Why Didn't Thor Use His Lightning Against Thanos in Infinity War?

In Avengers: Infinity War, one of the most prominent questions among fans pertains to Thor's choice of weapon against Thanos. Many have wondered why he resorted to melee combat with his mighty Mjolnir instead of utilizing his lightning powers, given the devastating effect they had on their shared foe during Marvel's cinematic universe. This analysis delves into possible in-universe reasons and the strategic decisions Thor made during their epic clash.

In-Universe Explanations

While the directors' intentions and plot devices certainly played a role, there are several in-universe reasons that could explain Thor's choice of weapon. Thor did indeed use lightning, but not in a conventional manner. He charged his powerful new weapon, Stormbreaker, with lightning to disarm Thanos when he wrenched Thor's own weapon from his hands. Additionally, Thor charged Iron Man fully with lightning to blast Thanos, aiming for maximum damage. However, Thanos remained unscathed, spinning his sword to nullify the impact.

This encounter raised questions about the effectiveness of Thor's lightning. To understand this better, we need to consider the context and Thor's mindset. As a 1500-year-old deity with extensive combat experience, Thor would logically assume that he had the melee advantage over Thanos, especially if he was wielding a weapon capable of eradicating gods, such as Stormbreaker. However, Thor likely realized that relying solely on lightning was not sufficient to neutralize Thanos's unique fighting style.

Direct Melee Combat

Thor likely chose to engage in direct melee combat for several reasons. Firstly, he recognized that a direct attack might disrupt Thanos's sword maneuvers and disable him. Secondly, Thor's primary advantage was his traditional fighting style, which heavily emphasized physical prowess and close-quarters combat. Assuming a melee battle, and knowing the strength and skill of his foe, Thor would have been confident in his capabilities.

However, Thor underestimated Thanos's formidable and unexpected prowess in melee combat. Thanos's speed, strength, and martial skill proved to be formidable. In a brutal and intense fight, Thanos emerged victorious, extensively damaging Thor. Throughout the battle, Thanos's resilience and skill were on full display, leading to a devastating defeat for Thor.

Accidental Harm to Teammates

An additional factor weighed on Thor's decision: the risk of accidentally harming his teammates with stray bolts of lightning. The chaos of battle created an environment where a well-placed lightning bolt from Stormbreaker could unintentionally target Iron Man, Captain America, or even other allies nearby. Furthermore, Thanos showed his tactical prowess by orchestrating situations that could lead to such risks, such as forcing Iron Man to take a hit from Mjolnir.

Thor’s allies, Iron Man and Captain America, were positioned as the primary ranged attackers. This strategy aimed to take the pressure off Thor and Captain America, focusing them on direct confrontation with Thanos. This approach might have seemed logical, but it ultimately proved flawed as Thanos outmaneuvered them. While their plan of focusing on melee combat may have been sound, their failure to coordinate effectively led to a significant tactical error in their collective battle against Thanos.

Conclusion: A Tactical Misstep

Ultimately, Thor's decision to engage in melee combat with Mjolnir and his choice not to rely solely on lightning powers were strategic choices that, in the heat of battle, did not prove successful. His underestimation of Thanos's capabilities and the ensued chaos led to a critical tactical error. The Avengers' lack of coordination in their offensive strategy, exacerbated by Thor's individual approach, contributed to their ultimate failure in the fight against Thanos.

It's clear that while external factors and creative storytelling inevitably played a significant role, internal and tactical decisions made by the characters played an equally important part in the outcome of Infinity War.