x men - Telepathy vs. Telekinesis in Marvel Universe

I've been wondering why Professor X, generally considered to be one of the most powerful mutants, was susceptible to physical attacks to his head and body by people using helmets to block his telepathic mind-reading abilities (Magneto and Juggernaut for example).

My point is that telekinesis, the power to move objects with thoughts (used by characters such as Jean Grey, Emma Frost, and Psylocke to name a few) is also an ability that stems out of the mind, so are they just extensions of the same ability in the X-Men Universe and if so, why doesn't Xavier ever expand into that area?

Answer

No, they aren't manifestations of the same ability. Most super-powers are controlled mentally, and of course each superhero's non-super abilities are also all controlled via their minds as well.

• Most telepaths, such as Psylocke, Professor X, the White Queen, are not telekinetic.



• Telekinessis in its pure form is significantly more rare than telepathy, but there are some pure telekinetics such as Hellion who are not telepathic.


• "Impure" telekinetics, who have the ability to move objects or manifest energy fields by virtue of some related power, usually have no telepathy either. Prominent examples include the Invisible Woman and her brother.

One reason it seems as if telepathy and telekinesis go hand-in-hand is because of the Jean Grey family heritage, with the original X-man and her four genetic descendants (Rachel Grey, Nate Grey, Cable and Stryfe) all displaying similar power.

Of note, perhaps, is that Jean initially only displayed telekinetic powers; her telepathy developed when the X-Men believed Xavier had died (circa X-Men 42), possibly catalyzed by Xavier. When the O5 team came forward in time, Jean again had her telepathy activated.