Marvel Rivals is a team-based PvP shooter where superheroes and supervillains from the beloved Marvel universe clash in epic battles. Currently, the game features 33 playable characters. Choose from a variety of iconic Marvel heroes and villains, including members of the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many other representatives of the Marvel universe.
With such a wide selection, some players may feel overwhelmed when deciding who to play or main for the best chance of victory. Our Marvel Rivals Characters Guide is here to help. In this guide, we’ll describe all the playable characters and divide them into their in-game categories: Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist.
Keep in mind that while choosing the right character is important, your personal gameplay skills, strategies, and teamwork play a huge role in securing victory. This is why some players use Marvel Rivals Boosting to accelerate their progression. However, with our guide, you’ll be able to make an informed choice and improve your chances of winning!
Vanguard Characters
In the game, characters in this class essentially represent the tank archetype seen in similar games. These heroes thrive on the frontlines, absorbing damage, shielding allies, and controlling enemies. This class is a great choice for players who enjoy a moderately aggressive playstyle.
- Groot is a defensive powerhouse, excelling at controlling the battlefield and protecting allies. His ability to create barriers and trap enemies makes him a strategic anchor in any team composition.
- Hulk is a dynamic bruiser capable of shifting between tactical defense as Hero Hulk and overwhelming offense as Monster Hulk. His gamma-powered abilities dominate close-quarters combat, making him a destructive force on the battlefield.
- Magneto is a versatile controller, excelling at both offense and defense. By manipulating metal, he protects allies, punishes enemies, and absorbs damage while enhancing attacks to dominate with devastating precision.
- Peni Parker specializes in area control and sustainability, deploying Spider-Drones, Arachno-Mines, and Cyber-Webs to disrupt enemies and aid allies. She thrives in strategic positioning, using healing and mobility boosts to ensure dominance within her Cyber-Web zones.
- Thor is a powerhouse brawler with devastating burst damage and battlefield control. By charging Thorforce through lightning strikes and melee attacks, he unleashes powerful abilities while sustaining himself with bonus health and enhanced states.
- Venom is a versatile disruptor and tank, thriving on mobility and enemy control. His burrowing and wall-crawling abilities allow him to ambush foes effectively, while his Bonus Health generation ensures his endurance in prolonged fights.
- Captain America is a frontline leader and protector, excelling at shielding allies and disrupting enemies. His defensive boosts, powerful leaps, and ability to deflect projectiles make him a commanding presence on the battlefield.
- Doctor Strange is a strategic controller who manipulates enemies and battlefield dynamics. With precise timing and placement, he dominates fights while managing the risk of accumulating Dark Magic.
Duelist Characters
This class is the largest in the game, featuring the most characters in Marvel Rivals. Essentially, it serves as the DPS class, capable of dealing immense damage. However, Duelists need to avoid prolonged exposure, as their survivability can be limited.
- Hawkeye is a precise ranged attacker with tools for controlling the battlefield. His Afterimage mechanics and projectile deflection make him a tactical powerhouse, while his mobility keeps him ahead of foes.
- Hela excels at area control and sustained damage with her Nightsword thorns and Hel Sphere, immobilizing enemies. Her mobility and Nastrond Crow summons make her a dynamic force, dominating chaotic battles.
- Iron Fist is a swift melee brawler who thrives on Chi energy, dominating close-range combat. His defensive stances, mobility, and Chi absorption make him durable and ideal for aggressive playstyles.
- Iron Man is a high-mobility damage dealer who dominates from a distance. With area attacks and enhanced states like Hyper-Velocity and Armor Overdrive, he delivers devastating damage while staying agile.
- Magik (Illyana Rasputin) uses portals to infiltrate enemy backlines and cause havoc. Her Soulsword excels in close combat, though her aggressive style requires calculated risks.
- Moon Knight blends melee combat with mystical powers, using his Moon Blade and Ankh for strategic crowd control. His double jumps and grappling hook make him elusive and unpredictable.
- Namor commands the battlefield with summons and area control. Giganto disables enemy mobility, while Monstro Spawns apply relentless pressure, making him invaluable in team fights.
- Psylocke is a stealthy assassin with high burst damage. Her psionic katana and shuriken volley deal heavy damage, while her stealth allows her to escape or reposition effectively.
- Scarlet Witch is a versatile mage with crowd control and burst damage. Her Force Field stuns and magic missiles devastate enemies, while her free-flight provides tactical mobility.
- Spider-Man is an agile, strategic fighter who controls enemies with web-based abilities. His stuns, pulls, and mobility from web swings and double jumps keep him dynamic and hard to counter.
- Squirrel Girl brings chaos with squirrel attacks on enemies and structures. Her mobility and quick cooldown resets keep her dynamic, maintaining constant pressure on opponents.
- Star-Lord uses mobility and rapid offense to outmaneuver enemies. His free-flight, quick dodges, and constant barrage of attacks make him a versatile and relentless fighter.
- Storm dominates with weather manipulation, combining hurricane-like crowd control and targeted lightning strikes. Her ability to switch weather conditions boosts allies or hinders enemies for strategic versatility.
- The Punisher excels at suppressive fire and tactical positioning. His Gatling guns and missiles deal massive damage, while smoke grenades and vision-tracking make him a relentless hunter.
- Winter Soldier is a brutal enforcer with devastating bionic arm attacks. His crowd-control and execution mechanics make him a formidable threat in close-range combat.
- Wolverine is a relentless melee brawler with Rage-fueled attacks and regenerative healing. His savage mobility and survivability make him a persistent threat in extended engagements.
- Black Panther is a swift, tactical fighter, marking enemies with Vibranium for enhanced effects. His mobility and adaptability make him deadly in close combat, especially when his health is low.
- Black Widow is an agile assassin skilled at precision attacks and quick movement. Her ability to switch between plasma blasts and sniper shots ensures adaptability in combat while keeping enemies disoriented.
Strategist Characters
In Marvel Rivals, Strategists are the supportive backbone of the team. These characters excel at healing, buffing allies, and even reviving them, ensuring their team stays strong in the heat of battle.
- Cloak and Dagger offer a unique dual-character playstyle, switching between support and offense. As Cloak, their abilities heal and protect teammates with effects like Veil of Lightforce, which generates a healing field. Switching to Dagger amplifies enemy damage while cloaking allies, granting temporary invisibility to outwit opponents.
- Jeff the Land Shark is a playful yet effective support brawler with distinct healing and crowd control abilities. By diving to swallow and reposition heroes or launching healing bubbles, Jeff provides mobility and safety to allies while cleverly disrupting enemy strategies.
- Loki thrives on deception, using shapeshifting and illusions to confuse enemies while aiding teammates. His Rune Stones provide healing and utility, and his stealth capabilities allow him to control the battlefield with cunning misdirection.
- Luna Snow balances healing and damage, toggling between freezing enemies and empowering allies. Her graceful movement and versatile abilities make her a responsive support, adapting to her team’s needs while skating fluidly through combat zones.
- Rocket Raccoon is a tactical support specialist who boosts team damage and provides utility with gadgets. His Battle Rebirth Beacon revives allies and supplies mobility tools, ensuring his team can recover and reposition during chaotic battles.
- Adam Warlock is the ultimate support, using soul bonds to heal and share damage among allies. His ability to revive teammates and return from death himself makes him indispensable in prolonged fights, where his persistence and healing dominate the battlefield.
- Mantis is a supportive healer focused on sustaining and empowering her team. Her energy-based abilities provide Healing Over Time, Movement Boosts, and even Bonus Health when excess healing is applied. By consuming Life Orbs, she can enhance allies with healing or grant herself a Damage Boost, making her a versatile choice for both team support and self-reliance. Her ability to Sedate enemies adds a layer of disruption, giving her team an edge in controlling fights.
Source: Baddiehub
Conclusion
Marvel Rivals offers a dynamic and diverse roster of characters, each designed to cater to unique playstyles and team strategies. Whether you prefer the resilience of the Vanguard, the high damage output of Duelists, or the supportive versatility of Strategists, there’s a hero (or villain) suited for everyone.
Choosing the right character can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, but true success lies in mastering their abilities, adapting to your team’s needs, and developing your personal strategies. With this guide, you have all the tools to make informed decisions and take your gameplay to the next level.
