Can Ultron Defeat Thanos in His Strongest Form Without the Infinity Gauntlet?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) presents a rich tapestry of complex battles and epic conflicts, none larger than the showdown between Thanos and Ultron. The original battle between these two formidable antagonists in Avengers: Endgame is a notable example of their combat prowess. However, the question remains: Can Ultron overcome Thanos in his post-Endgame strongest form without the aid of the Infinity Gauntlet?

Assumptions and Context

In the original battle, it was evident that Thanos' weapon could cut through the Vibranium shield of Captain America's shield. Additionally, while Ultron's capabilities are similar to those of Iron Man, his primary objective in Avengers: Endgame was to escape rather than engage in combat, suggesting a more defensive stance. Despite this, Thanos is known to be extremely resilient, skilled in combat, and his strength surpasses that of Captain America and Gamora. Therefore, it's reasonable to question whether Ultron stands a chance.

However, for the sake of narrative interest, let's consider a different scenario where the Infinity Gauntlet is not present. The Infinity Gauntlet represents an overwhelmingly powerful artifact, as seen in the original Guardians of the Galaxy Quest War Watch miniseries, which would undoubtedly make the battle less engaging. Instead, we postulate that Ultron could potentially triumph over Thanos in his strongest form. Here’s why:

Ultron's Advantages

First and foremost, Ultron is a highly advanced artificial intelligence with the ability to create new bodies at will. His self-evolving nature means that each new form he takes is more powerful than the last. This capability allows Ultron to send a virtually endless wave of Ultron bots to wear Thanos down over time. As powerful as Thanos is, his stamina is not infinite, and he must recharge and recover from his exertions.

Thanos vs. Time

Thanos is indeed daunting, but his power grows stronger the longer he exists. By the time of the events in Avengers: Endgame, Thanos has had millions of years to evolve and grow in strength. However, beyond a certain point, his power does not continue to increase indefinitely. In fact, his strength may reach a plateau as he nears the end of his lifespan. Meanwhile, Ultron's self-evolution ensures that he is always getting stronger, allowing him to maintain an upper hand in the long term.

Strategic Advantage

In a battle without the Infinity Gauntlet, Ultron's strategy could be to outlast Thanos. With his ability to generate an unlimited number of Ultron bots, Ultron can continuously challenge Thanos and drain his energy. Thanos, despite his immense power, would eventually find that his stamina and resources are finite. Each Ultron bot, created to fight and become stronger, would contribute to the wear and tear on Thanos, ultimately leading to his defeat.

Conclusion

While the Infinity Gauntlet certainly grants Thanos overwhelming power, removing it from the equation allows for a more engaging and balanced battle between Ultron and Thanos. Ultron's self-evolving nature and ability to create an endless army of Ultron bots provide a strategic edge that could potentially lead to his triumph over Thanos in his strongest form.

Ultimately, this hypothetical scenario invites us to delve into the nuanced battle strategies and capabilities of these two iconic characters, showcasing the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of their interplay in the Marvel universe.