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Jury’s List
Before everything gets done, I already have this list and challenged everyone to make their own lists themselves…
#10. The isolated world of Rogue
Power-absorbing mutants are not unique generally. There are a lot of them in the Marvel Mainstream Universe (not sure actually). What makes Rogue unique to me is that she absorbs them and make use with it (wee! I sound safe here)… but her power isolates her from the world of the rest!
#9. Havok versus cosmic energies
There are some X-Men and villains alike who, in one way or another, possessed similar power to Havok as energy-absorbing mutant (i.e. Bishop, Strong Guy), which generally makes his power so common. But I included him in my list because he has a unique manner of dealing his powers – his costume. Yes, his costume matters. He had to wear a protective suit just to contain the intensity of his power. I’m not so sure some other mutants have the same characteristic.
#8. Nightcrawler’s tail
I like Kurt’s teleportation ability, blend in shadows, and gymnastic talent. But it doesn’t make him unique. I included him in my list because of his “prehensile” tail.
#7. Psylocke and her psychic blade
Well, that’s what makes her unique. Imagine, with her psychic blade, she could disable her opponents without causing them physical harm.
#6. Shadowcat: the intangible X-man
In Marvel Universe, her power is not unique. There are some to be considered as intangible like the Avengers’ hero, Vision. But as an X-man, I consider her to be unique because no X-man can ever walk through walls, stride harmlessly through a hail of bullets and even dance on air, all at the same time! She’s still indeed the ‘pryde’ of the X-Men! Not to mention, the only X-man I know of, having a pet with her – Lockheed.
#5. Gambit: The energy of physics
The only mutant I know who deals with cards, and charges things with explosive energies as well.
#4. The Man who multiplies
Well, who else can generate up to 40 duplicates of himself, each capable of independent thoughts?
#3. Color your day with Polaris
Lorna Dane is unique because she has a green hair, green eyes, not to mention her both mystic and latent powers. Her power was to make flowers change their colors! Unique, right?
#2. Domino: Against all odds
I like Domino’s power… and a great partner to Cable’s temperament, I recommend! Domino can psionically change the negative moods and switch all odds to agree on her side.
#1. The Bolts of Storm
Who else can control the weather patterns as well as the atmospheric and space properties of the earth and the rest of the planets? Well, she’s a powerful mutant and in the contrary, a claustrophobic! That’s what makes her unique.
P.S.: I wanted to add Cyclops in my list because of his optic blast but I just thought Superman has similar ability and his power is so common. The same thing applies to Iceman, Jean Grey and Colossus. Freezing, telepathy, telekinesis, and super-human strength are used exaggeratedly… and annoyingly by Marvel and DC.
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Flavinho's List
Well here is my list, tried to make the smaller as possible...
#10. Toad
I would give nothing for someone with the powers of a toad, but this character knows to use his powers being a very agile one, though not so intelligent.
#9. Jubilee
To make fireworks is not a very usual power. May not be useful, but it's cool and the character brings pre-teens and children to know the X-Men.
#8. Shadowcat
At least once in life everyone has already said: "if I could just look what's going on behind that wall..." well she can know what's going on.
#7. Dazzler
She’s one of the first mutants to assume her mutation. Her jobs make her unique too, as she's a mutant-singer whose powers help her shows.
#6. Sage
She’s intelligent, cool look, personality and high technology. This makes Sage unusual and special, as I think that even for a mutant she's considered strange. And that's just cool.
#5. Gambit
Coolness is his name. Energy manipulation and cards in an explosive combination, and unique personality that mixes good and bad in same amount, and a Cajun whose style and personality captivates everyone.
#4. Mystique
There are many "metamorphers", but no one has such a weird look and even so gets to be so gorgeous and posh as her. Her intelligence linked to her power is one of her most dangerous weapons.
#3. Rogue
In my point of view she can have every power (with some limitations) and no power...that's just great, and her life-story is also unique.
#2. Storm
Controlling the weather is one of the mot amazing powers if used right and she knows to use it being a heroine or a hurtful if she wants. Her conflicted but always-calm mind makes her a very strong person with many subjects to be explored.
#1. Magneto
Most villains who are intelligent and powerful are insane, while he is definitely not. He's intelligent, mature, strong, powerful AND evil. There is also all his conflict with his best friend, what makes him really unique as any villain has a friendship with someone who represents the opposite of them and their ideas.
P.S.: I'd like to put Professor X because he founded the X-men and is one of the most powerful mutants, but there are already so many of his kind that I gave up...