Top Heroes for Every Role in Marvel Rivals Gameplay

Choosing from a roster of over 30 heroes in Marvel Rivals can be a daunting task. Various elements contribute to a successful team composition, making it crucial to select the right heroes. This guide presents top hero recommendations for each role alongside team compositions that promote synergy.

Top Vanguards in Marvel Rivals

Venom Vanguard in Marvel Rivals. — Image by Pro Game Guides

Vanguards function as the frontline heroes in Marvel Rivals, absorbing damage for the team. Although eight Vanguards are in play, their effectiveness varies significantly. Here are the top three picks for players interested in this role:

Venom: Recognized as the premier Vanguard in the game, Venom excels in close-range combat. His ability to dish out substantial damage and temporarily become invulnerable with his ultimate ability allows him to engage and retreat strategically, making him an excellent choice in all game modes.
Magneto: If Venom is unavailable, consider Magneto. His enormous shield capacity renders him exceptionally tough, enabling him to inflict significant DPS. With a well-timed ultimate, he has the potential to eliminate the entire enemy team in one fell swoop.
Doctor Strange: Though more tactical in nature, Doctor Strange provides decent defensive capabilities through his robust shield ability. His ultimate can be a game-changer when your team is in a tight spot, making him a solid pick for modes like domination.

Top Duelists in Marvel Rivals

Moon Knight in Marvel Rivals — Image by Pro Game Guides

Duelists serve as the primary source of damage per second (DPS) within your team. With 18 heroes falling into this category, selecting the right Duelists can be challenging. Here are the top three for your consideration:

Moon Knight: Often regarded as the finest Duelist, Moon Knight boasts exceptional DPS capabilities and mobility with his gliding abilities. His powerful area-of-effect (AoE) ultimate can be devastating, making him a formidable choice in competitive play.
Hawkeye: A close competitor to Moon Knight, Hawkeye combines high DPS with excellent range. His versatile skill set allows him to perform well in both long-range and close combat scenarios, ideal for players who excel in aiming.
Scarlet Witch: For newcomers seeking accessible power as a Duelist, Scarlet Witch is an excellent option. Her auto-targeting capability and high DPS enable her to efficiently take down tanks. Combined with a powerful AoE ultimate, she can impact the battlefield significantly.

Top Strategists in Marvel Rivals

Luna Snow in Marvel Rivals. — Image by Pro Game Guides

Strategists play a unique role in Marvel Rivals, as they require a deeper understanding of gameplay mechanics and excel in support functions. From healing and reviving allies to altering the flow of battle, effective use of Strategists is crucial. Here are three leading picks:

Jeff The Land Shark: Following a significant buff, Jeff stands out as perhaps the best Strategist, equipped with long-range healing and robust crowd control abilities. His contribution can dramatically alter the trajectory of a match.
Luna Snow: An excellent choice for beginners, Luna combines substantial DPS with several healing abilities. She can also enhance ally damage, making her an invaluable asset for both KOs and support.
Adam Warlock: Unlike his peers focused on healing, Adam Warlock’s strength lies in his revival abilities. His capacity to respawn anywhere on the map while delivering solid DPS makes him a top-tier Strategist.

Best Team Compositions in Marvel Rivals

Understanding the optimal hero picks is just as crucial as knowing when to implement them in your team setup. A balanced team composition in Marvel Rivals should generally include at least one Vanguard, one Strategist, and two Duelists, with the final selection being adaptable based on team-up bonuses.

Here are three effective team compositions that can withstand various matchups:

Thor (Vanguard), Captain America (Vanguard), Wolverine (Duelist), Adam Warlock (Strategist), Mantis (Strategist)
Venom (Vanguard), Hulk (Vanguard), Wolverine (Duelist), Adam Warlock (Strategist), Mantis (Strategist)
Magneto (Vanguard), Scarlet Witch (Strategist), Black Panther (Duelist), Rocket Raccoon (Strategist), Luna Snow (Strategist)

In these compositions, the frontline is typically fortified by Vanguards, while Strategists provide essential support from the backline. The choice of Duelists may vary depending on personal expertise and the current season’s bonuses.

Understanding Team-Up Bonuses in Marvel Rivals

Team-Up bonuses are synergistic effects activated when specific characters unite during battles. These bonuses can enhance attributes such as damage or health and may even provide improved abilities.

Here are five notable team-up bonuses to prioritize during your matches:

Team-Up Bonus	Characters	Effects
Guardian Revival	Adam Warlock (core) + Star-Lord or Mantis	+ Grants Adam Warlock’s Cocooned Revival skill to Star-Lord or Mantis, allowing respawn location selection. + Adam receives a 15% healing bonus.
Ammo Overload	Rocket Raccoon (core) + The Punisher / Winter Soldier	+ Rocket Raccoon provides unlimited ammo and accelerated firing speeds for The Punisher or Winter Soldier. + Rocket gains a 5% healing bonus.
Allied Agents	Hawkeye + Black Widow	+ Hawkeye transfers his Hunter’s Sight skill to Black Widow, allowing targeting of enemy afterimages. + Hawkeye receives a 20% damage boost.
Metallic Chaos	Scarlet Witch + Magneto	+ Scarlet Witch augments Magneto’s great sword damage significantly. + Scarlet Witch enjoys a 10% damage boost.
Ragnarok Rebirth	Hela (core) + Thor / Loki	+ Hela can revive Thor or Loki during respawns or grant them bonus health. + She also gets a 20% damage boost.