
Marvel Rivals features an extensive roster of iconic heroes and villains from the beloved comic book universe, providing players with numerous strategic options. Mastering character counters is vital for shifting the dynamics of combat in your favor.
The characters in Marvel Rivals can be categorized into three distinct roles: Duelists, Strategists, and Vanguards. Duelists specialize in delivering high damage output, favoring offensive tactics. Vanguards serve as the defensive backbone, equipped with superior health and damage mitigation, while Strategists enhance overall team performance through buffs, healing, and battlefield control. This guide aims to assist you in selecting the most effective heroes, as well as identifying counters for them in Marvel Rivals.

Top Counters for Marvel Rivals Heroes
Hero | Counters |
---|---|
Adam Warlock | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Magneto; Duelist: Squirrel Girl, Iron Fist; Strategist: Luna Snow, Mantis |
Black Panther | Vanguard: Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: The Punisher, Winter Soldier; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Mantis |
Black Widow | Vanguard: Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Spider-Man, Magik; Strategist: Cloak and Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Loki |
Captain America | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Peni Parker; Duelist: Black Widow, Hela; Strategist: Loki |
Cloak and Dagger | Vanguard: Captain America, Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Iron Fist, Moon Knight; Strategist: Adam Warlock |
Doctor Strange | Vanguard: Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Black Panther, Magik, Star-Lord, Wolverine; Strategist: Luna Snow |
Big | Vanguard: Captain America, Doctor Strange, Magneto; Duelist: Hawkeye, Hela, The Punisher; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow |
Hawkeye | Vanguard: Captain America, Doctor Strange, Magneto; Duelist: Black Panther, Magik, The Punisher; Strategist: Loki, Luna Snow, Rocket Raccoon |
Whole | Vanguard: Captain America, Doctor Strange, Magneto; Duelist: Hawkeye, The Punisher, Star-Lord; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Luna Snow |
Hulk | Vanguard: Doctor Strange; Duelist: Black Widow, Hawkeye, The Punisher; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Luna Snow |
Iron Fist | Vanguard: Magneto, Peni Parker; Duelist: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Winter Soldier; Strategist: Cloak and Dagger, Loki, Luna Snow |
Iron Man | Vanguard: Captain America, Doctor Strange, Peni Parker; Duelist: Hawkeye, Iron Fist, The Punisher, Spider-Man; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow |
Jeff the Land Shark | Vanguard: Groot, Hulk, Peni Parker, Venom; Duelist: Black Panther, Black Widow, Iron Fist, Wolverine; Strategist: None |
Loki | Vanguard: Groot, Hulk, Peni Parker, Venom; Duelist: Black Panther, Iron-Man, Iron Fist, Magik; Strategist: None |
Luna Snow | Vanguard: Groot, Hulk, Peni Parker, Venom; Duelist: Hela, Magik, Squirrel Girl, Star-Lord; Strategist: None |
Magic | Vanguard: Doctor Strange; Duelist: Hawkeye, Hela, Squirrel Girl, The Punisher; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow |
Magneto | Vanguard: Captain America, Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Iron Man, Spider-Man, Storm; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Storm, Mantis |
Mantis | Vanguard: Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Hawkeye, The Punisher, Spider-Man; Strategist: None |
Moon Knight | Vanguard: Captain America, Doctor Strange; Duelist: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hela, The Punisher, Star-Lord; Strategist: Rocket Raccoon |
Namor | Vanguard: Doctor Strange; Duelist: Black Widow, Hela, Winter Soldier; Strategist: Loki, Luna Snow, Rocket Raccoon |
Penny Parker | Vanguard: Captain America, Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Hela, Moon Knight, Spider-Man, Squirrel Girl, Winter Soldier; Strategist: Loki, Luna Snow, Rocket Raccoon |
Psylocke | Vanguard: Captain America, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Black Panther, Hawkeye, The Punisher, Spider-Man; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow, Mantis |
The Punisher | Vanguard: Doctor Strange; Duelist: Hawkeye, Hela, Spider-Man; Strategist: Loki, Luna Snow |
Rocket Raccoon | Vanguard: Captain America, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Black Panther, Iron Fist, Magik, The Punisher, Spider-Man; Strategist: None |
Scarlet Witch | Vanguard: Captain America, Groot, Hulk, Venom; Duelist: Hawkeye, Hela, Moon Knight, The Punisher; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Mantis |
Squirrel Girl | Vanguard: Captain America, Groot, Doctor Strange, Peni Parker, Venom; Duelist: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hela; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow, Mantis |
Spider-Man | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Venom; Duelist: Black Widow, Namor, The Punisher, Scarlet Witch; Strategist: Mantis |
Star Lord | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Magneto, Peni Parker; Duelist: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Squirrel Girl; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Luna Snow |
Storm | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Magneto, Peni Parker; Duelist: Hawkeye, The Punisher, Star-Lord, Winter Soldier; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow, Mantis |
Thor | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Peni Parker, Magneto; Duelist: Hawkeye, Hela, The Punisher, Star-Lord; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Mantis |
Venom | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Peni Parker, Magneto; Duelist: Hawkeye, Hela, The Punisher, Star-Lord; Strategist: Jeff the Land Shark, Mantis |
Winter Soldier | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Magneto; Duelist: Black Panther, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Wolverine; Strategist: Adam Warlock |
Wolverine | Vanguard: Doctor Strange, Magneto; Duelist: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Iron Man, The Punisher; Strategist: Adam Warlock, Loki, Mantis |
Detailed Hero Counters in Marvel Rivals
Adam Warlock

To defeat Adam Warlock, the key is swift engagement. Heroes like Squirrel Girl can provide straightforward counters, while defense-oriented champions such as Magneto can disrupt his rhythm effectively.
Black Panther

When countering Black Panther, it’s important to adapt your strategy. Engage him from a distance or use resilient Vanguards like Groot and Venom for front-line encounters.
Black Widow

Black Widow’s strength is contingent upon player skill level. Fast and agile characters like Spider-Man can effectively neutralize her long-range effectiveness, limiting her impact on the match.
Captain America

While Captain America excels in close combat, his limited reach makes him vulnerable to ranged attacks. Exploiting this weakness can significantly boost your chances of victory.
Cloak and Dagger

Both Cloak and Dagger require space to excel, presenting opportunities for champions capable of bridging the distance quickly to disrupt their strategy.
Doctor Strange

Countering Doctor Strange is challenging due to his power. Your best strategy involves selecting durable Vanguard characters who can withstand his assaults, or melee champions to disrupt his abilities at close range.
Big

As a resilient character, Groot represents a tough challenge. Ranged Duelists are preferable for safe engagements, while Vanguards like Magneto can match his toughness and deliver higher damage output.
Hawkeye

With his long-range capabilities, Hawkeye poses a significant threat. Use agile characters like Loki to avoid his attacks or durable Vanguards to close the gap and neutralize his influence.
Whole

In countering Hela, selecting ranged Duelists is a smart strategy, while Strategists like Jeff the Land Shark can effectively mitigate her impact through targeted disruption.
Hulk

The Hulk’s inherent toughness requires high damage dealers who can engage from a distance. Characters like The Punisher typically excel in duels against him.
Iron Fist

Iron Fist can challenge many players with his abilities, but utilizing characters such as Loki provides elusiveness and crowd control to avoid his damage, making them effective choices.
Iron Man

Iron Man excels in aerial combat, complicating direct confrontations with melee fighters. Ranged fighters like Hawkeye and The Punisher can effectively dismantle him from a distance.
Jeff the Land Shark

Despite his cute facade, Jeff holds his own in combat. Tank characters are effective against him, though characters like Wolverine can finish him off if they close the distance.
Loki

Countering Loki’s unpredictable abilities requires champions who can silence him. Characters like Venom are effective in swiftly dispatching him before he can react.
Luna Snow

Luna Snow poses a serious backline threat. Ranged heroes or champions capable of diving into enemy territory can greatly diminish her impact on the match.
Magic

Due to her melee focus, Magik can be effectively countered from a distance by ranged characters like The Punisher, while agile characters can capitalize on her approach.
Magneto

Although a formidable competitor, Magneto is easier to counter than most. Vanguards can withstand him, while mobile Duelists can evade and outmaneuver him effectively.
Mantis

Mantis offers valuable support but lacks offensive punch. Champions like Groot or Hulk allow you to minimize interactions with her, enabling a focus on higher-threat targets.
Moon Knight

Despite being a lesser pick in the meta, Moon Knight is effectively countered by characters such as Black Widow and Hela, while Captain America can handle his strategies well.
Namor

With his adaptable skills, Namor presents a challenge. Use high-damage heroes like Black Widow and Hela who can outpace him in engagements.
Penny Parker

Peni Parker’s high health offers an advantage, but any powerful Duelist can counter her effectively, rendering specialized counters unnecessary.
Psylocke

Psylocke’s variety of counters allows for flexibility in combat. Strategists can neutralize her abilities, while adept Duelists can dispatch her efficiently.
The Punisher

The Punisher stands out as the top long-range character. Engaging him requires tanky heroes, and those with mobility can evade his attacks under skilled control.
Rocket Raccoon

Rocket’s small frame aids in evading hits. Melee fighters like Black Panther can effectively close distances and neutralize him quickly, overcoming his advantages.
Scarlet Witch

Scarlet Witch’s current meta standing is not as strong. Characters like Jeff the Land Shark or Venom, who can outmaneuver her, are particularly effective.
Spider-Man

Spider-Man’s agility proves difficult for opponents. Heroes like Venom and Scarlet Witch excel in countering him through crowd control strategies.
Squirrel Girl

Having previously dominated, Squirrel Girl is increasingly countered by agile characters. High-damage or long-range heroes tend to have better matchups against her.
Star-Lord

Though Star-Lord combines accessibility with depth, several characters like Doctor Strange and Peni Parker can effectively mitigate his offensive potential, rendering him less impactful.
Thor

Unchecked, Thor can be a menace, but he is susceptible to early attacks from robust characters. Doctor Strange is particularly effective at countering him.
Venom

As perhaps the current meta’s strongest character, Venom poses a challenge. Opt for ranged heroes and durable tanks to disrupt his momentum effectively.
Winter Soldier

Winter Soldier thrives in placing pressure from afar. Ranged heroes can typically handle him, with Adam Warlock providing healing and crowd control to stabilize your team.
Wolverine

Wolverine excels in close combat. To counter him effectively, utilize ranged characters capable of maintaining distance to bring him down before he closes the gap.
With this comprehensive overview of hero counters in Marvel Rivals, you are now better equipped to make strategic decisions in your gameplay. Additionally, don’t forget to explore our recommendations for optimal controller and PC settings to elevate your gaming experience. If you’re considering a name change in-game, find detailed instructions on how to rename yourself in Marvel Rivals.
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