What makes superheroes so admirable, unreachable, and worthy to be above regular humans are their unique powers. Powers that easily make them superior to others and powers that come with great responsibilities. Yes, it’s extremely cool to know how to fly or run at an abnormal speed or manipulate realities, but just asVision calculated the effectinCaptain America: Civil Warof Stark building his suit, having powers means that there are always people going after you. It creates conflict, opposition, and even war.
Despite the dangers of it, having superhuman powers is what makes superhumans stand out in theMCU. From technology like Iron Man’s suits and mutant abilities (newly introduced inMs. Marvel) to cosmic powers like Thor and the Eternals and the different branches of magic, here’s every power type in the cinematic franchise.
What do we mean by cosmic exactly? We are including both theCelestials and their creations, as well as other characters who in some form garner the power of the universe or the Nine Realms and are more than just regular beings on other planets. That includes powerful beings such as Deviants, which have appeared inEternalsand were created from cosmic energy. The Eternals themselves are considered cosmic beings with additional powers, such asIkaris' laser visionor Gilgamesh’s immense strength. Characters such as Star-Lord and Ego are Celestials and are able to manipulate matter and create their own planets. Even though Thor is considered a god, we would also like to include him in this passage. As the firstborn son of Odin, he is one of the most powerful beings in the Nine Realms. The God of Thunder possesses superhuman strength, durability, speed, agility, stamina, in addition to his power of controlling the weather.
Related:Here’s Every Infinity Stone in the MCU, Ranked by Power
The Mutants have been officially introduced into the MCU, perThe Direct, though only as of recent with the alternate universes and new diverse TV series. Mutants' official description defines it as an enhanced human race whose genes are mutated, which allows them to possess superhuman powers and abilities. InDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,we were introduced to the Multiverse in its full beauty and, with it, a member of the Illuminati: Professor Charles Xavier, who is a telepathic mutant. Xavier is able to read minds as well as mentally manipulate beings as he showcased with The Scarlet Witch. As for the newest addition into the MCU family,Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvelwas revealed to also be part of the mutant family. Kamal has the ability to access the full potential of the Noor Dimension, which allows her to lightly manipulate energy and stretch her body to extreme lengths. She also possesses superhuman strength and durability, can create platforms, and tap into clairvoyance.
3Biological Enhancement
The MCU has included many different enhancement programs that create soldiers with powers beyond the existing human strength and biology. First of these is the Super Soldier Serum that physically and mentally enhances the receiver and was first created to be used during World War II. Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Isaiah Bradley were injected with it, with hopes of the serum enhancing their key personality traits as well. The Extremis project developed by Aldrich Killian also biologically enhanced human bodies with nanotechnology, granting the body the ability to heal and regenerate. In contrast with these programs that were created with intention, Peter Parker was bitten by a biologically enhanced spider, giving him the physical capabilities of a spider, which includes superhuman strengths, durability, agility, and enhanced senses.
Related:All 9 Spider-Man Movies, Ranked
2Technology
Technology, specifically nanotechnology, is a big part of the MCU. The Arc Reactor and Stark tech is precisely what started it all. After using his escape plan to flee from the terrorists that captured him, Stark returned home and decided to use the Arc Reactor and technology to power hisIron Man suits. The technology that he built provided him with superhuman strength, durability, variety of weapons, and the ability to fly. He managed to upgrade the suits with nanotechnology, which later gave him the ability to easily access the suits. The strongest metal on Earth, Vibranium, was also used to build the Black Panther suits, the synthetic body of Vision, and the famous Captain America shield, which makes the items near indestructible. The Pym particles are also yet another form of technology, which powers the Ant-Man suit, allowing it to completely change mass.
Last, but not least, we have the power of magic, which is mainly used by Doctor Strange, The Scarlet Witch, and Loki in various ways. They are able to manipulate aspects of multiple realities via astral projections, divination, spell casting, and teleportation. The Asgardian magic used by Frigga and Loki allows the character to manipulate illusions, conceal their presence, move objects and matter, enchant objects and people, manipulate energy, and much more. Trained by the Ancient One, Doctor Strange has become the Master of Mystic Arts and has the ability to manipulate the Eldritch Magic, cast various high-level spells, create portals and mirror dimensions, travel through dimensions, and levitate with his Cloak. As for Wanda / The Scarlet Witch, at first she was experimented on and had her abilities enhanced with the Mind Stone, which allowed her to mentally manipulate others, levitate, move objects, read minds, and more. After realizing she can harness the Chaos Magic, she was revealed to have the ability of spontaneous creation, to warp reality, conjure and transmutate, and to create life, which makes her one of the most powerful beings alive.
