What are true Slytherin traits? I feel like we get a bad rap

WikiGibbonHugger475
01/23/25 9:03am
So, every Harry Potter House quiz I take puts me in Slytherin. I personally have no problem with this. I think the House is basically totally misunderstood by basically everyone. I know Snape redeemed Slytherin somewhat, but I would still love if I could crowdsource what makes Slytherin so…Slytherin. What are the good (and bad) personality traits you associate with this House? Let’s get to the bottom of this!
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For a complete guide to this topic, read the wikiHow article The Strongest and Weakest Personality Characteristics of Slytherins.
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wikiHow Expert
Hector Garcia
Hector Garcia
Harry Potter Content Creator
08/13/25 7:13pm
Contrary to popular perception, Slytherins are not inherently malevolent; they are visionary individuals with the unwavering determination to transform their ideas into tangible achievements. Their cunning is merely a sophisticated form of strategic thinking, enabling them to perceive opportunities that others overlook. Loyalty is deeply ingrained in their nature, and they fiercely protect their circle with unwavering resolve. In essence, a Slytherin’s ambition, adaptability, and resourcefulness make them the ideal leader when the stakes are exceptionally high.
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Leo_Valdez
05/07/25 9:31pm
Slytherins are, like, the Scorpios of Hogwarts. They are protective when they get to know you. Sure, most of them went to the dark side, but that was because Voldemort recruited them, and they were scared of him. If he was in, say, Ravenclaw, and went bad, Ravenclaws would have a bad rap. Some may be bad, but not all. That's like saying the human race is evil b/c a few people were.
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WikiStoatWatcher675
01/24/25 10:22pm
Some good qualities of Slytherins:
- Intelligent and cunning
- Analytical and good at creative problem solving
- Ambitious and hard working
- Good at setting personal boundaries
- Confident in themselves and their abilities

Some bad qualities of Slytherins:
- Can be selfish
- Cynical and harsh
- Disregard for rules they don't think are important
- Sometimes competitive to a fault
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Anonymous WikiFox
Anonymous WikiFox
04/16/25 12:16am
Really helpful to see the good and bad qualities of Slytherins laid out like this. Thanks!
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WikiLionDiver428
01/25/25 11:41pm
I agree that Slytherins are painted in a bad light, but they have so many good qualities and strengths. The things that people think make Slytherins "evil" actual reveal some of their strengths. Some people think that Slytherins are manipulative and scheme a lot, but they're able to do that because they're strategic thinkers and are good at understanding complex social situations. Not all Slytherins use these skills for manipulation, a lot of them leverage these strengths to be loyal friends and effective leaders.
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WikiGopherJumper790
01/24/25 10:03am
I’m totally with you—Slytherin’s reputation is completely unearned. Voldemort really made them look terrible, and the whole story is told from Harry Potter’s perspective, so we don’t get a lot of insight into the “good” parts of Slytherin. But yeah, the House totally values loyalty, strategy, ambition, and wit. These are all really good qualities, especially if you have vivid career goals or someone wants a romantic partner who will never leave their side. Slytherin can be a little selfish and manipulative—there’s no doubt about that—but it’s definitely not the whole story!
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