Shang-Chi vs. Black Panther: Who Would Win in Comics & MCU?

Shang-Chi and Black Panther are both skilled combatants whose prowess has made them among some of the most iconic characters in both the MCU and comics. They are both capable combatants and are able to trade blows with the best of them. If it ever came to a fight between Shang-Chi and Black Panther, who would win?

Most of the time, Black Panther would win in a fight against Shang-Chi. Black Panther is superior to Shang-Chi in terms of his intellect, speed, strength, and technology. In the MCU, having Ten Rings would aid Shang-Chi, but I believe Black Panther would still win if he somehow managed to separate Shang-Chi from his rings.

In today’s post, we will explore Black Panther’s and Shang-Chi’s various abilities, comparing them to decide who would be the victor in a battle between them. So, this will certainly be an informative piece guaranteed to keep you glued to your screen. Read on for more.

Ten Rings vs. Vibranium

In the comics, the Ten Rings are worn on the fingers and grant the wearer ten different powers, including matter manipulation, energy blasts, mind control, and more. In the film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the Ten Rings have been reimagined as armbands. They may not match up fully with the comics, but they can imbue the wearer with incredible powers like strength, speed, durability, and so on. In the comics, Shang-Chi is mostly a hand-to-hand combatant and doesn’t have the rings. The MCU is where he has them.

On the other hand, Black Panther has Vibranium as his material of choice. Vibranium is an almost indestructible and incredibly dense material. Black Panther’s suit is imbued with this metal that, apart from being durable, can also absorb impact and store the energy generated. This allows him to take hits that would kill a normal human. Most of his other weapons are made of the same material.

While his Vibranium suit is incredibly durable, Black Panther wouldn’t stand a chance against Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings. As Captain Marvel says, the energy emitted by the Ten Rings is unlike anything she’s seen. While Black Panther’s Vibranium suit is powerful, it couldn’t withstand the kind of energy blasts that the Ten Rings can dish out. Besides, the Ten Rings are more versatile in their power than the Vibranium suit.

Point: Black Panther (0:1) Shang-Chi

Strength

Black Panther is incredibly strong thanks to the Heart-Shaped Herb, which altered his physiology, making him capable of impressive feats of strength that a normal human is incapable of. Add this to his Vibranium suit that is nearly indestructible, and he is a strong opponent to contend with.

This strength was first evident in the MCU when he went toe to toe with Captain America, who possesses super strength. Over the years, his strength has been shown in the comics, for example, when he subdued a 5-ton rhinoceros.

His strength increased even more after he was blessed by Bast, the Panther Goddess. It’s an essential power that allows him to keep up with some of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe.

Shang-Chi is an equally impressive character thanks to his strength. He can control and channel his chi which grants him incredible strength as well as other abilities. His training to become the Grandmaster of Martial Arts also enhanced his strength to levels greater than that of a normal human. With the 10 rings, Shang-Chi gains incredible strength that allows him to perform extraordinary feats.

While this round is much harder to call, we have to afford Black Panther the honors here.

Point: Black Panther (1:1) Shang-Chi

Speed

Black Panther possesses impressive speed thanks to the effects of the Heart-Shaped Herb that allows him to move at speeds far above those of a normal human. He’s been shown dodging gunfire and catching arrows with his bare hands. He can attack faster than the human eye can comprehend and, at times, appears like a blur to his enemies.

He often surprises people with his speed, and he usually uses this to his advantage. He’s caught the notoriously evasive Spider-Man on two occasions. He can run at speeds of up to 45mph, but his combat speed is more advanced than anything else. This is not only in the comics but also in the movies, as he showed when his enhanced speed allowed him to catch up to the Winter Soldier.

Shang-Chi is no slouch when it comes to speed. For someone who is the Grandmaster of Martial Arts, it only makes sense that he possesses incredible speed that allows him to launch attacks and evade blows at an incredible pace. With the 10 rings on, this speed is only enhanced further, making him faster than a normal human.

This category is a close call because both characters are quite fast. However, Black Panther wins this round because his speed is imbued in his blood, while Shang-Chi isn’t nearly as fast as him without his rings.

Point: Black Panther (2:1) Shang-Chi

Intellect

Considering that he is the king of the most technologically advanced nation in the world, it makes sense that T’Challa is one of the most intelligent heroes in the Marvel Universe. Wakanda is a hidden utopian society that values science above all else. As such, T’Challa grew up with an impressive education and access to the best technology on the planet.

He is widely regarded as the 6^th smartest person on Earth-616 and is a gifted engineer, as evidenced by his ability to design his suit made of Vibranium. He created a whole new branch of scientific knowledge known as Shadow Physics by merging alchemy with advanced science. He also designed the Falcon’s signature wings and the Quinjet.

While not smart in the scientific sense, Shang-Chi is no pushover. He has achieved everything he has through sheer will and intelligence. His brain power is mostly seen in the way he fights, and it makes him arguably the greatest fighter in the Marvel Universe.

Point: Black Panther (3:1) Shang-Chi

Fighting Skills

Unless he uses the 10 rings, Shang-Chi possesses no superpowers. So what does he do to survive in a world filled with beings with superpowers? He develops his fighting skill to a level so great it in itself is considered a superpower. He is arguably the greatest fighter in the Marvel Universe.

Unlike most martial artists, Shang-Chi is a Grandmaster. This means his skills far exceed those of normal fighters. He, therefore, wins more battles than he loses and is, therefore, one of the best combatants in both the MCU and comics.

Shang-Chi can focus his Chi into energy allowing him to dish out serious amounts of energy even without the 10 rings. When you add the 10 rings into the equation, as well as his skill to ignore immense pain in the face of battle, you have one incredible combatant.

Black Panther can also hold his own in a fight. T’Challa was trained since his childhood to become a fierce warrior. He has mastered plenty of fighting styles, and he continues honing his skills to keep himself in the best fighting shape ever. He can punch way above his weight.

For example, he has beaten Namor a couple of times, as well as Luke Cage, Captain America, and Iron Man. Shang-Chi wins for the simple reason he’s the most skilled combatant in the Marvel Universe.

Point: Black Panther (3:2) Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi vs. Black Panther: Who Wins?

Between Shang-Chi and Black Panther, the fight would be epic and nowhere near close to calling. It could go either way, especially when Shang-Chi has his Ten Rings.

However, most of the time, Black Panther would win. This is because Black Panther is superior to Shang-Chi in terms of his intellect, speed, strength, and technology. Shang-Chi is a better combatant, but T’Challa would also be able to dish out a fair amount of blows.

In the MCU, having Ten Rings would be an advantage for Shang-Chi. However, if Black Panther somehow managed to use his intellect to separate Shang-Chi from the rings, he’d undoubtedly win. 

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