Avengers: Infinity War - Why Every Victim Was ACTUALLY Chosen To Die

1. The Other Guardians

How They Died

All snapped out of existence by Thanos (bar Nebula).

WHY They Died

This was partly about thinning the available characters initially to give the original Avengers their swansong story as a unit, but the death of the remaining Guardians - Star-Lord, Drax and Mantis - also served a purpose in the story.

Rocket Raccoon is now completely alienated (aside from Nebula, but they don't really get on). He's been so intent on isolating himself (as seen in Vol 2) that he didn't allow himself to feel the sense of belonging that was creeping up on him. After his talk with Yondu before his death, Rocket was definitely closer to that sense, and to see that torn away from him now adds a heap of drama to his story.

And there's also the point that he and Nebula are the most broken of the Guardians and seeing how they interact as a team is far more intriguing than any of the other possible combinations of survivors.

Which of these deaths do you think will be permanent? Share your reactions below in the comments thread.