# Captain America's powers and fighting skill in MCU. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2018, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620 "2018-09-20T09:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/21 "2018-09-20T23:16:31Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Superhero powers in the MCU are exactly as strong or weak as they need to be to advance the plot and provide complications. Worrying about consistency in these films is like demanding historical accuracy in a Michael Bay movie. Ant-Man is the least of the problems; from Hulk to Iron Man to Black Widow’s unenhanced but still impossible acrobatic reflexes, the physics of the MCU is just a step above the Road Runner. No need to be overly critical; just accept it and move on, just like you allow James Bond’s ridiculous gadgets which improbably function but rarely serve to actually get him out of trouble unless absolutely required by the plot. > > As for Steve Rogers powers, it is pretty clear that the Erskine formula gave him incredible strength (enough not only to fight the Iron Man suit but to hold back Thanos who has been shown handily beating the Hulk), physical resilience (has jumped and fallen from aircraft thousands of feet up into water without a parachute, run though solid wood doors, has taken direct blasts to the chest multiple times), dexterity (he jumps from motorcycle onto and off of a Quinjet, dodges an out of control helicopter), and healing factor (survived freezing, being gut-shot, falling hundreds of feet onto concrete). In every movie he gets progressively more capable so he is presumably still discovering the extent of his abilities. > > Oh, and there are almost certainly little Stevies all over America. Check out [the look that redhead on his right flank is giving him](https://youtu.be/7i574Em3IrI) as he clumsily tries to hawk defense bonds; she and every other war-liberated woman is nearly crazed to bear his children. Presumably the supersoldier formula sends his endocrine glands into high gear, incidentially producing mass amounts of pheromones on top of his perfect physique and non-threatening adorkableness, making him irresistible to the women who wouldn’t give ninety pound civilian Steve Rogers the time of day. Hence, why Peggy Carter is so amazing to him; a woman who doesn’t fall over herself and have him stripped down and bedded before conversation can even be had. > > Stranger I feel like this post is incomplete without a link to Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex. > **[Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex](http://www.rawbw.com/~svw/superman.html)** > > An exceedingly amusing story by Larry > Niven about the Superman's procreative challenges. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/22 "2018-09-20T23:27:12Z")
I think the reason Cap seems to get stronger every movie is actually made clear in The First Avenger: he has enhanced healing abilities. He can’t get drunk because his body heals too quickly. Not as quickly as Wolverine, but athletes use HGH to get stronger because they allow their muscles to heal more quickly after a workout. Cap is constantly working out, and unlike a normal human, he’s also constantly getting stronger and faster, just about to the limits of what the human form can take. Hell, he doesn’t even have to worry about his muscles becoming too strong for his tendons and ligaments, because those heal faster too. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/23 "2018-09-21T01:28:47Z")
Andy L: > [@](#): > > If I recall correctly, when Cap is in the Hydra headquarters, he looks at some maps, and is later able to reproduce them accurately, which suggests that his brain power has improved a bit. He was no dummy even before the super-soldier treatment. Remember, he was the one who thought of taking down the flagpole to get the flag and ride back to base with Agent Carter. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/24 "2018-09-21T01:37:14Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > He’s on a treadmill that can go as fast as… 😃 > > And it was in _CA:CW_. 😉 uh - cap vs helicoptor was CA:WS ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/25 "2018-09-21T03:51:48Z")
> [@simster](#): > > uh - cap vs helicoptor was CA:WS [NO IT WAS NOT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ccey7IJLCM). :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/26 "2018-09-21T12:20:26Z")
> [@simster](#): > > uh - cap vs helicoptor was CA:WS As pointed out, that was Civil War. Cap vs. fighter jet was in [Winter Soldier](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYSgkqc9EWI). ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/27 "2018-09-21T13:07:05Z")
well, I have no idea how I got that backwards… ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/28 "2018-09-21T13:48:47Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > It’s also important to remember that Cap’s shield is made from plot-proof materials. It can withstand whatever it needs to and it can damage whatever it needs to. “That thing doesn’t obey the laws of physics at all.” - - Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War The shield can also bounce wherever it needs to. Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/29 "2018-09-21T14:01:32Z")
Another thing that I remember reading when the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe came out is that Captain America’s body does not produce lactic acid, so his muscles don’t tire out from exertion. His strength in the movies generally fluctuates depending on the scene and scenario, like described in previous posts, but he also doesn’t get worn down from the exertion, he performs at peak human skill, and he can quickly determine tactics, angles, and leverage. All of this together is what enables him to punch rich a-holes in their armor and beat up Quinjets. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/30 "2018-09-21T14:11:56Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Worrying about consistency in these films is like demanding historical accuracy in a Michael Bay movie. > > Stranger OK, now that’s too far! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/31 "2018-09-21T14:59:42Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Another thing that I remember reading when the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe came out is that Captain America’s body does not produce lactic acid, so his muscles don’t tire out from exertion. His strength in the movies generally fluctuates depending on the scene and scenario, like described in previous posts, but he also doesn’t get worn down from the exertion, he performs at peak human skill, and he can quickly determine tactics, angles, and leverage. All of this together is what enables him to punch rich a-holes in their armor and beat up Quinjets. Look, now that they’re all part of Disney, we can just admit it; Cap’s superphysicality, Banner’s Hulk-iness, Dr. Strange’s magic, Thor’s lightning, et cetera, all come from the same source: _Midichlorians_ “Search your feelings. You _know_ it to be true.” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/32 "2018-09-21T15:06:53Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Look, now that they’re all part of Disney, we can just admit it; Cap’s superphysicality, Banner’s Hulk-iness, Dr. Strange’s magic, Thor’s lightning, et cetera, all come from the same source: > > _Midichlorians_ > “Search your feelings. You _know_ it to be true.” _points at Stranger_ “Hulk…smash.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/33 "2018-09-21T15:18:20Z")
Just wait until Disney releases _The Avengers Holiday Special_ centered around Groot returning to his home world for Arbor Day Celebration. I understand that the tap dance number with Falcon, Hawkeye, and Agent Hill is…unique. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/34 "2018-09-21T16:06:41Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > _points at Stranger_ > > “Hulk…smash.” > > 😃 Hulk smashing is too good for him. Instead, it’s ten straight hours of listening to Tony Stark’s self-pitying whining. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/35 "2018-09-21T16:29:54Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Hulk smashing is too good for him. Instead, it’s ten straight hours of listening to Tony Stark’s self-pitying whining. Just make him Hawkeye’s sidekick instead. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620/36 "2018-09-21T17:17:12Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > In the comic book continuity, he’s supposed to be at peak human potential; as the old _Handbook of the Marvel Universe_ put it, he has (I’m paraphrasing from memory) the maximum strength of a man of his age, height, and build who engages in intensive regular exercise. I own a lot of those. Each entry has a Strength Level. Captain America is said to be able to “lift (press) 800 pounds”, which is their cut off for human vs. superhuman strength. I assume lift (press) means something equivalent to an Olympic clean and jerk, or at least a Two Hands Anyhow. Currently the world record for the clean and jerk is 263kg, or a little over 578 pounds. So Cap is significantly stronger than the strongest lifters, even if they out-weigh him by 90 pounds or more (the Handbook says Cap weighs 245, [Hossein Razazadeh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hossein_Rezazadeh) weighs about 335). Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-americas-powers-and-fighting-skill-in-mcu/821620.md?page=1)