Mutant Power Levels

[Young Avenger]

While reading an issue of Deadly Genesis the mysterious mutant has been classfied as an Omega-level mutant. What is an Omega-level mutant? How powerful is an Omega-level mutant? Are there other power levels?

[The Lucky One]

To be honest, it's a pretty inconsistent power rating scale -- good luck finding anyone who can tell you the specific difference between an alpha or a beta, for instance -- but an omega mutant is generally defined as one whose powers have no theoretical limits. For instance, Iceman- since he controls water molecules, he theoretically can control... uh, all molecular activity, in some way I once knew but can't remember right now. Well, whatever... Franklin Richards- reality manipulator, no theoretical upper limit to his power. Jean Grey- taps into the Phoenix Force, no upper limit. Storm- no upper limit. Basically, you need to have some ability to affect things on a global or cosmic scale to be considered an omega. Now, a lot of supposed omegas contradict this (Apocalypse? Come on...), but that's the hypothetical definition.

As for alphas, they're the step below: very powerful, but with limits. Lots of X-Men fall into this category. Cyclops. Havok. Dazzler. Emma Frost. Etc.

Betas tend to be your more physical mutants, like Wolverine or Beast or Angel. Dangerous in their own way, but not likely to wipe you out from a football field away.

And then your mutants with the power to shoot bubbles out their ass or sprout ungodly amounts of underarm hair would be... I dunno, gammas, I guess. No obvious practical use for their mutations.

-D

[lament]

Betas tend to be your more physical mutants, like Wolverine or Beast or Angel. Dangerous in their own way, but not likely to wipe you out from a football field away.

Wasn't Professor Xavier state somewhere that Beast and Archangel were both Alpha Level?

[Nick Kal]

Deadly Genesis 4 spoilers...

Rachel says Vulcan is beyond Omega in DG #4...

[Bart Simpson]

Deadly Genesis 4 spoilers...

Rachel says Vulcan is beyond Omega in DG #4...


Which is pretty stupid because Omega is THE END. Unlimited Potential. Marvel crapping on their own rules again to make "Vulcan" a threat. Guess killing Banshee wasn't enough.

[Jake V]

Which is pretty stupid because Omega is THE END. Unlimited Potential. Marvel crapping on their own rules again to make "Vulcan" a threat. Guess killing Banshee wasn't enough.
If he absorbed the powers of more than one omega level mutant, wouldn't that put him beyond omega level? Unlimited potential in more than one area?

It could be what she's getting at.

Or simply that the alpha/beta/omega classifications were so ill-defined that they don't really have any meaning.

And killing Banshee isn't really that impressive. Mystique nearly did it. Doesn't mean much.

[twilight]

And killing Banshee isn't really that impressive. Mystique nearly did it. Doesn't mean much.

I agree with Jake.A bullet couldv'e taken Banshee out long ago.

[Titan76]

Deadly Genesis 4 spoilers...

Rachel says Vulcan is beyond Omega in DG #4...
Narrative hyperbole, just making the villain seem more powerful then we thought he was.

While its likely he is an Omega mutant I doubt he's beyond. I mean look at Jean who is an Omega power, if he is beyond her then he got to be close to the Living Tribuanl's level of power which I really doubt.

[The Lucky One]

Wasn't Professor Xavier state somewhere that Beast and Archangel were both Alpha Level?

Quite possibly. Which shows again how inconsistent the power ratings are, really. I love Warren, but in what rating scale is he possibly an alpha?

-D

[Titan76]

Quite possibly. Which shows again how inconsistent the power ratings are, really. I love Warren, but in what rating scale is he possibly an alpha?

-D
Actually may question would be what issue does Xavier say Angel and Beast are alpha level?

Unless they both get new powers for a big power boost I don't see neither of them as alpha mutants.

[Rubicant]

If he absorbed the powers of more than one omega level mutant, wouldn't that put him beyond omega level? Unlimited potential in more than one area?

No, because that's like saying "infinity plus one". Go here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-Level_Mutant) for an in-depth explanation of omega-level.

[Henry T.]

They use to use the term Alpha to denote powerful mutants. Magneto for example was described as an Alpha as was the other members of the Twelve (Cyclops, Phoenix, Cable, Magneto, Xavier, Polaris, Iceman, Mikhail, Monolith, Bishop, Storm, Sunfire and I guess Nate Grey as the 13th).

Omega suppose to be above Alpha and suppose to describe mutants with unlimited potential.

Even though the word Omega had been used before, the concept was first defined in the X-Men Forever mini series written by Fabian N.

Jean Grey and Iceman were revealed to be Omega Mutants. Xavier knew all along that they were Omega. It was said that Cyclops, Angel, and Beast were Not omegas.

Omega mutants are those that have unlimited potential for power and can possibly destroy all.

In X-Men Forever, Death also tells Jean that she represents a legitimate threat to the fabric of reality. Those like her have the potential to grow and replace the fundamental forces of the universe.

Later in the series we see some of Iceman's potential as an Omega. He is able to turn into water/rain, ice, vapor etc. He feels like he is one with everything and appears as though he cannot die. He was attacked and exploded but reformed from the rain.

So it would seem that Omega mutants were suppose to have unlimited potential, potential to destroy or threaten reality, and the potential to evolve into fundamental forces of the universe.

At first it was Jean and Iceman that were labeled as Omega. Morrison continued the concept in New with Jean and then introduced Quentin Quire as an Omega. That wasn't so bad because Quentin was suppose to be similar to Jean Grey.

Then they labeled one of the teens in the new New X-Men series as an Omega and he just has healing powers.

Then they labeled a mutant with molecular powers in 198 as an Omega.

Now they label Vulcan as above Omega.

Even though there is not suppose to be anything above omega.

The Omega mutant concept is becoming increasingly useless because they are assigning the label to too many mutants and to some that don't make sense,imo.

[The Lucky One]

Well, Mr. M and Elixer make sense, given their specific powers- while Elixer is a healer at present time, his specific mutation is described as the ability to manipulate matter in anyw ay he sees fit. Mr. M is essentially the same as the Molecule Man, and both of their powers are essentially without limits, bounded only by their imaginations.

-D

[Depowered Mutant]

Magma could grow into an Omega as well.

[ibrakeforchinwe]

OMEGA= Unlimited Potential, I dont think you can grow into unlimited potential.

ALPHA= Awesomely Powerful, but not unlimited.

There are no real other rankings. If you're not one of the main two your power isnt really all that cool.

[blaze44]

If the title of omega was used to describe mutants that control things on a worldy or cosmic scale wouldnt this technically place sunfire as an omega, Even if you just put it as a mutant with unlimited power he can go over supernove which is the hottest thing ever recorded so he would still be omega.

[Yogaflame]

I think the qualifications for an Omega are something like being able to control matter at the molecular/atomic level and being able to transcend your physical form. So basically only uber-powerful psis or elementals really fall into this category. Energy manipulation can get you there too, but only if you can control energies across multiple frequencies and at an incredible degree, at both macro- and micro- levels. Omegas are like little Gods.

Alphas are just high powered mutations: Cyclops is a perfect example. He can shoot out beams of force from his eyes that can keep pace with a nuclear generator, but that's it. No wormholes, no flying, no tapping into the EMspectrum, just eye beams. Very powerful eye beams, but thats all.

Betas and Gammas are real classifications, the betas being the more physical mutations and the gammas can even be latent mutants, or just having red hair all over your body, like that dude from the animated series.

[psycwave]

As of right now only two Omega level mutants are still on Earth......Pixie and Erista. Everyone else is Alpha and below.

[XaviersMisprint]

Cipher is the Omega mutant. All else are filthy mutie scum and should be destroyed accordingly.

[psycwave]

Cipher is the Omega mutant. All else are filthy mutie scum and should be destroyed accordingly.

O my. How could i forget the glorious Cipher. I hope she forgives my ignorance.

[XaviersMisprint]

O my. How could i forget the glorious Cipher. I hope she forgives my ignorance.

Maybe she will, but I sure as hell will not.

Damn you, Psycwave. I will report you for retconning Cipher from you memory just like they retconned her into NOT being Professor X's child with Sage!

LIKE WTF. WE ALWAYS KNEW IT, THEY CAME RIGHT OUT AND SAID IT... AND THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND. ITS FREAKIN WOLVERINE'S DAUGHTER WITH BISHOP.

[Icegod]

These are the power level descriptions from marveldatabase.com. This is a wiki site, so i ma sure they are not officially endorsed by Marvel or cannon definitions of Alpha, Omega, etc., but i do think they provide good framework:

Classification

Alpha Mutants
The Alpha Mutants are the most powerful and most feared mutants. Alpha mutants have extremely powerful mutant traits without any significant flaws. Less than 10% of mutants are Alpha mutants so they are very rare. Some of the Alpha mutants include Gambit, Professor X, Colossus, and Emma Frost.
Classify Mutants as Alpha level if they have a normal human appearance and their mutation is powerful, useful and controllable (i.e. turn it on and off, direct it at will.)
See Category:Alpha Level Mutants

Beta Mutants
As far as how potent their powers are Beta Mutants are on the same level as Alpha mutants. The difference between Beta Mutants and Alpha Mutants is that the Beta Mutants have flaws, albeit very small flaws. The Beta mutants are also believed to be about 10% of the mutant population. Some examples of Beta mutants are Wolverine, Mystique and Sabretooth.
Classify mutants as Beta Level if they have a normal human appearance and their mutation is powerful, useful, but less controllable, like Cyclops who can't turn his power off, but can still lead a normal life with only minor preparation. Wolverine, who has healing powers, can't ever decide NOT to rapidly heal from an injury, but this does not impair him in any reasonable way.
See Category:Beta Level Mutants

Gamma Mutants
Gamma mutants have very powerful mutants but they have flaws. Unlike the Beta mutants a Gamma mutant's flaw is a major flaw that makes their life very hard. The best example is probably Rogue. Rogue can absorb anybody's power, which makes her very powerful, but she can't touch people without triggering her power, which makes any kind of romantic life difficult. Also, while Alpha and Beta mutants can pass as regular looking humans, many Gamma mutants cannot because they have physical deformities like Blob or Marrow.
Classify mutants as Gamma Level if their mutation is powerful, uncontrollable, sometimes useful but usually detrimental to living a normal life, such as a monstrously inhuman appearance that can't be switched off at will.
See Category:Gamma Level Mutants

Delta Mutants
Delta Mutants are like Alpha mutants in that they don't have any significant flaws. The only problem is that Delta mutants don't have powers that match an Alpha mutant, or even a Beta or Gamma mutant. At least 50% of mutants are Delta mutants making them the most common type of mutant. Some examples of Delta mutants are Forge, Domino and Callisto.
Classify mutants as Delta-Level if they have a normal human appearance, but their mutagenic powers are weaker or only narrowly applicable, though still controllable.
See Category:Delta Level Mutants

Epsilon-Delta Mutants
Epsilon-Delta Mutants are mutants that don't always manifest their power. An Epsilon-Delta's power will only manifest in certain circumstances and they don't use their powers very often. Their powers may manifest due to trauma, influence from somebody or somebody else or physical contact with someone.
Classify mutants as Episilon-Delta Level if they have a normal human appearance and their mutation is relatively weak, uncontrollable, and narrowly applicable.
See Category:Epsilon-Delta Level Mutants

Epsilon Mutants
Epsilon Mutants are unfortunate mutants. Epsilon mutants pretty much have no chance of having a regular life in society due to their major flaws. If that isn't bad enough Epsilon mutants also only have minor superhuman powers. About 20% of mutants are Epsilon Mutants. A good example of an Epsilon mutant is Beak.
Classify mutants as Episilon Level if they have an inhuman appearance or their mutation makes it impossible for them to function normally. Any accompanying "superpowers" would be next to useless. Epsilon mutants are differentiated from Gamma mutants in that a Gamma mutant's inhuman appearance would provide a compensating benefit like superior strength.
See Category:Epsilon Level Mutants

Zeta mutants
Zetas are not mutants that have powers like the X-Men and other mutants. Zeta mutants are simply humans that have defects. So Zeta mutants would include humans that people would refer to as "circus freaks".
Classify mutants as Zeta-Level if they're ugly humans with hideous birth defects.

Omega mutants
Omega mutants are the most powerful class of mutants. Omega mutants can control matter and energy, have unlimited potential and are possibly even immortal. All Omega mutants are also Alpha mutants but not all Alpha mutants are Omega mutants. For example Jean Grey is an Alpha mutant because of her power and lack of flaws and is also an Omega mutant because of how powerful she is. Gambit on the other hand falls under Alpha mutant for the same reasons but isn't powerful enough to be an Omega mutant.
Only classify mutants as Omega Level if they have been explicitly referenced as Omega Level within continuity or if they regularly match the feats of a known Omega Level mutant.

[Kage Kisaragi]

While reading an issue of Deadly Genesis the mysterious mutant has been classfied as an Omega-level mutant. What is an Omega-level mutant? How powerful is an Omega-level mutant? Are there other power levels?

It's over 9000!!!!

What?! 9000!?

Just in case no one else said it, or if it hasn't been said enough. :tongue:

[KiplingKat]

It's a fanwank, end of story.

[ExodusCloak]

It's over 9000!!!!

What?! 9000!?

Just in case no one else said it, or if it hasn't been said enough. :tongue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMHTK15Pik

Oh and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzas-4y9FNs&feature=related

[Prodigy55]

Elixir is also omega-level, they say it multiple times in the series.

[PSINGRAPHD]

...being able to transcend your physical form.

I always thought this was the key to identifying who'd be classified as an Omega. Basically any mutant who has the potential to evolve beyond their mortal coil, most likely into a being of pure energy. It could be psychic(Phoenix, Franklin Richards) or elemental(Iceman), as Yogaflame pointed out, but also magnetic(Magneto, Polaris), light(Dazzler), solar(Sunfire), kinetic(Gambit), cosmic(Havok), and even magical(Scarlet Witch), just to name a few, lol. They would essentially become one with their powers, continuing to exist even after the "death" of their human bodies.

The Alphas I thought were just any mutant who could use their abilities in an offensive or defensive manner, usually in regards to a confrontational situation. This would make just about all the X-Men of this class, as most are able to attack, protect, or both with their various powers.

The Betas I thought were those with benign capabilities, being unable to directly use them in battle assistance. I would say that Doug Ramsey, also known as Cypher, would be the perfect example of this definition. He posessed a superhuman intuitive facility for translating languages, whether written or spoken, human or alien. This ability also extended to deciphering codes and computer languages. Impressive, but not too handy in a fight.

But after reading Icegod's post, I stand corrected. His descriptions are much more in depth and make more sense. They sound more scientific and clinical, so let's go with them.

[PSINGRAPHD]

Here's another entry on the subject, direct from Wikipedia, which more or less confirms Icegod's post:

Marvel's mutants are classified by their level of power.
OMEGA: Omega mutants are those with the highest level of power. They are the most powerful of the Alphas.
ALPHA: Alpha mutants have very powerful and useful mutant powers and no drawbacks such as changes in appearance. They are perhaps the most feared mutants.
BETA: Betas are as powerful as alphas but they have some physical changes as a drawback.
GAMMA: Gammas are also powerful mutants but they suffer from large physical changes. These changes make their lives very hard and make them very easy to tell they are a mutant.
DELTA: Delta mutants have low levels of power than Alphas. Like Alphas, they have no physical changes. Most Deltas do not even know they are mutants.
EPSILON: Epsilons have minor superhuman powers and major physical flaws. They are easily recognized just by looking at them.