Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play 6v6 hero shooter from NetEase Games, released in December 2024. Two teams of six pick Marvel heroes and fight over an objective that changes with the mode. It plays like other team hero shooters, but it adds comic-accurate powers and a Team-Up system that links certain heroes. This guide explains the three roles, which heroes are easiest to learn, how the modes work, how Team-Ups function, and the habits that win matches. Hero lists below come from Epic Games guide written near launch, and the roster has grown since then, so check the in-game hero select for the full list.
How a match works
Each hero has a primary fire, a secondary fire, two or three abilities on cooldowns and an Ultimate that charges as you deal and take damage. Matches are team-based: you win by completing the objective, not by getting the most kills. Heroes are split into three roles, and a good team uses all three.
The three roles
Vanguard
Vanguards are the front line. They absorb damage, create space for the team and lead pushes. They are the tank role. At launch, Vanguards included Bruce Banner (Hulk), Captain America, Doctor Strange, Groot, Magneto, Peni Parker, Thor and Venom. If you like being at the front and protecting teammates, start here.
Duelist
Duelists are damage dealers who advance aggressively and target the enemy Strategists. They are the largest group. At launch, Duelists included Black Panther, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hela, Iron Fist, Iron Man, Magik, Moon Knight, Namor, Psylocke, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Squirrel Girl, Star-Lord, Storm, The Punisher, Winter Soldier and Wolverine. If you like aiming and getting kills, start here.
Strategist
Strategists heal, revive and provide defensive boosts. A team should have one or two. At launch they included Adam Warlock, Cloak and Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Loki, Luna Snow, Mantis and Rocket Raccoon. Strategist is a good role for newcomers, because supports are always in demand and you learn the flow of fights from a safer position.
Which heroes should a beginner learn first?
Heroes are rated from one to five stars for difficulty. Epic recommends starting with one-star and two-star heroes.
- One star: Jeff the Land Shark, Mantis, Rocket Raccoon, Scarlet Witch, Squirrel Girl and The Punisher.
- Two stars: Doctor Strange, Groot, Iron Man, Luna Snow, Magneto, Namor, Star-Lord and Venom.
Pick one hero from each role to learn first, such as a Vanguard like Groot, a Duelist like The Punisher or Squirrel Girl, and a Strategist like Mantis, Rocket Raccoon or Luna Snow. Playing one hero for several matches teaches you more than hopping between heroes.
Game modes
- Domination: both teams contest a control point. The first team to capture two points wins.
- Convergence: the offense captures points much like Domination, and three points wins. The defense works to stop them.
- Convoy: the offense escorts a payload to its destination while the defense tries to halt it.
Each mode has its own rhythm. In Convoy, the defense should stagger and contest the payload. In Domination, hold the point and fight near it. In Convergence, play around the capture points. Whatever the mode, play the objective instead of chasing kills.
Team-Up Abilities
Team-Ups are shared abilities that become available when certain heroes are on the same team. Each requires an anchor hero, who grants a bonus to a partner, and you activate it with the Z, X or C keys on PC. Seasonal anchor bonuses, such as extra health, healing or damage, show on the Team-Up icon during character select. Examples include:
- Ammo Overload: Rocket Raccoon with The Punisher and or Winter Soldier gives unlimited ammunition and a faster fire rate.
- Planet X Pals: Groot with Rocket Raccoon and or Jeff the Land Shark lets riders take reduced damage and still use their skills.
- Chilling Charisma: Luna Snow with Namor and or Jeff adds ice powers with a slowing effect.
- Gamma Charge: Bruce Banner with Doctor Strange and or Iron Man charges their skills with gamma radiation.
- Metallic Chaos: Scarlet Witch with Magneto gives Magneto a greatsword that hits multiple enemies from range.
- Ragnarok Rebirth: Hela with Loki and or Thor lets Hela final blow revive or heal.
Team-Ups are a bonus, not a requirement. A balanced team that plays the objective beats a team that picks heroes only for a combo.
Hero tips from the guide
- Doctor Strange can create a portal in front of the enemy spawn with the exit at a platform edge, so rushing opponents may fall.
- Jeff the Land Shark has an ultimate that swallows allies and enemies. He can swim to cliff edges and expel them, or jump off for multiple eliminations.
- Scarlet Witch damage scales with a percentage of the target max health, which makes her effective against high-health Vanguards.
- Iron Fist and Magneto have abilities that block projectiles and power up their offensive moves.
- Hela stun and Mantis sleep should be saved for emergencies, especially when enemies dive toward you.
- Winter Soldier ability refreshes when he eliminates a foe, so he can chain it.
Where to practice
You can practice from the Play tab using the Change Mode button. Practice Tutorials cover specific heroes and modes. Rivalry Practice versus AI lets you join a team against bots. Rivalry Custom Game lets you create a lobby for friends and add AI bots with adjustable difficulty. Also complete the tutorial and check your sensitivity, aim assist, reticle, ability reminders and communication settings before queuing.
How to play each role well
Playing Vanguard
A Vanguard wins by standing where the team needs space. Hold a corner of the objective, absorb the first burst of damage and make the enemy look at you instead of your Strategists. Heroes like Magneto and Doctor Strange use barriers and shields for this, and Venom, Thor and the Hulk create openings by diving. Do not charge alone: if your team is not following, back up to your Strategist, because a Vanguard who dies first leaves the whole team exposed. Switch targets when an ability is on cooldown and retreat instead of trading health for nothing.
Playing Duelist
Duelists are your damage, and the guide notes they advance aggressively and target Strategists. Pick off the enemy supports, but do it with the team, not instead of the team. Learn your hero range: Hawkeye, Black Widow and Iron Man are comfortable at distance, while Spider-Man and Wolverine need to close in. Flankers should time their dive for when the enemy Vanguard is busy with your front line. Keep an eye on your ultimate, and hold it for a moment that wins the fight, such as when the enemy team is bunched at the point.
Playing Strategist
Strategists keep the team alive. Your job is to stay near your allies, stay behind cover, and decide who to heal first. Mantis, Rocket Raccoon and Luna Snow are easy to learn and supply healing, revives or defensive boosts. Avoid getting caught alone, because enemy Duelists will target you. Save your emergency abilities, like stuns or sleeps, for when enemies dive on you, and call out when an enemy ultimate is coming so the team can respond.
Choosing a team composition
Marvel Rivals rewards balanced compositions. A good starting setup is one or two Vanguards, two or three Duelists and one or two Strategists. Check the roles when you pick: if enough Duelists are chosen, pick a Vanguard or Strategist, and if a role is empty, fill it. If your team loses a fight, a role swap is often better than another hero swap within the same role. You can also pick heroes that unlock Team-Ups, but only when it fits the situation.
A simple first-hour plan
- Complete the tutorial and set sensitivity, aim assist and the reticle.
- Open Practice and try one Vanguard, one Duelist and one Strategist with a low difficulty rating.
- Play a few matches against AI bots in Rivalry Practice.
- Queue for a casual mode and pick the hero you enjoyed the most.
- After each loss, check which role was missing from your team.
The highest-value tips for new players
- Play the objective instead of chasing kills.
- Never dive in alone. Stay within reach of a Strategist.
- Coordinate your ultimates with your team.
- If your team has no Vanguard, someone needs to switch. If there is no Strategist, your team will struggle to sustain in fights.
- Look at the roles picked before you lock in. If enough Duelists are chosen, pick a Vanguard or Strategist.
- Stay in cover and use high ground and walls.
- Learn one hero at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marvel Rivals free?
Yes, it is a free-to-play game available on PC and consoles.
How many players are on a team?
Six, in a 6v6 format.
What are the three roles?
Vanguard, Duelist and Strategist.
Which heroes are easiest for beginners?
One-star and two-star heroes, such as Mantis, Rocket Raccoon, Groot and Luna Snow.
What are Team-Up Abilities?
Shared abilities unlocked by certain hero pairings, activated with Z, X or C.
What modes are there?
Domination, Convergence and Convoy, plus practice and custom modes.
Can I play against bots to learn?
Yes, through Rivalry Practice versus AI or a custom game with AI bots.