For the first three seasons of Invincible, the Viltrumites felt more like gods, nearly impenetrable and unstoppable. However, Season 4 of the adaptation completely turns the tables, transforming them from untouchable figures into something more tangible, even if they remain some of the most powerful beings in the galaxy.
While season 4 introduces one of the most formidable foes in the entire franchise, Lee Pace‘s Thragg, it also shows Nolan going over the Viltrumites’ weaknesses, ranging from specialized weapons to hostile alien species.The introduction of these elements completely flips the script, as it’s no longer just about power-scaling and who can punch the hardest. And it appears the recipe for taking down these god-like beings will eventually come down to strategy, alliances, and tactics.
Here’s an overview of all six weaknesses of the Viltrumites, ranked from the least to most effective.
8. Sinlak Beetle Shells
What may appear quite harmless and even somewhat creative at first glance, Sinlak Beetles are actually one of the few threats capable of affecting a Viltrumite. However, unlike other weapons or creatures on this list, they aren’t an immediate danger, as scientists must first extract the beetle’s shell and use it to craft the poison.
Moreover, the poison won’t kill a Viltrum resident outright, but it only makes them more susceptible to physical attacks. Still, given how dominant Viltrumites have proven to be, this could be a crucial tool for taking some of them down in the upcoming war.
7. High-Frequency Sound
A still of Omni-Man | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
Viltrumites’ heightened senses could be used against them, especially when it comes to their hearing. Considering their inner ears are extremely sensitive to certain frequencies, some precise sound waves can be used to cause them intense pain, disorientation, or paralysis.
Moreover, in cases of extreme prolonged exposure, it can also result in death. And this weakness can be exploited through certain devices or robots that are capable of creating these precise frequencies, which can incapacitate them mid-fight, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
6. Klaxus Plant Poison
A still from Invincible | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
The poison extracted from the Klaxus plant can be best described as Kryptonite for the Viltrumites. Although not instantly fatal, it strips them of their superhuman strength, durability, and powers, nearly bringing them to human-level, where they become prone to injuries and even death in combat.
While the residents of Viltrum attempted to exterminate the plant by infesting its planet with Sinlak Beetles, given how little sunlight and water it requires to grow at an extraordinary rate, this makes its growth virtually unstoppable.
5. Gelderians
A still from Invincible | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
Gelderians’ technological prowess makes them another major threat to the Viltrumites, which is underscored by the fact that they avoided active confrontation with the Gelderians. Nolan reveals that Thragg outsourced the conquest of Geldaria to a proxy warrior race, Kresh, which resulted in a long, drawn-out war, but the Gelderians were able to hold them off at the cost of immense sacrifice and loss.
Even though we’ve been offered a limited insight into this species so far, it’s safe to say their unmatched technological prowess will make them an important ally for the Coalition of Planets in the upcoming war.
4. Unnamed Alien Species
A still from Invincible | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
During Nolan and Allen’s search for potential anti-Viltrumite allies, Nolan recalls the danger posed by one alien species. Apparently, Omni-Man was once tasked with moving their planet closer to the Sun to avoid this unnamed species, which he described as “a true threat to any Viltrumite.”
For a species so powerful that even the Viltrumites avoided direct conflict and went so far as to reposition an entire planet, it underscores just how dangerous they must have been. Unfortunately, they have since gone extinct, which otherwise could have been a significant ace up the Coalition of Planets’ sleeve in the war. The only reason they aren’t topping the list is how little we know about them.
3. Rognarr Creatures
A still from Invincible | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
Rognarrs, based on everything seen so far, are among the most vicious physical threats to the Viltrumites, as evidenced during Nolan and Allen’s expedition to their planet. While the duo intended to transport these beasts to their ship, the solar disc that Nolan previously planted to freeze the planet gets accidentally destroyed by the ship’s captain, causing the ice to melt and the Rognarrs’ release.
Following the extreme gravitational force of their planet, these ferocious creatures have adapted to become even stronger and once unfrozen, they even overwhelm Nolan, who seemingly accepts his death before managing to escape. It’s further revealed that one of the Rognarrs once beheaded a Viltrumite with a single blow, which serves as a testament to their prowess in close combat.
Nolan had previously placed a solar disc to freeze the Rognarr planet solid. The ship’s captain accidentally destroys this sunblocker disc, causing the ice to melt and releasing the Rognarrs
2. Space Racer’s Infinity Ray Gun
A still from Invincible | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
Season 4 of Invincible confirms the myths surrounding Space Racer’s Infinity Ray Gun, a weapon so powerful that it can severely injure a Viltrumite, or even kill one in just a few shots. Originally teased in Season 2 in one of Omni-Man’s books, Nolan and Allen track Space Racer to his last known location to claim the weapon.
Although Omni-Man believed Space Racer, whom he buried under 1000 tons of space rock over 100 years ago, was dead, he is astonished to find him alive. We also witness an insight into Infinity Ray Gun’s powers that Space Racer demonstrates by shattering the rocks with ease. It’s one of the few ranged weapons that is capable of seriously wounding Viltrumites before their healing factor can react.
1. Scourge Virus
A still from Invincible | Credit: Amazon Prime Video
The ultimate bioengineered weapon that nearly wiped out the entire race of Viltrumites could be the last fail-safe option for Mark and his team to ensure the Viltrum threat is settled once and for all. Created by Thaedus, who was tired of his peers’ violent approach, the virus was so deadly that it killed over 99% of the population before they even had the chance to notice the symptoms.
Although few survived, including Omni-Man, with Thaedus claiming to have made a new version, even deadlier than the one that preceded it, the Scourge Virus could be the way to end the Viltrum threat if everything fails. However, given that the virus is deadlier to everyone with the Viltrumite DNA, its deployment would put Mark, Omni-Man, and Oliver at grave risk as well.
RankingWeapons/Threat1Scourge Virus2Space Racer’s Infinity Ray Gun3Rognarr Creatures4Unnamed Alien Species5Gelderians6Sinlak Beetle Shells
The first three episodes of Season 4 have done an impeccable job setting up the direction of this war, which cannot be won by brute force alone. Instead, it will be the alliances and weapons that ultimately dictate what lies ahead for Mark and the Coalition of Planets.
Will season 4 of Invincible feature more brutal fights?
Yes. Not only does season 4 continue the series’ knack for violence, but co-showrunner Robert Kirkman has confirmed that the new season will feature the most brutal fight sequence in the series yet.
How many Viltrumites survived Scourge Virus?
Thaedus’ betrayal wiped out billions of them, and it has been estimated that only 50 pure-blooded Viltrumites survived the epidemic.
Who is the most powerful Viltrumite?
Thragg, the new villain who has been introduced this season, is regarded as the most powerful of the Viltrum residents and is expected to serve as an endgame threat for the show.
Share your thoughts on the first three season 4 episodes below!
Invincible season 4 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video (USA).
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