After Cyclops and Storm who do you consider the third best leader?

**LordAllMIghty** · 03-31-2021, 03:48 PM

Savage Avengers #19, Bishop said that he was leading the X-Men while Cyke and Storm are being controlled by Null. I never really thought about it before but which X-Men could step up and truly lead the team if Ororo and Scott are not there? Rogue, Havok and Nightcrawler have all had their time to shine as team leaders, hell even Kitty has her own team now.

Since I'm a old reader I always assumed that Cannonball would eventually take over but since he been MIA, I can easily see Bishop or Magneto in that roll too

So who do you consider the third X-Leader?
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JB · 03-31-2021, 04:26 PM

This is a tough one because I feel so many characters are great in leadership roles depending on the mission. But in terms of overall leadership I had to choose Rogue because she's been a leader so often.

Thanks for posting this scan cause I love this for Bishop.

**Uncanny X-Man** · 03-31-2021, 04:32 PM

I voted for Rogue but Wolverine should probably be on the list as well.

**Saturius** · 03-31-2021, 04:34 PM

I have to go with Nightcrawler. Magneto has too much baggage. I think many of the Xmen would have problems following him. Bishop I just don't think has enough relationships with a lot of Xmen to be truly effective. Strategy and all that he has got down pat, but he really needs the interpersonal relationship factor to put him over the eddge, and he isn't there yet.

Rogue has the relationships but just not enough experience. Same with Kitty. Not enough experience.

Wolverine is not leader material.

Nightcrawler has the perfect mix of leadership qualities. The experience, the respect, etc. He is defintiely number three imo.

**Whim** · 03-31-2021, 04:37 PM

Sam and Dani should be more than capable by now.

Kurt and Alex have plenty of experience though Alex has been a bit unstable.

If old Cable was still around he'd have to get an honorable mention.

Kurt needs more respect but I'd really like to see Sam step up and be in that role.

Rogue should get some kind of mention as well. She's done enough.

**Uncanny X-Man** · 03-31-2021, 04:38 PM

A few other random thoughts:

Cannonball from the "Open hand, closed fist" days, being groomed by Cable to be the next leader of mutantkind, kicked all sorts of ass and would be an amazing third to Scott and Ororo... sadly he's only gone down since then.

Bishop and Nightcrawler I feel would be good leaders and they've been shown in that capacity in the past, however nowhere nearly as much as other characters.

Havok is a mess these days and I like him as a flawed leader type of character.

**LordAllMIghty** · 03-31-2021, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Uncanny X-Man

I voted for Rogue but Wolverine should probably be on the list as well.

Wolverine doesn't like leading. He does it if he has too but overall he prefers to be a loner or backup.

**ExodusCloak** · 03-31-2021, 04:51 PM

You're left with Emma or Kate at least since the 2000's

And there's a difference between field leadership vs being a leader as a whole

The Captains are field leaders while every member of the QC serves the visionary leader role

**Uncanny X-Man** · 03-31-2021, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by LordAllMIghty

Wolverine doesn't like leading. He does it if he has too but overall he prefers to be a loner or backup.

That's what they have him say... and then he's constantly surrounded by sidekicks, he's teaching the younger generation and has been leading X-Force for years now

**Gray Lensman** · 03-31-2021, 05:04 PM

That's pretty tough, as no one has been able to separate themselves from the pack in regards to a third team leader. Jean and Dani also could be in there, and Noriko could have been if the New X-Men hadn't vanished from editorial/writer interest.

**jwatson** · 03-31-2021, 05:25 PM

Magneto or Professor Xavier is all that comes to mind. Jean works with a team she trusts and hand picked but i don't know how she works as a leader in more situations. rogue had a "rag tag" team but ultimately it felt like her overall mission was written as a failure or at least that is what it seemed like given the place she was in after. Though her leading uncanny avengers was successful so again not enough to go on.

**RamaBird** · 03-31-2021, 06:18 PM

Jean worked really well as a leader during her RED days.

Sunspot, Moonstar and Magik should also be on the rise as leaders.

**Askani's Flame** · 03-31-2021, 06:47 PM

Why is Kitty Pryde not an option???? Her time as leader of X-men Gold was iconic!!

**Captain Nash** · 03-31-2021, 07:11 PM

I had a good chuckle at Havok. Maybe Havok from 25-30 years ago.

The answer is obviously Nightcrawler. Though I think Jean, Kitty, and Rogue have all had some decent leadership moments.

**OblivionX33** · 03-31-2021, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Nash

I had a good chuckle at Havok. Maybe Havok from 25-30 years ago.

The answer is obviously Nightcrawler. Though I think Jean, Kitty, and Rogue have all had some decent leadership moments.

My Havok pick was acutally my frame of reference lol

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