The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced a wide set of powers throughout their films ever since the franchise began with Iron Man, and I’m now convinced that I know exactly which powers would be the worst to have. With some of the strongest Avengers being blessed with unbelievable gifts, it is difficult to compare one powerset with another. While some have grounded abilities, others are practically godlike in the franchise, with incredible abilities. Some of these come with greater costs than others.
With the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe blown open, the shape and scale of powers has changed immensely. Figures like Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock have brought in outsized abilities that seem almost impossible to resist. However, other heroes, including figures like Ghost and Taskmaster, both of whom play important roles in the upcoming Thunderbolts*, have shown the downside to certain powers. With that said, I believe there is a hero who has it even worse off than them.
Mantis’ Powers Seem Really Useful, But They Have Genuinely Awful Downsides
The Guardian Of The Galaxy Has Some Of The Most Complex Powers
Mantis was introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and has since become a bigger part of the MCU. After careful review, I’m convinced that Mantis’ powers would be the worst to have of any in the franchise. Mantis has incredible power over emotions, and is able to touch and feel them in others, and use that to manipulate them. These abilities can have incredible effects, and were used very well in films like Avengers: Infinity War. However, they also come with an immense downside.
Mantis is extremely limited in her abilities, and they can only do so much for the team.
These abilities would be so difficult to put to use within the confines of battle. While Mantis was able to put Thanos to sleep by manipulating him, this was only possible because of the support of the rest of her team. Mantis is extremely limited in her abilities, and they can only do so much for the team. However, more than that, the emotional experience of those powers would make them incredibly difficult to utilize. This would help to make even participating as a hero so much more difficult for her.
Mantis’ Powers Make Every Battle A Recipe For Lifelong Trauma
Her Touching On Emotions Would Exact A Great Toll On Her Psyche
Mantis’ powers force her to reach into the emotions of others as part of the Guardians of the Galaxy core cast, and she must feel and experience them herself in order to do that. In the heat of battle or conflict, this would be a very difficult and dangerous thing to handle. Mantis has to reach inside the characters and pull at their deepest and darkest experiences and feelings. Exposing herself to that would be difficult enough, but having to actually feel them and manipulate them sounds like an incredibly taxing emotional task.
The feelings that people have are multifaceted and complex, and reaching into those from Mantis’ detached perspective would be so difficult to handle and maintain. This surely creates difficult conflicts even between the people that she knows and loves, so using this on an opponent or adversary would be even more difficult. Once inside the emotions of others, Mantis would be forced to feel and contend with ideas and feelings that go even beyond her own experience, and would have to balance that with great care.
Thinking About Mantis’ Powers Really Changes What Her MCU Story Looks Like
Mantis Has A Traumatic History In The MCU
Thinking about Mantis’ powers goes to show that the character’s story in the franchise is so much more traumatic than was initially apparent. Mantis has not just experienced pains and emotions and losses of her own, but has actually gone in and experienced those of others as well. Her messed-up superhero origin shows a painful experience of loss and heartache as a prisoner to her father Ego, but the experiences that have come after, with her joining the Guardians of the Galaxy, are full of heartaches of their own.
Mantis’ MCU story is actually one of great pain, trauma, and emotional weight. Using her abilities, Mantis is forced to feel and experience the emotions of others in a way that must weigh heavily upon her. While I can clearly see that these abilities can be put to great use in the franchise, I don’t know that they would be worth the price that they demand. Manipulating the emotions of others could only be useful if one was able to do so in a detached way, making Mantis’ story, and how she deals with emotion, even more sad.
There are a number of powers in the MCU that I wouldn’t want to have, but Mantis’ are among the most emotionally difficult of anyone in the franchise. Even with a great and supportive team to look after her through the Guardians of the Galaxy films, it is clear that Mantis has been through a lot. Her abilities have only added to this traumatic experience of superpowered life. It is sad to review her past, but it also helps to explain her as a character, and to see her motivations even moving forward in the MCU.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Created by
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Kevin Feige
- First Film
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Iron Man
- Upcoming Films
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ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, Blade (2025), The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday (2026), Avengers: Secret Wars
- First TV Show
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
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Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday
- Release Date
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May 1, 2026
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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