Is Wakanda more advanced or is Asgard’s tech better than Wakanda’s? That is a debate that seems to be raging on ever since Black Panther released a few days ago and changed the way we perceived technology within the MCU forever. To put out a fire that doesn’t too stop blazing through, we at QuirkyByte are finally going to answer one of the hottest topics regarding the MCU: Which Kingdom is more technologically advanced: Wakanda or Asgard??? And who will win in a fight if it comes to that?
When Iron Man released in 2008, we thought humanity has achieved the zenith of technological marvels. Then Thor released a few years later. The movie showed us that Tony’s suit of armor and his A.I tech and his wondrous weapons were just the tip of the iceberg. Asgardian tech was so vigorously advanced that it was almost indistinguishable from magic. The Bi-Frost, the Soul Forge, the Rainbow Bridge looked so awesome and amazing because the technology was way beyond anyone’s comprehension and was by all means, Godlike.
Black Panther shattered the myth of Asgardian monopoly on ultra-modern technology on February 16. The tiny yet hyper-advanced African Nation possesses weapons, medical and engineering marvels that could even give the ‘Gods’ a run for their money. Wakanda’s grasp of the technological aspect of the MCU was so severe that fans started questioning that maybe Wakanda is even more advanced than Asgard, the home of the Gods, itself.
In Thor movies, we see Asgard also display tech like the Rainbow Bridge, which in scientific terms is an Einstein-Rosen bridge or what we normies like to call it – a wormhole. The Rainbow Bridge was actually an interstellar gateway that drew power from Asgard itself. The Bi-Frost could use the power to observe the nine realms, and if need be, destroy them altogether. But the thing about Asgard is that they do not just depend on technology. Asgardians have a fairly reputable knowledge of magic and sorcery.
This art has been incorporated into their equipment too. Heimdall’s all-seeing eyes and Thor’s Mjolnir that could only be lifted by the Worthy are examples where magic does indeed come into the picture. Something like that cannot be replicated with technology alone.
Wakanda, on the other hand, does not rely on magic. Not even a little bit!! All they have at their disposal is incredible amounts of vibranium and an army of super-intelligent scientists that churn out one awesome invention after another. Wakanda is built on technology while Asgard is the best of both worlds – magic and science.
In Black Panther, Shuri shows off her latest invention – a powerful vibranium-mesh weaved armor that is incredibly durable and can absorb kinetic energy as well as discharges it at will. The City of Wakanda is defended by an army of automatic drones. Everett Ross is seen chasing Killmonger’s ship as he tries to unleash havoc on the rest of the world. The Kimoya beads, one of Wakanda’s most important inventions can be used as life support systems as well as communicators that work of the Nation’s Vibranium supply. They were not only used those beads to control Wakanda’s vibranium mines but also to save Ross when he was shot right in the spine. Wakanda and Asgard are different as well as similar. The similarity begins when we talk about both the Kingdom’s sincerity in keeping their traditions alive. Asgard and Wakanda are stupendously advanced; they have weapons that could annihilate an entire planet. Yet their soldiers still use primitive weapons like swords, spears, and shields in combat. In here too Wakanda is a mile ahead of Asgard since no Norse made weapon could ever withstand a vibranium spear or knife. Both Wakanda and Asgard try to keep their ancient traditions alive even though they have technology advanced enough by the factor of centuries when compared with the rest of planet Earth’s.
The only thing that Wakanda lacks is interstellar travel which in the comics, they have already achieved. In the MCU too, they have all the resources to do so and leave their Asgardian counterparts behind.
In Black Panther, we saw splendid skyscrapers dotting the Wakanda’s skyline and the entire city is powered by world’s strongest metal Vibranium which is found in abundance. But the beauty of it all is that world believes Wakanda is a poor, tiny African third- world country full of shepherds, textiles and cool outfits in the words of CIA operative Everett Ross.
But the fact is that Wakanda has spectacular pieces of tech and world does not know about it as the Kingdom has isolated itself from the rest of the world, even when T’Challa’s father represented his country at the UN, he told a lie to American intelligence agencies saying that Ullyses Klau stole all their vibranium and now they have none left at all which is a total lie.
Another amazing aspect of the Wakandan tech is how closely it resembles nature. Brian Stelfreeze, the artist who is drawing sketches for the latest line of Black Panther comics emphasized the fact that the idea of keeping pre-technological roots intact is intentional. Here is what he said:
“I think of Wakandan technology as organic technology. Most of their tech mimics nature because it comes from nature. Wakanda was a tremendously warring nation, with a very feudal time early on. But after a while proper borders were established, which ushered in a time of peace. Peace time shifted concerns from war to agriculture, from agriculture to early days of knife and spear-building to developing exotic materials. Rather than coming from industry, Wakandan tech came from agricultural needs — using organic tech to build machines.”
At the heart of these technological marvels is Black Panther’s sister cum designer of these fancy gadgets and suits ‘Shuri’ who is believed to be having greater IQ than Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Letitia Wright, the actress who played Shuri sat for an interview and had this to say:
“She’s princess of Wakanda, but also she designs all of the new technology there,” Wright said. “She has an innovative spirit and an innovative mind, and she wants to take Wakanda to a new place … And that’s good for other people to see, especially for young people to see, because it’s like, ‘Look, there’s a young black girl who loves technology and she’s from Africa.’ It’s something refreshing.”
No doubt, Asgard is well versed in Magic. But when it comes to technology, Wakanda is unmatched.
Verdict: Wakanda is the clear winner here.
It does not matter whether you agree with our verdict, in fact, you can present a strong case that Asgard might obliterate Wakanda if it comes to that, but magic is just exotic form of energy which can be extinguished (Hank Pym defeated Loki for instance) and also Wakanda has their own set of gods as well which can be brought to fight should the need arise. One thing you should do is check out both Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok, the latest MCU movies that have set the stage for the ultimate battle royale ‘Avengers Infinity War. Here is the official synopsis of each of these movies:
“After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people”.
“Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk, his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor’s quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization”.
“Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet — the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment”.
All the very best to MCU for all the upcoming movies.
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