Best Characters to Play in Marvel Rivals

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Marvel Rivals, a fast-paced, team-based hero shooter by NetEase Games, launched in beta on December 5, 2024, and harnesses the power of Unreal Engine 5 to bring iconic Marvel characters to life. Players can step into the shoes of their favorite heroes and villains, forming lineups they’ve only imagined—Loki fighting side-by-side with Iron Man, or Venom shielding Doctor Strange. These headcanon dreams come alive in dynamic arenas where sharp strategy, seamless teamwork, and skillful use of abilities set winners apart. Every match rewards quick thinking and bold moves, challenging you to adapt on the fly. 

What Makes a Character Strong: 

• Consistency: Heroes that consistently provide value keep the team stable, whether by dealing steady damage, healing allies at crucial moments, or always having a useful ability ready. Their reliability ensures that even when matches drag on, they remain key contributors rather than fading into the background. 
• Survivability: The toughest characters survive intense pressure, shrug off hits that would fell lesser heroes, and emerge ready to fight again. Whether through natural bulk, healing, mobility, or barriers, a truly strong hero can withstand the enemy’s best efforts and keep fighting, allowing their allies to advance with confidence. 
• Versatility: Adaptable heroes shine in any lineup and on any map. They adjust their tactics to fit different roles—maybe holding ground one moment and striking from the flank the next. Their flexible kits let them counter varied enemy strategies, ensuring they never become a liability, no matter how the game unfolds. 
• Utility & Control: Heroes who can heal, provide crowd control, grant vision, or deny enemy movement shape the battlefield to their team’s advantage. By stunning key targets, preventing flanks, boosting allies’ firepower, or revealing hidden threats, they can singlehandedly shift the momentum of a match. Their presence is felt in the way they enable teammates to excel. 
• Impactful Ultimates: The best heroes have ultimates that define pivotal moments—capturing objectives, wiping out clustered enemies, or saving the team from certain defeat. A well-timed ultimate can completely turn the tide, punishing the enemy for small mistakes and rewarding clever setups. Heroes with game-changing ultimates often become the deciding factor in close matches. 

With these qualities in mind, let’s explore the strongest heroes in Marvel Rivals, grouped by their core roles. 

Best Duelists (DPS) in Marvel Rivals 

Duelists are the damage-focused heroes who lead the attack. They hunt down vulnerable enemies, pressure the opposing team, and often decide when and where battles take place. Some rely on precise aim from a distance, while others get up close with fast strikes and surprise attacks. With their power to quickly take out targets, Duelists set the pace of the game. The heroes listed below prove why Duelists are feared for their quick kills and bold plays. 

1. Hela (Duelist)

Hela controls fights with long-range burst damage, crowd control, and the power to close out battles with her ultimate. She can reposition easily and punish enemies who expose themselves. Her passive rewards finishing blows, creating explosive pressure even after a kill, and her team-up passive adds synergy by helping Loki return faster or by boosting his defenses. This makes Hela a top pick for dominating teamfights and holding down objectives from a distance. 

Hela’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack 1 (Left Click): Nightsword Thorn – Throw Nightsword thorns. 
• Goddess of Death (Q): Soar into the sky and unleash Nastrond Crows from each hand at will. 
• Astral Flock (Left Shift): Transform into a flock of Hel crows to glide forth, press again to undo the transformation. 
• Soul Drainer (E): Project an explosive Hel sphere to Stun nearby enemies. 
• Piercing Night (Right Click): Fire multiple Nightsword thorns that detonate after a delay. 
• Nastrond Crowstorm (Passive): Defeating an enemy will generate a Nastrond Crow, exploding after a duration. 
• Hel’s Descent (Passive): Hold Space to fall slowly. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Queen of Hel – When Hela lands a final hit in defeating an enemy, she can instantly resurrect Loki or Thor in the respawn phase. If either is alive, a Nastrond Crow will fly to him, granting blue armor.

2. Psylocke (Duelist)

Psylocke shines as a lightning-fast assassin who punishes poor positioning and lack of awareness. She’s capable of quickly killing key targets like supports and fragile DPS before they can react. Her stealth and mobility let her set up favorable engagements and escape safely, while her ultimate can shred multiple enemies if they cluster. Psylocke’s pressure forces the enemy team to watch their flanks constantly or risk losing essential allies in seconds. 

Psylocke’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Psionic Crossbow – Unleash bolts with psionic crossbows to damage enemies and reduce the cooldowns of all her abilities. 
• Dance of the Butterfly (Q): Slash nearby enemies with a psionic katana, dealing massive damage. 
• Psi-Blade Dash (Left Shift): Dash forward and slice through enemies along the path with psionic blades. 
• Psychic Stealth (E): Enter stealth and gain a Movement Boost. 
• Wing Shurikens (Right Click): Launch a volley of psionic shurikens that stick to enemies, dealing damage and granting herself Bonus Health. Press again to recall the shurikens. 
• Team-Up Abilities (C): Psionic Disk – When Magik is on the field, Black Panther and Psylocke can tap into Limbo to rewind a few seconds back to a previous position; after passing through Limbo, Black Panther and Psylocke will gain Bonus Health based on missing health.

3. Winter Soldier (Duelist)

Winter Soldier thrives on breaking enemy lines and turning duels into guaranteed kills. He pulls enemies out of cover, sets them up for easy finishes, and his ultimate mechanic lets him chain multiple kills if he times it right. He can handle groups, punish tanks trying to hold the frontline, and outplay supports hiding behind their team. His combination of displacement, burst damage, and kill-reset potential pressures the enemy to stay perfectly positioned or face devastating losses. 

Winter Soldier’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Roterstern – Fire explosive rounds with his blaster, damaging the target hit and enemies behind them. 
• Kraken Impact (Q): Leap high, then dash forward and slam down with the bionic arm, dealing damage. Marked enemies will perish instantly if their health falls below a certain threshold, recharging the bionic arm for another Kraken Impact within a short period. 
• Trooper’s Fist (Left Shift): Dash forward, seizing enemies along the path, and knock enemies in front airborne at the end of the dash. 
• Tainted Voltage (E): Charge up and launch a powerful electrical punch with the bionic arm in the target direction, dealing damage and slowing enemies. 
• Bionic Hook (Right Click): Charge up and launch a hook with his bionic arm, reeling in the first target hit and enemies lurking behind. 
• Ceaseless Charge (Passive): Roterstern reloads automatically while the bionic arm is in action, granting Winter Soldier bonus health. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Infinite Grit – Rocket Raccoon throws an Ammo Overload Device in the target direction. Upon entering the device’s range, Winter Soldier receives Infinite Ammo and Faster Firing buffs.

4. Hawkeye (Duelist)

Hawkeye dominates long sightlines and open spaces. He punishes enemies who peek out of cover, and his kit lets him track targets, knock them airborne if they get close, and deal extra damage with focused aiming. His variety of arrows handles different situations, letting him keep pressure at all ranges. Against slow-moving or careless enemies, Hawkeye’s deadly shots and shared vision with Black Widow ensure that stepping into the open is a dangerous gamble. 

Hawkeye’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack 1 (Left Click): Piercing Arrows – Shoot a powerful arrow. 
• Normal Attack 2 (Left Click): Shoot three explosive arrows. 
• Hunter’s Sight (Q): Capture Afterimages of enemies in view. Damage dealt to an Afterimage is transferred to the corresponding enemy. 
• Crescent Slash (Left Shift): Unsheathe a katana and slash forward, knocking hit enemies airborne. 
• Hypersonic Arrow (E): Shoot a Hypersonic Arrow, dealing additional damage to enemies in its path. 
• Ronin Slash (V): Swing the kawizashi to strike frontal enemies, deflecting all incoming projectiles. 
• Skyward Leap (Space): Perform a double jump in the direction of movement. 
• Archer’s Focus (Passive): Aim at an enemy to improve focus, enhancing the damage inflicted by Piercing Arrow. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Supersonic Vision – Hawkeye can share his Hunter’s Sight with Black Widow, enabling her to catch sight of and damage afterimages of enemies. 

Best Vanguards (Tanks) in Marvel Rivals 

Vanguards, often called tanks, are the sturdy protectors at the front of any team. They hold key positions, absorb damage, and shield their allies from danger. These heroes focus on controlling the battlefield—blocking off paths, stopping enemies from advancing, and keeping their teammates out of harm’s way. While they may not deal the most damage, Vanguards make sure their allies have the time and space to act. Below are the heroes who show what it truly means to stand firm and keep the team safe. 

1. Doctor Strange (Vanguard)

Doctor Strange excels by controlling the battlefield with portals, barriers, and area-of-effect attacks. He can separate enemies from their bodies, making them vulnerable to focused damage, and he can shield allies to block incoming fire. Strange’s ability to briefly take flight lets him gain better angles or avoid danger. His team-up synergy with Hulk and Iron Man adds even more power, ensuring that strong opponents or tight choke points become far easier for his team to handle. Overall, Doctor Strange offers unparalleled utility and crowd control, making him a top-tier Vanguard. Also, you could always do the portal trick at the enemy spawn and try to cheese in some kills. 

Doctor Strange’s 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 (Left Shift) – 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 enters 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. 

2. Groot (Vanguard)

Groot is a powerful frontline protector capable of blocking enemy attacks and controlling the flow of battle with his growing walls and vine clusters. He excels at supporting his team by imprisoning enemies, limiting their movements, and providing safe barriers for allies. When fighting near his walls, Groot unlocks extra effects that further enhance his durability and battlefield presence. His synergy with Rocket Raccoon allows for even more defensive tactics. In short, Groot’s ability to create safe zones, trap enemies, and endure enemy fire makes him a vital asset in any team composition. 

Groot’s 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 (Left Shift) – 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 or Jeff the Land Shark can ride on Groot’s shoulders, receiving Damage Reduction. 

3. Venom (Vanguard)

Venom is a fearsome tank who thrives on diving into enemy lines, causing panic and splitting their formation. He can burrow underground to reposition, gain bonus health by devouring enemies, and slow them to prevent escapes. Venom’s wall-crawling and web-swinging abilities give him the mobility needed to chase down targets or evade dangerous situations. His synergy with Spider-Man and Peni Parker intensifies his relentless offense, making it difficult for opponents to find safe ground. Venom’s blend of mobility, sustain, and crowd control allows him to dictate where and when fights occur, often leaving foes scrambling. 

Venom’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Dark Predation – Unleash tentacles forward to attack enemies. 
• Feast of the Abyss (Q) – Burrow underground for free movement. After a duration or by pressing Left Click, devour enemies above and generate Bonus Health. 
• Venom Swing (Left Shift) – Launch webbing forward, allowing for a singular swing in the desired direction. 
• Symbiotic Resilience (E) – Generate Bonus Health against damage. The lower Venom’s Health, the greater the Bonus Health generated. 
• Frenzied Arrival (F) – Dash to the target location from a certain height. Upon landing, damage nearby enemies, knocking them back towards the landing point. 
• Cellular Corrosion (Right Click) – Unleash tentacles to slow enemies within reach. Enemies unable to break free in time will suffer damage. 
• Alien Biology (Passive) – Press Space to wall crawl, and while crawling, press Left Click to sprint. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Touch of Klyntar – Venom shares a part of his symbiote with Spider-Man and Peni Parker, letting them convert the symbiote into explosive spikes that harm and push back nearby enemies. 

Best Strategists (Supports) in Marvel Rivals 

Strategists, also known as supports, keep the team going strong. They heal wounds, boost their allies’ abilities, and sometimes bring fallen teammates back into the fight. Supports often have tools to slow down or weaken enemies, making it easier for their allies to win battles. While they may not always lead the charge, their steady presence and helpful powers make all the difference in tough matches. The following heroes show how a good Strategist turns a strong team into an unstoppable force. 

1. Mantis (Strategist)

Mantis is a top-tier healer who excels at keeping her team alive and strong. She can collect Life Orbs to heal allies, boost their damage, and even improve her own damage output. Her healing and speed boosts help her team stay in the fight longer, and she can put enemies to sleep to shut down threats. Thanks to her synergy with Adam Warlock, she gains enhanced rebirth potential. With a versatile toolkit that provides healing, damage boosts, and crowd control, Mantis stands as one of the most valuable supports in the game. 

Mantis’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Life Energy Blast – Fire an energy thorn and regain one Life Orb after a critical hit. 
• Soul Resurgence (Q) – Release energy around her while moving, providing Healing Over Time and Movement Boost for surrounding allies. 
• Spore Slumber (Left Shift) – Throw a spore to Sedate the nearest enemy. 
• Allied Inspiration (E) – Consume Life Orbs to grant allies a Damage Boost. 
• Natural Anger (F) – Consume Life Orbs to grant herself a Damage Boost. 
• Healing Flower (Right Click) – Consume Life Orbs to grant allies Healing Over Time. 
• Nature’s Favor (Passive) – Receive a Movement Boost when not injured and Healing Over Time when consuming Life Orbs. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Nature’s Soul – Adam Warlock enhances the rebirth power of Mantis, granting them the power of cocooned revival. 

2. Luna Snow (Strategist)

Luna Snow brings both healing and damage to the battlefield. She can toggle her abilities between healing allies and boosting their damage, or harming enemies directly. Her ice-themed kit helps control enemies by freezing them, and her passive effects help her stay healthy while aiding her team. She can mark an ally so they benefit more from her healing, and her synergy with heroes like Namor, Jeff the Land Shark, and Iron Fist boosts her overall team support. With her unique blend of offense, defense, and powerful team buffs, Luna Snow stands out as a formidable support. 

Luna Snow’s 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 dance! Toggle between performances that either heal allies or grant them Damage Boost. 
• Ice Arts (Left Shift) – 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 – Infuses ice energy into Namor and Jeff the Land Shark, letting them tap into ice power. 
• Team-Up Abilities (C): Frozen Chi – With Iron Fist’s Chi, Luna Snow’s ice power forms a Chi-infused frosty ring that knocks back and slows enemies while healing allies. 

3. Cloak & Dagger (Strategist)

Cloak & Dagger excel by swapping between two modes: Dagger’s healing and support abilities and Cloak’s damage and disruption. They can heal allies, buff them, and create fields of healing or invisibility, while also damaging and blinding enemies. By switching stances, they adapt to what the team needs in the moment—healing, stealth, or burst damage. Their team-up ability with Moon Knight creates a unique Light & Dark Realm, enhancing his stealth and pressure. This constant versatility and high-impact utility make Cloak & Dagger a feared presence in any match. 

Cloak & Dagger’s Abilities: 
Dagger Mode: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Lightforce Dagger – Unleash a bouncing Lightforce Dagger to damage enemies and heal nearby allies. 
• Shadow’s Embrace (Left Shift) – Switch to Cloak. 
• Veil of Lightforce (E) – Deploy a Veil of Lightforce that heals allies who touch it and grants a healing boost. 
• Dagger Storm (Right Click) – Launch a volley of daggers, creating a Healing Over Time field at the impact area. 

Cloak Mode: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Darkforce Cloak – Inflict continuous damage on an enemy. 
• Light’s Embrace (Left Shift) – Switch to Dagger. 
• Terror Cape (E) – Deploy a Veil of Darkforce to damage enemies who touch it, applying Blind and Vulnerability. 
• Dark Teleportation (Right Click) – Enshroud nearby allies in the Darkforce Dimension, making them untargetable, invisible, and granting them a Movement Boost. 

Shared Abilities: 

• Eternal Bond (Q) – Perform three rapid dashes, healing allies and damaging enemies along the path. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): From Shadow to Light – Cloak & Dagger can inject light and dark energy into Moon Knight to create a Light & Dark Realm, enabling Moon Knight to become Invisible. 

4. Adam Warlock (Strategist)

Adam Warlock stands out by offering what no other hero can: resurrection. His healing abilities can stabilize teams under pressure, and his power to revive fallen allies keeps the fight going where other teams would crumble. By connecting allies with a Soul Bond, he spreads damage taken, reducing the chance of a quick pick-off. Adam Warlock’s synergy with Star-Lord and Mantis further boosts his team’s endurance. With unmatched resurrection capabilities, strong healing, and clever damage distribution, Adam Warlock is a cornerstone support who keeps hope alive even in the bleakest battles. 

Adam Warlock’s Abilities: 

• Normal Attack (Left Click): Quantum Magic – Launch quantum energy to deal damage. 
• Karmic Revival (Q) – Awaken the karma of allies to revive them with lowered health but brief invincibility. 
• Soul Bond (Left Shift) – Unite the souls of allies, granting them healing over time and spreading out damage they take. 
• Avatar Life Stream (E) – Target an ally for a healing stream that also heals Adam Warlock; self-targets if no ally is selected. 
• Cosmic Cluster (Right Click) – Gather quantum energy into a cluster and then launch it at the enemy. 
• Regenerative Cocoon (Passive) – Upon dying, Adam Warlock can move as a soul and reforge his body at a chosen spot. 
• Team-Up Abilities (Passive): Soul Perseverance – Enhances the rebirth power of Star-Lord and Mantis, granting them cocooned revival.

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