Why Thor Fared Poorly Against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame
In the climactic battle of Avengers: Endgame, Thor, wielding Mjolnir and Stormbreaker, faced off against Thanos. Despite being in one of his most powerful forms without the Infinity Gauntlet, Thor's lack of strategic prowess and his depressed state contributed significantly to his failure in besting the Mad Titan. Let's break down why Thor struggled in this battle and how Thor's capabilities were compromised due to his emotional and mental state.
Thor's Depressed State and Lack of Strategy
Thor, despite being in a powerful form, was not fighting at his best. The battle was marked by his depressed state, which rendered him both out-of-practice and mentally unstable. During the fight, Thor resorted to close combat, hacking at Thanos's head with Mjolnir and Stormbreaker. Such tactics made him very predictable, which is not ideal when fighting a formidable opponent such as Thanos.
Thanos, a master warrior, proved to be a more dangerous adversary than a mere physical battle. In this scenario, Thor's best strategy would have been to use his powers to their fullest extent. However, in the movie, Thor never utilized his supernatural abilities to enhance his own combat effectiveness or to power up other characters like Iron Man. This decision to refrain from using his full potential contributed to his disadvantaged position in the battle.
Thanos's Overwhelming Power and Speed
Thanos, without the Infinity Gauntlet, remained one of the most powerful beings in the universe. His physical prowess, demonstrated by outmaneuvering both Hulk and Thor in Avengers: Infinity War, was unmatched. Even more formidable in Endgame, Thanos demonstrated his full might without any emotional baggage, which made him more dangerous.
The battle between Thor and Thanos quickly turned into a deadly affair due to Thanos's relentless speed and durability. Even Captain America, despite wielding Mjolnir, could only last the fight as long as he did due to Thanos's powerful blows, including breaking Captain America's shield. This shows the lethal nature of Thanos's combat skills.
Comparison of Armors and Powers
The use of armor and powers played a crucial role in the battle. Iron Man, for instance, relied heavily on his armor, but in Endgame, he did not use his Mark 85 armor to its full potential. Instead, he wore a weaker version, which was used in Avengers: Infinity War. This decision made Iron Man more vulnerable to Thanos's assault, reducing his effectiveness as a combatant.
Furthermore, while Thor's physical state and mental instability hindered his combat performance, it's also worth noting that Thanos was at his most skilled and powerful in Endgame. His battle in the movie was more than just physical; it was psychological and strategic, a testament to his formidable character development.
Conclusion
Thor's defeat in Avengers: Endgame can be attributed to a combination of factors, including his depressed and unstable state, lack of strategic thinking, and the superiority of Thanos in terms of physical prowess and tactical prowess. While Infinity War saw a more physically dominant Thor, Endgame highlighted the complexity of Thanos's character, making him an even more formidable opponent.