Despite being the most powerful villain in the MCU's Infinity War Saga, Thanos doesn't work alone. He delegates some tasks to people like Loki or Ronan, but he also has his own lieutenants, the Black Order, who directly serve him with worshipful devotion. Adopted by Thanos from the races he massacred, the Children of Thanos join him on his quest to gather the Infinity Stones.
Compared to their equivalents in the comics, the MCU version of the Black Order is much weaker as they are, for the most part, obstacles for the heroes to defeat. Even so, they a threat to the Avengers and their allies. They would have probably fared better with a little more development, particularly in Avengers: Endgame.
6 Proxima Midnight Nearly Kills Okoye And Black Widow
The sadistic Proxima Midnight makes her first appearance in Avengers: Infinity War, alongside the other Children of Thanos, who participate in the attack on the Asgardian Statesman. In the aftermath, she and Corvus Glaive hunt down Vision and Wanda Maximoff. Her agility and durability allow her to unleash vicious attacks on Wanda, who only manages to protect herself at the last moment.
The two clash again during the Battle of Wakanda, when Okoye and Black Widow come to Wanda's assistance. Proxima gains the upper hand over the duo but is flown into the path of a Thresher and is killed by Wanda. An alternate version of Proxima participates in the Battle for Earth alongside the other children of Thanos. But her superhuman abilities can't save her, and she dies alongside her fellows when Tony uses the Infinity Gauntlet.
5 Corvus Glaive's Sneak Attack Takes Out The Vision
Proxima's adoptive sibling and husband, Corvus Glaive earns his name through his incredible mastery of his chosen weapon. During Avengers: Infinity War, he ambushes Wanda and Vision in Scotland, stabbing the android from behind and keeping him from phasing. The other Avengers intervene in the ensuing confrontation and Glaive is grievously wounded by Black Widow. The injury doesn't keep him down, and during the Battle of Wakanda, Glaive sneaks behind enemy lines into the Wakandan laboratories.
He takes out Ayo and Shuri, then attacks the wounded Vision once again. When Captain America steps in, Glaive even manages to overpower the super-soldier. In the end, Vision kills Glaive with his own blade. Glaive's contribution in the Battle of Earth is nowhere near as notable, as he is impaled in battle by Okoye and ultimately killed by Tony Stark.
4 Cull Obsidian's Strength Is Diminished Compared To His Comic Counterpart
In the comics, Cull Obsidian — known as Black Dwarf — displays unbelievable durability and strength that make him a nearly undefeatable opponent. His skills translate somewhat into the MCU version, but they are much diminished. His battle with Iron Man highlights his physical strength, but he rarely uses his advantages intelligently, making him much less of a threat to the heroes. His confrontation with Bruce Banner in Wakanda has a similar result, as Banner's Hulkbuster wouldn't have normally been able to keep up with the Black Dwarf's strength.
Cull Obsidian is killed when Banner flies him into Wakanda's energy barrier. His 2014 alternate self is crushed by Giant Man's foot. The What If…? version of the character — who does go by the name of Black Dwarf — proves to be strong enough to topple Thanos himself. He and Proxima Midnight come close to killing Ravager Thanos and may have succeeded if Nebula hadn't arrived and activated the Embers of Genesis.
3 Supergiant's Absence In The Black Order Was Fortunate For The Heroes
A part of the Black Order's roster in the comics, Supergiant is conspicuously absent in the MCU. That may have very well been because she is simply too strong for the heroes to realistically combat. An incredibly powerful omnipath, Supergiant is a mental parasite who can control multiple hosts and devour the intellect of her victims.
She is also virtually immune to damage and can phase through anything. Together with Corvus Glaive, she lays waste to the X-Men. Mentally unstable and highly dangerous, she would have certainly been an excellent addition to the Black Order and a terrifying opponent for the Avengers.
2 Ebony Maw Effortlessly Captures Doctor Strange In New York
Easily the strongest member of the Black Order, Ebony Maw shines during his confrontation with Iron Man and Doctor Strange in New York. His powerful telekinesis effortlessly keeps both Iron Man and Spider-Man away. Though a brief team-up between Wong and Doctor Strange manages to redirect Maw's own attack at him, he easily shakes off the blow. He incapacitates the Sorcerer Supreme, then takes him to his vessel, where he proceeds to torture him in the hope of acquiring the Time Stone.
Iron Man and Spider-Man intervene, managing to avoid Maw's powers by blasting him into space. Many viewers still feel Maw was too easily dispatched, considering his extraordinary power. To make matters worse, he doesn't get the chance to do much in Avengers: Endgame. He manages to incapacitate Black Panther and nearly steals the Infinity Gauntlet, but in a brilliant stroke of karma, he is thwarted by Spider-Man. In the end, he is killed when Tony makes the ultimate sacrifice and uses the Gauntlet.
1 HONORABLE MENTION: Gamora And Nebula Are Thanos's Terrifying Daughters
The Black Order doesn't officially include Gamora and Nebula. However, considering the changes made to the team in the MCU, they might have been members at one time. Like the others, they are the adopted children of Thanos. Raised as highly-skilled cybernetically-enhanced assassins, Gamora and Nebula can be terrifying opponents. Gamora has been called the deadliest woman in the galaxy, and Nebula is the one who manages to foil the Avengers' plan and pave the way for the arrival of 2014 Thanos in 2023.
The main versions of the characters don't fight against the Avengers, as by the time Infinity War rolls around, they have already left their adoptive father's side. It is probably a good thing, as with their aid, the Order would have likely retrieved the Infinity Stones much sooner.