The Avengers are famous as Marvel’s strongest superhero team, but surprisingly, not all of its members have inherent superpowers. When the team debuted in 1963, only two of the original Avengers possessed natural abilities: Thor, a god who commands lightning, and the Hulk, a mutate powered by gamma radiation. The other three relied on technology: Iron Man, who was a normal man using a high-tech suit of armor, and Wasp and Ant-Man, who used Pym Particles to change size. Over time, Wasp and Hank Pym both gained powers as their bodies adjusted to the effects of the Pym Particles.
Some people might consider Tony Stark’s high-tech armor a superpower, but he’s actually just a very intelligent human without it. Despite this, he’s still one of the Avengers’ most powerful members. Here are 10 of the strongest Avengers who don’t have any inherent superpowers.
10) Kate Bishop
While Kate Bishop has taken on the role of Hawkeye, she’s still developing her skills compared to Clint Barton. Clint’s years of experience give him an edge in archery and battle – he’s faced some incredibly dangerous enemies. That said, Kate is a naturally talented archer, a strong team player, and she’s improving quickly, showing real promise for the Avengers.
9) Hawkeye
Over time, Hawkeye often became the target of jokes, seen as ‘just the Avenger who shoots arrows.’ But he wasn’t always perceived that way. When he first joined the Avengers, he was considered one of the coolest members – a rebellious figure who challenged authority. He’s also far more capable than many realize. As one of Marvel’s best archers, he can accurately hit any target from any position, and his specialized trick arrows allow him to overcome challenges and even match the feats of his teammates with superpowers.
8) Mockingbird
Mockingbird possesses a key skill that Hawkeye lacks: she’s a highly trained spy. Although both characters have worked with SHIELD in some versions, the main Marvel Universe Hawkeye didn’t receive the same level of spy training. Mockingbird is proficient in various fighting styles and knows multiple ways to incapacitate or eliminate opponents. While this might not seem traditionally heroic, it gives her an edge over Hawkeye in terms of overall capability.
7) Ironheart
Ironheart is essentially the successor to Iron Man, and Tony Stark himself approved of her taking up the mantle. She built her armor while still in college, and actually had access to more advanced technology than he did when he started out. While both are geniuses, evidence suggests Riri Williams is even bolder and more willing to push boundaries than Tony ever was. Her powerful armor, combined with her fresh perspective, means she’s well-suited to help everyday people and makes her a great addition to the Avengers.
6) War Machine
War Machine is essentially the military version of Iron Man. While his armor is packed with powerful weapons designed for combat, making him more focused on fighting than rescuing, James Rhodes is a true hero at heart. He’s often more dependable and selfless than Iron Man, fitting the classic hero mold. Though not quite as seasoned as Iron Man, War Machine is incredibly experienced and, when suited up, one of the most formidable fighters among the Avengers.
5) Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, is a highly trained and dangerous operative built for combat. Unlike many powerful heroes, he doesn’t rely on advanced technology like armor or powerful weapons. Instead, his skills as a spy, mercenary, and relentless soldier allow him to disable even heavily armored opponents. While he shares a life-extending formula with Nick Fury that enhances his physical abilities, it doesn’t give him true superpowers like Captain America, who was granted abilities through the Super Soldier Serum.
4) Black Widow
Similar to the Winter Soldier, Black Widow received a version of the Super Soldier Formula in Russia. However, it didn’t grant her superpowers – instead, it significantly extended her lifespan, allowing her to maintain a youthful appearance despite being close to 100 years old. While the formula enhanced her skills to a level comparable to Bucky’s, it didn’t give her superhuman abilities like Captain America. Black Widow compensates for this lack of powers with her extensive training as an assassin. In fact, she’s even more relentless than the Winter Soldier, making her one of the most powerful Avengers.
3) Sam Wilson
Some might say Sam Wilson has powers because he can communicate with birds, but that doesn’t factor into his work as a hero. Instead, he relies on a high-tech wing suit for flight, and now, as Captain America, also uses the iconic shield. While he lacks superpowers and is therefore susceptible to attacks, Sam consistently wins battles through his determination and the skills he learned training alongside the original Captain America. He’s just as effective a Captain America as Steve Rogers, even without the Super Soldier Serum.
2) Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi is a truly powerful Avenger and deserves recognition. A great example of his strength is the Enter the Phoenix storyline. He utilizes “Chi,” which isn’t a superpower, but a form of mental discipline. This discipline allows him to become an incredibly skilled and formidable martial artist. In Enter the Phoenix, he defeated several heroes with significant superhuman abilities, relying solely on his training and control. While some stories hint at abilities like regeneration or telepathy, these aren’t usually central to who he is.
1) Iron Man
Iron Man is one of the original Avengers, but he doesn’t have any superpowers. Instead, he’s a brilliant scientist who became a powerful hero through his technology. He relies entirely on the armor he created – without it, he’s just a very smart, and sometimes reckless, man. His constant improvements to the armor make him incredibly powerful, establishing him as one of the most heroic and formidable heroes in the Marvel Universe.
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2026-02-20 00:12