Why Did Thanos Wait to Strike?

Introduction

Thanos' arrival on Earth in the Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame caused immense destruction across the universe. But why did he choose the exact moment he did to unleash his assault? This article delves into the key reasons behind Thanos' timing, focusing on his strategic choices and the might of the Guardians of the Universe.

Three Reasons for Thanos' Timing

Reason 1: The Gathering of the Infinity Stones

Before striking, Thanos meticulously gathered all six Infinity Stones. Each stone holds immense power, and their combined might allowed Thanos to carry out his plan of wiping out half of existence. This crucial step ensured that he had the necessary tools at his disposal to implement his ultimate goal. The successful acquisition of the stones marked a turning point in his quest for supremacy.

Reason 2: Failure of His Underlings

Thanos sent his most trusted underlings, including Loki and Ronin, to carry out various tasks. However, all attempts by these individuals met with failure. Loki's mission to obtain the Mind Stone in Avengers: Infinity War was foiled, and Ronin's Valhalla was destroyed. The repeated failures of his men made Thanos realize that he needed to take direct action to achieve his objectives.

Reason 3: The Death of Key Guardians

With the recent deaths of key figures, Thanos saw an opportunity to strike. Odin, the leader of Asgard, was long gone, and the Ancient One, a significant defender of Earth, was no more. Even Ego, a cosmic being with a vested interest in the fate of humanity, had perished. These losses severely weakened the odds against Thanos, making him believe he could prevail without major opposition.

Personalities with the Power to Stop Him

Odin: The Mighty Guardian of Asgard

Odin, the king of Asgard, was responsible for guarding Earth as one of the realms of the Nine Realms. As such, any being aiming to diminish life on Earth, including regular Asgardians, would have inevitably caught Odin's attention. As a powerful Asgardian, Odin had the potential to challenge Thanos and stop his destructive plans. However, his absence left a critical gap in the defense of Earth.

The Ancient One: Sorceress of Power

The Ancient One, the formidable sorceress and protectress of Earth, held immense magical knowledge. In Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos utilized the Time Stone, an action that would be within the Ancient One's capabilities. Wong, the Ancient One's student, stated that the Time Stone's usage required studying the book of Caliagastro, a testament to the Ancient One's expertise. Even if Thanos was not primarily a magic user, his knowledge surpassed ordinary mortals, and the Ancient One may have been wary of half of the life on her protected planet fading.

Ego: The Celestial with an Agenda

Ego, the half-celestial entity with a mission to find hisAssignable parent, stood as a surprising yet formidable potential opponent. Ego had a vested interest in human life, as he sought his half-celestial parent among the beings on Earth. The loss of a significant cosmic entity like Ego further weakened the resistance against Thanos. All three of these powerful entities – Odin, the Ancient One, and Ego – had the potential to stand in Thanos' way, but their deaths made Thanos' conquest of Earth a much more feasible proposition.

Conclusion

Thanos' decision to strike when he did was the result of a combination of strategic planning, the failure of his underlings, and the weakening of key guardians. The acquisition of the Infinity Stones, the failure of his agents, and the loss of powerful guardians all contributed to his bold move. The might of the Guardians of the Universe, including Odin, the Ancient One, and Ego, would have posed significant challenges if they were still alive and active.

Final Thoughts

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