RWBY: 11 strongest characters ranked from weakest to most powerful

9. Yang Xiao Long

Yang Xiao Long, Ruby's older half-sister and the first of three characters that make up what I like to call the Cam Trifecta, is exceptionally strong and her ranking as the ninth-strongest is a testament to her amazing abilities. First and foremost, Yang's signature strength lies in her semblance, which allows her to absorb damage and convert it into her own strength, much like Adam Taurus, except she does it better. Imagine being able to turn every punch you take into power for a knockout comeback – that's Yang for you. She's like a rubber band - the more you stretch her, the harder she snaps back. This makes her incredibly resilient in battle and, when she's pushed to her limits, she can unleash devastating counterattacks.

But even superheroes have their limits, and this is why Yang doesn't top the list. Her semblance, while powerful, relies on her taking damage to build up strength. This means she often has to endure a lot of hits before she can strike back with maximum force, and she's basically Team RWBY's tanky Barbarian. In a world filled with super-fast and super-smart opponents, this can be a bit of a risky strategy. Also, while her physical strength is outstanding, she sometimes lacks the strategic finesse of her peers. This means in battles that require more than just brute force, she might not always come out on top.

But don't get it twisted – Yang is a force to be reckoned with. Her fiery spirit, unyielding courage, and sheer power make her a hero that you definitely want on your team, even if she's not the number one strongest.