When Daredevil, a blind superhero, was introduced to the Marvel comics universe in 1964, it likely raised eyebrows. How could a blind man combat evil? Daredevil was created with an array of abilities to compensate for his lack of sight, and he has since become one of the toughest and most resilient crime-fighters in the Marvel universe. He’s not as heavily overpowered as some heroes, but he’s held his own against heavy hitters like Spider-Man, the Hulk, and Wolverine. Daredevil’s primary focus is protecting his turf in Hell’s Kitchen, but there are some lesser-known powers he possesses that you might not be aware of.
10. Reading ink on a page with his fingers
While most blind individuals rely on Braille to read, Daredevil’s superhuman sense of touch allows him to ‘read’ ink on a page by passing his fingers over it. This ability is limited when it comes to laminated materials, which require him to read slower.
9. Identifying people by their heartbeat
Daredevil’s heightened hearing allows him to detect heartbeats at around 7 decibels, compared to the average human’s 20 decibels. This enables him to pinpoint someone’s heartbeat from about 20 feet away and identify people around him.
8. A heightened sense of smell
Daredevil’s enhanced sense of smell allows him to track someone for days if necessary. However, this sense is not as well-developed as some of the more superhuman heroes, and it can be easily disrupted.
7. Expert marksmanship
Although Daredevil is primarily known for using his batons, he is highly skilled in a variety of ranged weapons, including throwing knives and sniper rifles.
6. A human lie detector
Daredevil’s ability to hear a person’s heartbeat and identify them by it also makes him an effective lie detector. While this skill isn’t foolproof, as irregular heartbeats or pacemakers can throw him off, he’s generally adept at detecting when someone is lying.
5. Master acrobat and gymnast
Daredevil’s impressive acrobatic and gymnastic skills allow him to perform feats that normal humans can’t compete with. While he has his limits in a world of super-powered heroes and villains, he consistently gives as good as he gets.
4. Sensing body heat
Daredevil can sense body heat up to about five feet away, which is useful in close-quarters combat for quickly and efficiently neutralizing multiple opponents.
3. Peak physical condition
Years of martial arts training have honed Daredevil’s body to its ultimate peak. He can take on opponents at his level or slightly above, as evidenced by his battles with Wolverine and Spider-Man. While he might lose in a long, drawn-out fight, he’ll undoubtedly leave his mark.
2. Detecting atmospheric disturbances
Daredevil’s senses are so finely tuned that he can detect changes in the local atmosphere, such as windstorms or rainstorms. This ability also allows him to sense when a teleporter is about to arrive in the vicinity and where.
1. Accelerated healing
Daredevil’s mastery over his body enables him to force it to heal faster than a normal human. While his healing factor isn’t on par with other heroes, it’s a step above average, which is fortunate for his daytime lawyer persona who can’t afford to be visibly injured.
Daredevil may not be the most powerful hero, but his resilience and unique abilities make him an extraordinary force in the Marvel universe.
