Previous Post Drax, in the films, also is not tied by a cosmic being into destroying Thanos. He hated Ronan and change his goal at the end of Guardians to Thanos but seemed to me Annihilation he just finally was equipped with the best way to stop Thanos finally.

Yes in Annihilation he seemed more evolved in terms of his skill but his raw power seems diminished until his kill Thanos energy gets activated and he dispatches the Titan.

Drax in his first life was an even match for Thanos but was hampered by his "MUST KILL THANOS" programming and urges. He wasn't stupid just single minded when he locked onto his target.

In his second life, yes he was more like a cosmic powered HULK. massive power boost but his previous death changed this new incarnation into a dimwitted buffoon and Kronos really didn't take note or care to fix it until Moondragon and Drax confronted Kronos years later in The Cosmic Powers series.

Then Drax evolves/alters into his present form sometime after that.

Now supposedly he has had enough of battle and seeks to guard the power stone which is a bit ironic given that he was its guardian in the infinity watch.