Rogue is an often overlooked character in the Marvel universe. Whenever the X-men face some super powerful or difficult to deal with opponent, I always wonder why no-one thinks "Let's just let Rogue deal with it." Whenever I see discussions on what can kill Wolverine or the Juggernaut, she is almost never mentioned despite the fact that she could kill them with a touch.
In all of the continuities that I am aware of (except for the terrifying Escher painting of overlapping timelines that is the cinematic universe) if Rogue kills someone by using her power, then she permanently gains that person's abilities and memories. But is there a limit to this power of hers? Could she absorb Xavier's mind powers, then use those mind powers to immobilize other mutants so that she can absorb their powers as well? Is the limits of her powers ever discussed in the comics or cartoons (I am not terribly interested in the movies)? Could she conceivably absorb Galactus's power, making her the most powerful character in the Marvel universe?
Answer
Rogue's power not only absorbs powers, it also generates an intense mental and empathic shock with her victim. The greater the power of her target, the more powerful the shock, the same happens with extremely powerful psyches.
There have been times when Rogue tried to absorb the powers of singular individuals and the extreme feedback knocked her unconscious before she were able to even get them down. I recall now clearly she trying to do this with Mojo and becoming overwhelmed by the primal, visceral, evilness of the character, but I'm pretty sure it happened at least other couple of times with other powerful characters.
This impact when using her power, that was presented from the beginning of the character (in fact is one of her personality leitmotifs, at least on the first issues where she appears), is surely a failsafe Marvel's creative minds implemented to avoid facing a situation in the future where Rogue absorbs Galactus' powers.
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