Marvel Rivals characters tier list: Ranking the finest Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Daggers of Denak – Cast Daggers of Denak forward.
• Eye of Agamotto (Q) – Separate nearby enemies’ Souls from their bodies. Damage dealt to these Souls is transferred to their physical bodies.
• Cloak of Levitation (LShift) – Ascend and then enter a brief state of sustained flight.
• Maelstrom of Madness (E) – Release Dark Magic to deal damage to nearby enemies.
• Pentagram of Farallah (F) – Open portals between two locations, enabling all units to travel through them.
• Shield of the Seraphim (Right Click) – Create a protective barrier against damage.
• Price of Magic (Passive) – Dark Magic accumulates with every hit on an enemy. If Dark Magic is not released, Doctor Strange will enter a state of Anti-Heal.
• Team-Up Abilities: Gamma Maelstrom – Hulk charges Doctor Strange and Iron Man with gamma radiation. When Doctor Strange uses Maelstrom of Madness, he unleashes excess gamma energy. When Iron Man uses Armor Overdrive, he will initiate a gamma upgrade.

Doctor Strange stands out as the ultimate Vanguard hero in the game, boasting abilities that are integral to the meta and sure to captivate players. As a formidable sorcerer, he takes on the role of frontline protector for his team, utilizing his mystical powers and dark magic to deal fatal blows to adversaries.

Nevertheless, his Pentagram of Farallah skill prevails over all other skills in the game. It enables the opening of portals to and from any location on the map, providing teammates with the opportunity to pass through them at any time. Additionally, it can be used to deceive enemies and set up ambushes when strategically placed.

Furthermore, you have the option to take flight and conjure a shield that can ward off incoming projectile damage, providing a strategic advantage in the early stages of a competition.

Star-Lord

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Element Guns – Shoot enemies with dual Element Guns.
• Galactic Legend (Q) – Engage in free-flight and lock onto enemies in sight.
• Rocket Propulsion (LShift) – Boost and soar forward.
• Blaster Barrage (E) – Fire a frenzy of shots, causing damage to enemies within range.
• Stellar Shift (Right Click) – Dodge in the direction of movement and swiftly reload.
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Soul Perseverance – Adam Warlock enhances the rebirth power of Star-Lord and Mantis, granting them the power of cocooned revival.

Star-Lord excels as a Duelist in the roster, serving as a formidable damage dealer in the game. This is attributed to his Element Guns and jet boots, allowing him to maintain constant mobility. His ultimate ability acts as a precise aimbot, locking onto enemies as he maneuvers through the battlefield and swiftly evades incoming attacks.

Due to his keen perception, Star-Lord can readily pinpoint a vulnerable healer on the enemy team and swiftly eliminate them from above. He is among the few individuals capable of evading perilous circumstances to ensure his survival and strategize for his next offensive move.

Luna Snow

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Light & Dark Ice – Fire ice shots that damage enemies or heal allies.
• Fate of Both Worlds (Q) – Take center stage and start dancing! Toggle between two performances: Heal allies or grant them Damage Boost.
• Ice Arts (LShift) – Fire ice shards for a short duration, damaging enemies or healing allies while restoring her own Health.
• Share the Stage (E) – Attach Idol Aura to an ally. Allies with Idol Aura also restore Health when Luna Snow is healing others.
• Absolute Zero (Right Click) – Cast a clump of ice to freeze the hit enemy and restore health.
• Cryo Heart (Passive) – Automatically restore Health when casting Ice Arts or Absolute Zero.
• Smooth Skate (Passive) – Keep moving to start ice skating.
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Icy Disco – Luna Snow infuses ice energy into Namor, who then can tap into the ice energy to power up abilities at will.

Luna Snow is recognized as the most dominant healer within the Marvel Rivals roster. With her remarkable ability to skate ceaselessly around the map, she can effectively heal her teammates within a specific range as she moves.

She can also release ice shards that cause damage to enemies and heal a chosen ally simultaneously. Moreover, her ultimate ability can either increase team damage or provide healing while they are in combat with the enemy team.

Luna Snow offers a dynamic gameplay experience, allowing you to engage in healing or dealing damage on the map. Her move-set is among the finest in Marvel Rivals, ensuring an enjoyable and engaging gameplay.

A-Tier characters in Marvel Rivals

Loki

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Mystical Missile – Fire Mystical Missiles to heal allies or deal damage to enemies.
• God of Mischief (Q) – Shapeshift into a targeted ally or enemy hero and use all the hero’s abilities.
• Regeneration Domain (LShift) – Use Rune Stones to create a magical field that converts damage taken by allies within its radius into healing energy.
• Doppelganger (E) – Project an illusion that can cast some of Loki’s abilities.
• Devious Exchange (F) – Swap with the selected illusion.
• Backstab (V) – Pull out a dagger to stab enemies, dealing extra damage when attacking an enemy from behind.
• Deception (Right Click) – Become invisible and conjure an illusion to deceive enemies.
• Team-Up Abilities: Laufeyson Reborn (Passive) – When Hela lands a final hit in defeating an enemy, she can instantly resurrect Loki in the respawn phase. If Loki is alive, a Nastrond Crow will fly to him, granting blue armor.

Loki stands out as a captivating character to control in Marvel Rivals due to his array of deceptive tactics that can confuse opponents. His strategic skills have the potential to be devastating to the opposing team, provided that the player has honed their understanding of Loki’s unique gameplay mechanics.

Mastering Loki’s abilities takes time, such as creating multiple projections or mimicking enemy powers. Nevertheless, Loki is a valuable asset for any team aiming to disrupt the enemy’s plans.

Scarlet Witch

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Chaos Control – Use Chaos Magic to attack enemies and restore Chaos Energy.
• Reality Erasure (Q) – Engage in free-flight while charging energy, then unleash it to deal massive damage.
• Mystic Projection (LShift) – Enter the Projection state for free-flight. Press again to exit early.
• Dark Seal (E) – Land a hit on a target or the scene, or press again to generate a Force Field that periodically Stuns enemies within range.
• Telekinesis (Space) – Space Hold Space to fall slowly.
• Chthonian Burst (Right Click) – Consume Chaos Energy to fire explosive magic missiles, damaging enemies.
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Chaotic Bond – Scarlet Witch can infuse Chaos Energy into Magneto to enchant his greatsword. Upon receiving the Chaos Energy, Magneto can unleash its full force, striking down enemies with his enchanted greatsword.

Scarlet Witch possesses minimal defensive abilities in Marvel Rivals, making her a true glass cannon. However, she stands out as the most dominant character in terms of offense, capable of inflicting tremendous close-range damage with Chaos Magic and effortlessly maneuvering across the map while remaining unseen to deceive opponents.

However, she emerges as a true menace to the enemy once she uses her ultimate ability, Reality Erasure, wiping out an entire team in seconds, similar to her overpowered counterpart in the Marvel Universe. She evokes Dark Magic, unlike any other sorcerer on the team.

Groot

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Vine Strike – Launch vines to attack enemies.
• Strangling Prison (Q) – Fire a massive vine cluster that pulls nearby enemies to its center and Imprisons them.
• Thornlash Wall (LShift) – Target a location and grow a Thornlash Wall. When Awakened, it strikes nearby enemies attacked by Groot and his allies.
• Ironwood Wall (E) – Target a location and grow an Ironwood Wall. When Awakened, it grants Bonus Health to Groot when nearby enemies take damage.
• Spore Bomb (Right Click) – Throw an explosive Spore Bomb that splits into multiple small explosive spores.
• Flora Colossus (Passive) – Wooden walls near Groot will Awaken, activating an extra effect.
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Friendly Shoulder – Rocket Raccoon can ride on Groot’s shoulders, receiving Damage Reduction.

Groot, another Vanguard hero in the Marvel Rivals lineup, excels at constructing barriers to provide strategic advantages for teammates and to allow for healing or planning during combat. While his healing capabilities may be lacking, Groot’s resilience and offensive power make him a formidable force on the battlefield.

Abilities:

• Normal Attack 1 (Left Click): Adjudication – Fire at enemies with Adjudication, his Automatic Rifle
• Normal Attack 2 (Left Click): Deliverance – Fire at enemies with Deliverance, his Shotgun
• Final Judgement (Q) – Unleash two gatling guns and missiles to attack enemies.
• Vantage Connection (LShift) – Launch a hook to generate a cable that enables Punisher to move rapidly by pressing F.
• Culling Turret (E) – Deploy a Culling Turret that grounds Punisher while dealing massive damage.
• Scourge Grenade (Right Click) – Throw a Smoke Grenade forward to Obscure enemy vision.
• Warrior’s Gaze (Passive) – Retain vision of enemies that disappear from view for a short duration.
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Infinite Punishment – Aiming at the target, Rocket Raccoon launches an Ammo Overload Device. As soon as The Punisher steps into the device’s area, he gains the advantages of Endless Ammunition and Accelerated Firing.

In Marvel Rivals, The Punisher stands out as a character with exceptional tactical abilities. His arsenal, which includes a Shotgun, Machine Gun, and Smoke Grenade (although it could benefit from a longer duration), makes him a valuable asset to a team’s offensive line as a Duelist. However, he is unable to surpass heroes of a higher tier in terms of performance.

However, his ultimate skill, which involves deploying a turret, is incredibly entertaining to use as it can eliminate enemies who have just respawned. He is versatile in most situations but excels in none.

Namor

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Trident of Neptune – Toss the trident forward, reducing Aquatic Dominion’s cooldown upon enemy impact.
• Horn of Proteus (Q) – Summon Giganto to leap atop enemies within range.
• Blessing of the Deep (LShift) – Summon a protective barrier while flying upwards, shielding Namor while disabling movement and skills use during its duration.
• Aquatic Dominion (E) – Summon a Monstro Spawn that can autonomously attack enemies.
• Wrath of the Seven Seas (Right Click) – Project the trident forward to cause damage to nearby enemies, then direct all Monstro Spawn to carry out an enhanced attack on the nearest hit enemy.
• Team-Up Abilities (C): Frozen Spawn – Luna Snow infuses ice energy into Namor, who can then tap into the ice energy to power up abilities at will.

Namor, a hero featured in Marvel Rivals, is frequently criticized for his perceived weakness. Despite his status as a god of the oceans, his Trident, similar to Aquaman’s weapon, falls short in terms of damage. Nevertheless, by activating his ultimate ability and summoning sea creatures, Namor can coordinate attacks effectively against enemy teams.

Namor’s strength may not be as impressive when he’s flying solo, but when he teams up with Luna Snow and harnesses ice energy in his Trident shots, he becomes a force to be reckoned with.

Magneto

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Iron Volley – Fire a volley of magnetic orbs forward.
• Meteor M (Q) – Alter the magnetic field to draw in matter and projectiles and forge a massive iron meteor, delivering catastrophic damage to the targeted area upon impact.
• Metallic Curtain (LShift) – Change the magnetic field around to form a metallic curtain, blocking all flying projectiles.
• Metal Bulwark (E) – Conjure a metal shield around a chosen ally. Damage taken will transform into rings on Magneto’s back.
• Mag-Cannon (Right Click) – Convert the iron rings on Magneto’s back into a Mag-Cannon and launch a metallic mass forward. Higher stacks of rings increase damage, and full stacks Knock Back enemies.
• Magnetic Descent (Passive) – Hold Space to fall slowly.
• Team-Up Abilities (C): Metallic Fusion – Scarlet Witch can infuse Chaos Energy into Magneto to enchant his greatsword. Upon receiving the Chaos Energy, Magneto can unleash its full force, striking down enemies with his enchanted greatsword.

Magneto, an exceptionally strong Vanguard, can endure lethal attacks and swiftly eliminate enemies with his primary assault, eradicating them in a matter of seconds. Moreover, he can utilize his abilities to outmatch the duelists on the enemy team.

He has the ability to manipulate an area’s magnetic field and unleash a devastating meteor attack on his enemies. Additionally, his shield can effectively deflect incoming attacks, although it hinders his movement in certain scenarios.

Storm

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Wind Blade – Launch forward-piercing Wind Blades.
• Omega Hurricane (Q) – Transform into a hurricane to draw in nearby enemies and deal damage.
• Weather Control (LShift) – Switch the weather to empower allies: Tornado grants a Movement Boost; Thunder grants a Damage Boost.
• Goddess Boost (E) – Channel the power of the weather to empower Storm; Tornado grants a Movement Boost; Thunder grants a Damage Boost and summons lightning to inflict damage.
• Bolt Rush (Right Click) – Unleash a lightning bolt forward.

Storm, a prominent mutant in the X-Men team, possesses formidable powers; however, her performance in Marvel Rivals may leave much to be desired. Despite being classified as a Duelist, Storm’s gameplay leans more towards that of a Strategist, excelling in providing support to allies by enhancing their damage output and movement speed within a designated area.

Storm’s ultimate ability, transforming into a hurricane, is restricted to a specific area, thereby constraining her mobility and speed in comparison to faster heroes who inflict greater damage.

Bruce Banner/Hulk

Abilities:

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Heavy Blow – Swing fists forward to punch enemies
• Hulk Smash! (Q) – Unleash stored gamma energy, transforming from Hero Hulk into Monster Hulk for a limited period.
• Indestructible Guard (LShift) – Generate gamma shields for Hero Hulk and nearby allies, absorbing and converting damage into energy for HULK SMASH!
• Radioactive Lockdown (E) – Emit gamma energy to place enemies in quantum void that renders them immobilized and immune to all ability effects.
• Incredible Leap (Space) – Hold Space to perform a charged leap that allows Hero Hulk to Knock a flying enemy to the ground.
• Gamma Burst (Right Click) – Emit gamma-ray bursts to inflict damage.
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Gamma Boost – Hulk charges Doctor Strange and Iron Man with gamma radiation. When Doctor Strange uses Maelstrom of Madness, he unleashes excess gamma energy. When Iron Man uses Armor Overdrive, he will initiate a gamma upgrade.

Marvel Rivals features Hulk as a robust Vanguard hero with impressive resilience and formidable fighting techniques. Employ his agility to jump and eliminate adversaries, creating opportunities for your Duelists to engage in combat.

However, his final ability that increases his strength and allows him to grab an opponent to crush them is unimpressive, as it immobilizes you for a short time before you can move freely again. His limited mobility is also disappointing because of the cooldown required to leap to higher ground.

Although the concept of eliminating all players on the map may seem exciting, it loses its appeal when you find yourself simply running after others to inflict damage and ultimately getting transformed into a Puny Banner with only 200 HP.

Iron Man

Abilities:

• Normal Attack 1 (Left Click): Repulsor Blast – Fire nano pulse cannons forward.
• Normal Attack 2 (Right Click): Unibeam – Fire a unibeam forward.
• Invincible Pulse Cannon (Q) – Fire a devastating pulse cannon in the targeted direction, delivering catastrophic damage to the targeted area upon impact.
• Hyper-Velocity (LShift) – Activate Hyper-Velocity state for swift forward flight.
• Armor Overdrive (E) – Activate Armor Overdrive state, enhancing damage of Repulsor Blast and Unibeam.
• Micro-Missile Barrage (F) – When Hyper-Velocity or Armor Overdrive is used, Iron Man can launch a missile bombardment.
• Team-Up Abilities (E): Gamma Overdrive – Hulk charges Doctor Strange and Iron Man with gamma radiation. When Doctor Strange uses Maelstrom of Madness, he unleashes excess gamma energy. When Iron Man uses Armor Overdrive, he will initiate a gamma upgrade.

Iron Man, a character from Marvel Rivals, is typically reliable in fulfilling expectations. Nevertheless, Tony Stark’s armored persona lacks effectiveness in taking down formidable heroes from the opposing team. Despite being able to navigate the map effortlessly and inflict damage on adversaries using Repulsors and Unibeam, Iron Man remains susceptible to faster combatants such as Hela or Scarlet Witch.

Iron Man’s ultimate power unleashes a pulse that inflicts substantial damage on all enemies within a wide radius. Nevertheless, his defensive capabilities and the time it takes to defeat an enemy are rather underwhelming when compared to those of higher-tier heroes.

C-Tier characters in Marvel Rivals

Black Panther