Glory's Power

Lore & Background

As a Hellgod, Glory possesses enormous physical strength far beyond that of most, if not all, vampires, demons, or Slayers. She is considered to be the most physically powerful Big Bad in the series, shown to be able to inflict massive damage on her opponents through pure brute force and physical strength alone. In "Intervention", she kicked Spike clear across her living room, through a solid wooden door, and to the other end of the room after losing her patience with him. In "Tough Love", she squeezes Tara's hand to the point where it oozes blood, right before Glory feeds off of her brain. In "Spiral", she punches a hole through the barrier that Willow generated. Even Buffy, with her slayer strength, could barely stand toe-to-toe in a fight of brawn. Glory's super-speed is depicted as a fast-moving blur that is apparently invisible to the naked eye. Near-invulnerability: Only a Troll God's hammer was able to do any lasting damage to Glory when used repeatedly. In "Tough Love," Willow's lightning bolts caused her pain, but caused no visible damage, though she comments that Willow's assault "slowed her down". By the time of the season finale, Buffy mentions that Willow was the only one ever successful in actually hurting Glory up to that point. When a building collapses on top of her, she was slowed down but was unharmed. Similarly, she was unharmed after being hit by a truck. Glory's goal through her time onscreen is to find the Key, a "mystical energy nexus," which is the only way for her to return to her original dimension. Using the Key will break down the barriers between all dimensions, causing all worlds to bleed into each other and allowing "Hell to reign on Earth".

In Their Own Story

The alleyway behind the hospital smelled of rain and copper. Glory stood over the fallen nurse, her eyes glowing with an unnatural violet light. She did not need to bite; she simply reached out, and the life force drained from the woman like water through a sieve. The goddess smiled, feeling the surge of vitality flood back into her limbs. 'More,' she whispered to the empty street, ignoring the sirens in the distance. Tonight, the Slayer would come for her sister. Tonight, Glory would be ready.

Reader's Guide

Glory's power functions as a renewable energy source tied directly to biological consumption. To wield or understand this ability, one must recognize that it is not transferable like a spell or weapon. It requires direct contact with human victims to siphon vitality. In the Buffyverse context, this makes her a predator who grows stronger with every kill. Defeating such an entity involves cutting off the supply line. Magic users can reverse the flow of energy or weaken the dimensional anchor holding her here. Physical combat is difficult unless she has been drained dry. The Slayer must exploit moments when Glory is weakened by lack of blood to deliver a fatal blow. Ultimately, this power serves as a reminder that even gods have needs and weaknesses when removed from their native realm.

Did You Know?

• Glory's strength is greater than that of any Slayer, vampire, or antagonist previously shown as a season villain of Buffy.
• Only a Troll God's hammer was able to do any lasting damage to Glory when used repeatedly.
• Glory was unharmed after being hit by a truck and after a building collapsed on top of her.
• Willow's lightning bolts caused Glory pain but no visible damage, though Glory said it 'slowed her down'.
• Glory's super-speed is depicted as a fast-moving blur apparently invisible to the naked eye.