After several teasers and promotional materials,Marvel Rivals' closed Alpha arrived with much anticipation. However, with 19 superheroes and villains to choose from inMarvel Rivals' playtest, it’s clear that some are performing better than others. While there are some differences between what compositions are getting played in Quick Match and Competitive modes, the dominant characters between both are mostly the same.
With only a few days left until the pre-alpha closes on May 20, the following tier list will detail which characters are strong and may need adjustments beforeMarvel Rivalsofficially launches. That being said, it’s worth noting that a player’s skills and experience with other team shooters can make a seemingly weaker hero strong. On the other hand, top-tier characters wielded by skilled players can become incredibly oppressive.
S-Tier
With her impressive kit, Hela has already carved out a name for herself as the best Duelists in the game. While her attack speed might not be the highest, her long-range damage output remains consistently high. On top of that, she possesses a devastating one-shot ultimate. For added mobility,Hela can transform into a flock of crows, allowing her to reposition for aggressive plays or a quick escape. When combined with her Soul Drainer, a powerful stun ability, Hela becomes a highly versatile and difficult opponent to pin down. If combined with Loki, the Team-Up potential, called Ragnarok Rebirth, can also turn the tide of a match.
Due to her strong performance in the closed Alpha, Hela’s damage output or abilities are subject to change by the time the game properly launches.
Luna Snow is S-Tierthanks to her accessibility. Despite a two-star difficulty level, she boasts immense healing power with Ice Arts. While her damage output might not be noteworthy, Luna makes up for it with CC abilities and a game-changing ultimate. Her durable Fate of Both Worlds ultimate charges quickly and effectively counters offensive ultimates, making her a defensive powerhouse. Additionally, her passive ability, Smooth Skates, grants her exceptional mobility, allowing her to swiftly navigate the battlefield.
Lastly,Groot thrives as a Vanguard hero, boasting 900 HP and beginner-friendly difficulty. While his synergy with Rocket Raccoon for Damage Reduction is undeniable, Groot is still quite tanky without him. His value truly shines with his ability to create Ironwood and Thornlash walls, influencing the battlefield layout and strategic opportunities for his team. Coupled with his Spore Bomb and Strangling Prison ultimate, which can lock down enemies, he’s an extremely solid pick inMarvel Rivals' current meta.
A-Tier
Leading the pack of A-Tier figures is Doctor Strange, a versatile sorcerer who excels at empowering his teammates while dealing damage of his own. As a Vanguard hero, Doctor Strange’s survivability is extremely high. His most intriguing ability is the Pentagram of Farallah,which allows Doctor Strange to open portalsbetween locations. Due to this mechanic, players have discovered that they can deal damage through these portals without entering them. This tactic has opened doors for creative team plays, like eliminating enemies near their spawn via the portal.
The Punisher and Star-Lord are compelling additions toMarvel Rivals' roster, functioning as two sides of the same coin. The Punisher excels at anchoring the team’s defense and bursting the Vanguard, while Star-Lord, a highly mobile flank Duelist, disrupts enemy formations and deals heavy damage. This complementary playstyle makes them incredibly lethal in the right hands, especially since both their ultimates are very strong.
Rocket Raccoon brings a unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities to the table. He can heal teammates and distribute armor packs, but his proficiency doesn’t end there.Rocket possesses exceptional mobility, wielding a jetpack for swift dashes and even wall-climbing abilities to evade enemies. However, his true brilliance lies in his ultimate ability. The C.Y.A. ultimate empowers his entire team with a Damage Amplifier, significantly boosting their offensive potential. Furthermore, his Rebirth Beacon allows him to revive a fallen comrade, offering a crucial second chance in the heat of battle.
While both Rocket Raccoon and Loki are classified as Strategists, their playstyles diverge significantly. Mastering Loki requires precise positioning, making him one of the morechallenging heroes inMarvel Rivals. His kit revolves around strategic illusions like swapping with an illusion, deploying a Doppelganger, utilizing invisibility, and shapeshifting. While partnering with a powerful hero like Hela for a potential resurrection offers a safety net, Loki’s true strength lies in his survivability. He’s most effective when manipulating the battlefield through cunning tactics, which means relying on an instant resurrection from Hela isn’t always optimal.
Finally,Scarlet Witch appears to be a hero who excels in lower ranksdue to her Reality Erasure ability, which can do damage without relying on aim. However, her effectiveness appears to diminish as players climb the competitive ladder. Regardless, with a Mystic Projection that gives her an out from less-than-favorable encounters, magic missiles, and a stun, this one-star difficulty hero is a compelling choice for players of all skill levels.
B-Tier
B-Tier is home to three heroes with abilities that can be very helpful, but don’t necessarily outperform any of the S or A-Tier characters.Magneto is part of the Vanguard class, and while he can take up a good amount of space, his abilities feel more spam-dependent than anything else. Fortunately, his ability to shield teammates and his ultimate, Meteor M, are not to be underestimated.
Magik has emerged as a popular “one-trick” character in the pre-Alpha, excelling in close-quarter combat thanks to her melee abilities. She even gains bonus health for dealing damage, further incentivizing an aggressive playstyle. Her reliance on her sword necessitates good positioning, so it’s good that her"Stepping Discs" ability allows for short-distance teleportation, aiding her escape from tight situations. Sadly, the challenge lies in facing long-range damage dealers like The Punisher or Hela, where her close-quarters focus becomes a disadvantage.
Mantis stands out among Strategists with her heavy reliance on healing. While she canenhance her own or allies' damage with Damage Boost, her playstyle revolves around supporting her team. This focus on healing can be a double-edged sword. If teammates aren’t performing well, it can be difficult for Mantis to carry the team due to her resource management and the need for precise aim. However, when pressured, she can utilize Spore Slumber to temporarily incapacitate an enemy and create breathing room. Her ultimate further amplifies this support role by granting both healing and increased movement speed for the entire team.
C-Tier
Bruce Banner offers a unique Vanguard experience inMarvel Rivals. Oftencompared to D.Va fromOverwatch 2, he has a second chance at life mechanic. When his health depletes, Banner transforms into his Puny Banner form, a much more vulnerable state with only 200 HP, compared to his usual 900 HP. Troublingly, while in his Hulk form, Banner is a rather large target that melts under enemy fire if he doesn’t position correctly.
Black Panther andSpider-Man are ideal for players who relish fast-paced combat. Their high mobility, with lightning-fast movement and frequent camera adjustments, demands sharp reflexes and quick adaptation. With demanding combinations to take out squishies, mastering these agile Duelists presents a steeper challenge. Their four and five-star difficulty ratings indicate a higher skill curve. For less experienced players, this complexity can lead to feeding and untimely deaths.
D-Tier
Peni Parker, like some other characters,shares similarities with heroes fromOverwatch 2. Like Symmetra, Torbjorn, or Junkrat, she performs best when she’s able to get value out of a deployable unit. With a nest that can spawn spiders, mines, and webs, the Vanguard hero’s kit feels overall well-rounded. However, her ultimate, Spider-Sweeper, falls short. Even though she can knock back enemies in her past, she leaves behind easily avoidable Arachno-Mines, Spider-Drones, and Cyber-Webs. In situations where she needs to contest the point, this can be helpful, but it doesn’t guarantee an elimination.
Despite some players opting to play him, D-Tiercharacters like Namorare struggling against the current meta. As a damage-focused Duelist, Namor’s kit, featuring mini-turrets and a shield, feels relatively basic compared to the rest of the roster. His ultimate, Horn of Proteus, which summons Giganto to attack enemies that are close to Namor is interesting but isn’t particularly game-changing. As such, his lack of standout qualities makes him a less popular pick in both Quick Play and Ranked matches.
Iron Man’s flight pattern makes him a predictable target inMarvel Rivals, relegating him to D-Tier for now. While his Repulsor Blast and Unibeam deal consistent damage, his time to kill isn’t the best compared to other options. However,due to his popularity in the Marvel universe, NetEase Games may adjust Iron Man’s damage numbers before the game’s official release to help him.
Though she’sa powerful mutant in the X-Men universe, Storm’s translation toMarvel Rivalsis lackluster. She is classified as a Duelist, but she can enhance allies with damage and speed boosts, which seem more reminiscent of a Strategist. On top of this, her ultimate ability feels clunky, and her overall effectiveness in combat can be questionable at times. Despite Storm’s niche appeal, her complexity inMarvel Rivalsmakes her a less popular choice for most players. Regardless, some dedicated players are still enjoying the challenge of unlocking her full potential.
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!
