The X-Men boasts one of the strongest rosters of female characters in Marvel Comics. The influential reputation of women like Storm, Jean Grey, and Shadowcat extends far beyond the comics page. It's unsurprising that the mutant team often face some of the most powerful and terrifying female villains in the Marvel Universe.

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Women from across the galaxy who can stand toe-to-toe with the strongest of superheroes, outsmart their villainous male colleagues, and lead gangs of crooks with chilling ease. Considering everything from strength to super ability to influence, let's take a look at the 10 most powerful female villains ever to face the X-Men.

10 Deathbird

Deathbird smiling wickedly sitting on the Shiar throne

Heir to the Shi'ar Empire, Deathbird is a mighty intergalactic foe. She was exiled from the empire after brutally murdering her mother, and later joined her husband Vulcan in killing her brother to seize control of the Shi'ar, proving her lack of loyalty and hunger for power.

Born with traditional Shi'ar features, Deathbird has bird-like features, including huge, strong wings which propel her through the air at incredible speeds. She also has deadly talons which propel her through the air at incredible speeds. She also has deadly talons which can easily tear through bone and metal. An expert fighter, she's only empowered by her uncontrollable fits of rage. Had the X-Men not defeated Vulcan, forcing Deathbird to flee from the empire once more, she may well have ranked higher on this list.

9 Mystique

One of the most recognizable X-villains, Mystique has been a regular thorn in Marvel heroes' side since she first fought Ms Marvel in 1978. Originally a regular villain for Carol, Mystique was the mastermind behind Rogue absorbing Ms Marvel's powers.

But Mystique isn't just gifted with a cunning mind. Capable of changing her appearance at will to exactly replicate another person, she is a master of disguise and manipulation. She can also use her metamorphosis ability to camouflage herself, allowing her to infiltrate almost anywhere. Combined with her expert combat skills, she's a formidable threat. Most significantly, she's one of the least trustworthy characters in the entire Marvel Universe, gladly turning on those she works alongside if it fits her motive.

8 Lady Mastermind

The daughter of notorious X-Men adversary, Mastermind, Regan Wyngarde adopted her supervillain name in tribute to her father. Her powers are very similar to her father's, but considerably stronger. Capable of inserting incredibly realistic illusions into her victim's head, she can brainwash or manipulate people. Her illusions are so powerful, they occasionally continue long after Regan has stopped. There's even a history of people dying as a result of her mind-meddling.

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Always pushing herself to be stronger, she is able to use her powers to adapt her appearance or make her and others invisible. She did briefly join the X-Men, but her cruel nature quickly came to light and it didn't take long for her to betray the team.

7 Spiral

Spiral has a reputation for being one of the most bloodthirsty members ever to join the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. A gifted sorcerer, she uses her six arms to "dance" and activate her mystic abilities. Often incorporating weapons into her spells, she is capable of many feats, from teleportation to conjuring objects, to opening interdimensional gateways. She has conquered an entire alternate universe, single-handedly overpowered the X-Men a handful of times, and has also successfully defeated some of the most powerful Avengers.

Alongside being a powerful sorcerer, Spiral is a cybernetic genius with considerable knowledge about genetic manipulation, supplying the villainous underworld with enhanced alien parts.

6 Lady Deathstrike

Assassin Yuriko Oyama is a long-time enemy of Wolverine. Set on destroying Logan, she has built upon her expert knowledge in martial arts and Samurai sword fighting by undergoing cybernetic enhancements, making her an even more fearsome fighter. Her body laced with adamantium (which would eventually be magically bound to her bones, thanks to Spiral's abilities), she is literally unbreakable.

Armed with her extendable razor-sharp nails, she can cut through anything. Her control over her claws is remarkable, able to grow them so they can reach across huge distances to impale her enemies. Combined with her incredible speed and agility, she is a worthy foe for Wolverine.

5 Emma Frost

Willing to fight for what she believes to be the best for mutantkind, Emma Frost has bounced between good and evil for decades. While she has held high-status ranks amongst the X-Men, she has also been deeply entangled in establishing and ruling villainous groups. She founded the Hellions and became the Hellfire Club's White Queen, expanding her authority across both sides.

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An Omega-level telepath, her abilities are on par with Professor X's. She's also capable of turning her skin into diamonds, creating an impenetrable shield around her body. With her brilliant mind, incredible abilities, and wide-reaching influence, Emma Frost is the X-Men's most remarkable frenemies.

4 Madelyne Prior

A clone of Jean Grey created by Mister Sinister, Madelyne has had a complicated relationship with the X-Men — particularly Cyclops. It's hardly surprising that Madelyne turned to the dark side.

Already gifted with Jean's telepathic and telekinetic abilities and a connection to the Phoenix Force, Madelyne was offered even greater power by the demon S'ym. She became the Goblin Queen and worked to pit the X-Men and X-Factor against each other. A skilled sorcerer, she has dabbled in powerful magic, even going so far as to resurrect the dead. She has returned from the afterlife herself a few times, making her a recurring threat. Dedicated to villainy, she eventually established the Sisterhood of Mutants, taking the title of Red Queen.

3 Cassandra Nova

Cassandra Nova in Marvel Comics.

Cassandra is a Mummundrai — a spirit which is completely equal in power but opposite in personality to a person. The person in question is Charles Xavier: one of the most powerful mutants on earth. Able to create her own physical form, Cassandra has dedicated her incredible telepathic abilities to evil.

Related: 10 Reasons Cassandra Nova Is The Most Powerful Threat In X-Men History

As well as being a mind-controlling telepath, she is able to phase through solid object and even transfer her mind and powers into host bodies, taking over Xavier's body for a while. She has used her powers to seize power in the Shi'ar Empire, and once nearly wiped out earth. While Cassandra may not be skilled in hand-to-hand combat, her psionic powers and influence makes her one of the most daunting villains to ever face the X-Men.

2 Selene

One of the oldest mutants in the entire Marvel Universe, centuries of years old, Selene's power has only grown over the years. A psychic vampire who drains the life-force from her victims, giving her immeasurable strength, speed, and endurance. Gifted with telekinesis, pyrokinesis, telepathy, and sorcery, she's an immortal powerhouse with a fearsome reputation. She briefly served as the Hellfire Club's Black Queen after single-handedly defeating Rachel Summers and Magma, but was removed due to Sebastian Shaw being too afraid of her.

She has led an undead army against Utopia and succeeded. Selene even ascended to godhood after collecting one million mutant souls, boosting her powers to their maximum level.

1 Dark Phoenix

Jean Grey is one of the X-Men's longest-serving team members. One of the Marvel Universe's most powerful Omega-level mutants, she has incredible telepathic and telekinetic abilities. But when she combined with the Phoenix Force, it unlocked all power hidden within her, making her a near-unstoppable force.

Dark Phoenix is a cosmic-level threat who uses her powers in ruthlessly destructive ways. Capable of intergalactic flight, she wreaked havoc on space, devouring an entire star and killing billions. While she was only villain for a short while, the impact still resonates today. Jean Grey may be one of the greatest X-Men's greatest allies, but she's without a doubt their most terrifying female foe.

Next: X-Men: 10 Times Mutants Lost Control of Their Powers