The Infinity Gauntlet allows its wielder to channel the powers of the six Infinity Stones – Space, Time, Reality, Soul, Mind, and Power. When used together, the stones grant omnipotence, making the wearer of the Infinity Gauntlet capable of literally anything. The infamous “snap” refers to Thanos using the Gauntlet to instantly erase half of all life in the universe with a simple snap of his fingers in Avengers: Infinity War. This leads to an important question – could other powerful Marvel characters like Thor use the Infinity Gauntlet to do the snap? Let’s take a look at the requirements to wield the Infinity Gauntlet and whether Thor could meet them.
Requirements to Wield the Infinity Gauntlet
There are a few key requirements to be able to wield the power of the Infinity Gauntlet:
- Strength – The raw strength to physically wear the Gauntlet without being destroyed by its power.
- Willpower – The mental fortitude and focus to control the stones and channel their near-limitless energy.
- Intelligence – The wisdom and knowledge to understand how to utilize the stones and their capabilities.
- Endurance – The stamina and durability to withstand the tremendous strain of using the Gauntlet for any period of time.
The Mad Titan Thanos was one of the few beings who possessed all these traits, which allowed him to collect the stones and succeed in his genocidal mission. Very few individuals, heroes or villains, have proven capable of even wearing the Gauntlet, let alone using it. But could Thor measure up?
How Strong is Thor?
As an Asgardian, Thor is enormously strong, even among other super-powered beings:
- Superhuman strength – Thor can lift well over 100 tons and battle the Hulk in hand-to-hand combat.
- Nearly invulnerable – Thor’s Asgardian physiology makes him almost impervious to physical harm. He withstands explosions, energy blasts, and tremendous blows with minimal damage.
- Superhuman stamina – Thor can exert himself at peak capacity for months without tiring.
- Master combatant – Thor is trained in Asgardian warfare and has centuries of battle experience.
- Wields Mjolnir – Thor’s hammer Mjolnir gives him power over lightning and the ability to fly.
After receiving the power of the Allfather Odinforce, Thor’s abilities are further enhanced to even greater superhuman levels. With his strength and resilience combined with his weather controlling powers, few can match him in outright power.
How Strong Willed is Thor?
In addition to physical might, Thor also possesses tremendous mental fortitude and strength of will:
- Royalty – As the prince of Asgard, Thor is used to exerting his will over others.
- Warrior spirit – Thor relishes challenge and battle. His Asgardian warrior pride pushes him to keep fighting when hope seems lost.
- Vows and oaths – Thor takes his vows and sworn oaths seriously, pursuing them with uncompromising determination.
- Overcoming self-doubt – When initially exiled to Earth and deemed unworthy of Mjolnir, Thor had to rediscover his confidence and self-worth to reclaim his hammer.
While Thor is sometimes prone to arrogance and rash actions, when the fate of the universe is on the line, he can demonstrate the steely focus and iron will necessary to take on the responsibility of wielding a power like the Infinity Gauntlet.
How Intelligent is Thor?
While Thor relies more often on his physical might than intellectual prowess in battle, he has strong strategic instincts and general wisdom:
- Centuries of experience – Thor’s incredibly long lifespan gives him knowledge and perspective most mortals lack.
- Leadership – As a prince and battlefield commander, Thor understands strategy and tactics.
- Worldly knowledge – Traveling across the Nine Realms broadens Thor’s understanding of different cultures and peoples.
- Allspeak – Thor can intuitively communicate in and understand virtually any language.
Though not a master scholar or magician, Thor has an innate common sense and force of personality that allows him to impose his will and make smart judgments even in realms beyond his direct expertise.
How Durable is Thor?
Thor’s stamina and fortitude are legendary even among other Asgardians:
- Surviving the vacuum of space – Thor has shown he can survive unaided in the freezing vacuum of space for extended periods.
- Resistance to injury – Thor regularly sustains massive blows and damage that would kill a mortal man in seconds.
- Self-sacrifice – Thor was able to withstand the full force of a star to re-ignite it in Avengers: Infinity War, an incredible feat of endurance.
- Loss of powers – When briefly rendered mortal, Thor still showed the capacity to keep fighting despite loss of strength and resilience.
While Thor can be physically overpowered or worn down by opponents of comparable strength, such cases are exceptionally rare. His nigh-inexhaustible stamina and ability to endure suffering make him perfectly suited for channeling the tremendous energy of the Infinity Stones.
Could Thor Wield the Infinity Gauntlet?
Given his exceptional attributes, Thor likely meets the minimum requirements to wield the Infinity Gauntlet:
| Requirement | Does Thor Meet It? |
|---|---|
| Strength | Yes |
| Willpower | Yes |
| Intelligence | Yes |
| Endurance | Yes |
Of course, just because Thor is capable of wielding the Gauntlet doesn’t automatically mean he could simply snap his fingers and recreate Thanos’ universe-altering feats. The Mad Titan spent a lifetime strategically collecting the Infinity Stones and contemplating how he would use their power. Thor would likely need time to understand how to tap into the full synergistic potential of the stones.
However, while Thor may lack Thanos’ experience and strategic ruthlessness, he does not suffer from Thanos’ fatal flaw – hubris. Thor understands his limitations and tends to take counsel from trusted allies. He would be unlikely to be corrupted by the Gauntlet’s absolute power as Thanos ultimately was.
Could Thor Do the Snap?
With time to master the Gauntlet’s powers, Thor could likely eventually perform the “snap” and eliminate half of life:
- Raw strength – Thor has the physical capacity to activate the stones.
- Willpower – Thor can focus his intent on a goal like Thanos’ snap.
- Endurance – Thor can withstand channeling the stones’ energy.
- Judgment – Thor would only eliminate life for selfless reasons, not cruel ambition.
However, Thor might struggle with the devastating after-effects of the snap due to lacking Thanos’ experience and degree of Titan physiology resilience. Wielding the Gauntlet to any significant degree comes at a terrible cost, as the Hulk demonstrated.
Ultimately, while Thor could likely perform the snap itself, he would be unlikely to do so except in the most dire circumstances. Thor understands sacrifice, but he does not court it needlessly like Thanos. If forced to use the Gauntlet to save innocents though, there are few in the universe with the moral compass to wield its power as responsibly.
Conclusion
Thanos accomplished the snap through a singular drive towards his misguided mission and an egotistical belief in his own infallibility. While Thor lacks Thanos’ experience with the Infinity Stones, he compensates with his superhuman attributes, noble intentions, and wisdom to seek counsel. This gives Thor many of the traits needed to potentially wield the Infinity Gauntlet and perform the snap, if such an occasion arose where the fate of the universe hung in the balance once more. But unlike Thanos, Thor understands the grave responsibility such power entails and would not use it lightly.