The Guardians of the Galaxy have proven their worth, time and again. They may not be traditionally "heroic" or "honorable," but when the chips are down, they step up and do their part, helping in any way they can. Indeed, the Guardians are among the bravest figures in the MCU, always down for a good fight.

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Even so, they're not perfect, and some members are undoubtedly more courageous than others. None of the Guardians are cowardly, far from it, in fact. However, while some don't think twice before jumping into battle, others like to make their bravery less apparent.

Mantis

Mantis talking to Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Mantis is lonely empath living with Ego. She quickly becomes a crucial member of the Guardians thanks to her convenient abilities. Mantis can sense other people's feelings and even provoke certain emotions in them.

Mantis is gentle and kind-hearted, almost innocent. She doesn't run away from the battle but doesn't jump at it either. Unlike the other Guardians, Mantis isn't a troublemaker or a rebel. If it weren't for them, she would probably avoid confrontation altogether. Mantis isn't a coward, but she is definitely not a daredevil either.

Drax

Drax in battle in Guardians of the Galaxy.

The ridiculously meme-able Drax the Destroyer is the Guardians most imposing member. He is physically impressive and a highly skilled warrior, meaning he knows how to defend himself. He's also hellbent on getting revenge for his wife and daughter's murders, which clouds his judgment most of the time.

Drax is far more emotional and complex than most people think, but there's no denying that his impulses often get the best of him. Bravery goes hand-in-hand with strategy; otherwise, it's plain recklessness. Drax doesn't shy away from a fight, but he doesn't plan ahead either, which makes him seem far less brave than he is.

Yondu

Yondu holding Quill's face in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2

Yondu evolves for the better during Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. After living a life of thievery and decadence, he becomes a loving and courageous father figure, ready to sacrifice everything for the only family he has. It's an exceptional journey for the character that displays all his best qualities.

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A sacrifice like Yondu's is one of the bravest things anyone can do. It's easier said than done, and not many could actually go through with it. His willingness to go across the galaxy and save Peter from Ego showed that Yondu was one of the most courageous characters in the franchise, even if he waited until the very end to show it.

Star-Lord

Star-Lord staring straight into the camera in Guardians of the Galaxy

Movie and comic book fans know Peter Quill as the leader of the Guardians. He displays many of the traditional qualities expected from an authority figure, a unique cleverness that makes him the ideal leader for such a group of pariahs. However, there's no denying that, in the bravery department, other Guardians outrank him.

Peter is not a coward, but he also chooses to run away from the battle when the opportunity presents itself. His time with the Guardians did indeed turn him into a more responsible man. Not everyone would dare to face Thanos alone, after all. However, there's also a degree of rashness to Peter's actions, preventing him from being truly brave.

Groot

Groot surrounded by his own branches in Guardians of the Galaxy

Like many of his fellow Guardians, Groot is an often misunderstood character. It could be easy to discard him as a gimmick and ignore all that makes him such a valuable team member. However, Groot proved his bravery multiple times, whether by sacrificing himself for his fellow Guardians or by giving part of his body to complete Stormbreaker.

Yes, Groot is hilarious and very meme-able, but that doesn't make him any less courageous. In fact, he keeps proving himself with each new appearance, constantly defying people's perception of him and proving that he is much more than just a talking tree.

Nebula

Nebula arrives at Titan to kill Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War

Even though she started as a villain, Nebula saved the day multiple times and is now a valued and vital part of the Guardians. She overcame numerous obstacles in her life to become more than Thanos or even Gamora expected of her. Nebula may be one of the most inspiring and bravest characters in the MCU.

It took courage for Nebula to abandon the path Thanos set out for her and start over. Not everyone would have the strength to do it, but Nebula fought against everything she thought she knew, understanding that the was more to her than just mechanical parts. Nebula also displayed impressive bravado when returning to face Thanos and did it multiple times. She never allowed her failures to define her and always kept going, picking herself up every time she fell.

Gamora

Gamora inside the Milano in Guardians of the Galaxy

It takes courage to defy those in power. Gamora knows this better than anyone else, and yet she still did it for years. She hid the location of the Soul Stone from Thanos, knowing it could mean her death. She openly defied him, standing up for what was right even though it meant betraying everything she knew.

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Furthermore, Gamora has the strength to still be kind and forgiving despite all the trauma and cruelty she experienced. She doesn't allow her past to define her and keeps going no matter what. Gamora is also willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good; she doesn't pursue death but isn't afraid of it either, and that makes all the difference.

Rocket

Rocket with his quantum suit in Avengers: Endgame

Rocket is the rashest member of the team, by far. He actively pursues danger for all the wrong reasons and doesn't mind putting himself or others in peril. He is very bright and resourceful, so things always end up well for him, but his recklessness does cause some problems for the team.

Throughout his MCU journey, Rocket grows and matures, perhaps more than any other Guardian. By the time Avengers: Endgame comes along, he's willing to risk it all to bring back his family, displaying more courage than ever before. Rocket is as brave as they come, even if he doesn't always show it. And while his methods are sneakier than those of his fellow Guardians, there's no arguing with their effectiveness.

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