What Are the Best Marvel Rivals Characters?
Since the launch of Marvel Rivals, this hero shooter has pulled in millions, pitting iconic characters against each other in engaging, yet fun 6v6 battles. But with a roster stack full of characters, figuring out who gives you the best chances of winning can feel like deciphering Doctor Strange's spellbook.
Especially now, with Marvel Rivals Season 2 shaking things up and tweaking the balance across the meta, a reliable Marvel Rivals tier list is more crucial than ever. Forget guesswork. We're here to cut through the noise and give you the inside track on the best Marvel Rivals heroes. Let's break down who’s ruling the roost in Season 2.
Understanding the Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist Roles
Before we crown the kings and queens, let's quickly review the roles. Remember, every hero in Marvel Rivals fits into one of three categories for a balanced team composition.
Vanguards
Think of these as your typical tanks. These are your front-line bruisers, such as Hulk or Groot. They lead the engages, absorb damage, and control space. While Doctor Strange took a hit with nerfs, he's still a reliable barrier tank, though perhaps less dominant than at the start of season 1.
Duelists
These are your damage dealers, the assassins and sharpshooters. Characters like Hela, Winter Soldier, or even the recently reworked Iron Fist excel in one-on-one combat, focusing on securing dubs. While they excel at duels, some, like Storm, can be amazing in team fights.
Strategists
These are your supports. Heroes like Luna Snow, Rocket Raccoon, or Invisible Woman keep the team alive with healing, crucial buffs, or crowd control. They might seem squishy, but their team-up and ultimate abilities can win fights single-handedly. Beginners also find Strategists easier due to their self-healing capabilities, making them more forgiving.
Knowing these roles helps explain why certain Marvel Rivals characters land where they do on the BoostRoyal tier list for season 2. Despite this, a good team comp needs a mix to cover all the bases.
Marvel Rivals Character Tier List Season 2
Okay, the moment you've all been waiting for. Before we drop the details, keep in mind that tier lists are subjective and the meta is constantly shifting, influenced by patches, player skill, and even map rotations. This Marvel Rivals hero tier list reflects the current state of Season 2, drawing insights from expert analysis and consensus among the world’s best Marvel Rivals boosters.
S-Tier Heroes: The Current Meta Dominators
These are the best heroes in the game right now, often seen as pick-or-ban material in higher ranks. They possess exceptional kits, game-changing ultimates, and fit seamlessly into powerful team compositions.
Emma Frost (Vanguard)
The new character in the game makes a significant impact. Her diamond form offers incredible damage reduction and aggressive potential. She’s instantly become a top-tier Vanguard in Marvel Rivals.
Rocket Raccoon (Strategist)
Following a Season 2 rework that shifted him towards more direct healing, he has been crowned the top Strategist. While his ultimate's damage boost was nerfed, the added survivability makes him incredibly valuable and surprisingly hard to pin down. He’s a prime example of how buffs in season 2 reshaped the hierarchy.
Hela (Duelist)
Despite nerfs, the Goddess of Death remains a great pick. Her ability to two-tap squishies from range keeps her incredibly potent, especially for players with sharp aim and projectile accuracy. She's still a pick-or-ban Duelist, and her high carry potential makes her one of the best character choices for skilled players and Marvel Rivals boosters.
Groot (Vanguard)
Emerging as the best in the game for tanking, he shines with his game-changing ultimate and wall utility. He excels at isolating targets and controlling space, making him a common ban target.
Invisible Woman (Strategist)
Consistently rated high, Sue Storm offers immense utility. Her ability to heal and damage through enemies, her survivability, and her ultimate that shuts down enemy healing make her one of the best strategist options available.
Luna Snow (Strategist)
Her ultimate, "Fate of Both Worlds," provides near-immortality for teammates, making her invaluable. She possesses exceptional healing and self-sustenance, and her synergy with Namor, particularly through their team-up, is also a significant factor.
Magneto (Vanguard)
Another top-tier Vanguard, Magneto’s strength lies in enabling his team. He remains S-tier thanks to his versatility against the enemy team, shielding allies on dives, and protecting the backline. His ultimate is also a potent counter to other powerful ultimates.
A-Tier Heroes: Powerful Picks
These Marvel Rivals heroes are powerful and often meta, but might be more situational or have counters that keep them shy of S-Tier. They are still excellent against the enemy team, making them the best choices for climbing the ranks.
Winter Soldier (Duelist)
Frequently mentioned as top-tier in Season 1.5 discussions on Reddit, Bucky remains a threat, often paired with characters like Punisher and Rocket Raccoon, as his ability to secure picks is undeniable.
Doctor Strange (Vanguard)
Despite nerfs affecting his HP, Strange's kit remains versatile. His portal is still powerful, and his ultimate can force out enemy support abilities. However, as much as we would love to keep him in S-tier, he’s currently more fitting in A, reflecting his slightly diminished dominance but continued viability in-game.
Iron Man (Duelist)
With hitbox reductions and bonus health options in Season 2, Tony Stark is climbing the ranks. As one of the top DPS, he has a high damage output and survivability.
Hulk (Vanguard)
A high-skill, high-reward Vanguard. When played well, Hulk is absurdly oppressive, especially when diving the enemy backline. Although he requires good game sense, he can dominate matches.
Loki (Strategist)
Highly dive-resistant, Loki thrives in the current meta, according to many. His mobility, illusions, and ultimate mimicry make him incredibly slippery and adaptable.
Namor (Duelist)
Bumped up due to synergies, particularly the "Frozen Spawn" Team-Up with Luna Snow, and his potent ultimate combo with Groot. He excels at countering flankers and bringing immense burst damage.
Other Strong Picks
Cloak & Dagger, Mantis, Storm, Thor, The Thing, and Psylocke often feature in A-Tier across our lists, offering intense healing, damage, utility, or tankiness depending on the team composition and player skill.
Crafting Your Winning Team
Remember, the best character often depends on your team composition, and synergy is everything. For example, pairing Groot's ultimate with Jeff the Land Shark Namor's, using the abilities of Magneto to shield a diving Wolverine, or having Luna Snow provide the best healing to a stalwart Hulk can be incredible.
These combinations unlock true potential and deal damage, so pay attention to team-up abilities and how different roles complement each other. You don’t want to just pick the highest tier hero; instead, choose the right hero for the job.
While this Rivals tier list for season 2 provides a snapshot, the best way to find your best heroes is to experiment. At BoostRoyal, we recommend testing different Marvel Rivals characters, learning their strengths and weaknesses, and how they flow with different characters and team compositions.