Avengers, Assemble! The Most Powerful Characters In The Marvel Cinematic Universe
22. Pepper Potts
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The CEO of Stark Industries and Tony Stark’s wife has primarily left the crime fighting to her husband over the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But for the first time ever, Pepper Potts is suiting up in Endgame. Images have surfaced on the internet of actress Gwyneth Paltrow sporting Potts’ “Rescue” armor – a suit similar to the one her husband wears. Potts’ armored alter-ego has long been a fan favorite, and fans will finally get a chance to see her in action.
21. Falcon
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A trusted friend of Captain America, Falcon (real name Samuel Thomas Wilson) is a former United States Air Force airman. Falcon is just a regular human – he wasn’t bitten by a spider or injected with a super-soldier serum which granted him powers. He uses his experience and training in the military along with a jet pack to help fight baddies. Loyal and trustworthy, every team needs a member like Falcon.
20. Shuri
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Wakanda’s princess may not be as physically threatening as her peers, but she may be in contention for being the smartest person on a team that consists of Peter Parker, Bruce Banner and Tony Stark among others. She is regularly tasked with updating her brother’s Black Panther suit and ensuring the country of Wakanda is up-to-date with new technology. An innovator wise beyond her years, Shuri’s stash of gadgets and gizmos could prove to be increasingly important for the Avengers.
19. War Machine
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Colonel James Rhodes is a former officer of the United State Air Force and the best friend of Tony Stark. Rhodes is known as War Machine while fighting in his battle suit created by Stark. He’s (understandably) not quite as comfortable operating in the suit as Stark is, but is equipped with all of the tools and explosives to make a difference in a heated battle.
18. Black Widow
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Black Widow, aka Natasha Tomanoff, is one of the most accomplished assassins in the world. One of the founding members of the Avengers, Black Widow has proven time and time again she is a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. On multiple occasions, she’s stood toe-to-toe with the best – including Captain America, Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Iron Man. She can’t fly, doesn’t have psychic powers, or shoot heat vision out of her eyes, but Black Widow is cunning, resourceful, and just an overall badass.
17. Winter Soldier
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For several years, former US soldier Bucky Brooks rested and healed in the confines of Wakanda. The former HYDRA test subject was brainwashed, given a robotic arm, and injected with super-soldier serum. Shuri has since removed any HYRDA programming which had a hold on him, bringing Barnes back to the good side. He’s a savvy soldier who boasts many of the same capabilities as his best friend Steve Rogers.
16. Ronin (formerly known as Hawkeye)
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Hawkeye is no more. Early trailers have shown Clint Barton donning gear befitting his “Ronin” identity. Hawkeye’s nobleness is only trumped by Ronin’s ruthlessness. We haven’t seen Barton in action for a quite some time. It could take him a bit of time to adjust to the new enemies that scour the Earth. But regardless of which alias he chooses to operate under, Barton is a dead-eye shooter who hardly ever misses.
15. Iron Man
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This whole ‘superhero’ thing is a young man’s game, and Tony Stark isn’t getting any younger. The famed billionaire and former CEO of Stark Industries is credited as a founding member of the Avengers. Stark helped make all of this possible, and for that he must be commended. However, as a combatant, Stark has certainly lost a step. There’s always a chance he has a secret project like his “Hulkbuster” stored up his sleeve for Thanos, but his mind is far more useful than his might at this time.
14. Vision
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Vision’s overall power cannot be denied. His body is comprised of vibranium and imbued with the Mind Stone. He was integral in putting a stop to the evil android Ultron and has since assimilated himself with the rest of the Avengers – especially Scarlet Witch. However, the last time we saw Vision he was routinely getting beaten down. He spent nearly all of Infinity War getting tossed around, and didn’t show much fight. His powers are vast (the only one other than Thor who can pick up Mjolnir) but we haven’t seen his full potential just yet.
13. The Guardians of the Galaxy
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It would be disingenuous to rank the Guardians separately, as they have grown to love and tolerate each other over the years.
Peter Quill (aka Star Lord) is the team’s hot-headed leader. His love for Gamora is what got the Avengers in their current predicament in the first place. The fiery Rocket Raccoon is a fan favorite, and has enough firepower to blow up entire planets. Drax the Destroyer is an impressive specimen capable of trading blows with the mightiest of warriors. Groot and Mantis each have unique abilities which have come in handy.
Together, they’ve proven worthy of helping thwart Thanos (helping Thor form Stormbreaker was a nice boost), but the loss of Gamora could drive a wedge in this ragtag group.
12. Loki
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Once the Avengers’ main nemesis, Thor’s adopted brother has come a long way from opening up a wormhole in the middle of New York City. Loki was killed by Thanos at the start of Infinity War, but are we sure it wasn’t all an act? After all, Loki is the God of Mischief. Playing dead doesn’t seem like it would be all that far-fetched of a move by the Asgardian prince.
11. Nebula
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Former villain turned Avenger, Nebula is the adopted daughter of Thanos. While serving as Ronan the Accuser’s right-hand aid, Nebula was a deadly assassin who often quarreled with her adopted sister, Gamora. After years of attempting to assassinate Thanos, Nebula joined forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange and Iron Man during the Battle of Titan. If there’s anybody who knows how Thanos thinks and operates, it’s Nebula. That information could prove to pay dividends.
10. Ant-Man
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If you’re looking for a dark horse candidate who could make a major splash in Endgame, look no further than the diminutive Ant-Man. Like his name suggests, Ant-Man has the ability (granted by a super-powered suit crafted by Hank Pym) to shrink to the size of an ant. The man behind the suit, former criminal Scott Edward Harris Lang, is an accomplished thief and tactician. Couple these two traits together, and Ant-Man is a top option for a potential heist of one or more of the Infinity Stones.
9. Captain America
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It may be a bit surprising to see the leader of the Avengers ranked this low. Cap is the heart and soul of the group. He’s morally good, an excellent team player, and a natural leader. He does his best to keep everybody together mentally, even if it doesn’t always work as evidenced in Civil War. His physical ability is certainly impressive, but he doesn’t possess the vast array of powers of some of his peers. Still, he’s a vital part of the Avengers and they will need his experience and leadership mightily moving forward.
8. Black Panther
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T’Challa, King of Wakanda, is a bit more physically capable than your average King. After being sworn into his role, T’Challa consumed the Heart-Shaped Herb which imbued him with the powers of the Black Panther. T’Challa possesses superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, and regenerative properties, and his sister Shuri always ensures his suit is kept as up-to-date as possible. He’s a feared hand-to-hand combatant who has bested fierce warriors like M’Baku and Erik Killmonger. In a one-on-one matchup, there aren’t many better than the Black Panther.
7. Scarlet Witch
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In terms of raw ability, there is a case to be made for Scarlet Witch being quite possibly the most powerful Avenger. The young sorceress was formally introduced in Age of Ultron alongside her brother Pietro (Quicksilver). After a brief stint playing for the bad guys, Scarlet Witch joined the team. She gained her powers at a young age after being exposed to cosmic energies which contained the Mind Stone. Her abilities include telekinesis, flight, and telepathy. Her connection to the Mind Stone could prove to be ever-important in the fight against Thanos.
6. Doctor Strange
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Stephen Strange always seems to be step ahead of everybody else, and it’s not just because he wields the Time Stone. Okay, the Time Stone certainly helps eliminate any uncertainty, but Doctor Strange remains one of the most intelligent and cunning members of the MCU. The powerful sorcerer famously computed every possible outcome before dueling with Thanos before the Battle of Titan, seemingly crafting a plan that would ensure an Avengers victory. It remains to be seen if Strange’s master plan will come to fruition, but it’s hard to bet against a guy who basically carries a time machine around his neck.
5. Spider-Man
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The web-head may be the youngest member of the group, but there’s no denying Spidey’s raw talent. Infused with superhuman powers after being bit by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker was thrusted into a life of crime-fighting at a young age. His reflexes are second-to-none, and his intelligence and quick wit can get him out of sticky situations. With the help from some custom suits crafted by his buddy Tony Stark, Spider-Man can be a major contributor despite his lack of experience.
4. Hulk
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If Bruce Banner and the Hulk were on the same page, there’s a chance the Avengers may not even be in this mess. When fully locked in, almost no character in the entire Marvel Universe can stand toe-to-toe with Hulk – let alone live to tell the tale. Unfortunately, Banner struggles to keep his alter ego in check, and has opted to stay in his scientist form for a majority of the past few movies. With their backs up against the wall, expect ‘The Green Guy’ to make an appearance. It won’t be pretty.
3. Thor
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Thor is a legit game-changer – as evidenced by the shift in momentum that occurred when he (along with Rocket and Groot) crash landed in Wakanda during a heated battle with Thanos’ forces. Thor, now wielding an axe called Stormbreaker, nearly thwarted Thanos’ plans with an overwhelming amount of power and rage. He may tap into his goofy side every once in a while, but make no mistake about it, Thor means business.
2. Captain Marvel
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Better late than never. It took 11 years and nearly 20 movies before Marvel finally introduced one of the most integral players in the expansive universe. Captain Marvel (portrayed by Brie Larson), aka Carol Danvers, is essentially Marvel’s answer to Superman. A former Air Force pilot whose DNA was altered during an accident, Captain Marvel boasts superhuman strength, flight, and the ability to both project and absorb energy. Her powers even allow her to survive in space. Her introduction cannot be overstated, and her massive presence will surely play a role in the fight against the all-powerful being standing before the Avengers…
1. Thanos
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Is it a shocker that the being wielding the most powerful relic in the galaxy tops this list? Thanos proved his strength early on in Infinity War when he manhandled Hulk without the use of his trusted glove. The Mad Titan is as powerful as he is intimidating. The biggest villain Earth has faced to date, it will take the efforts of nearly all of the Avengers to overthrow Thanos. But for now, with the Infinity Gauntlet in tow, Thanos has no equal.
