Marvel RivalsSeason 0 launched on December 6 with 33 playable heroes and villains. Ranked was released a few days later, though it also required players to reach level 10. Over the past few weeks, the meta has become clear as players compete to climb the ranked ladder toMarvel Rivals' highly coveted Top 500.
The competitive ladder in the third-person superhero shooter is relatively simple. Starting at Bronze 3, players can accumulate points to climb the tiers to Eternity. To advance to the next rank tier, players need 100 points, which usually requires winning three or four matches in a row. Understanding the current meta can make climbing theMarvel Rivalsranked systemmore straightforward, as players may opt to play from the solidifying pool of best-performing characters.
Marvel Rivals Inaugural Season Establishes a Clear Meta
Heroes With Hard Carry Potential In Marvel Rivals
Season 0’s starting roster introduced 8 Vanguard heroes, 18 Duelists, and 7 Strategists. While the high damage potential of Duelists might attract some players,Marvel Rivalsprides itself on versatility. With no role queue, to climb, players will need to get out of their comfort zones and find characters in each category that they can play well, while also taking into consideration Team Up Abilities.
As of Season 0, the S-Tier heroes, based on heroes played in Top 500, alongside theRivals Codex, win rates, and pick rates, are as follows:
4.20%
54.90%
4.70%
59.60%
3.50%
55.70%
6.40%
53.10%
6.60%
59.0%
The A-Tier heroes can fluctuate, but typically consist of:
2.70%
55.10%
54.10%
2.80%
55.60%
51.90%
1.50%
57.20%
2.90%
52.60%
53.20%
Cloak and Dagger
8.0%
49.90%
3.0%
57.10%
These insights are based solely on ranked statistics. Furthermore, a player’s individual skill with a character may not always align with the trends shown in the charts.
It’s worth noting that starting at Diamond 3, if all players in the lobby are Diamond rank, hero bans are implemented. This directly affects pick rate percentages, as the mostbanned heroes inMarvel Rivalsare often meta heroes like Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Hela, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Psylocke. For reference, ananalysis by the website rivalsmetadetails that Hawkeye has a 38.04% ban rate, Hela has a 37.76% ban rate, and Luna Snow has a 20.26% ban rate.
Hero bans aside, the aforementioned meta heroes below Diamond are always reliable picks. This is supported by evidence of playersrequesting Hawkeye nerfs, while flank and environmental kill tactics involving Doctor Strange’s portal have proven incredibly popular. Common Strategist lineups often feature Mantis and Luna Snow, who can alternate their ultimates for offense and defense while supporting each other effectively when targeted.
“Common Strategist lineups often feature Mantis and Luna Snow.”
Once players reach Diamond and above, A-tier characters begin to shine. With double-shield combinations less common due to Doctor Strange being banned, popular combinations involve Hulk and dive characters like Iron Fist and Black Panther throwing themselves into the enemy backline. Adam Warlock and Rocket Raccoon also shine in these higher ranks for their resurrection abilities and damage potential, albeit in different ways.Rocket Raccoon stands out for his sustained healing, though he lacks the burst healing needed in critical moments that Adam Warlock can compensate for.
Ultimately, the meta is still solidifying as players grow comfortable withMarvel Rivals' expansive roster. For instance, heroes with lower win rates may not always fare poorly when in the right hands. While there is no role queue, a standard 2-2-2 lineup, featuring 2 Vanguards, 2 Duelists, and 2 Strategists, remains a solid strategy. Some players also opt for 3-3 with 3 Vanguards and 3 Strategists, similar to theGOATS meta fromOverwatch. Notably, the meta will likely shift accordingly, with new characters teased for Season 1 and potential balance changes on the way.
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
