Marvel Rivals has made waves in the gaming community with the launch of Season 1, introducing fan-favorite characters like Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic into an expanding roster of heroes. Alongside these new additions, players can now explore two fresh maps and engage in a brand-new game mode. The season also brings significant balance adjustments that promise to shake up the competitive meta. As players adapt to these changes, we’re starting to see a clearer picture of which heroes are thriving and which are faltering.
Understanding the Meta Shift
In the aftermath of the Season 1 updates, some heroes who dominated in Season 0, such as Doctor Strange, Hela, and Luna Snow, continue to hold their ground despite facing nerfs. Conversely, characters like Storm, Moon Knight, and Wolverine have seen their competitive viability noticeably improve.
It’s important to recognize that every hero in Marvel Rivals has the potential to shine when played by someone who understands their unique strengths, positioning, and limitations. This tier list aims to rank heroes based on their current value in the meta, but the best choice for any player will always be the character they’re most comfortable with or one that complements their team composition.
Let’s dive into our comprehensive tier list for Marvel Rivals Season 1:
S-Tier Heroes
The S-Tier heroes are the cream of the crop, offering significant advantages in the current meta.
– **Hulk**: When he avoids the ban phase, Hulk becomes a formidable force. His gamma shield provides excellent durability, and his mobility allows him to pressure enemy supports effectively. His Team-Up with Doctor Strange and Iron Man enhances their damage output significantly.
– **Doctor Strange**: Still a top-tier Vanguard despite nerfs, Doctor Strange offers remarkable damage output and utility with his 800 HP shield. His teleportation abilities allow teams to engage on their own terms, making him incredibly versatile.
– **Luna Snow**: Luna remains one of the best Strategists, providing high damage and healing despite nerfs. Her ultimate ability makes her team nearly unkillable for a significant duration.
– **Cloak and Dagger**: With recent buffs to their cooldowns, Cloak and Dagger are now even more potent. Their ability to sustain damage while dealing it makes them a valuable asset in any match.
– **Hela**: Despite reductions in health and bonuses, Hela continues to dominate as the best Duelist. Her precision in aiming is crucial to maintaining her high impact in battles.
– **Magneto**: Magneto has seen a rise in effectiveness due to buffs to his Team-Up ability, allowing him to be a reliable option in high-stakes matches. His ultimate can deal devastating damage, making him a top-tier choice.
– **Invisible Woman**: As the latest addition to the roster, Invisible Woman excels as a support character with strong healing and utility. Her ability to control the battlefield makes her a valuable team member.
– **Storm**: Gaining multiple buffs this season, Storm has transformed into a highly aggressive character with improved damage and survivability.
– **Mantis**: With her strong damage and healing abilities, Mantis continues to be a formidable Strategist. She remains a top pick, especially when key heroes are banned.
A-Tier Heroes
The A-Tier heroes are reliable choices who can shine under the right conditions.
– **Groot**: His sustain and ability to pair with strong allies like Namor and Moon Knight make Groot a valuable pick.
– **Namor**: Known for his flanking capabilities, Namor can quickly dispatch squishy heroes and synergizes well with crowd control ultimates.
– **Loki**: Though complex, Loki offers incredible potential with his immortality field and the ability to copy powerful ultimates from other heroes.
– **Star-Lord**: His mobility and ultimate ability make him a consistent threat in various situations, particularly when paired with Adam Warlock.
– **Psylocke**: A versatile hero, Psylocke excels at flanking and works well in various compositions.
– **Iron Man**: His damage output can be devastating, especially in compositions where he can rain down attacks from a safe distance.
– **Winter Soldier**: With increased durability and consistent damage, Winter Soldier now has a more significant impact on matches.
– **Hawkeye**: While he has seen some nerfs, Hawkeye’s one-shot potential keeps him relevant in competitive play.
– **Moon Knight**: Recent buffs make him a strong choice, especially when paired with heroes who can set up kills.
– **Wolverine**: Once considered weak, Wolverine has gained traction thanks to buffs and improved understanding among players.
B-Tier Heroes
These heroes are decent picks but may require more skill to maximize their potential.
– **Thor**: With an increase in base HP and crowd control immunity, Thor can still make an impact, especially in team compositions.
– **The Punisher**: A reliable choice for newcomers, but his lack of mid-fight pressure limits his effectiveness.
– **Venom**: A solid Vanguard with mobility, but may need a damage boost to compete with top-tier heroes.
– **Adam Warlock**: A damage-centric support who can resurrect himself and allies, but his ultimate requires careful positioning.
– **Magik**: A strong brawler with the potential to carry games, especially when played skillfully.
– **Black Panther**: A strong backline threat, but recent nerfs have slightly diminished his effectiveness.
– **Rocket Raccoon**: A decent strategist with healing abilities, but he doesn’t match up to top-tier support heroes.
– **Squirrel Girl**: While her ultimate has been improved, she still lacks the kill potential of higher-tier duelists.
C-Tier Heroes
These heroes may struggle to find their place in the current meta.
– **Captain America**: A solid disruptor, but lacks offensive potential compared to other Vanguards.
– **Peni Parker**: While she can control narrow spaces effectively, her defensive playstyle limits her in higher ranks.
– **Jeff the Land Shark**: Despite his self-healing abilities, Jeff is outclassed by top-tier supports.
– **Mister Fantastic**: A hybrid hero who lacks the impact of dedicated DPS or tank characters.
– **Spider-Man**: Can be a threat but struggles against the current meta of triple support compositions.
– **Iron Fist**: His lack of speed and stealth hinders his effectiveness in the current landscape.
D-Tier Heroes
These heroes face significant challenges and are generally less viable in competitive play.
– **Scarlet Witch**: Powerful in lower tiers but quickly becomes outclassed by more versatile heroes.
– **Black Widow**: While she can shine in specific scenarios, she’s often overshadowed by other duelists.
As the Marvel Rivals community continues to explore the vast roster of heroes, the meta will inevitably evolve, especially with the upcoming mid-season patch. What are your thoughts on the current S-Tier heroes? Are there any characters you feel need adjustments? Share your opinions and strategies in the comments below!
