So you finally jumped into Marvel Rivals. Honestly, it’s a lot. You’ve got Iron Man zooming overhead, Groot growing literal forests in the middle of a chokepoint, and somehow you’re already dead because a Spider-Man swung out of nowhere. It feels chaotic because it is. But after logging way too many hours since the December 2024 launch, I can tell you that most new players lose because they treat this like a standard shooter.
It isn't. Not really.
If you’re coming from Overwatch or Valorant, you’ll recognize the bones, but the meat is different. This game is more about "wombo combos" and literal world-breaking than just clicking on heads.
Stop Playing Solo (Seriously)
The biggest mistake? Running in alone. You see it every match. A Punisher thinks he’s the main character, runs to the objective, and gets deleted by a coordinated dive. Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 game where team synergy isn't just a suggestion—it’s the entire point.
💡 You might also like: Tom Clancy HAWX Game: Why This Flawed Dogfighter Still Matters
Basically, the game uses a "Holy Trinity" system, but with Marvel flavors.
Vanguards are your tanks. They aren't just there to take hits; they create space. If your Hulk is jumping in, you go with him. Duelists are the damage dealers. They’re flashy, sure, but they’re fragile. If you’re a Duelist and you aren't standing behind a shield or using a flank route, you're just a free kill for the enemy Hela. Then you’ve got Strategists. These are your healers and utility players.
If you're a beginner, start with these "safe" picks:
- Vanguard: Thor or Captain America. They're sturdy and have straightforward kits.
- Duelist: Scarlet Witch. Her "Chaos Control" deals damage based on max health, which makes her a nightmare for enemy tanks.
- Strategist: Rocket Raccoon or Luna Snow. Rocket’s healing is consistent, and Luna’s "Share the Stage" is a literal lifesaver.
The Team-Up Mechanic is Your Secret Weapon
Most people ignore the Team-Up abilities. Don't be that person. These are unique buffs that trigger only when specific heroes are on the same team.
For example, if you have Rocket Raccoon and The Punisher, Rocket can hop on Punisher’s back. It sounds silly, but it gives Punisher infinite ammo for a short burst. Or take Magneto and Scarlet Witch—Magneto can actually imbue his sword with her chaos energy for a massive damage boost.
Before you lock in your character, look at the little icons in the hero select screen. If you see a glowing link between your portrait and a teammate's, you've unlocked a Team-Up. Use it. It’s often the difference between a stalled push and a team wipe.
Use Chrono Vision or Die
See that button labeled Chrono Vision (it's B on your keyboard or D-Pad Right on controllers)? Use it.
Marvel Rivals has fully destructible environments. This isn't just for show. If a sniper is annoying you from a balcony in Tokyo 2099, you don't have to out-snipe them. You can literally destroy the floor beneath them.
📖 Related: For Goodness Sake Strands: The Real Story Behind the Viral NYT Puzzle Trend
Chrono Vision highlights which walls and floors are "soft" and can be smashed. I’ve seen matches won because a Magneto dropped a literal building on the enemy team while they were capturing the point. If you aren't using the environment as a weapon, you're playing with one hand tied behind your back.
How to Actually Win the Modes
The game currently rotates through three main types: Convoy, Domination, and Convergence.
In Convoy, the attacking team needs to move a payload. If you’re on defense, you only need one person touching the cart to stop it. Beginners often chase kills into the enemy spawn while the cart just rolls past them. Stay on the objective.
Domination is your classic king-of-the-hill. Here’s a pro tip: the high ground is usually more important than the point itself. If you control the balconies overlooking the objective, the team on the point is basically fish in a barrel.
Stop Wasting Your Ultimate
We’ve all been there. You get your Ult, you get excited, and you press the button immediately.
Usually, you hit nothing.
Ultimates in Marvel Rivals, like Iron Man’s Gamma Ray or Venom’s Symbiote Burst, are huge, loud, and very avoidable if the enemy sees them coming. Wait for your Vanguard to stun the enemy team. When Groot roots three people in place, that is when you drop the hammer.
Also, keep an eye on the clock. Using a massive team-wipe Ultimate when there are only 5 seconds left and your team is already dead is a waste. Save it for the next push.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Next Match
If you want to stop getting stomped and actually start climbing the ranks, do these three things in your next three games:
- Pick one hero per role. Don't try to learn all 33+ characters at once. Master one Vanguard, one Duelist, and one Strategist so you can always fill what the team needs.
- Bind your "Group Up" ping. Seriously. Before every fight, ping your team to wait. Fighting 6v6 is winnable; fighting 1v6 is suicide.
- Spend 5 minutes in the Practice Range. Test the verticality of your favorite hero. Can Spider-Man reach that ledge? Can Iron Man hover long enough to clear that gap? Knowing your movement limits is half the battle.
The meta is always shifting—we just entered Season 6: Night at the Museum—so keep an eye on patch notes. But these fundamentals? They don't change. Stick to the team, smash the walls, and play the objective. You'll be fine.