Surviving the Thanos Attack: How Half the Asgardians Escaped in 'Infinity War'

The Avengers: Infinity War film does not explicitly detail how half of the Asgardians survived after Thanos attacked and destroyed Thor's ship. However, there are several inferences and plot points that can shed light on this event.

Escape Pods and Chaos

During the chaos of the attack, it can be inferred that some Asgardians utilized escape pods or other means to evacuate the ship. The film's focus during the attack is primarily on obtaining the Space Stone from the Tesseract. After killing Loki, Thanos may not have pursued every Asgardian on board, allowing some to escape.

Survivors and Resettlement

While the specifics are not detailed in the film, it is mentioned that some Asgardians were left behind. In Ragnarok, Hela killed most of the pagan warriors and soldiers. Civilians and children managed to escape. In Infinity War, the Asgardians knew of the hostile warship and had Valkyrie to lead the survivors away to Earth. These refugees lived on Earth and later established New Asgard.

Thanos' Strategy and Actions

Thanos' strategy involved eliminating half of the population on each planet he targeted. This was a tactic to ensure the safety of the remaining population. During the attack on Thor's ship, his army likely killed a portion of the crew, though not necessarily half. The exact number is not clear, but it is possible that it was a significant portion of the Asgardian forces.

Thanos did not completely destroy the Asgardian ship. Instead, he utilized his forces to control it, possibly using agents or minions to either eliminate or subdue the Asgardian crew. This allowed the Asgardians to escape the ship and eventually find their way to Earth, where Valkyrie had established a new home.

Role of Valkyrie

Valkyrie played a crucial role in the escape of the Asgardians. She led the survivors to Earth, ensuring their safety and allowing them to rebuild their civilization. This decision was strategic, as Thor had previously requested reestablishment on Earth. Thus, when Thor was sent to space and Loki and Heimdall died, it was Valkyrie who orchestrated the escape and resettlement.

Conclusion

The survival of half the Asgardians after the Thanos attack can be attributed to a combination of strategic actions and the utilization of escape pods. While the exact numbers and details are not provided, the overall plot indicates a successful evacuation and resettlement effort led by Valkyrie. This event laid the foundation for the new Asgard on Earth, a place where the surviving Asgardians could rebuild their civilization.