Honestly, the Marvel Rivals roster has become a bit of a beast to keep track of. When the game first dropped, we were looking at a solid 33 heroes, but as of early 2026, NetEase has cranked that number up to 45. That is a massive jump.
If you're just jumping in for Season 6, "Night at the Museum," you've probably noticed things look a lot different. We aren't just talking about a few balance tweaks. The meta is shifting because the way these characters actually interact is getting way more complex.
The Triple-Role Chaos of Deadpool
The biggest thing people are talking about right now is Deadpool. He’s not just another Duelist. He is the game’s first "triple-role" hero. Basically, when you're in the spawn room, you can swap his kit between Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist.
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It sounds broken because, well, it kind of is.
He even has this weird RPG-style leveling system where his XP bar fills up during the match, letting you upgrade abilities via a literal comic book menu. If you’ve got a Jeff the Land Shark on your team, Deadpool unlocks the "Mr. Pool’s Interdimensional Toy Box" team-up, which gives Jeff a toy that messes with enemy vision.
The Vanguard Heavy-Hitters
Vanguards are your tanks. They soak up the heat so your squishier teammates don't get deleted in two seconds. But playing them isn't just about standing there with a shield.
- Hulk: He is still the "extra life" king. You start as Hero Hulk, but if you "die," you revert to Bruce Banner. You have to scrap and build gamma radiation to get back into the big guy. In Season 6, Monster Hulk is now immune to launch and knockback, which is a massive buff for objective play.
- Magneto: He’s the undisputed king of shields. Pairing him with Thor is still one of the most oppressive frontline combos because of how they cycle their invulnerability windows.
- Captain America: Steve just got a cooldown reduction on his Vibranium Energy Saw. He’s leaning much harder into an "offense-heavy" tank role lately.
- Doctor Strange: Don't sleep on his portals. A well-placed Pentagram of Farallah can move an entire team behind the enemy line before they even realize what’s happening.
- Peni Parker: She’s definitely for the more "galaxy brain" players. You’re setting webs and mines. It’s a trap-based playstyle that feels more like a strategy game than a shooter.
The Duelists: Everyone's Favorite DPS
These are the characters everyone wants to play because, let's face it, getting kills is fun.
Black Panther is currently seeing a lot of play after his Season 6 buffs, specifically to his Spear Toss damage. He’s very much a "reset" character—if you hit your marks, your dash (Spirit Rend) refreshes, and you can just bounce around the battlefield like a vibranium-coated pinball.
Then you have Hela. She is still a nightmare in the right hands. Her ultimate, Nastrond's Night, lets her take to the sky and rain down projectiles that can wipe a team if they aren't looking up.
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A lot of people struggle with Psylocke because she plays so much like a traditional "flanker." She’s fast, she has a sword, and her ultimate is notoriously hard to track visually. On the other end of the spectrum is The Punisher. Frank is basically "Point and Shoot: The Character." He’s simple, effective, and usually the first character new players gravitate toward.
The Strategists (Don't Call Them Healers)
In Marvel Rivals, Strategists do a lot more than just top off health bars.
Adam Warlock is the perfect example. His Soul Bond ability shares damage across the team, which prevents your Duelists from getting "one-shotted." Plus, his Karmic Revival is literally a team-wide resurrect. It’s a game-changer.
Cloak & Dagger are arguably the most unique. You’re swapping between two distinct personas. One is about stealth and crowd control, the other is about raw healing output. They’ve consistently stayed at the top of the pick rates for competitive play because their utility is just too good to pass up.
And then there's Luna Snow. She's the K-Pop idol with ice powers who can literally "skate" across the map. She’s great for players who want to provide support but also want to be able to defend themselves when a Rogue or Wolverine dives them.
Every Character Currently in the Game
Since it's 2026, the list is getting long. To keep it simple, here is the current 45-character roster categorized by their primary roles.
Vanguard Heroes
The frontliners who hold the point.
- Hulk (Bruce Banner)
- Captain America
- Doctor Strange
- Magneto
- Thor
- Venom
- Groot
- Peni Parker
- Angela
- Emma Frost (Vanguard/Strategist hybrid)
Duelist Heroes
The damage dealers meant for securing kills.
- Iron Man
- Spider-Man
- Black Panther
- Black Widow
- Hawkeye
- Hela
- Namor
- Magik
- Black Widow
- Scarlet Witch
- The Punisher
- Star-Lord
- Moon Knight
- Psylocke
- Wolverine
- Iron Fist
- Blade
- Winter Soldier
- Gambit
- Human Torch
- Daredevil
Strategist Heroes
The support units that keep everyone alive and buffed.
- Rocket Raccoon
- Mantis
- Luna Snow
- Adam Warlock
- Loki
- Jeff the Land Shark
- Cloak & Dagger
- Invisible Woman
- Squirrel Girl
- Mister Fantastic
The Anomalies
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- Deadpool: The first Triple-Role hero (can play all three).
- Elsa Bloodstone: The newest arrival for the mid-season update.
What People Get Wrong About Team-Ups
Most players think Team-Up abilities are just "nice to have." They're actually the core of the game's balance.
Take Spider-Man and Peni Parker. If they're on the same team, Peter gets a "Web Bomb." It’s an extra ability he doesn't have otherwise. If you aren't picking your character based on who your teammates are playing, you’re essentially playing with a handicapped kit.
Another huge one is Hulk, Doctor Strange, and Iron Man. Hulk can literally charge them both with Gamma radiation. This turns Iron Man’s "Armor Overdrive" into "Gamma Overdrive," boosting his damage by roughly 20%. That’s the difference between winning a team fight and getting wiped.
How to Actually Pick Your Main
If you’re coming from other hero shooters, don't just look for the "clone" of your old main. The physics and verticality in Marvel Rivals are different.
- Check the Map First: If the map has a lot of destructible environments and tight corridors (like the new Museum map), characters like Groot or Magneto who can control space are invaluable.
- Look for Synergy: If someone locks in Hela, maybe don't go Hawkeye. You’re both long-range. You might need a Venom or Black Panther to dive the backline while Hela provides cover.
- Mind the Mobility: This game is incredibly vertical. If you pick a character like The Punisher on a map with lots of high ground, you’re going to get frustrated by a Spider-Man or Iron Man who you just can't catch.
Practical Steps for Mastering the Roster
Stop trying to learn 45 characters at once. It’s a recipe for burnout.
Start by picking one hero from each role. Master Venom for Vanguard, The Punisher for Duelist, and Mantis for Strategist. These three are relatively straightforward and will teach you the flow of the game without overwhelming you with complex mechanics like Loki's shapeshifting or Deadpool's role-swapping.
Once you feel comfortable, start looking at the "Team-Up" menu in the character select screen. Try to pick your hero based on what "Anchor" your team already has. If someone is playing Rocket Raccoon, go Groot. The bonus damage and utility you get from that single choice is often more impactful than being "really good" at a solo hero.
Keep an eye on the mid-season patch notes for Elsa Bloodstone’s release. New characters usually launch a bit overtuned, so if you want to climb the ranks, being the first to master her kit is your best bet.