The idea of SPOP Hordak being "ineffectual"
Or (relatively) weak or some other variant.
This is an interesting idea, I think misconception, mostly among SPOP's critics (well more among specifically those who could be exactly called "anti-fans" or "haters"), but also a number of fans.
The issue is, there are many arguments against it.
First, Hordak stated he conquered "galaxies" in Horde Prime name. That's galaxies in plural, it suggesting at least 2, very possibly much more.
After getting stuck on Etheria, Hordak with no resources, proceeded to create the strongest military force on the planet, and fairly quickly carved one of the mightiest countries on it, forcing most of the remaining countries (latter all) to ally against the Horde Empire. He also dealt a defeat to the old Alliance/Rebellion, so significant that it efficiently disbanded. Though it it is possible these battles also weakened the Horde forces, but still.
Horde's conquest slowing down, seems to be largely due to his increasing health issues, and him dividing his time to try counter them and/or contact Horde Prime. It also seems Shadow Weaver is kinda behind the Horde not proceeding more with their conquest, possibly even intentionally doing this to proceed with her own strongly implied plans of "saving" Etheria, releasing magic, and putting the planet in more competent hands (ie her own). Hordak did though notice Shadow Weaver's ineffectually (though hard to say if disloyalty, but it's possible), hence so easily deciding to both replace her, and send her to Beast Island.
After Hordak, as stated by Catra rediscovered his warrior spirit, him being involved and leading battles directly was one of major reasons Horde nearly conquered the whole Etheria in season 4 before Glimmer's counter-offensive.
Hodak's biological degeneration is also a factor that should be discussed. As he consistently fought against it largely through pure will. While it did leave him weakened (up to the spaces between his the ulna and the radius bones in his arms being visible), he did make up for it, especially latter on with Entrapta's help.
Catra "defeating" Hordak at the start of season 4, is also not exactly an anti-feat for him - outside of Catra figuring Hordak's weakness, the situation was meant to parallel how Hordak punished Catra in season 2, by sucking/changing the atmosphere.
With Hordak and Catra, their real/proper fight is also interesting. Catra during the fight was on her defensive, and clearly putting in all of her experience (including even recent, from her fight with Glimmer), just to survive. While she did kinda win, it was only "kinda". Hordak was knocked out, while both at this point, were fighting to kill each other.
Catra was also in a comparably bad shape after this fight, seemingly even a bit worse than Hordak. As Catra, after her adrenaline wore of, had at start difficulties standing up and walking at all:
Hordak in turn, despite a 700 ton piece of metal falling on his head, then crushing him, just got up after regaining consciousness, moved/lifted the giant metal claw crushing him, and was preparing to kill Glimmer (and Catra if he found her).
He also got an explosive directly in his face, and was just temporarily blinded, and was still able to continue:
It's also notable that as Catra ripped out the First One crystal, it either means Hordak installed a secondary power source, or that he was operating here on pure determination (mixed with Power of Hate).
Nate Stevenson also wrote Hordak did, or would kill Catra during the fight, but Catra's ability to have 9 lives (or perhaps more likely to avoid certain death 8 times) saved her. It's hard to tell if he was serious though.
This fight is also relevant, as Catra is one of the deadliest fighters in SPOP, portrayed consistently a challenge or even match for Adora as She-Ra. It's also notable that Glimmer, despite defeating Catra in a fair fight (and being one of the only to do it aside from Adora and the Guardian of the Heart), was hesitant to engage Hordak along with his forces.
This might be a controversial take, but I think it does make SPOP Hordak kinda/maybe comparable to 2002 Hordak in fighting capabilities in terms of their universes. 2002 Hordak kicked King Hiss a*s, and put up a great fight against King Grayskull, nearly wining, and still killing him, but he had an army of Horde Troopers, 3 Horde Wraiths and Grizzlor, Mantenna and Leech to help him out.
While King Grayskull had one Battle Lion to help:
Not to trow shade at 2002 Hordak, I also like him, just noting why I think they are comparable.
It's also important to point out Hordak's force of will. He was, as opposed to most, double mind controlled by being reconnected to the Hive Mind, and then also "slimed":
And he still broke out of this (first partly when discovering the First One crystal Entrapta installed in his armor, then after Horde Prime made the fatal mistake and ordered him to kill Entrapta), and killed big bro Prime (or at least his body):
And only got controlled after Horde Prime's spirit/consciousness fully transferred into him.
With that Hordak seems to a pretty badass military leader and fighter in this series. Or at least that's my opinion.
[Edit]
Fixed stuff, including grammar.
