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The infinity stones are extremely powerful in each of their respective specialties, but is there a limit to the amount of power contained within?

Assuming a stone isn't destroyed (if that itself is even possible), does the power of an infinity stone ever run out?

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    No, they have infinite power.
    – Paul
    Apr 23, 2018 at 1:18
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    If your question is specific only to the MCU, it would be closed under Future works policy. If you're looking for answers from the Marvel comic books, I guess you need to add some tags.
    – Shreedhar
    Apr 23, 2018 at 9:11
  • @Shreedhar What other tags would I need to add? A response doesn't have to be exclusive to MCU.
    – Charles
    Apr 23, 2018 at 11:53
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    If you're open to all canons (Any comics, films, TV shows, then leave it as is. If you want to restrict it to one specific canon, then add the tag for that canon. If you leave it as is the question is perfectly acceptable and can be left open.
    – Edlothiad
    Apr 23, 2018 at 12:00
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    Based on all the comics I've read, although they have some limitations (mainly the caveat that they don't work on other universes), there's never any sign of infinity gems "running out" or needing "charging". Though no one ever manages to use them for very long, so it's hard to be sure. I'll go cite sources to make a proper answer out of this later if no one beats me to it.
    – Ixrec
    Apr 23, 2018 at 12:33

1 Answer 1

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The first thing about the infinity stones is that they are present in across the Marvel multiverse and they do not always appear to be the same. For example, the Earth-4290001, they are the faces of a cube (see below) that makes up the most powerful item in that universe.

enter image description here


Answering the first part of your question: Weaknesses/limitations of the stones. The stones are useful only from the universe in which they originate. This was shown in the DC-Marvel crossover universe (i.e. Earth-7642 of Marvel or Crossover-Earth of DC). Here, Darkseid procures the infinity gems and the gauntlet only to find that it is useless in his universe (see image below).

enter image description here


The stones have been destroyed in the past (so they are quite vulnerable). In the New Avengers Vol.3 Issue # 3, Captain America is able to destroy the infinity stones. This is just one of the instances that I know of where the stones were destroyed.

enter image description here enter image description here

But in his defense, Captain America used the Infinity Gauntlet at a breach between two universes (so there could a possibility that the first point I made had an effect creating a weakness to the stones).

And finally, one weakness that could count is the decision of the Living Tribunal. The Living Tribunal can disapprove what you do with the stones. So technically, it could be a weakness.


So, in short, the stones do have weaknesses and they can be destroyed.

Additionally, here is something out-of-the-universe explanation about their weaknesses (just something that may be true): The infinity stones are each other's weaknesses. One could use the stones against each other. For example, using the Reality stone in such a way that the other stones never existed.


ADDITIONAL INFO

In the animated series Avengers Assemble, Season 2 Episode 13: Thanos Triumphant, the Avengers defeat Thanos with the help of Howard Stark's invention Arsenal. But Tony didn't have the time to beta test Arsenal which left a backdoor for Ultron to sneak into Arsenal. When Ultron took over Arsenal, it drained the infinity gauntlet (and all the infinity stones) of its powers leaving behind an empty powerless gauntlet and five stones. (Watch the video below from the 2:30 mark)

Yeah. I did say five stones because in this Marvel continuity, there are only 5 infinity stones and not six like in the comics and movies.


UPDATE

As mentioned in the answers here by TheLethalCarrot and me, Thanos was successful in destroying the Infinity Stones in the MCU (well, successful, from a certain point of view).

In Avengers: Endgame, the second energy surge similar to the Snap is detected on a far planet by Rocket Raccoon. When the Avengers arrive there to take back the Infinity stones, Thanos confesses that since the stones served their purpose, he used the stones to destroy the stones:

NATASHA: Where are the Stones?

THANOS: Gone. Reduced to atoms.

BRUCE: You used them two days ago!

THANOS: I used the stones to destroy the stones. It nearly killed me. But the work is done. It always will be. I am... inevitable.

Avengers: Endgame

However according to the Russos, the Infinity Stones aren't actually lost:

"Thanos only reduced the stones to the atomic level. The stones are still present in the universe"

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  • Apologies for the necropost, but when Cap used the Gems, why did the Time Gem vanish instead of getting shattered? Why did it survive?
    – jinkevin
    Oct 17, 2019 at 14:02
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    @jinkevin well, that is a good question. let me check it out. if there is a plausible explanation, maybe you could post it as a new question
    – Shreedhar
    Oct 17, 2019 at 14:12

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