In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, some characters are known simply for their brute strength, such as Korg the rocky gladiator, while other heroes and villains rely on their wits and advanced intellect to get ahead. Some heroes are known entirely for their smarts, such as the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury and the inventive Shuri. The Guardians of the Galaxy can sometimes be counted among the MCU's smartest heroes.
Often, the Guardians are humorously presented as lovable misfits who blunder in and out of every situation, complete with eye-rolling one-liners and a "shoot now, think later" attitude. Still, the Guardians of the Galaxy can be surprisingly crafty and resourceful, and many times, they only survived their outer space adventures because someone thought up a daring, brilliant plan and followed through with it.
10 Groot
The tree-like alien Groot has rarely, if ever, shown any serious cunning or sophistication. Instead, Groot is loved as a simple, straightforward brute who is wonderfully loyal to his friends and highly expressive despite only ever saying, "I am Groot."
Groot hardly ever thinks ahead, and no one expects him to come up with a clever battle plan or solve any puzzles, either. In fact, Groot is the one who foolishly charges right in before anyone's ready, such as when he made his move in that space prison while Rocket was still outlining his plan and its delicate timing.
9 Drax The Destroyer
Drax the Destroyer often lives up to his title as an aggressive, powerful melee fighter who only needs his raw strength and twin knives to fight. However, Drax struggles to even follow other people's plans, let alone come up with his own plans aside from deciding where to stab his foes.
Drax also tends to take things too literally. He keeps thinking up nonsense ideas and misconceptions that everyone finds ridiculous, such as his theory about what Mantis' antennae are for. Once in a while, though, Drax may show a little earthly wisdom about finding true love or how to assess other people.
8 Kraglin Obfonteri
Kraglin Obfonteri was one of Yondu's crewmates as a loyal Ravager. He privately objected when the thuggish Taserface led a mutiny and killed everyone who was still loyal to Yondu. Kraglin isn't a tactical genius, but he did bravely help Yondu and Rocket escape, and then he became the Yaka Arrow's new user.
Kraglin is a Guardian with perfectly average intelligence, though he does have some skills, such as thievery and piloting spaceships, which is not easy to do. He also learned to understand Groot's bizarre speech and understand what his tree-like ally is actually saying.
7 Mantis
Mantis is a kind, considerate humanoid alien who appeared in Phase 3 in Vol. 2. She was introduced as Ego's personal assistant, who used her empath abilities to soothe Ego to sleep on request. Mantis can also use her abilities to interpret other emotions and determine the reasons behind them.
Mantis is skilled with emotions and can understand Groot, though she also doesn't have that much faith in herself and is easily fooled. She often takes things at face value and might make a fool of herself, saying or doing silly things without realizing it.
6 Thor Odinson
The heroic Thor Odinson temporarily joined the Guardians of the Galaxy in Phases 3 and 4, and he was stronger than the rest of them put together. Mentally, he can keep pace with the other Guardians, though he's not a tactical specialist like Captain America or Nick Fury.
Still, Thor can think up basic but effective plans and carry them out, and he can put his allies' skills to good use. Thor led a rescue mission in Thor: Love and Thunder, for example, and he also led the counterattack against Malekith in Thor: The Dark World.
5 Gamora
Gamora is a deadly assassin whom Thanos raised as his foster daughter and possible heir. In the Guardians movies, Gamora is usually shown following other people's plans rather and uses pretty basic strategies, but she also has street smarts and is highly sensible.
Gamora is also adept at tracking people; all on her own, she found Rocket, Groot, and Star-Lord on Xandar to find that orb. Gamora can also pilot a wide variety of vehicles and spaceships. She is practical and can cleverly think on her feet in any battle, even if the odds are stacked against her.
4 Nebula
In many ways, the blue alien Nebula is Gamora's equal, including their role in Thanos' interstellar army and their practical, clever cunning during any battle or mission. Like Gamora, Nebula is skilled at using swords, laser rifles, and piloting vehicles, though her anger might cloud her judgment at times.
In 2019's The Avengers: Endgame, the non-heroic Nebula thought up an insidious plan that nearly led to the Avengers' defeat. She captured and imitated the Avengers Nebula to get vital intel, then used Pym Particles to let Thanos' army travel to Earth at the right time to try and get the Infinity Stones back.
3 Star-Lord
Peter Quill, who later started calling himself Star-Lord, is deceptively intelligent and resourceful despite his goofy humor and oafish personality. Other characters like Gamora and Ronan think Star-Lord is a foolish buffoon, but Star-Lord outwitted all of them thanks to his Ravager training.
Star-Lord was the one who created the daring plan to fight Ronan at Xandar, and his plan worked in the end. Star-Lord also assumed an unofficial position of leadership among the Guardians, and he's done well in that regard, too. On a practical level, Star-Lord is quick-witted, creative, and good at flying ships.
2 Yondu Udonta
Yondu Udonta briefly joined the Guardians of the Galaxy in Phase 3 after Taserface killed off his crew. Until then, Yondu had been a highly respected, skilled, and intelligent Ravager commander, but no one was more important to him than his foster son, Peter Quill.
Yondu was a smart and capable leader who could fight his own battles, but fans remember him not for his tactical genius but for his touching moment with Star-Lord in the end. Yondu willingly gave his life to ensure Star-Lord's safe escape from Ego's crumbling body, and the Guardians made sure to honor him with a Ravager funeral in return.
1 Rocket Raccoon
Even if he has a terrible attitude and is quick to pick fights, the alien Rocket Raccoon is a highly capable squad leader and is the Guardians' tactician, making him an essential crewmate. Rocket also competes with Star-Lord to be the overall leader and the main pilot.
Rocket was experimented on and designed to be smart and powerful, and it paid off, though Rocket isn't too happy about it. His advanced skills are a burden, making him bitter and selfish, but over time he established himself as a brilliant and reliable Guardian who can think his way out of any problem without fail.