25 Best Superhero Powers of All Time Ranked [With Videos]
Ever since the debut of the first superhero characters, these characters have evolved and exhibited different types of powers and abilities. The best superhero powers are, as time showed us, as mighty as their owners are mentally strong and moral.
Now, while classical superheroes mostly had one and the same power (flight, superhuman strength, etc.), modern superheroes have evolved in that aspect and their powers are now much more diverse. This article is going to bring you a list of the 25 best superhero powers of all time.
The superpowers are going to be ranked not by their power, but rather their influence on the genre and their overall level of awesomeness. They’re going to be listed from 25th to 1st place, with a brief explanation and some famous examples of known users.
Best Superhero Powers
25. Size Alteration
Famous Users: Ray Palmer / Atom, Doctor Manhattan, Darkseid, Trigon, Ant-man
Sometimes confused with “elasticity,” size change is a term used to describe the ability of some characters to increase or decrease the volume and mass of organic and inorganic matter. In many cases, individuals who possess this ability can only affect their own physical person. However, this is not an absolute requirement, and there have been many cases where individuals have developed the ability to change the size of other people or objects.
Usually the mass and density of the affected object increases or decreases in proportion to the volume of the object, but even this is not always a constant.
24. Clairvoyance
Famous Users: Doctor Manhattan, The Presence, One-Above-All, Doctor Strange, Ancient One
Sometimes referred to as “ESP or sixth sense”, clairvoyance is the ability to see or sense information that is not readily available to them by normal human means such as sight, smell or hearing. This extrasensory perception may or may not be limited in time or location. A person who is said to have the ability of clairvoyance is called a clairvoyant.
It differs from telepathy in that the information comes directly from an external physical source and is not transmitted from one person’s mind to another.
23. Mind Control
Famous Users: Brainiac, Charles Xavier, John Constantine, Zatanna, Raven
Sometimes referred to as “brainwashing”, mind control is a term used to describe the ability of some characters to control the mental abilities of others. This power is psionic in nature, though there are mystical applications of this power as well. Many characters with mind control can also possess telepathy, but one does not necessitate the other.
22. Superhuman Intelligence
Famous Users: Brainiac, Darkseid, Brainiac-5, Doctor Manhattan
Sometimes called “superhuman intellect”, enhanced intellect is a term used to describe the ability of some characters to attain a higher intellect than they would naturally have. It differs from omniscience in that there is an understandable difference between heightened intellect and understanding all knowledge. It is also different from the genius level of intellect in that one cannot naturally gain knowledge that one has not learned firsthand.
Elevated intelligence represents people whose intelligence is higher than normal human ability. Often this intelligence is developed through external factors such as scientific experimentation or coincidence. In some cases, characters find that their increased intelligence is genetic, such as certain alien races.
21. Energy Projection
Famous Users: Superman, Val-Zod, Supergirl, Darkseid, Thanos, the Lantern Corps, the Eternals, Galactus, the Celestials
Sometimes called “energy manipulation”, energy projection is the ability to generate and project different waves of energy from a metahuman’s body.
This energy can take the form of concentrated blasts, concussive explosions, waves of force, or self-repeating beams. These beams can come from anywhere and can be used or directed in a variety of ways, depending on the character, whether it be for defence or attack.
20. Superhuman Durability
Famous Users: Superman, Supergirl, Val-Zod, Darkseid, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Bane, Brainiac, Ocean Master, Ares, Jessica Jones, Iron Man, Doctor Doom, Thanos, Thor, Captain Marvel, Blue Marvel, Lord Maximus, Spider-Man, Black Bolt, Toxin, Apocalypse, Namor, Vision, Loki, Sentry, Rogue, Sabretooth, Adam Warlock, Emperor Vulcan, Human Torch, Nova, Spider-Woman, General “Thunderbolt” Ross, Odin, She-Hulk, Miss America, Madcap, Colossus, Polaris
Superhuman durability means that a character’s body is, to varying degrees, more resistant to physical injury than that of a normal person. Their body tissues, skin, muscles, bones, etc. are extremely dense and strong, allowing them to withstand harmful stresses on the body, such as crushing weights, shocks, pressure, and temperature fluctuations. They also have a higher level of strength and endurance. This is possible because their bodies have become so hard that they cannot easily tear a muscle and/or break their bones.
19. Healing
Famous Users: Raven, Black Adam, Superman, Doomsday, Flash, Zatanna, Clayface, Abomination, Blade, Daken, Deadpool, Elixir, Ghost Rider, Feral, Hulk, Icarus, Lizard, M / Monet St. Croix, Madcap, Marrow, Maverick / Agent Zero, Morbius, the Living Vampire, Mystique, Omega Red, Sabretooth, Scalphunter, She-Hulk, Mr. Sinister, Spider-Man, Wendigo, Wiccan, Wild Child, Wolverine, X-23
Sometimes confused with accelerated healing, healing is a term used to describe the ability of some characters to heal the wounds or illnesses of others or themselves. It is distinguished from powers such as Regeneration by its external application. Other uses of healing include instant recovery and resurrection of the deceased.
18. Transformation
Famous Users: Billy Batson / Captain Marvel, Black Adam, the Lizard, Man-Bat, Killer Croc, Mystique
Transformation is a term sometimes confused with “metamorphosis” or “shape-shifting”. It describes the ability of some characters to change their body into a particular form. Some characters can only transform once and then remain in that form forever. Others can transform back and forth either at will or under certain conditions.
17. Magic
Famous Users: John Constantine, Zatanna, Etrigan, Doctor Strange, Ancient One, Baron Mordo
Magic is the practice of harnessing certain universal energies and extradimensional forces whose nature is beyond the reach of the technologically oriented science of all known sentient races. Using spells and phrases, it is often used to simulate other powers, such as reality warping, mind control, and elemental attacks.
In Marvel’s universe, since Ultimates 2 #100, it has been explained that magic is a consequence of the Fifth Cosmere, the fifth version of Eternity that ruled over the fifth version of the multiverse. It was the Fifth that wove magic into the fabric of reality, which was then carried over into future versions of the multiverse. According to Agatha Harkness, magic can exist on any planet where there is life.
The sources of magical power can be personal energies (the mental and spiritual powers that mystics and wizards develop for themselves, such as psionic energy, chi manipulation, astral projection, mind spells, etc.), the surrounding magical energy of the universe (mages can tap into this power for many effects, such as teleportation and energy lightning.
By definition, this power comes from eternity. These effects usually require the casting of spells and may be limited to the main dimension learned and not work in other dimensions), extradimensional magical energy (powers gained by tapping extradimensional energy and invoking entities or objects of power that exist in mystical dimensions with different physical and magical laws tangential to our own.
Unlike the first two, the entities invoked usually have a say in how or if the power is used) and various items (magic can also take the form of items endowed with power, such as the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. These are often crafted by powerful wizards and extra-dimensional entities, and vary in function and power).
16. Time Manipulation
Famous Users: Flash, Reverse-Flash, Doctor Manhattan, Damian Tryp, Doop, Flashback, Kiden Nixon, Korvac, Kronos, Magik, Phoenix Force, Quickfire, Sway, Tempo, Tempus, Timeslip, Timeshadow, Uriel, Velocidad, Vulcan, White Phoenix Of The Crown
Chronokinesis, also called time manipulation or time control, is the ability to mentally alter time. With this ability, one can travel through time, control the speed of people’s movements, slow down enemies, and speed themselves up.
Someone with this ability can even speed up or reverse the aging process of any subject. This ability can also include manipulating space in accordance with the time-space continuum.
15. Teleportation
Famous Users: Nightcrawler, Doctor Strange, Etrigan, John Constantine, Magik, Zatanna, the Eternals
Teleportation is the movement of objects or elementals from one place to another, more or less instantaneously, without traveling through space. In the Marvel Universe, teleportation is achieved by various means. One common method involves opening a direct portal or wormhole in space and passing through it to appear at the desired location.
Another method is to physically transport oneself through a wormhole into another dimension with different physical laws, and then emerge in the new location.
14. Elemental Manipulation
Famous Users: Thor, Aquaman, Storm, Odin
Elemental manipulation is the ability to summon, create, and/or control the elemental forces of the earth. Certain characters with this ability can create them from themselves or from their natural environment. Some characters are more specialized than others, such as being able to create fire or ice, lightning or water, earth or air, and/or other combinations.
13. Freeze Breath
Famous Users: Superman, Supergirl, Killer Frost, Iceman
Freeze breath is another form of elemental manipulation through which the character can generate ice or cold air from their mouth. This can be used for both offensive and defensive purpose, depending on the context, but also to extinguish fires for example. It is one of the more practical superpowers and can be seen in different characters.
12. Heat Vision
Famous Users: Superman, Firestorm, Supergirl, Val-Zod, Darkseid, General Zod, Cyclops
Heat vision is a powerful form of energy manipulation that allows the user to shoot heat rays out of their eyes. It is most commonly associated with DC Comics’ Superman character, as well as other Kryptonian characters.
Although not exclusive to DC Comics, its usage among other characters is relatively rare (save for Marvel’s Cyclops, but his ability is called the Optic Blast, although there is, essentially, little difference).
11. Breathing Underwater
Famous Users: Aquaman, Namor, Ocean Master, Killer Croc, King Shark, Mera
Underwater breathing is a rare ability that allows a character to breathe normally under water; most often, these characters can breathe both above and under the surface. This is usually due to their biology or genetics, but it can also be induced by artificial means.
Such characters can be humanoid, mutants or actual creatures. This doesn’t include characters who use different devices to breathe underwater.
10. Substance Immunity
Famous Users: Joker, Scarecrow, Batman, Hulk, Thor
Substance immunity is a superpower that makes a character immune to certain types of poisons, materials, substances or elements. This is part of the invulnerability power (see below), but not all substance-immune characters are actually invulnerable.
This power gives the character a specific advantage in combat, based on the type of immunity they have. Immunity to various poisons and toxins is more common.
9. Superhuman Stamina
Famous Users: Superman, Wonder Woman, Val-Zod, Auron, Flash, Darkseid, Aquaman, Eros, Knull, Adam Warlock, Thanos, Hulk, Thor, Venom, Spider-Man, Captain America
Superhuman stamina is sometimes referred to as “enhanced stamimna” and describes the ability of some characters to function without fatigue or excessive exertion. Characters who possess this ability can often go long periods of time without rest or even sleep.
A person may develop increased stamina either through alien heritage, genetic manipulation, or biological augmentation. Other characters may develop increased stamina through mystical means or divine intervention.
8. Invisibility
Famous Users: Invisible Woman
Invisibility is the state of an object which cannot be seen. An object that is in this state is called invisible (literally, “not visible”). The term is usually used in fantasy/science fiction, where objects are literally made invisible through magical or technological means.
However, its effects can also be observed in the real world, especially in physics and perceptual psychology.
Since objects become visible by light in the visible spectrum from a source reflecting off its surface and striking the eye of the observer, the most natural form of invisibility (whether real or fictional) is an object that neither reflects nor absorbs light (i.e., it lets light through).
In nature, this is called transparency and is observed in many naturally occurring materials (although no naturally occurring material is 100% transparent).
Visibility also depends on the eyes of the observer and/or the instruments used. Thus, an object may be classified as “invisible” to a person, animal, instrument, etc. In research on sensory perception, it has been shown that invisibility occurs in cycles.
7. Immortality
Famous Users: The Presence, One-Above-All, Doctor Manhattan, Hulk, Wonder Woman, Zeus, Trigon, Etrigan, Galactus, Ancient One, Doomsday, Superman, Ares, Deadpool
Immortality is the ability to live forever. This can be complete immortality, where the character cannot be killed in any way, seemingly dies but is somehow resurrected later and is eternally young, or can even only be killed in certain ways (e.g. by decapitation). There are multiple types of either true immortality or nigh immortality.
6. Slow Ageing
Famous Users: Thor, Wonder Woman, Superman, Loki
Decreased aging is a biological trait that makes a character live longer than it is generally expected. This, of course, only applies in comparison with members of one’s own race or, in the case of humans, human-looking characters.
This can be due to biology or external factors, whether natural or artificial. This power allows the user to remain more powerful for a long(er) period of time.
5. Invulnerability
Famous Users: Doctor Manhattan, The Presence, One-Above-All, Hulk, Superman
Invulnerability is the ability to resist all or the majority of harm inflicted upon one’s body. The character can be completely invulnerable in terms that he cannot be harmed at all, or is immune to practically all known harm, save for one or two notable exceptions which are, usually, their weakness(es).
Thus, a character can be completely invulnerable and nigh-invulnerable. Invulnerability includes several of the resistances we have mentioned above.
4. Superhuman Speed
Famous Users: Flash, Reverse-Flash, Superman, Quicksilver, Whizzer, Speed Freak, Speed Demon, Speed, Hurricane, Yo-Yo, Black Racer, Ghost Rider, Wonder Woman, Darkseid, Cheetah
Superhuman speed is the ability to move much faster than the average member of his species, some near the speed of sound or even faster.
This ability is not without negative effects, however, as it can strain the body, though some users are resistant or even immune to the effects of high-speed travel, including friction, G-force, inertia, etc.
3. Superhuman Strength
Famous Users: Hulk, Superman, Thor, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Darkseid, Thanos, the Eternals, the Celestials, Doctor Manhattan, Bane, Solomon Grundy, Red Hulk, Abomination, Odin, Loki, Galactus, the Thing, Spider-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Cyborg, General Zod, Val-Zod
Superhuman strength, also called super strength or enhanced strength, is an ability often used in fiction. It is the ability of a living being to be stronger than would normally be possible due to its proportions.
Superhuman strength is created through various mechanisms such as battle suits, cybernetics, genetic modifications, telekinetic fields, and magic. Many heroes and villains usually possess some degree of super strength.
The level of strength portrayed can vary greatly, from just outside the “normal” human range of the strongest weightlifters of a certain size or muscle mass to nearly unlimited. In most depictions, superhuman strength is accompanied by superhuman endurance and durability.
In the Marvel Universe, superhuman strength is often measured by a strength scale based on the number of tons a character can lift with their head, from 1 to 100 (Class 20, Class 50, Class 100, etc.). Characters who can lift more than 100 tons often have immeasurable or unlimited strength.
In the Marvel manuals, the first class of superhuman strength is rated from a head pressure of 800 lbs up to 25 tons, while the top human class is at a head pressure of twice body weight.
2. Flight
Famous Users: Superman, Angel, the Lantern Corps, Vulture, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Morbius, Doctor Manhattan, Man-Bat, Captain Marvel, Thor, Dazzler, Havok, Sunfire, Gravity, Graviton, Magneto, Polaris, Banshee, Siryn, Vance Astrovik, X-Man, Cannonball, Jetstream, Darkseid, Lucifer, Val-Zod, General Zod, Firefly
Flight is the ability to lift oneself off the ground, to ride on air currents, or to fly through the air with self-propulsion. This ability is acquired in a variety of ways. The skills of flight, including characteristic changes during flight, minimum and maximum speed, maneuverability, and basically control over the skill.
In Marvel’s comics, the character Danny Granville, a member of the NYPD’s costume division, revealed that only 9% of people who have been given the ability to fly are able to use it.
A passive aspect most commonly used is a means to evade attack or avoid capture. Usually, a character with the ability to fly has some speed that they can use in the air. This can be used as an alternative to reach places on foot in less time.
In combat, you can use flight and speed in the air to attack enemies in a dive or engage in close combat in the air. This is common with characters with mainly physical powers and abilities, such as Marvel’s Angel, Rogue, The Vulture, Morbius, Deathbird, etc.
Some other applications of this power include aerial exploration, rescuing a downed ally, or carrying an enemy out of the air to either intimidate or damage them.
1. Psionic Abilities
Famous Users: Charles Xavier, Phoenix Force, Shadow King, Brainiac, John Constantine, Brainiac-5, Doctor Manhattan
Psionic energy is the type of energy used by telepaths, or mechanical means to stimulate natural psionic powers. All living things produce psions, and only a few can detect this energy.
In Marvel’s stories, the mutant Charles Xavier created Cerebro to enhance his already powerful telepathic abilities. The machine allowed him to monitor the entire planet and detect the specific psionic signatures of mutants.
Also in Marvel’s stories, beings such as the Phoenix Force and the Shadow King are psionic entities composed of psions. Psionic beings or telepaths who astral project in their astral form can enter the Astral Plane, a dimension composed of psions.