The MCU has a host of deadly warriors, superheroes, literal gods, and aliens, but one of the most overlooked skills in the franchise is that of sharpshooters. There are several characters in the franchise that have displayed expert marksmanship and are handy with any kind of shooting weapon, be it guns or bows and arrows.
From elite S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to genetically modified supersoldiers, to ultrapowerful aliens, here are the top 10 deadliest sharpshooters, ranked by their skills in accuracy.
10. Melinda May
Ming-Na Wen in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Credits: Marvel Television
The legendary Melinda May is a highly respected agent in S.H.I.E.L.D. and possesses many skills befitting a high-performing agent. However, it is her shooting skills that are on top. As shown in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., she is an expert marksman and has precision in her shots. She may not be a natural like some of the other members in this list, but her tactical skills and discipline are incredible.
One thing that sets her apart from other agents is her patience and stoicism. She does not rush and rarely decides in haste. These qualities are extremely useful for her when she is shooting someone.
9. Crossbones
Frank Grillo in Captain America: Civil War | Credits: Marvel Studios
Brock Rumlow is a former S.T.R.I.K.E. agent who then becomes a double agent of HYDRA in the MCU. Frank Grillo’s Crossbones made his first appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While he is a villain and does not always win the day, his gunmanship has lots to write home about.
As a fighter and combatant, Crossbones uses his brute force and is less patient than others on the list. That is one of the reasons why he ranks so low. His impulsive behavior causes mistakes on his part when he locks in; it is dangerous for anyone around. He almost had a one-up over Black Widow.
8. Rocket Raccoon
Rocket in Avengers: Endgame | Credits: Marvel Studios
The wise-cracking Raccoon is the life of the Guardians for the most part, but the genetically engineered rogue soldier is an underrated marksman. He has displayed his skill in all three Guardians of the Galaxy films as well as the Avengers films. He is known to shoot fast-moving targets quickly and with precision.
Perhaps his only flaw as a warrior is his impulsiveness and anger. The reason for the latter is aptly justified in GOTG Vol. 3, but it still makes him a tad bit weaker. Coupled with his engineering skills, Rocket is one skilled soldier.
7. Sam Wilson
Anthony Mackie in Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Credits: Marvel Studios
Sam is not the current Captain America for no reason. The Falcon does not just shoot with precision and deadliness; he does that while flying. Bringing his aerial combat skills to the field, Sam Wilson, as Falcon, created a lot of damage. As Captain America, he brings in his exceptional heroism along with tactical skills. His marksmanship is just lost among his other combat skills, making him rank so low.
6. Yelena Belova
Florence Pugh in Thunderbolts* | Credits: Marvel Studios
The Red-room trained assassin has many skills, with being a deadly sharpshooter just one of them. Yelena Belova, at times, surpasses her sister, Natasha Romanoff a.k.a Black Widow, in marksmanship. Her aim is precise, and her spirit is relentless, making her a nightmare of an enemy to fight against.
Yelena uses both her hands while shooting and can keep her aim even while in motion. She is irreverent and a tad bit arrogant about her skills, though she has every reason to be. She has the capacity to go higher up the list as her experience grows.
5. Winter Soldier
Sebastian Stan in Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Credits: Marvel Studios
Bucky Barnes was always a skilled soldier, but after a traumatic time with HYDRA and a new arm, he became a formidable foe first, and then an ally to the Avengers (old and new). Even before becoming a genetically enhanced supersoldier, Bucky was an expert marksman and a gritty fighter.
What added to his skills was his morals, having saved Steve before his transformation. He is also a master at long-range shots, making him a deadly sniper. We see this on full display in The Winter Soldier, when he shoots at Nick Fury with several layers between them.
4. Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson in The Avengers | Credits: Marvel Studios
Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff is the ultimate assassin. Trained in the Red Room and possessing a range of tactical skills, the Black Widow has proved to fans why she deserves to be part of the Avengers. It is a running joke that, among actual gods, Natasha just uses her gun. But when she does, she does not miss her mark even by an inch.
One of her most important skills is her adaptability. She can use a handgun, a pistol, a rifle, hell, even a catapult, and still reach her mark with precision. Black Widow is definitely one of the best on the list.
3. Echo
Alaqua Cox in Echo | Credits: Disney+
What sets Echo apart from others in the list is how she does not let her disability impair her skills. Maya Lopez was born deaf, but she has enough tactical skills to survive and thrive in any combat thrown at her. She took on Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin in both Hawkeye and Echo (streaming on Disney+).
Echo can enhance her other senses to increase her shooting abilities. She is also economical in her marksmanship. She does not waste any shots, and her bullets always reach their targets. While she is still young in her MCU journey, there are so many more milestones to cover for her.
2. Bullseye
A still from Daredevil: Born Again | Credits: Disney+
Well, when you have a name like that, you’d better be amazing. Benjamin Poindexter made his debut in season 3 of Netflix’s Daredevil and returned in Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again. Bullseye’s biggest skill is how he can turn another into a weapon. Before John Wick killed people with a pencil, Bullseye killed with playing cards.
Benjamin is not trained, but his abilities are more innate. It is less skill and more instinct. It is a superpower. That is one of the reasons why he is in second spot in the list despite being a perfect marksman.
1. Hawkeye
Clint Barton is the MCU’s definitive marksman. With his bows and arrows, Hawkeye has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with cosmic beings and defeated colossal figures. He is a founding Avenger, and while his only flaw was being on the other side due to the effects of the Tesseract, he quickly became a huge obstacle for Loki.
What makes Hawkeye more than just an archer is how creative he is with his arrows. They are not just your run-of-the-mill ‘pointy edge hurts’ arrows. They are engineered for maximum destruction, and Hawkeye has shot them in some impossible scenarios. He has not missed a mark and has shot from long distances, one hand, one eye, and even while jumping.
Character NameFirst AppearanceActorHawkeyeThorJeremy RennerBullseyeDaredevilWilson BethelEchoHawkeyeAlaqua CoxBlack WidowIron Man 2Scarlett JohanssonWinter SoldierCaptain America: The Winter SoldierSebastian StanYelena BelovaBlack WidowFlorence PughSam WilsonCaptain America: The Winter SoldierAnthony MackieRocket RacoonGuardians of the GalaxyBradley CooperCrossbonesCaptain America: The Winter SoldierFrank GrilloMelinda MayAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Ming-Na Wen
Which MCU hero do you think is the deadliest sharpshooter? Comment below.
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