In Marvel Rivals, victory is a matter of skill, and the meta is a living proof of this, constantly changed by razor-thin balance changes and the arrival of new legends.

As we stand deep in Season 3, this is your definitive guide to the current power structure of Marvel Rivals.

We’ve analyzed the data, watched the top players, and checked the competitive chatter to give you the inside track on the best heroes in the game.

So, whether you’re looking to dominate the ranked ladder in Marvel Rivals or just want to pilot the strongest characters, this is your blueprint for success.

Understanding the Power Tiers

Before we reveal the rankings, let’s set the terms. A character’s placement on this tier list isn’t chosen randomly. The tiers we’ve picked are a reflection of their overall impact, such as raw power, utility, and the ability to solo carry games. Here’s how we categorize each:

S-Tier: These are the titans of the current meta. Their kits are so strong and versatile that they make winning team compositions, and are excellent picks for anyone serious about climbing.
A-Tier: Formidable and reliable, and the engine room of any strong roster. Characters in the A tier may have a specific counter, but bring great options to most fights.
B-Tier: These heroes shine with a master’s touch or in a tailored team composition. They have the potential for greatness but require more skill and strategy to realize their potential fully.
C-Tier: Niche heroes with a unique, if situational, purpose. In the right hands, they can be a surprise trump card, but they often operate at the bottom of the competitive meta.

The Definitive Marvel Rivals Character Tier List for Season 3

The dust from the latest patch has settled, and the new hierarchy is clear. Here’s how the best Marvel Rivals characters stack up right now.

S-Tier: The Gods of the Arena

These are the most influential heroes in the game, and mastering them is your fastest route to the top.

Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme remains the undisputed king of support as his ability to manipulate space and time with portals and crowd control makes him the best strategist pick.
Magneto: A master of control and relentless pressure, Magneto reshapes fights on his terms, pulling enemies out of position and overwhelming them with a storm of metal, forcing the entire enemy team to play differently.
Hela: The Asgardian Goddess of Death is the premier Duelist of Season 3. With outstanding damage output and surprising survivability, Hela hunts down and eliminates key targets with chilling efficiency.
Luna Snow: A K-pop idol turned cryogenic powerhouse, Luna Snow dances through fights with healing and damage, combined with excellent mobility, making her one of the most self-sufficient and impactful characters in Marvel Rivals.
Invisible Woman: The best defense is a perfect offense, and the best offense starts with stealth. Invisible Woman is the master of gathering intel, positioning, and clutch saves, and the ability to turn her team invisible for attacks is a game-changer.
Hawkeye: His zoning potential and ability to secure eliminations from a distance make him strong on any map.

A-Tier: The Core of Victory

These heroes are powerful, consistent, and fit into almost any team composition.

Hulk: When you need a frontline that won’t break, you call the Hulk. He is a walking siege engine, absorbing damage while dishing out some of his own, making him a simple, direct, and devastatingly effective Vanguard.
Emma Frost: Her great crowd control and ability to turn into a diamond-hard brawler give her immense flexibility, making her one of the best Strategists in the game.
Venom: Venom excels at sustained, in-your-face combat, tearing down tanks and supports. His self-healing also makes him a constant threat in fights, which is difficult to remove.
The Thing: The Thing is the Vanguard definition. This character creates space for his team, while protecting them with his rocky hide, allowing the best Duelists to shine.
Peni Parker: Inside the SP//dr suit, Peni Parker packs incredible burst damage and mobility. She is a flexible damage dealer who can adapt to nearly any situation.
Thor: Thor excels at area-of-effect damage and explosive entries, capable of turning a team fight on its head with a single Mjolnir throw or a crash of lightning.
The Punisher: When a single target absolutely has to be removed from the fight, Frank Castle gets the call. He is a master of single-target elimination and a perfect counter to evasive heroes.
Ultron: Ultron controls the game with an army of robotic sentinels, overwhelming opponents through sheer numbers and zone denial.

B-Tier: The High-Skill Specialists

In the right hands, these characters are A-Tier threats, as they reward dedication and a deep understanding of their mechanics.

Wolverine: A high-risk, high-reward Duelist. Wolverine is a berserker who thrives in the chaos of close-quarters combat, healing as he fights. However, to be truly great, he requires perfect timing.
Spider-Man: Spider-Man provides unmatched mobility and disruption, swinging through the map, creating chaos, and setting up plays for his team. However, his impact is less about raw damage and more about creating opportunities.
Captain America: The Sentinel of Liberty is a solid, well-rounded Vanguard. While he doesn’t excel in one specific area, his balanced kit makes him a reliable pick for players who value constant flexibility.
Winter Soldier: Winter Soldier excels at flanking and picking off isolated targets, disappearing back into the shadows before the enemy can react.
Psylocke: A psychic ninja with a sky-high skill ceiling. Psylocke’s telekinetic powers and psionic blade make her a dazzling but demanding Duelist, rewarding mechanical skill.
Mantis: A unique support whose power lies in pacifying enemies and providing strong healing. She thrives in coordinated teams that can capitalize on the windows she creates.

C-Tier: The Situational Characters

These heroes have a place, but it’s a very specific one. Choose them to counter a particular strategy or to catch an opponent off guard.

Iron Man: While always iconic, Iron Man’s aerial assault is often dismantled by the top-tier picks in the current meta.
Black Panther: The King of Wakanda possesses impressive mobility, but his damage output can feel underwhelming against the tankier Vanguards.
Black Widow: A master of espionage, but her kit currently lacks the decisive impact of other heroes in her class.
Moon Knight: A complex character whose effectiveness varies wildly with his shifting personas, making for a true wildcard, for better or for worse.

Top Picks for Every Playstyle

Every winning team needs a balance of power. Here’s a look at the best heroes in Marvel Rivals for each role, giving you a quick reference for building your next dominant team comp.

Role	Top Hero	Core Function	Why They’re OP
Vanguard	Hulk	Frontline Pressure & Durability	Soaks up incredible damage while disrupting enemy formations.
Duelist	Hela	Target Elimination & Aggression	Unmatched damage output and dueling potential.
Strategist	Doctor Strange	Crowd Control & Team Utility	Manipulates the entire game with portals, stuns, and a game-changing ultimate.

Mastering the Meta and Climbing the Ladder

Knowing the tier list is the first step; however, real climbing comes from applying that knowledge. Here’s how to translate these rankings into wins:

Focus Your Roster: Concentrate on learning two or three heroes from the S-Tier and A-Tier, as deep knowledge of a strong character will always beat surface-level skill with a dozen.
Embrace Team-Ups: Marvel Rivals is built on synergy. For example, pair Groot with Rocket Raccoon for defensives, or have Hulk throw Wolverine into the enemy backline for a Fastball Special. Coordinated abilities are the key to unlocking a team’s full potential.
Adapt and Overcome: If the enemy team locks in Hawkeye, consider a mobile Duelist like Hela or a flanking Winter Soldier to close the distance. Remember, a tier list is a guide, not a gospel, and the smartest player always wins.

The meta in Marvel Rivals is fun and constantly changing. This tier list for Season 3 gives you the pieces you need to solve it. Who do you think is the most underrated hero in the current season? Join the conversation and let us know your pick.