Why does nobody fight Lord Voldemort?

[twistedmic]

Like a sort of Anti-Batman. He didn't really need to do much, he just needed to be there. Besides, in a world of Magic it isn't hard to imagine him using a form of Battle Meditation or something to keep people in a state of paralyzed fear when he's around.

I'd say more like an anti-Punisher than Batman. Batman was undeniably frightening, but he wasn't all that cruel. He'd jusr beat the living shit out of criminals. The Punisher, on the other hand, was incredibly cruel, sadistic and merciless in both the Marvel and MAX publishing lines. In the MAX books he set someone on fire, threw another person against a pane of safety glass a couple dozen times (at least), killed someone by grabbing their leg and slamming the onto the ground repeatedly (ala classic Looney Tunes) and sliced open another person's belly, looped their intestines in a tree branch then woke them up to interrogate them. And that wasn't even the worst ways he's killed people, though I haven't read those books yet.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Though I do often wonder why no one in the HP universe ever realises they're in the 2000s and not the medieval era and actually invest in some electronics or ballistic weaponry. I mean, surely they can enchant the bullets to act like quidich snitches or something of the like? I suppose that was a bit too much effort on Rowling's part to not just go with the Merlin cliche.

Electronics actually don't work well with magic. That's why Hogwarts doesn't have any lamps and I think Harry had an electronic watch that stopped working in Hogwarts.

Also, I'm pretty sure Protego shields from bullets as well. AND I'm sure he could cast it non-verbally.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

-snip-

I'd say more like an anti-Punisher than Batman. Batman was undeniably frightening, but he wasn't all that cruel. He'd jusr beat the living shit out of criminals. The Punisher, on the other hand, was incredibly cruel, sadistic and merciless in both the Marvel and MAX publishing lines. In the MAX books he set someone on fire, threw another person against a pane of safety glass a couple dozen times (at least), killed someone by grabbing their leg and slamming the onto the ground repeatedly (ala classic Looney Tunes) and sliced open another person's belly, looped their intestines in a tree branch then woke them up to interrogate them. And that wasn't even the worst ways he's killed people, though I haven't read those books yet.

I stand corrected and am now on a mission to find these books!

 

[triggrhappy94]

Because shut up, that's why.
-Love JK Rowling


EDIT: It's kind of funny reading the comments and seeing how much some people have bought in to this. He can't die until the horcuxes are destroyed, I'll give you that. But I think if it really came down to it, someone could draw and fire a gun faster then it'd take him to draw and cast due to the flinging motion involved.
It's like saying a tomahalk thrower could kill a markmen, just because of his bullet resistant dancing. (cookie for the American history reference)

 

[AtheistConservative]

Um, other than him being immortal until all the Horcruxes were destroyed?

And also that fact that he could slaughter anyone in 10 seconds flat?

It takes me considerably less than 10 seconds to pull a trigger, just saying.

OT: It's a difference in culture between Britain and a good portion of America. Think of the most dangerous spell "Avada kedavra" isn't really different than a powerful handgun. Sure it might kill people in one hit, but you don't hear about Death Eaters taking 2000+ meter shots or using them as suppressive fire either. Also I don't remember exactly when this happens, but Harry is escaping from the death eaters on a broom and he and his allies are using non-lethal spells. Voldemort makes sense in a place where most cops don't have guns. In Texas, he wouldn't have lasted a year.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Because shut up, that's why.
-Love JK Rowling

That logic always works. Just insert another name after love when necessary.

 

[TheTaco007]

Um, other than him being immortal until all the Horcruxes were destroyed?

And also that fact that he could slaughter anyone in 10 seconds flat?

It takes me considerably less than 10 seconds to pull a trigger, just saying.

OT: It's a difference in culture between Britain and a good portion of America. Think of the most dangerous spell "Avada kedavra" isn't really different than a powerful handgun. Sure it might kill people in one hit, but you don't hear about Death Eaters taking 2000+ meter shots or using them as suppressive fire either. Also I don't remember exactly when this happens, but Harry is escaping from the death eaters on a broom and he and his allies are using non-lethal spells. Voldemort makes sense in a place where most cops don't have guns. In Texas, he wouldn't have lasted a year.

Wizards don't really know much about guns. I mean, Mr. Weasley couldn't pronounce "electricity." They aren't exactly big on technology.

 

[twistedmic]

I stand corrected and am now on a mission to find these books!

http://www.amazon.com/ref=gno_logo and http://www.amazon.com/ref=gno_logo both sell them. Look for the hardcover volumes instead of the paperback versions, it's a better deal.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Um, other than him being immortal until all the Horcruxes were destroyed?

And also that fact that he could slaughter anyone in 10 seconds flat?

Well, yes. There's that. Avada Kadabra WAS pretty nasty to everyone not The Boy Who Lived.

even then... wait.

<spoiler=spoilers>Even then, in part two of the seventh movie, harry got killed by avada kadabra. granted, he came back to life, but I dont think that trick would have worked the third time.

Also there's the who fear and intimidation factor. i mean, this guy is one of (if not the) most powerful warlock EVER (arguably). he probably knows shit that would make your brain melt from its vastness.

and before it comes up, im quote sure that he can stop bullets. and again, he's invincible as long as his items remain safe, so no, bullets would not kill him. Its just like the Robot Chicken Werewolf vs gatling gun clip.

EDIT:

in case anyone doesnt know what I'm talking about with the <url=http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/silver-bullet.html>werewolf vid

and also, as a general to the OP's question about not fighting back. people have. people of VERY considerable power. and he's completely beat the shit out of them. hell, the most merciful thing he can do to you is kill you. and if you dont believe me, go ask neville's parents.

AND its worht noting that what happened to the longbottoms wasnt even dont by voldemort, but by his severely less powerful in perspective accomplices. Rowling only knows what would have happened had Voldemort decided to just do it himself and leave them alive.

 

[AtheistConservative]

Um, other than him being immortal until all the Horcruxes were destroyed?

And also that fact that he could slaughter anyone in 10 seconds flat?

It takes me considerably less than 10 seconds to pull a trigger, just saying.

OT: It's a difference in culture between Britain and a good portion of America. Think of the most dangerous spell "Avada kedavra" isn't really different than a powerful handgun. Sure it might kill people in one hit, but you don't hear about Death Eaters taking 2000+ meter shots or using them as suppressive fire either. Also I don't remember exactly when this happens, but Harry is escaping from the death eaters on a broom and he and his allies are using non-lethal spells. Voldemort makes sense in a place where most cops don't have guns. In Texas, he wouldn't have lasted a year.

Wizards don't really know much about guns. I mean, Mr. Weasley couldn't pronounce "electricity." They aren't exactly big on technology.

Fair enough, although given that the wizarding world obviously has some contact with the outside world, the fact that they lack real world objects that are superior to their stuff is beyond me. Why send an owl instead of text?

Additionally guns aren't really high tech, assault rifles are actually closing in on 100 years old http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedorov_Avtomat and supersonic bullets have been around since at least the American Revolution.

 

[Von Strimmer]

.50 cal sniper bullet to the back of his head while he isn't looking. Lets see him fight when the back of his head is blown off. Then when he is regenerating or whatever just lock all his different body parts in chests and lock them away tightly. How hard can it be?

 

[Rule Britannia]

I'm assuming he heals or summin if the horcruxes aren't destroyed or it doesn't affect him but when they've all been destroyed why not just shoot him/nuke him etc.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

Don't apply logic to the Harry Potter universe, like at all. It doesn't make any sense...

 

[CodeOrange]

It's because Voldemort is the wizard equivalent to Osama Bin Laden. Go figure.

 

[StormShaun]

If I had to fight him I would say "Shit, he's got no nose, hell no, im never gonna fight that thing", If I said that straight to his face he would cry...whoops

Then I would die.

Edit: Anyway, lets party like its 1999, since my posts are almost to 2000, YEAH!

 

[Benito Zamora]

It was stated from the beginning that his skill was beyond comparison. Not even Dumbledor, the worlds greatest wizard WITH the Elder Wand could beat him. (Taken it was more of a stalemate then) It's repeated that many tried, all failed.

 

[ShindoL Shill]

Um, other than him being immortal until all the Horcruxes were destroyed?

And also that fact that he could slaughter anyone in 10 seconds flat?

all of the wizards can do that. a fucking toddler with a wand, magical powers and the ability to talk can kill him.

and thats a lot better than the convoluted plot twist just so harry wouldnt have to actually kill anyone because thats bad.

OT: but yeah, he was immortal.

 

[WolfThomas]

I've always wondered if the British (and possibly US) goverments had black ops departments dedicated to watching and cleaning up after wizards much like "The Boys" do for Superheroes. That would be really interesting to read as they struggle to keep the public from finding out or the Wizards from realizing they're one to them.

Could imagine a British Death eater being taken by extra-ordinary rendition to Guantamo bay, pumped full of sodium penthanol and/or waterboarded. Labs doing tests on Wizard DNA to see if there was any markers they could pick up. Squibs being recruited due to their useful nature of being able to see fantastical creatures, as well as their obvious disenfranchisement. Also trying to create post-humans with stuff they've gained from Wizards, like the werewolf virus.

I'd also love to see back during the first wizarding war, a CIA official saying "We've got money for Viet-cong or Wizards not both".

I stand corrected and am now on a mission to find these books!

Punisher MAX 1-60 by Garth Ennis, the best Punisher stories ever written and possibly Ennis' finest work (and that's saying something).

 

[Robert632]

.50 cal sniper bullet to the back of his head while he isn't looking. Lets see him fight when the back of his head is blown off. Then when he is regenerating or whatever just lock all his different body parts in chests and lock them away tightly. How hard can it be?

It's less about how hard it would be and more about cultural stupidity. The wizards tend to look down on muggle technology, which means no wizard is going to even think that that would work. Also nobody but Harry and co. know about the horcruxes, so whoever shot him would just shoot him and think he's dead.

As a side note, most snipers don't actually aim for the head. They ussually aim for the chest.