Kurt was recruited by Charles Xavier during the fight against Krakoa, the living isle, rescued from a multitude who was about to murder him for his devil appearance. After defeating Krakoa, he stayed with the X Men for a lot of time, but he was seriously injured in a fight against the Marauders, and had to left for a while, even losing his teleporting mutant power. During this time, that he passed on Muir Island, the death of the X-Men in Dallas was broadcasted on TV (Well, of course they didn't die!), and after recovering a little, he teamed with Kitty Pryde (See ShadowCat), Captain Britain, and Meggan to save Phoenix from the War Wolves of Mojo. They all joined, forming Excalibur.

Kurt was raised by Margali Szardos, a quite powered witch, and grew up with her children, Stefan and Amanda Sefton, but later Stefan turned bad and he had to kill him in a duel, leaving the Szardos family. He discovered quite later that he was Mystique's first son.

His mutant power consists of teleporting himself to any place, with a limitation : he must know where he's going, for if not, he risks to appear into a solid object. (Anyway, he's done it some times, for example, over Dr. Doom castle in the middle of a storm, or under ground, this time saved by ShadowCat) He can also carry people with him, but it's painful for the passengers. He has as well teleported himself without knowing where, sometimes guided by a telepath and once, in a blind jump, with Cerise, while retained by the RCX.

Because of his life with the Szardos, he's very agile, and also uses the sword like Errol Flinn (By the bye, he can combat with three at a time, two in the hands and one in the tail).

One power introduced by Dave Cockrum in some issues is his capacity to melt with the shadows.

Nightcrawler is one of Magneto's oldest and most trusted friends. When Bishop appeared in Seattle, Kurt warns Magnus that this might be an attempt by Apocalypse to divide their forces on a wild goose chase. Despite his misgivings, Nightcrawler agrees to follow Mystique to Avalon in search of a woman named Destiny to confirm Bishop's claims. Although he initially thinks his mother a saint for bringing so many into a paradise, his vision of her is crumbled when he realizes that she charges exorbitant prices for passage.