The MCU Just Confirmed T’Challa’s Real Black Panther Superpower

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s What If…? episode 2, “What If…T’Challa Became A Star-Lord?”

In Marvel’s What If…? a new Star-Lord takes center stage with Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, and his true superpower is confirmed in episode 2 of the new Disney+ series. Due to T’Challa having joined Michael Rooker’s Yondu and his Ravagers in this new alternate timeline for the MCU, several things are changed as a result, and not just because he simply has a new role and title. It’s T’Challa’s direct actions and influence amongst the stars that have created several immensely positive differences, confirming one of his greatest powers as a hero.

In episode 2, “What If…T’Challa Became A Star-Lord?”, it’s revealed that Yondu and his Ravagers grabbed the wrong boy (T’Challa), failing to collect Peter Quill for Ego like they were meant to. However, just like Quill, T’Challa was accepted into the Ravager family and Yondu became his surrogate father, with T’Challa eventually growing up to become an actually legendary Star-Lord, being adored by several for his heroic exploits. This was largely due to the fact that T’Challa convinced Yondu to abandon self-serving crimes, guiding the Ravagers to instead steal from the rich and give to the poor. Together, Star-Lord and his crew gave aid to those in need across the galaxy, saving worlds and peoples all over the stars.

However, T’Challa’s influence proved to be quite effective, especially considering that Thanos the Mad Titan himself is revealed to be one of the Ravagers in this new timeline. Apparently, T’Challa was able to talk Thanos out of his Infinity Stone plan to wipe out half of all life in existence, and showed him that there was “more than one way to reallocate the universe’s resources.” All in all, changing the mind of Thanos is quite an impressive feat. Combined with influencing Yondu to turn the Ravagers into a force for good, it’s clear that T’Challa’s influence and ability to motivate others positively is a superpower in and of itself, going beyond his other abilities as the Black Panther (or as a Star-Lord).

It’s not just in Marvel’s What If…? where T’Challa’s influence was given time to shine either. In the primary MCU, he was able to talk Zemo down long enough to prevent his suicide in Captain America: Civil War and he convinced his rival M’Baku to aid Wakanda in the fight against Killmonger in Black Panther. Not only that, but he also convinced his people that it was time to change their traditions and culture by reaching out to the rest of the world rather than staying in isolation as they had been. However, shifting the entire mindsets of the Ravagers and Thanos himself feels like a crowning achievement.

Essentially, T’Challa’s influence and ability to use simple conversation to foster peace just as much as his claws or blasters is a uniquely strong power. As he says amongst the Ravagers: “Sometimes the best weapon in your arsenal is just a good argument”. That being said, T’Challa has never been one to shy away from a fight, as he epically demonstrates in his battle against the Collector as Star-Lord. In any case, Marvel’s What If…? episode 2 shines a perfect light on one of T’Challa’s greatest superpowers in any version of the MCU’s timeline.

Marvel’s What If…? airs new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.