4 X-Men Heroes That Are One Upgrade Away From Being Omega-Level Mutants

In Marvel Comics, mutantkind is divided into multiple categories, ranked by power and potential to grow stronger. Standing high above all others, Omega-level mutants are some of the most powerful beings on the planet. Omega-level mutants are recognized by having abilities with no quantifiable upper limit to their capabilities and can’t be surpassed. While there’s no specific process to becoming classified as an Omega-level mutant, there have been instances where a mutant has achieved this rank once they have realized that they had the untapped potential to reach such heights. These are the mutants who, under the right conditions and training, can feasibly become Omega-level mutants and therefore some of the strongest heroes ever to join the X-Men.

Mutant powers aren’t set in stone, with different mutants being able to rise in the ranks once they understand exactly how their powers work and how to use them properly. The best example of such a power upgrade is Iceman, who went from a guy who tossed snowballs at people to a mutant capable of freezing the planet, hellfire, light, and even time itself. If Iceman can do it, then these X-Men have a chance as well to become Omega-level mutants and obtain incomprehensible power.

4) Darwin

An underrated X-Man, Armando Muñoz, aka Darwin, has the power to adapt and survive any environment or situation. Practically immortal, Darwin can develop gills if underwater, turn into energy to survive the vacuum of space, regrow his head if it is destroyed, and more. Despite this incredibly versatile ability with no clear limit, Darwin isn’t considered to be an Omega-level mutant because his powers are reactive, and he doesn’t have complete control over them. His current ability is also more geared toward defense than toward overwhelming offense. Still, if Darwin can learn to control his adaptive skills, he would have a limitless supply of powers he can summon on command.

3) Polaris

Lorna Dane, aka Polaris, is the daughter of Magneto, one of the strongest Omega-level mutants in the world. Polaris inherited her father’s control over magnetism but is labelled an Alpha-level mutant, the level directly below Omega. The reason for this lower classification is that Polaris lacks Magneto’s decades of experience and mastery of using his powers to their full potential. Polaris currently is limited on how much she can lift and how creatively she uses her magnetic abilities. But, given time and training, Polaris could realistically reach similar levels of power to Magneto and achieve the rank of Omega. She could learn to manipulate the composition of atoms, the metallic substances in the human body, and even the Earth’s electromagnetic field, making her a nearly unstoppable mutant.

2) Havok

Cyclops’ younger brother, Alex Summers, aka Havok, is a powerful and dangerous mutant who has yet to be labeled an Omega-level mutant. Havok’s mutant ability is to absorb energy from his surroundings —sunlight, gamma rays, and cosmic energy —and convert it into powerful plasma blasts. Once he’s beyond the Earth’s protective electromagnetic field, his rate of absorption multiplies exponentially. He even once fell into the heart of a star and channeled it into himself to reach cosmic levels of power. If Havok were to learn how to more creatively manipulate the energy he channels or absorb the Power Cosmic from beings like the Silver Surfer or Galactus, his destructive potential would be limitless, and he would qualify as an Omega-level mutant.

1) Gambit

Remmy LeBeau, aka Gambit, is already a powerful mutant capable of making inanimate objects explode by touching them. Yet, he took drastic measures so that he wouldn’t become an Omega-level mutant. To limit his destructive powers, Gambit had the villain Mr. Sinister remove a part of his brain. However, on Earth-9921, Gambit joined the X-Men earlier and never underwent the surgery. This alternate version of Gambit had complete control over kinetic energy. He can make objects and people explode without touching them, freeze people in place, and even transform into a being of pure energy that can travel between dimensions. He was strong enough to kill Phoenix and destroy a planet. If the main universe Gambit’s surgery is ever undone, he could easily reach similar levels of power, if not greater.

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