Eight years after being introduced to the MCU in theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy, I still think the most powerful member of the team is being overlooked. Given thatGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4is yet to be announced by Marvel Studios, many are taking the team’s MCU absence as an opportunity to look back on prior stories. After all, theGuardians of the Galaxy have a lengthy MCU timeline, stretching back to Phase Two of the Infinity Saga.
Although thenew Guardians of the Galaxy teamis exciting, the original team was a fan-favorite for a reason. Not only are all three movies regarded as one of theMCU’s best trilogies, but the lovable characters, their strong familial bonds, and their equally strong powers made them easy to invest in for almost a decade betweenGuardians of the GalaxyandGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. When concerning their powers specifically, I am convinced that one member of the team gets overlooked as one of the MCU’s most powerful beings.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy Team Has Some Majorly Powerful Members In The Movie Trilogy
Some Of The MCU’s Strongest Heroes Come From The Guardians
Over the course of theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy, some incredibly powerful heroes have been part of the team. Star-Lordis competent in many ways after being raised by the Ravagers, and that is without mentioning his immense Celestial powers that were introduced inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.Groot is another powerful member of the team, with his abilities enabling him to protect his team from a massive spaceship crash in the first movie, reincarnate as a sapling, and grow up to create the godly weapon known as Stormbreaker.
The likes of Gamora, Nebula, and Drax are some of the most skilled assassins and warriors in the MCU, though their power levels do not necessarily match those mentioned. Rocket is similar, often getting by on his high intellect and weapons knowledge rather than outright physical power.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, though, introduced Adam Warlock as a member of the team who, in both the MCU and Marvel Comics, is one of the strongest heroes in the entire universe. Evidently, the Guardians have never been lacking in outright strength.
Mantis' Power Level Is Way Higher Than It Might Initially Appear
Mantis Has Some Incredible Feats Of Strength In The MCU
Despite all of these powerful heroes being part of the Guardians throughout the MCU, I believe Mantis may be the most powerful. Despite this, Mantis is often overlooked as a powerful member of the team, with her aforementioned allies getting a lot more credit than her. However, Mantis has displayed moments of immense power in the MCU, not only in theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy but also in other appearances likeAvengers: Infinity War.
Mantis' powers typically include being an empath - able to manipulate emotions and bodily state - as well as regular superhuman strength and durability.
Some of these feats include putting a Celestial being like Ego to sleep inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2and doing the same to Thanos inAvengers: Infinity War. Ego and Thanos are two of theMCU’s strongest villainsand, without Mantis, they may not have been subdued as easily. The Guardians' initial plan to defeat Ego relied entirely on Mantis' ability to keep him asleep. It was only once Peter Quill unlocked his Celestial abilities that this changed.
Where Thanos is concerned, some of the MCU’s strongest heroes like Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Thor, failed to incapacitate the Mad Titan during his conquest. InAvengers: Infinity War, however, Mantis was able to subdue Thanos long enough for the other heroes to remove the Infinity Gauntlet. Were it not for Star-Lord’s emotional outburst,Mantis would have been instrumental in defeating Thanos without as much bloodshed as proved necessary.
The MCU Has A Secret Reason For Mantis' Powers Being Overlooked
The Hero Would Be Too Overpowered Otherwise
Despite Mantis' powerful feats in the MCU, she is often overlooked as the franchise’s most powerful hero, with the likes of Scarlet Witch, Thor, Captain Marvel, and Doctor Strange instead vying for this title. That said, the MCU has a reason for this. After all, Mantis' powers could be used on most villains and render them unconscious, making a lot of battles and movies end quicker than they need to. From a purely storytelling standpoint, Mantis' powers needed to be nerfed.
To avoid Mantis being a deus ex machina of sorts, the MCU gave the character a set of morals and beliefs not to use her powers on people too often. In cases, like with Ego and Thanos, it was necessary, but these rules allowed Mantis to be part of the Guardians without easily manipulating their enemies and providing an easy win every time. Therefore, where theGuardians of the Galaxymovies and wider MCU installments are concerned, Mantis' incredible powers are overlooked, for story reasons as much as anything.
