Who Is Stronger: Thanos Without the Infinity Stones or Hela? A Comprehensive Analysis

When it comes to determining who is stronger and more powerful between Thanos without the Infinity Stones and Hela, it's essential to consider their abilities, combat skills, and overall power levels as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and comics. This analysis will explore the strengths of both characters, leading to a conclusion on their relative powers.

Strengths and Durability

Thanos without the Infinity Stones

As an Eternal, Thanos possesses superhuman strength, durability, and longevity. His strength is immense, allowing him to lift massive weights and withstand powerful attacks. In the MCU, Thanos is shown lifting the Aether, which is known to be incredibly heavy, further emphasizing his strength.

Thanos's durability is also remarkable. He can endure intense physical and magical attacks, as seen in the scene where he is severely injured but still able to fight alongside Gamora and Drax against the Suicide Squad in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Hela

As the Goddess of Death, Hela is incredibly powerful. She has immense strength and durability, combined with advanced regenerative abilities. She can withstand significant damage and recover quickly, making her a formidable opponent. Her durability is further enhanced by her ability to resurrect the dead, giving her an almost infinite army to draw from.

Combat Skills and Intelligence

Thanos without the Infinity Stones

Thanos is not only a highly skilled warrior and strategist but also an experienced combatant with extensive hand-to-hand combat experience. His intelligence and tactical abilities have allowed him to outmaneuver and defeat numerous powerful foes in the past. Despite the absence of the Infinity Stones, Thanos remains a formidable and strategic fighter.

Hela

Hela is an exceptional fighter, proficient in various forms of combat. She has demonstrated superior prowess in battle against multiple opponents at once, showcasing her incredible dexterity and agility. Her combat skills are complemented by her strategic mind, which allows her to anticipate and counter her opponents effectively.

Intelligence and Tactician

While neither character is explicitly listed as a highly intelligent tactician, Thanos's strategic abilities are evident through his complex plans and ability to predict and thwart opposition. Hela, being a divine entity, may also possess high-level intelligence and strategic foresight, though this is not explicitly highlighted as much as Thanos's.

Comparative Analysis

The raw power and abilities of both Thanos and Hela are significant, but they have different strengths. Hela, being the Goddess of Death, often has a more powerful arsenal, particularly in weapon manipulation and regenerative capabilities. These powers make her more destructive and versatile in combat. However, Thanos, even without the Infinity Stones, remains a formidable and cunning foe, capable of outmaneuvering and defeating powerful adversaries.

When considering a direct confrontation, Hela's sheer destructive potential, combined with her regenerative abilities and the ability to summon weapons, places her at a significant advantage. However, Thanos's strategic intelligence and combat experience could level the playing field to a certain extent.

In the Original Comics

In the original comics, Thanos has faced several formidable opponents, including Odin (Hela's grandfather), Loki, and Galactus. These encounters underscore his strength and tactical prowess, often positioning him as a more powerful figure than Hela. For instance, in War of the Realms, Thanos nearly defeats Hela, demonstrating his superior combat skills and resilience.

Moreover, Hela, as a goddess, can be killed only by Surtur, the destructor of Asgard. This inherent weakness in Hela's power level makes her not invincible, giving Thanos, a living being with immense strength and strategic abilities, a potential competitive edge.

Conclusion

While both characters are incredibly powerful, Hela is often portrayed as possessing a more significant advantage in terms of raw power and abilities, particularly her weapon manipulation and regenerative capabilities. Thanos, even without the Infinity Stones, remains a formidable and strategic fighter, capable of rivaling Hela in a one-on-one confrontation.

In a direct confrontation, Hela is likely the stronger of the two, owing to her divine status, regenerative abilities, and the vast array of her weapon manipulation powers. However, Thanos's strategic intelligence and combat experience cannot be overlooked, making for a compelling and evenly matched rivalry.