Known for his classic red visor and commanding leadership, Scott Summers has been an integral part of the Marvel Universe since his introduction. Scott was Professor Xavier's protégé and the undisputed leader of Charles' super-team, The X-Men. Scott's optic beams could only be controlled via a ruby-quartz crystal visor and its design led to the creation of Scott's codename: Cyclops.
Readers everywhere know all about Cyclops' visor and his signature red optic blasts; however, Scott is so much more than that one power. On many occasions, Cyclops proves his worth as an asset, not because of what he can do with his optic beams, but because of what he can do without them.
10 Cyclops' Powers Cancels Out Havok's
Cyclops has a type of protective barrier around his body which ensures his optic beams don't harm him when in use. This innate barrier only covers Scott's body, and it isn't something he can project onto others. However, it provides some security, knowing he'll never have to worry about harming himself with his beams during training or live combat. Otherwise, it's not usually very useful.
Scott's barrier does have an interesting effect, though. It makes Scott immune to his brother Havok's energy blasts. Because this field is only attuned to Alex Summers, Scott doesn't get to use this specific power all that often, but it makes for a handy defense system nonetheless.
9 He Knows How To Use His Surroundings
When fans think about weapons bouncing off walls and trash bins to stop the enemy, it's usually Captain America's shield that first comes to mind. However, Cyclops has used a similar tactic to ensure victory. In his early days, it was clear Scott had an innate grasp of geometry and could see shapes and angles in his mind.
Cyclops used that ability to bounce his optic beams off surfaces, defeating enemies or finishing off Danger Room hazards. Cyclops' ability to play optic pinball isn't used as much nowadays. Instead, Scott uses his intelligence as an ingenious, sometimes ruthless, tactician.
8 Even Iron Fist Would Be Impressed By Scott's Fighting Skills
Blame it on his rising popularity or added responsibilities, but it's a shame readers don't see more of Cyclops wailing on bad guys with his fists. Cyclops finds himself in plenty of brawls, but he often relies on brains more than brawn.
In older comics, however, Scott was something of a martial arts master, able to take on up to 6 enemies at a time, even when his eyes were closed. That's seriously impressive, and it led many a fan to wish they could see more of that kind of action.
7 Beast Isn't The Only Acrobatic X-Man
One of the most rigorous training environments any group of superheroes has ever worked in was in Professor Xavier's Danger Room. A place with holographic capabilities and enough weaponry to make Deadpool look twice, the Danger Room served dutifully as the go-to "hang out spot" for the X-Men.
In that chamber, Cyclops shows off his ability to cartwheel and do aerial acrobatics in the middle of sparring. Unfortunately, those moves aren't seen often during regular combat. Imagine Cyclops doing a triple flip over Juggernaut, sticking the landing, then blasting off Juggernaut's helmet from behind. Scott's clearly not living up to his true potential.
6 When The Phoenix Force Gets Bored With Jean, It Picks Scott
In The Avengers vs. The X-Men crossover event, Scott Summers achieved a level of power few in the universe had ever experienced. When the Phoenix Force took over his mind and body, Cyclops gained immeasurably stronger optic blasts, telepathy, and the ability to fly at incredible speeds.
These powers didn't last very long; they left Scott as soon as Hope and Scarlet Witch saved Cyclops from the Phoenix Force's influence. While it was interesting to see Cyclops as the strongest mutant in history, readers were happy to see him return to his regular powerset.
5 He's Very Good At Keeping His Thoughts Away From His Girlfriends
Anyone who dates both Jean Grey and Emma Frost, two of the most powerful telepaths in the history of the world, should have a certain amount of mental mettle. Most of the X-Men were trained to employ some level of protection against telepathic attacks, but Professor X made certain the leader of his team was adept at blocking mental probes from villains, other heroes, or even nosy girlfriends.
It's not a power readers see Cyclops utilize all the time because it's an ability that almost every X-Man has. However, it is interesting to see how Scott uses his telepathic shielding in his personal relationships.
4 Han Solo Has Nothing On Cyclops' Piloting Skills
It's one thing to get to ride in the coolest supersonic jet ever built, it's another thing entirely to be trusted enough to pilot it. On countless occasions, Cyclops has piloted the Blackbird (X-Jet) to and from the X-Men's missions. Scott probably learned to fly from his father, a Major in the USAF, and his skills surpass most combat pilots'.
The X-Jet was even outfitted with upgrades that enhanced Cyclops' abilities. Readers didn't get to see his ace piloting skills in action all that often, but when Cyclops and the Blackbird got together, it was always a thing of beauty.
3 He Kills His Enemies With Kindness
In X-Men #65, written by Dennis O'Neil with art by Neal Adams, a race of alien warlords called the Z'Nox are headed for earth. Charles Xavier, well aware of the impending attack, created a device that would collect all of Earth's compassion and goodwill.
The device passed those emotions to Jean Grey, who passed them on to Scott Summers who promptly blasted them out of his eyes. Yes, Cyclops defeated an entire alien race by shooting joy at them through his eyes. It was a one-time thing, but readers can all agree it was the happiest they'd ever seen Scott.
2 Cyclops: Resident Lightning Rod
While helping Arkon the Magnificent in X-Men Annual #3, written by Chris Claremont with art by Frank Miller, Storm and Cyclops teamed up to unleash an ability readers haven't seen since. In order to power the energy ring around Arkon's homeworld, Storm fired a lightning bolt that Scott absorbed, metabolized, and used as an optic blast.
The process was incredibly painful, which is why Cyclops and Storm never performed this specific combo ever again. Nevertheless, Scott's ability to absorb and redirect lightning gives readers an interesting look into how his mutation works.
1 Cyclops Channeled His Inner Iron-Man As Eric The Red
Cyclops once donned a super-suit to infiltrate a group of evildoers in X-Men #51, written by Arnold Drake with art by Jim Steranko. He called himself Eric the Red, and the suit was built so it rerouted his optic beams from his eyes to his hands, where he could fire them at will.
The costume, the premise and the hand beams all felt really contrived, but it was still a fun arc for an established character. Perhaps Marvel will pull the character and his suit out of the vault and have Cyclops return as Eric the Red after he's introduced to the MCU.