Jean Grey’s omega level telepathy clarification

[itsmeray]

I wanted clarification about Jean’s omega level telepathy.

In one comic she was shown to be stronger than Nightmare (X-Men #4) but in another her telepathy was ineffective against Sabertooth in Sabertooth #1.

[Blackcyclops]

I didn’t read the Sabretooth book but she was battling Nightmare on the astral plane/dream space right? She would have by and large a bigger advantage there.

Also, Nightmare is a magic creature…so everything about how strong/weak he is isn’t necessarily “logical” like battling a Sentinel versus Nimrod. Even against Dr. Strange sometimes he’s almost god-like and other times just a nuance. It really depends on alot of factors, including the mental state of the opponent.

[itsmeray]

Yeah. I also remember Psylocke’s psychic knife not working one time either.

I find it odd that omega level telepaths struggle against the likes of Sabertooth.

[Blackcyclops]

Yeah. I also remember Psylocke’s psychic knife not working one time either.

I find it odd that omega level telepaths struggle against the likes of Sabertooth.

That’s always been his thing…just like Gambit.

Betsy’s blade didn’t work because he had that whole Claws-through-the-brain situation, it was a plot point at the time.

[das_boot]

Telepaths vary in what they’re strong at.

For example, you have Mastermind who is almost exclusively an illusionist, and his daughters who have some telepathic power but are most illusionists too. Karma’s power is psychic but she’s not a full-fledged telepath, ditto Moonstar and Chamber.

There are telepaths like Emma who are exceptionally skilled and have been shown to be able to overwhelm a foe like Exodus or Rachel or Xavier who are canonically more “powerful” than her, because she’s more crafty and cunning.

While Jean (and Kid Omega) are omega telepaths, which means that their potential is undefinable or potentially unmatchable, that does NOT mean that they’re there yet. Telepathy especially is just as much about skill as it is power level.

So. If you’re looking at someone like Sabretooth or Wolverine— not only have they had their memories messed with on multiple occasions, but they’re also able to enter a “berserker” state where there’s no reasoning with them, there’s no way to get them to calm down or whatever, they’re just running on pure rage and adrenaline. For a telepath to enter their mind when they’re in that state, as we’ve seen on a few occasions, they either react as though they’re almost in physical pain themselves, or are unable to make sense of the information bombarding them.

In the council scene you’re referring to, I didn’t necessarily read it as weakness with Jean, more that she’s not usually one to just telepathically blast someone in to oblivion. Emma on the other hand? Far more decisive with the use of her powers when she has to resort to blunt force. Whether it’s just me, but I always read Jean as using the path of least resistance where possible— suggestions over compulsions, for example. Emma? No. When she’s had enough of someone’s nonsense, they go down.

I guess the short answer to your question would be that I don’t think that omega mutant REALLY matters so much when it comes to telepathy, because it’s as much a power of skill and finesse as it is blunt force.

[Magnus]

[...] her telepathy was ineffective against Sabertooth in Sabertooth #1.

Are we talking about the scene in Sabretooth (2022) #1 right after he kills the bear, then gets attacked by five X-Men (Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler) and kills them all? Because I'm pretty sure that scene is just a dream-fantasy Sabretooth is having while asleep in the Pit. So the relative power levels of the persons involved aren't necessarily accurate.

[itsmeray]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I was referencing the dream sequence Sabertooth had in the pit. I agree that it may not reflect the others’ true capabilities.

I also remember Jean and Sabertooth facing off “in real life” and she said, “You’re a firecracker, Creed…and I’m an atom bomb!”