[Foolofatook]

It is my opinion that Sauron needed the ring to return in the Third Age after being defeated by the Last Alliance. Without putting so much of himself into the Ring Sauron would not be able to revive himself at all. His spirit endured in the Ring. Very few maiar are capable of reincarnation, and Sauron lost his power after Numenor. (Take Saruman for instance). The creation of the one Ring evresulted in the death of Gil-Galad and his ability to return 3000 years later. Sauron wouldn't have even had a chance in the war of the Last Alliance, he lost even with the Ring.

I'm sorry I strayed so much from the issue, but my conclusion is Sauron's powers were only increased due to the creation of the Ring both militarily and physically. Sauron would have died in the Second Age without his anchor, so to say that Sauron made himself weaker is a misstatement. The Ring allowed him another chance at domination at a time when most of his enemies had faded away.