Doctor Who: 10 Most Powerful Daleks Ever

These are the worst of the worst that the supreme beings from Skaro have to offer.

Dalek Emperor Davros Remembrance of the Daleks
BBC

Throughout almost all of Doctor Who's almost sixty-year history, the Daleks have been the deadliest foe to ever cross paths with the Doctor and their companions. These Daleks, however, are the worst of the worst.

First introduced in 1963's The Dead Planet, the Daleks have been a mainstay of the series, always returning with a new plot and new ways of exterminating their enemies. Where there have been drone Daleks and footsoldiers, there have also been insane leaders and rulers.

Across all of time and space, these Ten Daleks are more ruthless, cunning, infamous, and more dangerous than any of the others.

Exterminating their own kind, leading invasion forces and keeping monstrous pets, these powerful Daleks are not only terrifying adversaries but the highest ranking in Skaro's hierarchy. Using specialised weapons, boasting unique designs and memorable evil plans, these Daleks are also the coolest radioactive mutants in the series to grace our screens.

With BBC's Time Lord Victorious reintroducing the Dalek Emperor to the Whoniverse, this list aims to take another look at the Dalek ruling class and its most menacing and interesting members...

10. Special Weapons Daleks

Dalek Emperor Davros Remembrance of the Daleks
BBC Studios

First appearing in 1988's Remembrance of the Daleks, these tank-like Daleks were used on the front lines of battles to lead troops and cause the greatest amount of devastation possible. Unlike other entries on this list, these impressive Daleks weren't shy from a fight and could be seen on battlefields instead of commanding from control rooms.

With one deadly blast from these Daleks' tank-nozzles, enemies would be instantly reduced to smouldering scorch marks on the ground. One of these Daleks was employed by the Imperial Daleks loyal to the Emperor in their fight against a rebel faction. This heavy weapons unit was particularly useful in their war, decimating enemy Daleks with ease.

With no qualms about obliterating members of its own species, the Special Weapons Dalek was a terrifying sight to be seen rolling into battle, and it is an underused asset to the Dalek military.

More of these Daleks appeared in 2012's Asylum of the Daleks - as insane battlefield survivors - and again in 2015's The Magician's Apprentice/The Witch's Familiar to bulk out the Dalek ranks.

An imposing force to be reckoned with, this battlefield leader was the last type of Dalek you'd want to see trundling towards you.

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Eden Luke McIntyre is a Scottish writer, editor and script consultant, with an MA in TV Fiction Writing. He writes content for TV, radio, stage, and online, and was appointed as a BBC Writers Room Scottish Voice in early 2020. Eden can usually be found rambling about Doctor Who, The Beatles, and obscure things that no one cares about.