The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have started with Iron Man's advanced technology, but since its incipience, it has added many other elements, many of them magical or mystical. First introduced in 2011's Thor, this twist was then explained by Thor himself as another form of science. Subsequent releases suggest that even in the MCU, that's not exactly the case.
As the Ancient One points out to Dr. Strange, not everything has a strictly scientific explanation. Certain objects don't obey the rules of physics. It is the case of the famous Ten Rings. While mentioned several times throughout the Iron Man trilogy, the objects themselves finally appear in their true form only in the MCU's newest release, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Much like other Marvel objects of power, they don't disappoint.
Warning: This article contains some spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings!
10 The Ten Rings Are Xu Wenwu's Ultimate Weapon & The Key To His Longevity
Xu Wenwu discovers the Ten Rings thousands of years ago. More than rings, they are a set of armbands that grant their user tremendous power. Not only do they allow Xu Wenwu to create concussive blasts in battle, but they are also the key to his longevity. They allow him to live up to the present day, at the same time making him much stronger.
Armed with the rings, Xu Wenwu is able to build an army which he names after his preferred weapon. He becomes a mythical warlord who topples governments and takes over countless countries. His legend is used by Aldrich Killian in Iron Man 3 to create the Mandarin. Xu Wenwu temporarily sets the rings aside after he marries Ying Li, but his path for redemption is lost with his wife's death. It's the rings and Ying Li that lead the Dweller-in-Darkness to him. Sensing the rings can free it, the creature lures Xu Wenwu to the mystical dimension of Ta Lo, pretending to be his lost love. Using the power of the rings, Xu Wenwu is able to break the seal around the door holding the Dweller-in-Darkness at bay. The rings are inherited by his son Shang-Chi after Xu Wenwu is killed by the same creature he accidentally releases.
9 Mjolnir Is The God of Thunder's Trademark Weapon
The first true object with mystical associations in the MCU, Mjolnir is Thor's trademark weapon. Using his hammer, Thor can fly and summon lightning. The weapon is a conduit for Thor's innate abilities, crafted out of uru, by the dwarves of Nidavellir. Odin places an enchantment on the hammer, keeping anyone unworthy from lifting it.
Surprisingly, Captain America gets a taste of Mjolnir's powers in Avengers: Endgame. Despite not being the God of Thunder, Steve is able to tap into a replica of Thor's abilities, using the hammer in his battle against Thanos' forces. This is a bit of a plot hole considering the previously established canon, but it's still a huge asset for the Avengers and an amazing moment allowing Captain America to shine.
8 Thor's Ax Stormbreaker Is Even More Dangerous Than Mjolnir
After Mjolnir's destruction at Hela's hands, Thor is left without his best weapon. In Avengers: Infinity War, he travels to Nidavellir. The sole remaining dwarf, Eitri, agrees to help him, but Thor must withstand the heat coming from a neutron star to forge his new ax.
He almost dies, but some quick thinking from Groot provides the almost-ready ax with a handle, and the weapon itself saves Thor's life. Stormbreaker is even more powerful than Mjolnir, and through it, Thor can summon the Bifrost.
7 Gungnir Is The Iconic Spear Wielded By Asgard's King
First seen in the hands of Odin All-Father, Gungnir is the spear used by all Asgardian kings. A powerful mystical weapon, it is able to channel all forms of energy. Asgardian kings—from Bor, to Odin and Loki—have used it to create powerful blasts of magic.
Notable instances include Loki's killing blow against his birth father Laufey and Bor's attack against the dark elves. Whoever wields the spear is acknowledged as the ruler of Asgard and also has a powerful connection to the Destroyer, the automaton sent by Loki to hunt down his brother in Thor.
6 The Bifrost Is A Bridge Between The Worlds But Also A Weapon Of Great Destruction
One of the most important pieces of technology the Asgardians use is the Bifrost. It allows Asgardians to open wormholes, transporting them to worlds millions of light-years away. Depicted as a beam of light, the Bifrost isn't just a fancy method to move around. It can also sever living things to pieces.
If left open for too long, it can destroy the entire world its power is focused on, like Loki attempts to do to Jotunheim. Thor prevents disaster by destroying the bridge, but it is later rebuilt with the help of the Tesseract.
5 The Eternal Flame Is A Powerful Relic That Can Resurrect The Dead
Yet another addition from the Thor trilogy, the Eternal Flame appears in Thor: Ragnarok as an inextinguishable fire that is the source of Surtur's power.
Contained in Odin's Weapons' Vault by the All-Father, it is used by Hela to resurrect the armies of the dead. Later, Loki uses the Eternal Flame to resurrect Surtur himself, deliberately bringing Ragnarok upon Asgard to stop Hela.
4 The Cloak Of Levitation, The Staff Of The Living Tribunal, & The Sling Ring Are Relics Used By Sorcerers
Dr. Strange introduces MCU fans to a whole new world of infinite possibilities. After a car accident that ruins his hands, Stephen Strange struggles to find a cure and stumbles into the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. Trained in the arts of sorcery by the Ancient One, he receives a sling ring that allows him to create portals useful for both transportation and combat.
The sentient Cloak of Levitation chooses him as its wielder, giving him the ability to fly, while also providing him with an unexpected ally in battle. His mentor—and later enemy—Karl Mordo wields The Staff of the Living Tribunal, a powerful relic that can take different forms, such as that of a whip or a flail.
3 The Eye Of Agamotto, The Tesseract, The Scepter, & The Orb Are Vessels For The Infinity Stones
The Infinity Stones first appear in the MCU under the guise of different artifacts. Each individual relic possesses different powers. The Tesseract containing the Space Stone is capable of transporting people to different locations, and 2012 Loki uses it to escape during the Avengers' Time Heist. The Mind Stone appears in Loki's scepter, which is also very important in awakening the powers of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.
The Eye of Agamotto is entrusted to Stephen Strange, and it holds the Time Stone. Strange uses it to trap Dormammu in a time loop. The Orb is entrusted to the Nova Corps by the Guardians of the Galaxy after they keep the Power Stone from falling into Ronan's clutches. While individually powerful, it's together with the Aether and the Soul Stone that the other four artifacts are at their most destructive.
2 The Infinity Gauntlet Is The Tool Thanos Uses To Turn Half The Universe To Dust
The Infinity Gauntlet is the ultimate instrument Thanos uses to channel the power of the Infinity Stones and achieve his master plan. A version of the gauntlet existed in Odin's Weapons Vault, but it is identified as fake by Hela. Thanos forces the dwarf Eitri to create the real gauntlet, presumably in exchange for the lives of his people.
Eitri complies but Thanos exterminates the dwarves anyway, leaving a mutilated Eitri as the sole survivor. After securing all the Stones, Thanos is able to complete the gauntlet and snaps his fingers, turning half the universe's population to dust. The glove suffers heavy damage in the process.
1 The Darkhold Is An Ancient Book Of Power Originally From The Hell Dimension
Appearing in various Marvel TV shows, the Darkhold is a book of spells crafted out of dark energy, said to contain infinite knowledge. Its past owner, Morgan le Fay, tried to use it to merge the Dark Dimension with Earth but failed.
More recently, the Darkhold came into the possession of Agatha Harkness, who used the Darkhold to manipulate Wanda Maximoff's Hex. After Agatha's defeat, Wanda claims the Darkhold for herself. In the final scene of WandaVision, the Scarlet Witch is seen studying the tome while another version of her wanders around doing normal things.
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