Picking the best characters in a game like Marvel Rivals can be a bit tricky. It’s mainly because heroes often undergo significant changes, and sometimes a character considered ‘lower-tier’ might be the one you excel with.
In general, some characters have abilities that can elevate the team, while others may face challenges on certain maps or within particular team setups.
Another factor that comes forth happens to be the amount of time and effort needed to truly master a character and extract their full potential.
Some heroes take more work to perfect, and even then, they might not produce the desired outcomes in a match.
While there are many elements to evaluate when selecting top characters in Marvel Rivals, they are known to be either excelling or struggling in the meta.
In Marvel Rivals, each hero’s abilities are shaped by their personality and canonical powers, but some excel at enhancing their team’s ability to win.
While the player’s choice ultimately matters, these heroes are more likely to guarantee success, whereas others might be harder to play or less impactful.
Check out some of the Marvel Rivals heroes ranked
Tiers | Marvel Rivals Heroes |
S Tier | Magneto, Doctor Strange, Winter Soldier, Psylocke, Iron Fist, Luna Snow, Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark |
A Tier | The Punisher, Star-Lord, Scarlet Witch, Moon Knight, Venom, Groot, Mantis, Adam Warlock |
B Tier | Magik, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Squirrel Girl, Hela, Peni Parker, Captain America, Rocket Raccoon, Loki |
C Tier | Storm, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Namor, Black Panther, Thor |
D Tier | Black Widow, Hulk |
S Tier Marvel Rivals Heroes
S Tier heroes in Marvel Rivals are the highest-ranked characters. These heroes dominate matches with their formidable abilities that can sway the outcome, and they come with little to no disadvantages.
Jeff the Land Shark
At the forefront of this tier is the beloved Land Shark, whose exceptional healing abilities and Ultimate, considered one of the most powerful in the game, make him a strong contender for securing a win.
With a one-star rating, he’s straightforward to pick up, making him an excellent choice for players who don’t usually focus on Strategists, yet still manage to contribute effectively to the team.
Jeff stands out due to his ability to heal from a considerable distance and his quickness in evading flankers. His Joyful Splash allows him to target enemies like Venom and Iron Fist, often positioned in the backline, while maintaining a clear and safe distance.
Cloak & Dagger
Cloak & Dagger secure a spot in S Tier for somewhat different reasons. Their solid healing skills can support the team during intense battles, but what truly sets them apart is their broad utility in various scenarios.
Dagger serves as the healing counterpart in the duo, with her primary attacks being homing daggers that don’t require precision to land.
Her Veil of Lightforce delivers a powerful burst of healing, and her Dagger Storm creates an indestructible sphere where allies can heal over time. While she’s highly effective at supporting her team, it’s Cloak’s abilities that elevate the duo to an S Tier level.
Cloak’s Terror Cape blinds enemies, weakens their defenses, and deals significant damage. By alternating between him and Dagger, you can offer continuous support while making it simpler to eliminate foes.
His Dark Teleportation also lets allies become invisible, setting up perfect ambushes or quick getaways.
Luna Snow
Luna Snow might be a lesser-known character to some Marvel fans, but she has rapidly become an essential choice in most team setups since the game’s release. Though her healing ability requires some skill and accuracy, she continues to be one of the best options available.
Her Ultimate ability is what truly elevates her to S Tier as a Strategist. The wide healing circle can counter massive damage, rendering her team almost untouchable unless faced with burst attacks, such as Scarlet Witch’s Ultimate.
Furthermore, it boosts the team’s damage output, offering crucial support that can quickly turn the tide of battle.
Iron Fist
Iron Fist happens to be the major threat to any Strategist who strays too far from their team, as his main strength lies in diving into backlines and swiftly eliminating enemies, only to retreat with impressive speed.
His abilities, Crane Leap and Wall Runner, make him tough to corner and even allow him to counter flying heroes, despite being a melee fighter.
Iron Fist’s mobility and rapid damage output make him the ultimate flanker. Though he may not perform as well in the center of the enemy team like a Vanguard, he excels at his intended role, executing it with near perfection.
Psylocke
The sound cue for Psylocke’s Ultimate is enough to send a wave of dread through her enemies, and it’s well deserved. She moves between foes in her area of effect at incredible speed, dishing out substantial damage and eliminating anyone who stands in her path.
This move can easily turn the game around, allowing her to take out multiple opponents and dramatically alter the course of the fight.
Similar to Iron Fist, Psylocke can be tricky to master, but the power and utility of her abilities make her an S Tier character, even for players still getting the hang of her gameplay.
Winter Soldier
For those coming from shooter games, Winter Soldier is an ideal choice. His diverse set of abilities ensures strong performance in both mid-range and close-range battles.
Winter Soldier’s abilities, Tainted Voltage and Bionic Hook, give him a strong advantage in crowd control. Coupled with his Ceaseless Charge passive, which reduces reload time for his powerful regular attacks, he can swiftly eliminate foes from a safe range.
Doctor Strange
What makes Doctor Strange a top-tier choice for any team is his dual ability to safeguard his allies with his shield and orchestrate clever rotations that can surprise and outmaneuver the enemy.
Doctor Strange’s Pentagram of Farallah creates a portal, offering him the ability to attack or heal from a safe position, or to quickly teleport across the battlefield, catching foes off-guard, particularly if they don’t spot the portal in time.
Doctor Strange stands out as one of the best Vanguards in Marvel Rivals, thanks to his ability to defend his team, outmaneuver opponents, and dominate the battlefield. His versatility makes him a strong asset in virtually any team.
Magneto
Magneto, though the last in the S Tier ranking, is far from the least powerful. While it may take some practice to get used to his slower movement compared to others, his true strength shines through once you master his abilities.
Magneto’s ability to shield his team while launching devastating attacks that send enemies flying creates opportunities for swift eliminations.
A Tier Marvel Rivals Heroes
A Tier heroes in Marvel Rivals are formidable choices, exhibiting great strengths with minor drawbacks that prevent them from reaching S Tier. Despite this, they remain among the top characters and have the potential to turn the tide of a match.
Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock’s healing ability is tied to a cooldown, which can be tricky to manage effectively, making him a bit harder to play.
His lower survivability, especially when his Regenerative Cocoon isn’t available, is what holds him back from S Tier, as he tends to struggle against high-mobility enemies who can overwhelm him.
Mantis
Mantis stands out as one of the most beginner-friendly Strategists in Marvel Rivals, which contributes to her widespread use. Yet, her appeal goes beyond just ease of play—she brings a variety of effective abilities that make her more than just a healing support.
Her ability, Spore Slumber, is particularly effective as it can put an enemy to sleep, offering excellent protection against any flankers trying to eliminate her.
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