Would the Avengers have won without Iron Man’s Infinity Gauntlet? Is Captain America as powerful without his shield? Is Thor without his Mjolnir or Stormbreaker? What about Odin and all his powerful weapons? It seems that superheroes are often linked to their weapons. Here, we take a look at the most powerful and strongest weapons in the Marvel Universe.
1. Infinity Gauntlet
As the main focus of Avengers: Infinity War, worn by the Mad Titan Thanos, this is definitely one of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel Universe.
The Infinity Gauntlet is a cosmic artefact that holds six gems in it: space, time, soul, mind, power, and reality. It grants the wearer almost unlimited power.
The Time Gem provides control over time, including time travel. Space Gem allows the wearer to manipulate space, which includes creating wormholes and allowing teleportation.
The Soul Gem is able to control souls, both alive and not.
The Reality Gem alters the natural laws of the universe.
The Power Gem does exactly what its name suggests: it grants the wielder unlimited power.
The Mind Gem allows for telekinesis and telepathy. Its only limitation is that it can only work in the universe it comes from.
2. Mjölnir
Forged by Dwarven blacksmiths and composed of Uru, the magical hammer Thor uses grants him many of his abilities and can only be wielded by those who are deemed worthy.
The inscription on the side of the hammer reads, “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.”
Using Mjölnir, Thor is granted the power to destroy huge mountains and absorb energy.
It is not only one of the most popular but also one of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel Universe.
3. Captain America’s Shield
Captain America’s shield is more than just a symbol of patriotism. It is also a very effective defensive and offensive weapon. In fact, it’s so powerful and durable that it can even withstand a punch from the Hulk or a strike from Thor’s Mjölnir.
Its unique composition isn’t the only thing that makes Cap’s shield so powerful. It’s also the strength, skill, and strategy behind how Captain America uses it in battle. With seemingly impossible accuracy, he can precisely angle the shield to ricochet and take out multiple enemies in a single throw.
Vibranium already makes the shield extraordinarily resilient. But it’s truly Captain America who pushes its capabilities to another level entirely. His super soldier combat abilities allow him to wield the shield almost like a supernatural extension of his body. Cap bashes the shield with enough force to stagger a giant or throws it hard enough to lodge the disc deep inside concrete walls.
4. Cosmic Cube
Created by sentient beings from another dimension, the cosmic cube can be used by anyone in possession of it to reshape reality by controlling matter and energy.
In the MCU, the Cosmic Cube is called the Tesseract.
5. The Crimson Gem of Cyttorak
Created by Cyttorak, Lord of the Crimson Cosmos, the jewel, which is the source of the Juggernaut’s power, contains the following inscription: “Whosoever touches this gem shall possess the power of the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words shall become forevermore a human juggernaut!”.
Cyttorak’s powers extend beyond this fabled gem. A series of sorcerer supremes, including Doctor Strange, have harnessed the Cyttorak’s powers for their own purposes. One of Strange’s strongest weapons, the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, can be seen frequently in films and comics featuring the good Doctor.
6. The Darkhold
Written by Chthon, the Darkhold (also known as Shiatra Book of the Damned and The Book of Sins), which was originally written on flesh before it was transcribed on stone, contains very powerful dark magic spells.
Its corrupting influence, however, results in becoming possessed by Chthon. He left these scrolls on Earth for this purpose.
7. Nega-Bands
The Nega-Bands were created by the Supremor of the Kree. They grant the user vast powers, including super-strength, manipulation of energy and interstellar flight. The user of the bands also has no need for food, water, air or sleep. When it is in the right hands, it can be one of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel Universe.
One of the Nega-Bands’ first wielders was Captain Mar-Vell, one of the earliest iterations of Captain Marvel. The Kree warrior wielded the bands in his heroic exploits – long before Carol Danvers became the current alias of the defender of the universe.
More recently, the MCU was introduced to the Nega-Bands in The Marvels. In the film, the artefact plays an integral role – not only as a MacGuffin but also as a pivotal element to explain Kamala Khan’s powers in a universe that has slowly but surely established the existence of Mutants.
The bands aren’t as OP in the films as they are in the comics, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with – one that Dar-Benn wasn’t able to wield in the end.
8. Universal Weapon
Mostly associated with Ronan the Accuser, the Universal Weapon, which is made of extremely hard metal, is capable of flight, force fields, energy blasts, and changing the structure of matter. It also shocks unauthorised users, of course.
Also known as the Cosmi-Rod, the Universal Weapon has a fabled reputation in the Marvel comics continuity. Like most intergalactic elements, the weapon made its debut in the Fantastic Four comics.
It also belonged to Captain Marvel for a short time before it was given to Carol’s half-sister, Lauri-Ell. In the MCU, the Universal Weapon only appears briefly, though The Marvels let us see where the weapon ended after Ronan’s demise.
9. The Casket of Ancient Winters
An ancient Asgardian artefact, The Casket of Ancient Winters creates massive storms (the fury of a thousand destructive winters) when opened.
This Asgardian Pandora’s box unleashes destructive ice powers whenever it’s opened. The relic contains the Fimbulwinter of Ymir inside – the source of its gelid powers. If not contained, the Casket of Ancient Winters can easily freeze entire realms, which is why it’s safely contained in Odin’s vault, along with many other world-destroying relics.
Among the wielders of the Casket in the comics is Surtur, who tried to take down the God of Thunder using the casket. Malekith and the Dark Elves also tried using the Casket to destroy Asgard, but they were again thwarted by Thor.
10. Heart of the Universe
Generally considered to be the most powerful force in the Marvel Universe by many, the Heart of the Universe has been used by Thanos to create new universes.
The Heart is quite a controversial subject for Marvel fans. The object was introduced in the 2003 event Marvel Universe: The End, where Thanos emerged as the unlikely saviour of the whole Marvel Universe.
The Mad Titan reverted the damage Akhenaten caused, restoring the natural order in the Universe. However, as far as Marvel and executive producer Tom Brevoort are concerned, the Heart of the Universe isn’t canon.
Perhaps this was done to keep the Living Tribunal as the ultimate force within the Marvel canon – or because Thanos was already too powerful without the Heart to begin with.
11. Kang’s Time Chair
The Time Chair, which has a very strong force shield and built-in laser weapons for protection, was created by Marvel’s Kang the Conqueror and grants him the power to time travel.
12. Ultimate Nullifier
Described as “the universe’s most devastating weapon”, the Ultimate Nullifier can destroy entire universes and dimensions by wiping out their timelines. It is often associated with Galactus.
13. The Evil Eye Of Avalon
Able to manipulate matter at the molecular level and create or destroy force fields, The Evil Eye is virtually indestructible. Like many of the other Marvel Universe weapons, it also grants the user the ability to time travel.
14. Excalibur
When it comes to powerful Marvel weapons, the Excalibur sword probably needs no introduction.
Given to him by the Lady of the Lake, it is the indestructible and magical sword of the great King Arthur.
15. Golden Mace
Forged of Adamantine, a substance very similar to Wolverine’s Adamantium, Hercules’ Golden Mace can destroy almost any substance in the Marvel Universe. It is remarkably strong and can even withstand Thor’s Mjölnir.
While we considered other weapons like the Ultimate Nullifier, the Staff of One, the Casket of Ancient Winters, the Black Vortex, the Tactigon, the Eye of Agamotto, the Muramasa blade, the Watcher’s eye and the Darkhold spellbook, we thought the above list felt like the strongest contenders for Marvel’s most powerful weapons.
16. The Mandarin’s Ten Rings
Only a few weapons inspire more fear into the hearts of the Marvel heroes than the legendary Ten Rings, worn by the villainous Mandarin. Making their cinematic debut in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, these ten alien – yes, they’re alien – artefacts each possess reality-bending powers for the mastermind who wields them.
The most iconic of these is the Matter-Rearranger Ring, granting its wearer domination over all physical matter. With a twist of his hand, the Mandarin can reduce enemies to dust or reshape the world as he sees fit. Other rings wield similarly devastating forces – from fiery blasts to fields of impenetrable darkness, from ice that freezes to the bone to lightning that burns from within.
Yet the most terrifying aspect of the Ten Rings is the brilliant tactical mind that controls them. For centuries, the Mandarin has explored the upper limits of each ring’s abilities. His mind now inhabits the rings, making it impossible for anyone but him to use them.
17. All-Black the Necrosword
Of all the wicked weapons that have appeared throughout Marvel history, none inspire more dread than All-Black the Necrosword. Forged in a forgotten epoch by Knull, god of the symbiotes, All-Black was designed with a singular purpose – to slay gods.
This blade of living abyss travelled across galaxies in the grip of Gorr, the God Butcher. Wherever Gorr encountered divinity, All-Black feasted, growing stronger with every god felled in battle. After millennia of deicide, the Necrosword had become a vault of terrifying power. Even the slightest nick from its jagged obsidian edge could rot immortal flesh down to the bone.
At last, All-Black was gripped by Thor, who hoped to turn its apocalyptic might against Gorr. But the God Butcher would not release his hold over the weapon so easily. Reality itself warped as god and would-be god wrested for control over All-Black. That’s in the comics, at least. Love and Thunder went for a more traditional MCU affair where the blade was smashed to bits by Thor’s Mjölnir.
18. Wolverine’s Adamantium Claws
As tough as the metal coating Captain America’s shield, Wolverine’s six razor-sharp claws can slice through nearly any substance with almost no resistance.
Adamantium is virtually indestructible; it doesn’t just cut. It shears through objects at the molecular level. Combined with Wolverine’s enhanced mutant strength, his claws can rip through brick and concrete like tissue paper or detach robotic limbs with only moderate effort.
Due to Wolverine’s super-humanly accelerated healing factor, even the incredible physical stress of unleashing these devastating titanium weapons has little lasting effect on his body. Whether slashing apart hordes of enemies or trading blows with fellow clawed nemesis Sabretooth, Wolverine’s Adamantium claws never dull, never snap and never fail to inflict gruesomely grievous wounds.
Let us know what you think the most powerful and strongest weapons in the Marvel Universe are.
For a broader look at powerful characters, check out our comprehensive list of the 15 Most Powerful Characters in the Marvel Universe.
