X-Men: First Class introduced an incredible world of exciting mutants to the Marvel Universe, and many of these heroes and villains could have been instrumental in the MCU's fight against Thanos. With everything you know Avengers: Secret WarsThere is a possibility that a multiversal rematch could occur, suggesting that characters like these could actually appear to fight alongside the Avengers. With that in mind, it's important to examine the effectiveness and power of each of these familiar mutants when understanding their place in the context of the MCU.
The fight against Thanos was an important part of Marvel's cinematic history that is worth remembering. The Eternals could have been useful in this battle, and even the original Fox X-Men would have been effective against the Mad Titan. However, Some of the best and most powerful mutants were introduced in the Matthew Vaughn-directed prequel. While the franchise introduced more familiar characters, some of these incredible mutants would have been a conclusive difference in the battle against the Mad Titan.
12
Mystique
Raven's skill set wouldn't add much to this battle
The relationship between Mystique and Charles was important to X-Men: First Classalthough there would be little Raven could add in a battle against Thanos. While his transformation and duplication powers are incredible, they would be practically useless against the Mad Titan. Thanos is an extraterrestrial power that requires brute strength and a different kind of intelligence that Mystique brings to the team.
Mysticism is far from useless. In a human world, the capacity for transformation is enormous for tasks that involve subterfuge and, especially, for political disturbances, as planned in X-Men: Days of Future Past. However, these powers would provide little help to an elusive cosmic force, leaving Mystique as the lowest-ranked member of the team here. She would be a help, but it wouldn't make much of a difference.
11
Beast
The Beast wouldn't be useless, but it wouldn't be useful in this fight either.
Hank McCoy is an important member of the X-Men team, although there is little he can offer in a fight against Thanos. With a revamped younger Beast, the film shows this Hank has brute strength and a lot of intelligence, but nothing that the Avengers team didn't already have. Shuri's science at least rivals Hank's, and the strength of characters like Hulk and Thor surpasses Hank's.
Simply, there's little Hank could add to this fight that isn't already accommodated elsewhere. While he could be placed in a lab somewhere and would be an excellent addition to any team working on the science of how to defeat Thanos, his presence here wouldn't make a huge difference. Furthermore, this Beast doesn't even want his powers, and does everything to get rid of them. As a result, with limited ability, he should be placed at the bottom of this list.
10
Angel Salvadore
Angel's bug powers would be useful, but not significant
Zoë Kravitz, who crossed over to the DC Universe to Batmanwhere she played the best Catwoman so far, made his entry into superhero cinema as Angel Salvadore in X-Men: First Class. His powers are interesting, with insect physiology, flight and the ability to spit acid. Each of them could contribute to the fight against Thanos, though none of them would be significantly more impactful than anything the team didn't already have.
Certainly, its acidic spit and speed of movement could be an advantage. However, it is difficult to imagine that this acid will make a significant contribution to the fight. Unfortunately, especially when compared to other insect-centric characters like Ant-Man and The Wasp, Angel here wouldn't add much to the table. She could also be crushed, like a bug, too easily for comfort.
9
Riptide
Riptide's tornado powers would be useful, but limited
Riptide's powers could add something to the fight against Thanos, although the character has historically been quite easy to defeat. The effect of his whirlwinds could be an incredible way to change the playing field of battle. However, it has been seen in the comics that the tornadoes he creates are limited in their capacity. Wolverine, in a comical appearance, was unable to be moved by tornadoes due to his build, and it may be that Thanos has the same strength.
Although Riptide added something to the fight, especially against Thanos' supporters, he has historically been very easy to eliminate, having been killed by Colossus in the comics. Even considering just the film version of the character, it's difficult to see Riptide having much success against the Infinity Stones and Thanos. His powers are simply too limited and his abilities don't go much beyond the strategic use of cyclones and whirlpools.
8
Banshee
Banshee would fight well, but is very fragile
Banshee's powers are unique and significant enough to contribute well to the fight against Thanos. Banshee is an excellent anti-Sentinel weapon and his sonic powers would certainly do some damage against Thanos. Within a multifaceted team, this ability could add a lot to the fight, temporarily incapacitating Thanos so that other actions could be taken. Thanos' weakness to sound isn't explored much in the MCU films, but this power would likely be at least somewhat useful.
The downside is the limits of the Banshee's abilities. He uses this same ability of sound to lift himself off the ground, allowing himself to fly in a very limited and unusual way. This could be easily stopped, and Banshee's body is simply too fragile for him to be able to make much of a difference in this fight. In a fight against Thanos, Banshee is a huge risk, even if her powers are useful.
7
Azazel
His teleportation powers could be useful in the fight against Thanos
Azazel is a very interesting character and is still in the public's mind after his cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine this year. Azazel is an intelligent and conniving mutant with incredible teleportation abilities that could be put to good use in the fight against Thanos. Although much of this ability is replicated by Doctor Strange on the Avengers team, Azazel is faster, with greater reflexes. If given the Infinity Gauntlet, even for a moment, he could take it far beyond Thanos' reach with ease.
This ability would add a lot to the team that isn't covered by Strange's magical portals. This speed and reflex would help Azazel make a big difference in the fight against Thanos, although he wouldn't be instrumental on his own. As part of a solid and well-defined team, Azael could have a huge and significant impact in the fight against Thanos and his army.
6
Wolverine
Wolverine would be almost impossible to beat
While recasting Wolverine has been an issue for some time, First class instead, it brought back Hugh Jackman in a brief cameo to connect the Fox timelines. His appearance in this film is limited, though his impact on the team is conversely huge. Wolverine is almost impossible to beat. The brute berserker is capable of contributing violently to any battle with his strength and claws, countering any blow with his healing factor.
It's true that the Avengers team doesn't lack brute force, and this addition wouldn't be incredibly significant. However, it's important to consider the tenacity, will, and raw dedication that Wolverine has. While it's hard to imagine Wolverine defeating Thanos alone, the fighter would certainly be an incredible addition to any team in this memorable battle.
5
Havok
Alex Summers can absorb and repel cosmic energy
Much of the fight against Thanos involved the use of cosmic energies and powers. While it is unlikely that Havok will be able to face all facets of the Infinity Stones and all of their abilities, Cyclops' mutant brother is capable of absorbing all types of energy that is used offensively against him. He is able to store this power and send it violently against his attackers. This ability could be fundamental in the fight against Thanos.
Understanding the exact rules of this energy could change Alex's place on this list. However, based on the general understanding of these powers, Havok's energy powers could help him resist and combat Thanos' powers. Using this intelligently and strategically would allow Havok to be an important part of the battle against Thanos, especially in the midst of heavy, violent battles.
4
Emma Frost
The mutant's psionic powers can make a huge difference
Emma Frost was criminally underused in Fox's X-Men films, with the character having a small appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine before a prominent and recast role in X-Men: First Class. January Jones plays the villain with her classic femme fatale style, although only the surface of his powers and conniving brilliance are captured on film. Emma Frost is more than that and would serve well against Thanos with her psionic abilities.
In the comics, Frost almost managed to surpass and defeat Thanos with his mental abilities. Compared to someone like Mantis in Infinity Warwho was able to manipulate Thanos' emotions and put him to sleep temporarily, Emma Frost could do so much more. Getting inside Thanos' head, there's an incredible amount of brutal work that Emma Frost's smart planning and action could do to help during this battle.
3
Professor X
Charles Xavier's abilities would be an incredible help
Similar to Emma Frost, Professor X would have the ability to get inside Thanos' head in a way that could be pivotal to the battle. However, Thanos has historically had some resistance to telepaths like Charles, and this could restrict his ability. Still, Xavier's powers are enormous, especially when amplified by Cerebro, and it seems likely that he could make a significant difference in this battle.
It's true that physically, in his many appearances in Marvel's X-Men, Charles has been physically weak. However, as long as he was used correctly in this fight, his abilities could be used in very useful ways. While Charles probably won't be able to take down Thanos alone, the thought is still a possibility as long as circumstances go the right way for the hero.
2
Darwin
Adapting to survive would be important to resist Thanos
Thanos' plan aims to disrupt the natural order of things, while Darwin's abilities go against this. The character's abilities show that he can adapt to survive, which would be an important part of any battle against Thanos. As the Mad Titan grew closer to him and his peers, Darwin would be able to naturally adapt to the situation, finding ways to overcome and survive the fight. This can also be important for the larger group.
That said, while Darwin's powers in the film seem incredible, even though he managed to get Sebastian Shaw to use those powers to his detriment, there is also comic precedent that shows limits to this ability. In fights against the Hulk, Darwin had to teleport to survive. Sometimes adapting to survive does not include destroying the other combatant. Still, these capabilities would certainly be important in the fight against any massive threat.
1
Magneto
Erik Lehnsherr would be the X-Men's most important combatant
Magneto believes in the superiority of mutants and would ideologically stand against the violent decimation of innocent and random people that Thanos' mission plans to employ. Magneto would be outraged by Thanos' mission and it would starkly contrast with his ideals. However, the character only goes so far, and the most important factor to consider here is Magneto's abilities. Simply put, his control over metal would be crucial during this conflict.
The Infinity Gauntlet is made from Uru, a magical dwarf metal from the MCU. However, Comic book and film precedents show that Magneto is capable of controlling all types of metal, even Adamantium and Uru. As a result, Thanos could do little to resist Magneto from taking the Gauntlet for himself. While the X-Men: First Class If the mutant could then use the Infinity Stones for his own destructive plans, it's certain that Thanos would be dispatched quickly and easily.
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- Release date
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February 14, 2025
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Rays*
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- Release date
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July 25, 2025
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- Release date
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July 24, 2026