Original vampires, also known as The Old Ones, are a type of vampire featured in the TV series The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals. They are the first vampires to exist and have powers and abilities that far exceed those of non-original vampires. But exactly how strong are original vampires compared to regular vampires and other supernatural creatures?
Physical Strength
One of the key advantages original vampires have over non-originals is their sheer physical strength. As the first vampires to exist, the originals are stronger and faster than any other vampires that were turned after them.
Some examples of the originals’ strength:
- They can overpower and kill non-original vampires with ease.
- They can rip out hearts and spines from vampires and werewolves.
- They can decapitate other creatures with a single swipe of their arm.
- They can jump to great heights and throw heavy objects large distances.
In a direct physical fight, no single non-original vampire or werewolf stands much of a chance against an original vampire. The originals’ strength is simply too much for them to overcome through force alone. Even vampires as old as 500 years would not be able to overpower an original in a test of strength.
Speed
In addition to brute strength, original vampires possess blinding speed and reflexes. They can move so fast that even other vampires cannot visually track them.
Some examples of their speed:
- They can appear behind a vampire instantly without being noticed.
- They can dodge stakes, bullets, and blows from vampires and werewolves with ease.
- They can quickly dispatch multiple vampires before they have time to react.
- Their reflexes are quick enough to catch arrows and thrown stakes mid-air.
This speed gives the originals a huge advantage in combat. They are almost impossible to hit or catch by surprise. Their speed enhances their already formidable strength, allowing them to rip out hearts and remove heads before an opponent can react.
Durability
Original vampires are extremely difficult to injure or kill due to their magical origins. They can withstand much more trauma than non-original vampires.
Some examples of their durability:
- Wooden stakes only temporarily incapacitate them, but do not kill them.
- Vervain burns them on contact but wears off quickly.
- Gunshots and stab wounds heal within minutes.
- Falls from great heights do not faze them.
- Broken necks heal rapidly and do not kill them.
The only substance that can cause permanent injury or death to an original vampire is a white oak stake carved from an ancient white oak tree. This specific wood contains mystical properties that can overwhelm the originals’ magical defenses. But white oak is extremely rare in the modern world.
Healing Factor
Not only are original vampires difficult to damage, but their healing abilities are superior to other vampires. Any non-fatal wounds they suffer heal within seconds or minutes, depending on severity.
Some examples of their advanced healing:
- Broken bones mend themselves rapidly.
- Burns and abrasions from vervain exposure fade quickly.
- Lost eyes and fingers regrow over time.
- They can recover even from a broken neck or damaged spine.
This gives the originals a critical advantage in any long or drawn-out battle. While any injuries their opponents suffer remain, the originals can quickly heal and get back into the fight.
Enhanced Senses
As vampires, the originals possess improved senses such as sight, hearing, and smell that exceed human limits. However, their senses are even more acute than non-original vampire senses.
Some examples include:
- They can see clearly over vast distances.
- Their night vision is excellent.
- They can track scents for miles.
- They can hear whispered conversations from afar.
- Their sense of smell allows them to distinguish scents in complex environments.
These senses allow original vampires to be highly aware of their surroundings at all times. It is almost impossible to ambush or catch them off guard. Their senses also aid them greatly in hunting prey.
Mind Compulsion
A key ability vampires possess is mind compulsion – the power to control minds and alter memories. Original vampires have the strongest and most powerful ability to compel minds.
Some examples of their mind compulsion:
- They can compel other supernatural beings, including vampires and werewolves.
- Their compulsion effects are nearly impossible to resist.
- Compelled victims have no memory of being compelled.
- They can erase memories from the past as well as plant false ones.
This gives the originals an advantage in covering their tracks and manipulating others to do their bidding. Their mind control helps them infiltrate societies unseen and build power over time.
Immortality
As the first and oldest vampires, the originals are completely immortal. They do not physically age and are immune to all diseases and toxins. Once turned, they remain the same age forever.
The only thing that can kill an original vampire is a stake carved from the white oak tree they were turned under. Short of that, the originals will continue living forever. This makes them incredibly dangerous and formidable enemies.
Creation of Vampire Species
A huge aspect of the originals’ powers is their ability to create new vampires with their blood. As the first vampires, their blood introduced vampirism to the world. All vampires created from their bloodline owe their existence to the originals.
Some key points:
- Anyone who drinks an original’s blood and dies will be resurrected as a vampire.
- All non-original vampires descend from one of the original family members.
- Killing an original will also kill every vampire descended from their bloodline.
- This gives the originals immense power and control over the rest of the vampire race.
This ability to create new vampires has allowed the original family to amass tremendous influence and power over the centuries. Most vampires remain completely unaware of their connection to the originals.
Weaknesses
Despite their great power, original vampires do still have some key weaknesses that can be exploited:
- White Oak Stake – Only weapon that can permanently kill an original.
- White Oak Ash Daggers – Can neutralize an original temporarily.
- Vervain – Burns originals and blocks their compulsion ability.
- Wooden Bullets/Stakes – Cause pain but not permanent harm.
- Sunlight – Causes burns but not death.
- Werewolf Bite – Causes hallucinations, fever, and weakness over time.
- Broken Neck – Temporarily incapacitates but doesn’t kill.
However, most of these weaknesses are only temporary and will not defeat an original vampire permanently. And white oak stakes are incredibly rare magical objects that are difficult to obtain. So in most situations, an original vampire remains nearly impervious to harm.
Powers Compared to Other Creatures
Compared to regular vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural beings, original vampires possess clear advantages in strength, speed, and durability. Here is how they compare:
Vs. Non-Original Vampires
Against vampires turned from their bloodline, originals hold a huge upper hand due to:
- Superior physical strength and speed.
- Ability to compel other vampires.
- Greater resistance to harm and faster healing.
- Immortality – Originals cannot be killed, only neutralized.
In a fight, no single non-original vampire would stand much chance at defeating an original.
Vs. Werewolves
Though werewolves in wolf form can bite an original and infect them, the originals still possess key advantages:
- Faster speed and reflexes to avoid werewolf bites.
- Ability to rip out a werewolf’s heart before it can react.
- Healing factor to recover from bites.
- Compulsion to control a werewolf’s human form.
One-on-one, an original vampire still overmatches werewolves in most cases due to these advantages. The originals’ healing gives them a critical edge against bite infections.
Vs. Witches
Against witches, the playing field is a bit more level. Witches have magical powers that can harm originals:
- Pain infliction spells are effective.
- Boundary spells can trap an original.
- Curses can cause harm over time.
- Powerful spells can incapacitate temporarily.
However, originals still have the advantage in direct physical combat due to speed and strength. Witches need proper preparation to defeat an original vampire. With time to plan, witches pose the greatest threat to originals.
Vs. Hybrids
The hybrid Klaus is unique since he is both a vampire and a werewolf. This gives him an advantage against original vampires due to his lethal werewolf bite. He has battled his siblings before thanks to this advantage. But in direct physical combat he is still evenly matched with other originals in strength and speed.
Vs. Hunters
Supernatural hunters armed with white oak stakes can certainly threaten original vampires. But most hunters would struggle in direct combat due to the originals’ physical advantages and mind compulsion ability. The originals’ superior senses also make successful ambushes by hunters difficult. A hunter’s best chance is always to catch an original off guard and stake them before they can react.
Conclusion
In summary, original vampires are extremely powerful supernatural creatures that possess distinct advantages over other vampires, werewolves, witches, and most hunters. Their physical prowess, advanced healing factor, sharp senses, mind control ability, and immortality put them at the top of the food chain in most matchups. Defeating an original requires advanced planning, magical assistance, or a rare white oak stake. In a direct fight, there are few supernatural beings that can go toe-to-toe with an original vampire and expect to win. This makes the originals truly the apex predators of the world.