As a superhero game Guardians of the Galaxy has a selection of super powered abilities for each character to earn in the game. Each Guardian has four abilities each, but this article is to focus on their Mega Abilities. There is no way to upgrade specific abilities in Guardians of the Galaxy but as the characters level up they will be awarded better abilities until they reach their fourth and final Mega Ability.
The beauty of Guardians of the Galaxy is that despite being a single-player action-adventure game the places huge importance on teamwork. The team naturally works at its best when the player selects the right ability at the right time during combat. The team is the perfect balance of speed, power, and gadgetry.
Updated on March 13, 2022, by Michael Llewellyn: Guardians of the Galaxy the video game was a huge success with fans. While it didn't have massive sales at launch those figures picked up significantly over time. This was thanks to positive fan feedback as well as acknowledgment from the Game of the Year awards for its narrative, score, and its gameplay. Guardians of the Galaxy has once again hit the spotlight as one of the best games to be featured as part of Xbox Gamepass. To help new players this list has been updated to include the best early game abilities to unlock before unlocking the Mega Abilities that are also listed below.
Work On Unlocking The Standard Abilities First
Thankfully, earning Ability Points (AP) in Guardians of the Galaxy isn't hard because the experience points in combat are shared between the team. The team will gain more experience points for performing stylish attacks, team attacks, and maintaining combos without getting hit. The team will earn 1AP for every 1000 EXP earned.
Even though the focus of this guide is the Mega Abilities, it is vital that the player unlock each character's standard abilities and work out when it is best to use them and for what situation. Use the guide to unlock the early abilities in Guardians of the Galaxy. All attack abilities work in unison, so the player needs to get used to creating setups and openings to take down the harder enemies as a team.
The Mega Abilities won't unlock until the end of the game after certain story events. Groot's Mega Ability, for example, won't unlock until Chapter 14 But as they are story-based they don't require Ability Points to unlock them.
The Best Early Game Abilities
Star-Lord's Eye of the Hurricane
One of Star-Lord's best early-game abilities is the "Eye of the Hurricane". Players should focus on trying to unlock this one first because of its ability to stagger enemies. Using the stagger against bosses is one of the game's most effective strategies.
Moreover, it has effective physical damage against multiple enemies on the battlefield. It is at its most effective when combined with Drax's "Destroy" ability against strong foes on the battlefield.
- Ability Point Cost: 3
- Target: 2
- Stagger: 2
- Damage: 2
- Cooldown: 1
Rocket's Gravistock Grenade
Guardian's of the Galaxy's Rocket has an excellent early ability called the "Gravistock Grenade". What it lacks in its physical damage and stagger capabilities it makes up in crowd control. It's one of the most strategic attacks in the game because it can pull crowds of enemies together into one area.
This means that it's great for setting up bigger attacks that can damage multiple enemies at once. As a result, Star-Lord's aforementioned Eye of the Hurricane ability is the perfect attack to use straight after Rocket's Gravistock Grenade.
- Ability Point Cost: 2
- Target: 2
- Stagger: 0
- Damage: 2
- Cooldown: 1
Gamora's Shadow Strike
Guardians of the Galaxy's Gamora is arguably the best fighter on the team thanks to her speed and aggressiveness on the battlefield. The "Shadow Strike" ability is an excellent way to attack multiple enemies at once and in quick succession.
At the early stages of the game, it can dish out significant damage to enemies. However, it does have some initial drawbacks; the cooldown is very high, and it doesn't hit foes with any stagger damage. This means that players will need to use it sparingly and at the right time to be effective.
- Ability Point Cost: 2
- Target: 2
- Stagger: 0
- Damage: 2
- Cooldown: 3
Drax's Destroy
One best attack abilities in the game are Drax's first, and it's aptly named "Destroy". Its biggest drawback is that it only hits one enemy at a time. It takes advantage of Drax's berserker fighting style and should be a go-to attack when needed to inflict significant stagger damage against a single enemy.
The Destroy ability's cooldown is rated at 2, so players won't need to wait too long before being able to hit an enemy with it again. As with most Guardian's abilities in the game, using it strategically will get the most out of the attack.
- Ability Point Cost: 1
- Target: 1
- Stagger: 3
- Damage: 2
- Cooldown: 2
Every Guardian's Mega Ability
Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord's Shield Of Spartax
Star-Lord's Mega Ability is the Shield of Spartax. As the name suggests, it creates a shield around Star-Lord making him invulnerable for a limited amount of time. It's a good ability to help him get out of trouble or cause major damage with taking any himself.
However, it is better when it's activated to use in conjunction with the other Guardians. He can draw a boss's fire while a character like Rocket or Drax focuses their most powerful attacks on the targets. Star-Lord is a good all-rounder with strong defense and attacks that are balanced with a moderate amount of speed.
Rocket's Five Barrel Barrage
Rocket's Mega Ability is the Five Barrel Barrage, and it attacks multiple targets landing massive damage on the team's enemies. Rocket will fire at the enemy with bullets, rockets, and more.
It's a devastating ability that can hit four enemies at once but keep in mind that it has a long cooldown phase. It works well with Drax's Stun abilities like Destroy or the Wrath of Katath. Additionally, Groot's Entangle ability works well with Rocket's Five Barrel Barrage as it holds down multiple enemies at once making it a perfect setup for Rocket to knock them down.
Gamora's Executioner
Gamora is fast and powerful slashing at her enemies with speed and accuracy. Her Mega Ability is The Executioner, and it targets one enemy at a time. It makes Gamora effective to use against bosses and will significantly lower their health. It does, however, have a long cooldown period, so it's a good idea to make it count.
It can be effectively combined with powerful characters like Groot and Drax. Drax's ability to quickly Stagger the team's enemies with Destroy and Groot's Mammoth Grab will hold the enemies in place setting them up for Gamora's finishing strikes.
Drax The Destroyer's Wrath Of Katath
Drax the Destroyer is a powerhouse and a berserker-style character that is capable of damaging multiple enemies at once with his Stagger inflicting abilities. His Mega Ability is the devastating Wrath of Katath.
With the ability activated, Drax will attack multiple enemies within its area of attack. It works well with Gamora's Stagger Wave and then Rocket's Gravistack Grenade. All combined to devastate multiple enemies at once in quick succession.
Groot's Gift Of The Flora
Groot is the second powerhouse In the team but with the added benefit of having a strong defense making him something of a tank for the team. His Mega Ability is the Gift of the Flora, and it can revive fallen allies in battle including Star-Lord.
In addition to reviving a fallen comrade in arms, the Gift of the Flora will also replenish their ability cooldown too. This means that they can instantly come back with a devastating ability of their own. The ability is arguably the most powerful in the game which is why it unlocks so late in the game's story.
Character | Ability | When It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
Star-Lord | Shield of Spartax | Unlocks Early Chapter 10 |
Rocket | Five Barrel Barrage | Unlocks After clearing Chapter 10 |
Gamora | Executioner | Unlocks During Chapter 12 |
Drax | Wrath of Katath | Unlocks at the beginning of Chapter 12 |
Groot | Gift of the Flora | Early Chapter 12 |
New Game Plus
Most of the Guardian's best abilities will unlock near the end of the game. However, they are perfect for completionists that want to go back and replay Guardian's of the Galaxy in its New Game Plus mode. The New Game Plus mode will allow the characters to restart any chapter with all of their abilities and collectibles unlocked.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
