Gambit, born Remy LeBeau, is a powerful mutant with the power to use kinetic energy for a number of different tasks. He was abandoned at an early age due to his glowing red eyes, and was taken in by the Thieves Guild and raised to be its leader.
Later, after trying to pick pocket the patriarch of the Thieves Guild, Gambit was arranged to marry said patriarch’s daughter, which ultimately led to his excommunication from the Thieves Guild. Her brother, the son of said patriarch, objected to the marriage and challenged Gambit to a duel where Gambit won and ended up killing him in self-defense, which of course led to the previously mentioned banishment.
After that incident Gambit traveled the world as a master thief, using his powers of charging objects with kinetic energy (one of the uses of his powers over kinetic energy) to aid him. Eventually due to problems controlling his powers, he went to Mister Sinister to help him, which was done by removing apart of Gambit’s brain to reduce his overall level of power and thus, boost his level of control. This led to him being in debt to Mister Sinister and ultimately brought to near death (by none other than Sabretooth) after refusing to commit the immoral acts Mister Sinister wanted him to do.
Later on, he met Storm (who had been transformed into a child and had amnesia and had ended up turning to thievery to get by) and helped her escape the Shadow King, which led to her sponsoring him to join the X-Men.
When he joined the X-Men he fell in love with the mutant Rogue, but tragically, due to her powers of absorption and draining both powers and memories on contact, they could never touch one another.
Gambit ended up leaving the X-Men several times, once via a ruse and mock trial by Magneto, once after being nearly killed by a man named Vargas and losing his powers, and once after becoming a Horseman of Apocalypse (Death to be exact), though he usually returned either because of Rogue or Professor Xavier.
During his time with the X-Men, he helped them save Magik and Limbo, helped them fight the Avengers and ultimately the Phoenix 5 (in Avengers vs. X-Men), and helped to stop New Son, an alternate version of himself from a different universe.
Gambit’s powers over kinetic energy allow him to charge objects (initially just inorganic, but eventually organic material too) with said energy and cause them to explode simply by touching them. He has also healed himself using kinetic energy, and at one point could charge objects with his eyes and even from a greater range.
Normally, Gambit uses a deck of cards to attack, charging them with kinetic energy and throwing them at opponents. His explosions are very powerful, 3 of them able to take down a Sentinel, 4 of them taking down Mister Sinister (a powerful mutant with good durability), and a deck can take down Gladiator. He’s also staggered a weakened Juggernaut (who is usually 100% invincible and unable to be moved) and exploded entire buildings with his powers.
Aside from his cards, he also uses his staff to attack at close range, and his great agility to dodge projectiles and various attacks. His powers also appear to provide some innate protection from telepathy, and he has the power to charm people with his presence (by charging the kinetic energy in their brain).
As Death, Gambit was able to corrupt other beings to be under his control, and transmute materials into toxic substances (I.E. Air into poison gas).
The potential of his powers were explored when he met and fought New Son, an alternate Gambit who had lost control of his abilities and ended up destroying the world. Gambit at the time had gained back his lost powers from Mister Sinister and defeated New Son, though this burned out his new level of power.
Gambit remains a thief at heart; periodically pulling off heists when he has time off from the X-Men. Ultimately, he has the ability to be one of the most powerful mutants should he meet his potential.
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