system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[LoTR] I remember seeing something somewhere about how Gandalf has to withhold and restrain his power, being more for guidance than direct action. Just how powerful is he and how much could he influence things if he weren't stymied like that (if it's even true)?
gpt
Gandalf and other Istari are held back by their frail forms of old men. If Gandalf wanted he could unleash his full power and be more akin to a Balrog.

The issue is if he dies he loses it all. When Sauron died all his power was in the ring so he basically couldn't conjure up more than a frail spirit that was left wandering invisible and alone. The same can be said for Saruman, Balrogs, even Morgoth himself.