Contrary to common belief (*cough* Bill Maher *cough*), the comic book world is a complex, ever-evolving universe that’s incredibly hard to keep up with. While this is true for many characters and teams, it may be truest when talking about the X-Men. That’s because the world of the X-Men is massive. There are hundreds of characters, all with unique origins and abilities. In order to try and make sense of all these characters, writers tentatively created a sorting system for mutants. The system consists of Beta, Alpha, and Omega categories, but, like a lot of things in comics, the system is extremely arbitrary. Writers rarely mention these categories in the comics, leaving fans to produce most of the speculative decisions. Fans love to debate the Alpha category since there isn’t a lot of written evidence to back up who should (and shouldn’t) be considered Alpha.

In various comic forums, there are hundreds of heated arguments between fans over these categories. In order to avoid that happening to this article’s comments section, we want to make something absolutely clear: most of the choices on this list are opinions. Some are fact, and we’ll make sure to point those out, but we're basing a lot of these off of our own observations. Writers don’t release lists of Omega and Alpha characters, so readers have to use observation and analysis to sort them. These are simply mutants who we think fit in the powerful Alpha category. If you know of any other mutants who would fit the bill, feel free to comment. Now that the PSA is over with, let’s get on with the list!

20 SUNFIRE

Shiro Yoshida, aka Sunfire, is one of the few characters on our list who is, officially, an Alpha-level mutant. Although he isn’t much of a regular X-Men member, Sunfire does have a long history as a Marvel character, with his first appearance happening in 1970. Shiro has the ability to absorb solar radiation and release it as plasma blasts, which he can use as fiery projectiles or flight propellant. Compared to other fire-related mutants, Sunfire’s generated plasma is extremely hot, with his highest temperature reaching around 1,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

His DNA given abilities became amplified after Apocalypse made Sunfire him a Famine Horseman. After his transformation, Shiro could generate oxygen, which allowed him to create and maintain flames in space.

19 COLOSSUS

X-Men veteran Colossus is a speculated Alpha-level mutant, which means writers have yet to give him the title of Alpha but he exhibits some traits that make us believe he deserves it. He’s had a lot of opportunities over the years to show off his organic steel form, which gives him superhuman strength and durability.

Part of the Alpha level classification undoubtedly comes from the amount of panel-time a character has to demonstrate their powers. Since Colossus is one of the more famous X-Men characters, he’s had that time. His fights against Juggernaut and She-Hulk show that he’s fully capable of holding his own against some of the strongest Marvel characters. While not an Omega, we definitely think Colossus has reached Alpha classification.

18 GENTLE

Unlike Colossus, strong guy Nezhno Abidemi, aka Gentle, isn’t as popular in the world of X-Men but thanks to the recent X-Men Red series, that’s slowly changing. The Wakandan mutant has the ability to increase the muscle mass of his body, thus dramatically increasing his strength. For years, Gentle rarely used his powers because they caused him physical pain but in X-Men Red, Jean Grey finally healed those psychic wounds. Now, he can freely use his powers pain-free.

While no one has confirmed Gentle’s standing as an Alpha level mutant, we think it makes sense. His ability has no foreseeable limits. With practice, he might be able to become stronger than the Hulk. With extensive training, he might even fall into the Omega category.

17 BISHOP

Like a lot of mutants, Bishop has the ability to absorb the energy around him and release it in the form of concussive blasts. He is canonically an Alpha-level mutant with the experience to back it up. Since his first appearance in 1991, Bishop has shown countless times to be incredibly difficult to defeat in battle.

Since he absorbs energy, most energy-based attacks only fuel Bishop instead of slowing him down. He isn’t quite on the same level of attack-to-energy efficiency as Sebastian Shaw, who has a similar ability. Still, Bishop is definitely well within the sphere of Alpha.

16 MONET ST. CROIX

Monet, aka “M”, is perfect, or, at least as close to perfect as a mutant can get. The young mutant is superhuman in every way -- superspeed and strength, a healing factor, flight, telepathy, and telekinesis are just a few of her powers. Whereas most mutants only have one or two abilities, she has more than most readers can remember. There really isn’t anything she can’t do.

In the comics, M isn’t an Alpha-level mutant, or at least writers haven’t explicitly told readers that she is. X-Men writers haven't given Monet a ton of panel-time in the past few years, which might be why she hasn’t achieved an official title. In the future, we wouldn’t be surprised if she got an Alpha label.

15 EXODUS

Exodus is one of those extremely powerful characters that no one really knows about (or cares to know about). Extremely old and extremely gifted, Exodus could very well be an Omega-level psionic, but since writers have never explicitly stated that, we’re keeping him in the Alpha category.

He boasts an array of different powers, including telepathy, telekinesis, durability, and teleportation. Strange as it sounds, his powers get their energy from the confidence people around him have in his powers. The more people believe in him, the more powerful he becomes. This means that, were he ever around a lot of people who actually liked him (which would be a miracle) he could go beyond his presumed psionic limits.

14 WOLVERINE

Wolverine is, undoubtedly, the most famous mutant in the X-Men universe, which means a lot of casual fans think he’s also the most powerful. We definitely don’t think Wolverine is weak by any measure, but he doesn’t exactly have Omega-level potential. With that being said, he could easily be a member of the Alpha-level category.

Writers haven’t given Wolverine a power-level label yet, probably because it’s uniquely difficult to do so. Wolverine was born with bone claws and a healing factor, but what makes him such an amazing fighter is his adamantium skeleton. Still, even with only his genetic mutant abilities, we think Wolverine has shown himself to be worthy of an Alpha title. After all, he’s taken down more Sentinels than we can count.

13 MISTER SINISTER

Before anyone says anything, yes, we know that Mister Sinister isn’t “technically” a mutant. He was born a human and only became a “mutate” after Apocalypse rewrote some of his DNA. For the purpose of this list, we’re going to be looking at his powers as if they were mutant powers because, on the surface, they are.

Similar to Monet, Sinister has many dozens of mutant abilities, ranging from force fields and immortality to shape-shifting and telepathy. He has the ability to use mutant genetic material to give himself new powers, which means there isn’t much of a limit to what this guy can become. At the moment, we’re categorizing him as an Alpha-level mutant, but in the future, he could become an Omega.

12 POLARIS

As the daughter of Magneto, Polaris’ presence on this list shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Although nowhere near as famous as her father, Polaris is, in many ways, just as powerful and capable in battle. Her ability to manipulate magnetism is surprisingly effective in almost every earthly scenario, making her a vital member of the X-Men.

While she’s not as well known as her father, Polaris has shown readers some serious OP feats, from choking Iceman using the iron in his blood to destroying a missile in mid-air. She is one of the few mutants on the list who writers have said is officially an Alpha-level mutant, which, knowing Lorna, shouldn’t come as a surprise to most fans.

11 HAVOK

Depending on the comic (and who’s writing it) Havok is either overpowered or underpowered. Sometimes, writers make him out to be some kind of otherworldly mutant, with powers beyond the average reader’s imagination and sometimes they just write him like any other energy-absorbing mutant. Because of this, we’d be hesitant to put him in the Alpha category had Marvel writers not already done it in X-Men #94. Apparently, he’s powerful but not quite Omega-level powerful.

Havok absorbs ambient energy and his cells transform it into plasma, which he can release from his body in destructive bursts. As one might assume, his mutant ability is difficult to control but has almost unlimited potential.

10 PSYLOCKE

Psylocke, one of the X-Men’s most powerful psionics, bounces around between being an Omega-level mutant and an Alpha. Both fans and writers have debated where she should stand when it comes to her powers. Surrounded by so many gifted telepaths and telekinetics, it’s difficult to give her an accurate reading, but judging just her own telepathic feats (without comparing them to others) when think she fits in the Alpha category.

She’s overpowered both the Shadow King and Cassandra Nova in the past using her unique “psychic knife” ability, which allows her to center all of her psychic energy into a physical weapon. While others have tried, Psylocke’s mastery over psychic weapons is singular and impressive.

9 FIRESTAR

Unless you watched Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, you probably don’t remember Firestar. Still, that doesn’t mean she isn’t capable of being an Alpha-level mutant. From what she’s shown in her few appearances, Firestar is one of the more powerful fire-related mutants. She can absorb microwaves into her body and release them as intense flames.

The limits of her powers aren’t entirely known since she frequently holds herself back. The only time we’ve seen her at full capacity was in space, where she was surrounded by electromagnetic waves and didn’t have to worry about hurting anyone. During her space adventure, Firestar was able to use her powers to open up a space warp.

8 ROGUE

Writers have yet to give popular X-Men character a power-level category and honestly, we don’t blame them. Rogue can absorb the abilities of people she touches, meaning she has the potential to be just as powerful as the people around her. Were she to absorb the powers of an Omega-level mutant she could (temporarily) be an Omega-level mutant herself.

The reason we’re putting Rogue in the Alpha category instead of the Omega category is because her absorbing abilities sometimes hurt her instead of helping her. On numerous occasions, the powers she's absorbed have overpowered her. She also has difficulty letting go and allowing herself to freely absorb. Still, she’s one of the X-Men’s heaviest hitters and definitely qualifies for the Alpha title.

7 NAMOR

Namor has a unique genetic heritage that includes both Atlantean and mutant DNA. Because of this, Namor boasts powers unique to both Atlantean and mutant physiology. Like other underwater Atlantis dwellers, Namor is stronger, faster, and more durable than the average human being. He can swim at 345 mph, making him one of the fastest swimmers in the Marvel Universe. Using his super strength, Namor’s knocked out Luke Cage, Savage Hulk, and the Thing. On top of all of this, Namor can also fly thanks to his mutant genetics.

Namor doesn't have an official title beyond "Marvel's oldest mutant." We speculate that Namor would fall into the Alpha category, thanks to his impressive array of Atlantean and mutant gifts.

6 PROFESSOR X

A lot of readers just assume that Professor X, founder of the X-Men and telepath extraordinaire, is an Omega-level mutant. While he is, technically, an Omega-level telepath, he isn’t an Omega-level mutant. He is, however, an Alpha-level mutant. Marvel writers have stated that Xavier possesses the most powerful brain in the universe, but at the end of the day, he’s just a telepath. He isn’t on the level of an Omega for the time being.

Still, that doesn't mean he isn't capable of incredible feats that go beyond what most telepaths are capable of. From taking control of Magneto’s magnetism powers via telepathy to defeating Ego, Professor X isn’t an Alpha level mutant anyone should mess with.

5 CYCLOPS

More so than any other character on this list, fans love to argue about Cyclops. As the once leader of the X-Men, Cyclops epitomizes the franchise, which might be why no one can decide on just how powerful the character is. His high position in the X-ranks makes it seem as though he’s uniquely capable in battle... but is he really?

There’s no doubt that Cyclops isn’t an Omega-level mutant at the moment. However, in the comics, Apocalypse does call him an Alpha-level mutant. Cyclops’ optic beams often times seem simple and weak, but in reality he possesses a lot of power behind those ruby glasses. Like other characters on our list, he holds himself back. When he really lets go, the results are apocalyptic.

4 MAGIK

Illyana Rasputina, aka Magik, first arrived on the comic scene in 1975, where she debuted as Colossus’ naive younger sister. Illyana drastically changed after becoming trapped in the hellish Limbo dimension for much of her childhood. By the time she finally escaped, Illyana had become the powerful ruler of Limbo, armed with her mutant ability to create teleporting “stepping discs” as well as her extensive knowledge of magic.

Without her connection to Limbo, Magik probably wouldn’t be in the running for an Alpha title. However, her magical prowess easily makes her one of the most dangerous X-Men members. While no writer has stated it, we think Magik could fall into the Alpha category.

3 SEBASTIAN SHAW

Similar to Bishop, Hellfire Club leader Sebastian Shaw has the ability to convert absorbed energy into physical strength. In simpler terms, the more he gets hit, the stronger he is. Writers have stated in the past that Sebastian Shaw is an Alpha-level mutant, which, looking at his track record, makes perfect sense. As one might expect, the guy is an absolute powerhouse.

His enemies have to get pretty creative when fighting him, since he can absorb most attacks. While he most often absorbs kinetic energy (punches in particular), Shaw can also absorb electrical energy. While Shaw does have limits (check out the X-Men Blue arc “Cry Havok” if you want to see them) they’re incredibly high.

2 MAGNETO

Is Magneto an Omega-level mutant? This is a constant question for X-Men fans, some of whom ardently believe the answer is an obvious “yes” and others who believe it’s an obvious “no.” Like Cyclops, Magneto is a pivotal character in the X-Men world, making the question a pretty important one.

In the past, writers have called him an Alpha-level mutant, which is what we’re still calling him, but he has shown some Omega-level potential. His ability to manipulate magnetic fields makes him a powerful foe on Earth, where everything from the soil to human blood contains traces of metal. As the original X-Men (misunderstood) villain, Magneto deserves the title of Alpha.

1 STORM

Storm flips-flops back and forth between Alpha and Omega titles. She can easily belong on both lists, since, depending on the day, she can embody both categories. As her name hints, Storm can manipulate the weather, which might not sound like much until you take into account what exactly that entails. In the past, Storm’s created destructive hurricanes, tornadoes, and snowstorms.

In battle, she frequently uses her ability to create lighting to strike down her opponents. Members of her village once called her a goddess and, in all honesty, Storm isn’t too far off from a goddess. Storm is particularly powerful when she’s feeling intense emotions, which can fuel her abilities. If you get her mad enough, there’s no telling what she can do.