Self-awareness is his most important asset. Control over the wizarding world's ancient and powerful families is certainly useful for his plans, but he was once stripped of everything except his self-awareness. He clung to it, and rose again.

The first months after his fall, he lived in a weak, feverish state of obsession over his failure to end the boy and the prophecy. He waited for his followers who did not come, and this only added to his rage. Twelve years of banishment gave him time to slowly regain his strength and focus, however, and sharing bodies with lesser beings brought forth an unwavering sense of self that was simpler yet stronger than what was born from youthful pride and independence. He was all he had, and this time, he would not allow any distractions in his path.