Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play 6v6 hero shooter from NetEase Games, launched on December 6, 2024. Teams pick Marvel heroes and villains in three roles: Vanguards (tanks), Duelists (damage) and Strategists (healers and support). Maps are built on the Marvel multiverse, from Tokyo 2099 to Klyntar, and many have destructible areas. Team-Up abilities give heroes bonus powers when they play together.

It launched with 33 heroes and has added a new one almost every month. As of September 2026 the roster reached 54 heroes, the most recent being Gorr the God Butcher in Season 10. Season 10.5 (October 9, 2026) skipped a new hero in favour of an Avengers: Infinity War mode.

Is Marvel Rivals on Xbox One?

No. Marvel Rivals is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, but not on Xbox One or PS4. NetEase built the game for current-generation hardware, with destructible environments and effects that the older consoles cannot handle. If you are on an Xbox One, the only way to play is to upgrade to an Xbox Series S or Series X, or play on PC. Marvel Rivals is not on Xbox Cloud Gaming, so cloud streaming to an Xbox One is not an option either.

Marvel Rivals on Xbox Series X|S

On Xbox Series X the game targets 60fps with a 120fps mode on supported displays; on Series S it runs at a lower resolution, also with a 60fps target. It is free-to-play, so you do not need Game Pass Essential for online play, and crossplay with PC and PS5 is available. Console players can choose console-only matchmaking in ranked modes.

The three roles explained

Vanguards are the tanks. Heroes such as Magneto, Doctor Strange, Groot and Venom absorb damage, create shields and start fights. A good Vanguard decides where the team pushes. Duelists deal most of the damage. Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hela, Black Panther and Psylocke specialize in eliminating targets, whether from range or by diving the back line. Strategists keep the team alive. Luna Snow, Mantis, Rocket Raccoon, Invisible Woman and Jeff the Land Shark heal, buff allies and offer escape abilities. Most teams run two of each role, though competitive play varies with the current balance patch.

Team-Ups

Team-Up abilities activate when certain heroes are on the same team. For example, Rocket Raccoon and Groot share a combo, and the Fantastic Four heroes boost each other. Team-Ups change each season, so check the hero menu at the start of every season to see which pairs are strongest.

Modes and maps

Quick Match covers Convoy (escort a payload), Domination (hold control points) and Convergence (capture then escort). Competitive mode adds ranked tiers from Bronze to One Above All. Limited-time modes appear every season, such as the Avengers: Infinity War event in Season 10.5. Maps come from across the Marvel multiverse, from Yggsgard and Tokyo 2099 to Klyntar, and many have destructible walls and floors that open new routes.

How to unlock heroes and skins

Every hero is free to play from the start, which is a big difference from many hero shooters. The paid parts are cosmetic: costumes, emotes and the seasonal battle pass. Battle passes never expire once bought, so you can finish older ones later. Units, the premium currency, are bought with real money, while some currency and skins can be earned through events and missions.

Beginner tips for Marvel Rivals

Start by playing one hero from each role in Practice and Quick Match, so you understand what your teammates need. Strategists are a great place to learn, because healing teaches you to watch the whole fight. Stay close to your Vanguard rather than running ahead, and save your ultimate for when the enemy team is grouped or when your team is about to push an objective. Watch the kill feed and the top of the screen: knowing which enemy ultimates are ready helps you avoid walking into them. Use the environment, too. Many walls can be destroyed to open sightlines or remove an enemy’s cover, and high ground is valuable on almost every map.

Ranked play

Competitive mode unlocks after you reach a certain player level and pass the tutorial requirements. Ranks run from Bronze through Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Grandmaster and Celestial up to Eternity and One Above All. At higher ranks, hero bans come into play, so it is worth having two or three heroes you play well in your main role. Each season resets ranks partially, and rewards such as gold-tier costumes are given for reaching certain ranks.

Seasons and new heroes

Marvel Rivals runs in seasons of roughly two months, often split into a main season and a mid-season update. Almost every update has added at least one hero, which is how the roster grew from 33 at launch to 54 by September 2026. Seasons also bring new maps, balance changes, limited-time modes and a new battle pass. Check the updates tab on this hub for the latest patch notes and hero changes.

Crossplay and progression

Crossplay between Xbox, PlayStation and PC is enabled in Quick Match, and your progress is tied to your NetEase account, which you link to your Xbox or PSN profile. If you switch platforms, link the same NetEase account to keep heroes’ proficiency and cosmetics, although purchases of premium currency may be limited to the platform where you bought them. In ranked, console players are matched with console players by default, while PC players have their own pool, which keeps matches fair between mouse-and-keyboard and controller users.

Is Marvel Rivals worth playing?

Yes, if you enjoy team shooters. It is free, every hero is unlocked, and the steady stream of new heroes keeps it fresh. It plays best with friends using voice chat, but solo queue is enjoyable at lower ranks. Players coming from Overwatch will feel at home, while the Marvel heroes, Team-Ups and destructible maps give it its own identity.

Best settings for Marvel Rivals on console

On Xbox Series X and PS5, turn on the 120fps mode if your TV supports 120Hz, because higher frame rates make tracking fast heroes like Spider-Man and Psylocke much easier. Lower motion blur and camera shake, increase the field of view if the option is available, and raise the aim sensitivity in small steps until quick turns feel natural without overshooting. Turn on damage numbers and enemy health bars to judge fights better. Use a headset to hear enemy ultimates and footsteps; audio cues warn you about dives from behind. Finally, map your most important ability to the button that is easiest to reach, so defensive skills are always ready when you need them.