Vision was meant to be one of the MCU’s most formidable Avengers. He was extremely formidable, with a vibranium body, the ability to phase through solid matter, superhuman strength, flight, and an energy beam powered by the Mind Stone. However, in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, he seemed very weak.
When you think of ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, the difference is even greater. Vision played a pivotal role in defeating Ultron. He was not just a mere superhero. He was one of the strongest beings in the universe. So, how did Thanos manage to easily defeat him then?
Corvus Glaive Had Already Taken Vision Out Of The Fight
The biggest detail people often overlook is that Vision was already severely weakened before his encounter with Thanos. In the opening of ‘Infinity War’, Corvus Glaive attacks Vision in Edinburgh, stabbing him. The attack wreaks havoc on Vision’s ability to phase, making him open to physical attacks.
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That’s a massive disadvantage for someone whose greatest defensive ability is being able to let attacks pass straight through his body. Throughout the film, Vision is wounded, and Shuri tries to remove the Mind Stone, but is interrupted before she can finish.
By the time Thanos arrives in Wakanda, Vision is barely in fighting condition. And Vision isn’t invincible because of his vibranium body. It shields him from vast quantities of physical harm, but it does not mean that he is more powerful than all cosmic entities in the MCU.
Thanos Was Simply Operating on Another Level
Thanos would still have been an extremely lethal foe, even if Vision was healthy. The Mad Titan possesses immense natural strength, durability, and combat experience, having spent centuries conquering worlds. He doesn’t always have to use the Infinity Stones to defeat strong enemies.
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In ‘Infinity War’, Thanos physically dominates the Hulk without using the Power Stone, demonstrating just how terrifying his baseline strength really is. But when it comes to Vision, the odds are even worse, as the Mind Stone is just what Thanos wants.
Vision’s connection to the Stone also makes him a strategic target. Thanos doesn’t need to win a prolonged battle; he simply needs to remove it. And Marvel hardly allows Vision to show his true potential.
His injury takes away his phasing advantage, and Thanos’ arrival makes it a showcase of the villain’s power. Vision wasn’t necessarily weak. He was weakened at the wrong moment and was pitted against an opponent who was not only strong but also had a purpose to fight.
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