Doctor Strange is now in theaters, bringing us the next chapter in the saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Phase 3. The origin story of Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme is pretty much a standalone affair, but being that exists within the MCU, there are the obligatory connective threads that must be woven.

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In addition to fitting itself within the history of MCU events, Doctor Strange also makes connective links to the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War in ways both subtle, and not so subtle.

Here are 4 Ways Doctor Strange Connects to Avengers: Infinity War. And, fair warning, there are spoilers in the slides that follow.

The Eye of Agamotto

The most obvious connection that fans will spot between Doctor Strange and Infinity War is The Eye of Agamotto, which Strange used to reverse time, thereby stopping Kaecilius and his master Dormammu from destroying Hong Kong sanctum.

The Connection: The Eye of Agamotto is revealed to be the Time Infinity Stone. This is one of the necessary artifacts that Thanos needs to gather in order to complete his Infinity Gauntlet, seen in mid-credits scene of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

If Doctor Strange and the Masters of the Mystical Arts have the Time Stone, Thanos and his forces will surely be coming for it.

Marvel Multiverse Magic

One of the big things Doctor Strange does is open the door to the idea of magic in the MCU. The film explains the existence of magic as the procedural science of pulling energy from other dimensions and applying it to our own. That explanation (combined with other factors of the MCU) could have important ramifications for Infinity War.

The Connection: The Infinity Gauntlet is a weapon that accesses and affects all of reality – i.e., every single dimension of the multiverse. This was a crucial plot point of the original “Infinity Gauntlet” comic book storyline, and would presumably be a big factor of the Infinity War movie, as well.

With characters like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange able to access other planes of reality and the multiverse, they may be the best hope at helping the good guys get to an omnipotent Thanos and his Infinity Gauntlet. The Marvel Multiverse will also give Thanos an incalculable number of ways to attack the universe.

The Living Tribunal

During Doctor Strange, Karl Mordo is training Stephen Strange in the use of magical artifacts, and reveals that his own weapon is The Staff of the Living Tribunal. That little name-drop has major implications for the events of Avengers: Infinity War.

The Living Tribunal is a cosmic entity from the Marvel Universe who acts as the judge of all reality in the multiverse. Doctor Strange has argued against the tribunal over the very existence of our world, and the entity was a major player in the “Infinity” storylines of the comics.

Why It Connects: The Living Tribunal is the only known force in the Marvel Universe that can stop the wielder of The Infinity Gauntlet with a word – and that may be all that saves the MCU, at the end of the day.

Avengers Assistance (SPOILER)

The mid-credits scene of Doctor Strange featured Chris Hemsworth’s Thor coming to see Stephen Strange at the NYC Sanctum. Thor was there to request help in tracking down Odin (who had been banished to Earth), with strange agreeing to do so if the Asgardians leave his realm. Thor agrees, and the two set off to find Odin.

Why It Connects: It’s really superficial, but the Doctor Strange mid-credits scene actually constitutes Strange’s first meeting with The Avengers. By helping Thor, the good Doctor has already put himself on the team’s radar, which will be crucial to making their joint efforts in stopping Thanos and the Infinity War go much smoother, faster.

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Were there other Avengers: Infinity War connections in Doctor Strange that we didn’t spot? Let us know in the comments or on Twiter @ComicBookNOW or @KofiOutlaw

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MORE DOCTOR STRANGE: Doctor Strange Confirmed for Avengers: Infinity War / First Look at Dormammu / Doctor Strange End Credits Sequence Explained / Doctor Strange Mid-Credits Scene Explanation / Doctor Strange is Officially Joining The Avengers / Possible Sequel Villain Revealed / Possible Sequel Story / Doctor Strange Early Reactions / Marvel Cosmic Connection Revealed?

Doctor Strange opens November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming– July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; and Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019.