# Does Kitty Pryde feel heat/cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 25, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792 "2005-02-25T00:54:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/1 "2005-02-25T00:54:02Z")
So over dinner at a local cafe Lady Chance and I were defining Kitty Pryde’s powers for our four year old. Then we got perplexed. The kid asked if she could phase through a fire. She phases through objects. That is, she can manipulate her own matter in such a way that it doesn’t interact with other matter. The allows her to pass through what would be, to us, solid objects. So it occurs to me. Heat is the result of molecules in motion. Cold is the absence of same. When Kitty Pryde is ‘phasing’ she’s not actually in contact with _anything_. Ergo not motion of molecules against her skin and no ability to perceive heat/cold. What do y’all think? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/2 "2005-02-25T01:13:48Z")
I would guess no, but only when she’s in her phase state, which isn’t practical for the long term. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/3 "2005-02-25T01:18:48Z")
BTW, I think it’s awesom that you and your wife are teaching your daughter about the X-Men at the age of four. Gotta get her started on her geek cred early! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/4 "2005-02-25T01:28:58Z")
Can the sweet little geekette name the all the types of Kryptonite yet? Just remember: A daily dietary does of Kryptonite helps build growin bodies 4 ways! BTW–Superman’s dog, Krypto, will be getting his own animated TV series this April, aimed at ages just like your little one’s. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/5 "2005-02-25T01:34:39Z")
Thanks for the props, folks! It started because we had a table near the door and every time someone came in Kate complained that she was cold (it’s snowing here). So we told her the only way it WOULDN’T happen was if people phased through the door. And that led us, inexorably, to Kitty Pryde. > [@Kyla](#): > > I would guess no, but only when she’s in her phase state, which isn’t practical for the long term. Wouldn’t it also imply that she can’t process oxygen while in phase? So no breathing! That should effectively limit the time she can spend in phase. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/6 "2005-02-25T01:39:04Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Wouldn’t it also imply that she can’t process oxygen while in phase? So no breathing! That should effectively limit the time she can spend in phase. Well, there was a period where she…oh, I forget what happened, but she was phased as her default state and it took extra effort for her to become solid again. So I don’t think breathing is an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/7 "2005-02-25T01:41:12Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Well, there was a period where she…oh, I forget what happened, but she was phased as her default state and it took extra effort for her to become solid again. So I don’t think breathing is an issue. Fantastic Four vs. X-Men #1-4. Somehow Kitty got trapped in her phased state (something to do with an attack during the Mutant Massacre?), and the X-Men had to form an uneasy alliance with Dr. Doom, who claimed to be able to save her. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/8 "2005-02-25T02:03:25Z")
As far as I know, heat and cold aren’t a problem. I’m pretty sure she’s phased through flames. Breathing is only a problem when she is phasing through something solid. Phasing through a wall wouldn’t be a problem but phasing through the planet would be impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/9 "2005-02-25T02:05:43Z")
So wouldn’t this also suggest that she should be invisible when phased? I mean if all matter goes through her, what’s the photon’s bouncing off of? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/10 "2005-02-25T02:14:54Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > So wouldn’t this also suggest that she should be invisible when phased? > > I mean if all matter goes through her, what’s the photon’s bouncing off of? Your mamma. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/11 "2005-02-25T02:18:09Z")
I’ve always assumed that she’s not so much in no contact whatsoever with normal matter, but is slipping _between_ the atoms of normal matter while in phase state. Of course, that doesn’t explain why that ability allows her to walk on air… ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/12 "2005-02-25T02:40:28Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Fantastic Four vs. X-Men #1-4. Somehow Kitty got trapped in her phased state (something to do with an attack during the Mutant Massacre?), and the X-Men had to form an uneasy alliance with Dr. Doom, who claimed to be able to save her. She was hit by an energy blast from the Marauder Harpoon while trying to save Rogue in UXM #211. She was gradually fading away. Dr. Doom was able to stop the process, but Kitty was left permanently phased. I had read the most recent issues, but I believe that’s still the way it is. As for the OP, I’m 99% sure she’s been shown phasing through fire but can’t quote an issue. I’m actually in the middle of re-reading UXM now, but I doubt I’ll get to the issues involving her for a while 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/13 "2005-02-25T03:19:19Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Of course, that doesn’t explain why that ability allows her to walk on air… Or at all, for that matter. If she were intangible, she’d fall through the crust and straight to the core. _ **Then** _ we’d know for sure if heat’s a problem for her or not. ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/14 "2005-02-25T03:52:52Z")
Schroedinger’s Kitty Put phased Kitty in a box with a tank of oxygen. Put phased Kitty in a box with a wall of flame Put phased Kitty in a box with 1920s Style Death Ray Put phased Kitty in a box with a wall of flame, a 1920s Style Death Ray, and a tank of oxygen. The box is closed. Is Kitty dead or alive? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/15 "2005-02-25T04:33:56Z")
In the “God Loves Man Kills” graphic novel, Kitty phased just in time to avoid being killed when a store exploded. She was clearly in the explosion and fireball, so my guess would be that (at least as of the late 1980s) she was able to phase through fire. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/16 "2005-02-25T06:56:14Z")
A couple of other things to note: - when she phases through circuitry, she disrupts the electrical current - Darkseid had her figured out in the X-Men/Teen Titans crossover, and used manacles with atoms that had frozen valances (sp?). ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/17 "2005-02-25T07:16:10Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Wouldn’t it also imply that she can’t process oxygen while in phase? So no breathing! That should effectively limit the time she can spend in phase. From [here](http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/s/shadowcat.htm): > [@](#): > > Shadowcat passes through objects at the same rate of speed at which she is moving before she “enters” it. Since she is unable to breathe while “inside” an object, she can only continuously phase through solid objects (as when she travels underground) as long as she can hold her breath. Note this only applies while she’s inside another solid object. Presumably, since she can phase matter other than her own body (i.e. her costume, other people), when she breathes while phased and outside another solid object she phases the incoming air so that it’s in the same state she is, thus allowing her to metabolize oxygen. Back in my geekier days I wrote a letter to the editor positing various extensions of Kitty’s powers, one of which was phasing a volume of air molecules adjacent to her body to allow her to breathe while inside a solid object. Never got any response though, not even a No-Prize. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/18 "2005-02-25T07:44:16Z")
> [@The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe 2004](#): > > Kitty can keep her phased form at rest to the rotation of the Earth’s axis, thus allowing her to assume a ground speed of the length of a football field and a half every second Anyone know when she did this for the first time? It’s news to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/19 "2005-02-25T08:00:21Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > A couple of other things to note: > > - when she phases through circuitry, she disrupts the electrical current **Powers:** Generate magnetic repulsion within her body to become ephemeral, allowing her to pass through solid objects, walk on thin air, **utilize her magnetic distortion to scramble electronic systems** , and extend her intangibility to anything she touches [http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/spotlight/showquestion.asp?faq=10&fldAuto=72](http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/spotlight/showquestion.asp?faq=10&fldAuto=72) Looks like her disruption of electronics is a side-effect of the energy she uses to phase, not an indication of molecular interaction. ---
**Author:** ![WilhelmGefallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@WilhelmGefallen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WilhelmGefallen)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792/20 "2005-02-25T08:42:57Z")
> [@uglybeech](#): > > Schroedinger’s Kitty > > Put phased Kitty in a box with a tank of oxygen. > Put phased Kitty in a box with a wall of flame > Put phased Kitty in a box with 1920s Style Death Ray > Put phased Kitty in a box with a wall of flame, a 1920s Style Death Ray, and a tank of oxygen. > > The box is closed. > Is Kitty dead or alive? She will be neither alive nor dead until you open the box, but if she is dead when the box is opened like all X-Men she’ll be alive again by the time you close it, and phase out of it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kitty-pryde-feel-heat-cold/291792.md?page=2)