Harry was alone and defenseless and in hostile territory. In stead of playing around with him, he could have finished him off as and when his task was complete. But being a typical pyscho, he could not resist giving a theatrical performance just to soothe his ego and send across a message to his servants. This weakness for flamboyance and his underestimation of Harry in spite of knowing the prophecy and having paid the price for it, allowed Harry to escape once again. this is what would come to haunt him in the end. Even in the battle of department of mysteries, he did not kill Harry immediately but chose to make a small talk before firing the killing curse, taht allowed Dumbledore to come to Harry's aid.
Tom's biggest weakness and mistake has been his arrogance and his tendency to underestimate what he does not knwo or understand. This will be his downfall in the end
wow, you really said it. That is very true. We could just say that it is the typical bad-guy thing that always gets made fun of in the movies. However, I think that, for Voldemort, it is very telling of his character. Voldemort is a victim of his own hunger for power. It clouds his judgement, and will bring about his downfall. I think that is pretty clear (especially given your helpful explanation).
-Fish
-Fish
"Slughorn was the biggest because we, the readers, know that he is the only one who Voldemort mentioned horcruxes too."
This is an interesting point about Voldemort's reason to have Slughorn killed. From what we know thusfar, that is the only thing that we can come up with, however, I feel as though there has to be someone else. Voldemort believes his plan to be infalible, and Dumbledore believes taht Voldemort has no idea that some of his horcrux's have been destroyed (by that I mean Marvolo's ring, definitely, and Slytherin's locket... it is Slytherin's isn't it? or is it a different one, I don't have teh book infront of me, adn can't remember. I don't recall if Dumbledore said Voldemort knows taht the diary has been destroyed). Slughorn has been in hiding for a year, (which, by the way, means he went into hiding just after Voldemort came into power, meaning he believed Dumbledore from the start, just an interesting point) and Dumbledore stresses the fact that Voldemort want's him, however, he hasn't made any attempt to get him out of the way that we know of. Possibly in the past year while he was in hiding, but throughout book six, there is no attempt made on his life. But I think that, while Slughorn was in hiding, Voldemort trusted that he was too scared to do anything about the knowledge that he had. Therefore, it would only make sense that, once he was back with Dumbledore, "the only one who ever feared", and the only one, I'm sure he know's, who would do anything to retrieve the horcrux memory, Voldemort would do anything to have Slughorn destroyed WITH the memory... becasue of this, I feel there is something else Slughorn is hiding. In the end of book 6, Slughorn took on the part of head of Slytherin, and he's teaching Potions, so we can inferr that he will still be present at Hogwarts if it's still open, adn will still have a role to play.
Sorry if a rambled a little too much, but I think that there's more to Slughorn than his knowledge of Horcruxs.
Also, as an after thought, doesn't Dumbledore say that Voldemort wants him on his side, not dead? Maybe I'm imagining it. He is a pompus old walrus, but I think he's a very powerful wizard. Any thoughts?
This is an interesting point about Voldemort's reason to have Slughorn killed. From what we know thusfar, that is the only thing that we can come up with, however, I feel as though there has to be someone else. Voldemort believes his plan to be infalible, and Dumbledore believes taht Voldemort has no idea that some of his horcrux's have been destroyed (by that I mean Marvolo's ring, definitely, and Slytherin's locket... it is Slytherin's isn't it? or is it a different one, I don't have teh book infront of me, adn can't remember. I don't recall if Dumbledore said Voldemort knows taht the diary has been destroyed). Slughorn has been in hiding for a year, (which, by the way, means he went into hiding just after Voldemort came into power, meaning he believed Dumbledore from the start, just an interesting point) and Dumbledore stresses the fact that Voldemort want's him, however, he hasn't made any attempt to get him out of the way that we know of. Possibly in the past year while he was in hiding, but throughout book six, there is no attempt made on his life. But I think that, while Slughorn was in hiding, Voldemort trusted that he was too scared to do anything about the knowledge that he had. Therefore, it would only make sense that, once he was back with Dumbledore, "the only one who ever feared", and the only one, I'm sure he know's, who would do anything to retrieve the horcrux memory, Voldemort would do anything to have Slughorn destroyed WITH the memory... becasue of this, I feel there is something else Slughorn is hiding. In the end of book 6, Slughorn took on the part of head of Slytherin, and he's teaching Potions, so we can inferr that he will still be present at Hogwarts if it's still open, adn will still have a role to play.
Sorry if a rambled a little too much, but I think that there's more to Slughorn than his knowledge of Horcruxs.
Also, as an after thought, doesn't Dumbledore say that Voldemort wants him on his side, not dead? Maybe I'm imagining it. He is a pompus old walrus, but I think he's a very powerful wizard. Any thoughts?
Yeah but as minister LV would have had more people keeping tabs on him, and at such a high rank or power people would have notice somthing weird was going on. It was better for him to lay low and gain power from the "underground" along with the most powerfull of the lowest of the low
I actually really agree with you. Voldemort should've become Minister for Magic. But I don't think he would change anything of his past. He's way to arrogant for that.
But LV really BIGGEST mistake was probably to make a Horcrux, in the first place. Changeing nature can't ever be good...
But LV really BIGGEST mistake was probably to make a Horcrux, in the first place. Changeing nature can't ever be good...
Assumingthat a horcrux is nagini, snakes die. I dont know is nagini an amigus but still snakes and people die. So in due time he has actually screwed up his master plan. But his biggest mistake I think is becoming evil right after leaving the school. I think he should have gotten into the ministry and gained some trust. Then of course kill everyone ahahahahahahahahahahahahha 
ha!
ha!
I agree that if he became Minster of Magic he would have power over all, but everyone would know what he was doing. Everyone knew what Fudge did when he was Minster. So basicly everyone would know what he was up to.
I think Voldemort's biggest mistake was not following through with finding out what the prophecy was in the beginning. It seems he should have given more thought to what the messenger of the message said... or asked if he had, in fact, heard the entire prophecy.
Through it all, Voldemort's biggest mistake was being afraid of being defeated. If he had not heard the prophecy he might not have made the mistake of transferring his powers to one Mr. Harry Potter in fear that he could possibly defeat him. How did I do?
Through it all, Voldemort's biggest mistake was being afraid of being defeated. If he had not heard the prophecy he might not have made the mistake of transferring his powers to one Mr. Harry Potter in fear that he could possibly defeat him. How did I do?
Biggest mistake? going after Harry
I think Voldemorts biggest mistake was killing Harry's parents. If he hadn't killed Harry's parents he would've
1) Not made Lily die for her son and therefore not given Harry a magical power he couldn't penetrate, until Book 4 obviously. If he hadn't 'given' Harry this power, he would've killed him from the begginning.
2) Not given Harry a furious desire for revenge.
As Dumbledore said. Voldemort followed the prophecy too much and should've have tried to kill Harry in the first place.
1) Not made Lily die for her son and therefore not given Harry a magical power he couldn't penetrate, until Book 4 obviously. If he hadn't 'given' Harry this power, he would've killed him from the begginning.
2) Not given Harry a furious desire for revenge.
As Dumbledore said. Voldemort followed the prophecy too much and should've have tried to kill Harry in the first place.
Voldemorts biggest mistake...
1/ getting evil
2/ Not having any real friends.
3/ Killing off people that supports him. (Regulus' mother shoes signs of love for voldemorts ways of living)
4/ Treating his faithful supporter(s) as rats. ( only real death eaters in my oppinion are Bellatrix and Crouch. JR.)
5/ thinking to highly of dumbledore.(no offence but even dumble would die if 999 Death eaters used AK on him)
6/ he is not the star of the books
2 of theese were unserious remarks and it may not be the ones ypu think
1/ getting evil
2/ Not having any real friends.
3/ Killing off people that supports him. (Regulus' mother shoes signs of love for voldemorts ways of living)
4/ Treating his faithful supporter(s) as rats. ( only real death eaters in my oppinion are Bellatrix and Crouch. JR.)
5/ thinking to highly of dumbledore.(no offence but even dumble would die if 999 Death eaters used AK on him)
6/ he is not the star of the books
2 of theese were unserious remarks and it may not be the ones ypu think
I think his biggest mistake was not being prepared for ancient magic that he was unaware of. He has already grown powerful enough to be nearly immortal, why did he not educate himself on older magic that could become his demise?
I think that his biggest mistake was not learning about the FULL prophecy before chasing after Harry...
Or maybe it was becoming evil in the first place and being afraid of death...
I don't know he's made a million mistakes...
Or maybe it was becoming evil in the first place and being afraid of death...
I don't know he's made a million mistakes...
His biggest mistake could have been making his horcruxes such simbolic and predictable objects - I mean siriously, anyone can see the pattern: everything comes and goes around Hogwarts and it's founders and stuff like his family heirlooms. It'd be better to just put a piece of his soul into a matchbox, burry it in his back yard and Harry will never find it. The way he did it, it will only take one book to track down at least a few of them. And he shouldn't have gotten evil for a start. 
It's been said that what has doomed world conquerers to failure is nationalism. Everyone has their own nationalist issues, and ultimately they rebel against those who would try to assimilate them into their own lifestyle. In Voldemort, we have an absolute ruler who has his goal to dominate magic and muggles alike. We have already seen how Narcissa Malfoy put the survival of her son on a higher level than her loyalty to Voldemort, at the beginning of HBP. I believe there will be other people who will realize that Voldemort's interests are not their interests, and will work against him.
In that regard, I think Voldemort's biggest failure is failing to have any sense of diplomacy in him, which is hardly unique among world conquerers.
In that regard, I think Voldemort's biggest failure is failing to have any sense of diplomacy in him, which is hardly unique among world conquerers.
i dont think he should have went into the ministry because he wouldnt have been able to pratice all the dark magic he did plus they would have noticed if he went from handsome to snake like his biggestest mistakes were not killing slughorn and the items he used as horcruxes like the locket and the cup were to high profile making it easier for dumbeldore to figure out what they were
[font=Comic Sans Ms]Voldy's biggest mistake is probably using Harry's blood to return to human form. Remember Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in triumph when he heard that news. We're not exactly sure what that means, but it is obviously not a good thing for voldy. (Otherwise, I agree that acting prematurely on the prophecy is his other mistake. Overconfidence is usually the downfall of evildoers.)
Attacking Harry
his biggest mistake was choosing harry not as he could have done neville i think the choice he made was wrong and in the end neville will kill voldermort not harry becuase when he killed harrys parents he made him not unlike himself but when the death eaters tortured nevilles parents they planted a seed more deadly than hate neville willwant vengence for his parents also if he kills the death eaters that tortured his parents will the madness be lifted on them .
It is generally seen that the world of divination is a bit imprecise, at least believed by many grand sorcerors. So, it is quite surprising to see a powerful wizard like voldemort to believe in it. the consequences would have been quite different had he not tried to kill harry...
Voldemort's biggest mistake may be using Harry's blood. Dumbledore was glad that Voldemort did this. This may be THE major mistake Voldemort has done so far
Of course, always despising magic when he claims to know more than any other wizard could also be his BIG mistake. THAT has had a lot of build-up.
Of course, always despising magic when he claims to know more than any other wizard could also be his BIG mistake. THAT has had a lot of build-up.
QUOTE
Harry's blood to return to human form. Remember Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in triumph when he heard that news. We're not exactly sure what that means, but it is obviously not a good thing for voldy. (Otherwise, I agree that acting prematurely on the prophecy is his other mistake. Overconfidence is usually the downfall of evildoers.)
when i first read this thread, this was EXACTLY what i was going to say. but they said it first. If Dumbledore is happy about Voldy using Harry's blood, than unless DD is actually evil and has been faking it all these years (which would be absoluely absurd!), it can't be good news for LV.
Biggest mistake? Learning to control his magic before he even went to Hogwarts.
At the orphanage, he says something like "i can make them hurt if i want to". If he had not learnt how to do that, he would have turned out less interested in torturing others and controlling people. If he had not even known how to use his magic in the beginning, he would have gone to hogwarts and learnt how to use it for good purposes only.
At the orphanage, he says something like "i can make them hurt if i want to". If he had not learnt how to do that, he would have turned out less interested in torturing others and controlling people. If he had not even known how to use his magic in the beginning, he would have gone to hogwarts and learnt how to use it for good purposes only.
I reckon Voldy's biggest mistake was overlooking the anti-curse that defended Harry when Voldy tryed to kill him. If he had done his background information and not rushed things it would have been a clean sweep, done him in and..well now i think about it would create total distruction for the whole wizarding world so i'll make this from his point of view pretending i dont like Harry.
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