Key Takeaways
- Marvel Rivals is very similar to Overwatch, which means it’s also starting to share some of the more horrible metas from Overwatch’s history.
- Already, the GOAT meta has been seen on multiple occasions, which has a team set up with three Vanguards and three Strategists.
- Until Marvel Rivals gets some kind of role lock or queue, we can expect more funky team compositions like this in the near future.
Overwatch and Marvel Rivals share quite a lot of the same DNA, at least enough for former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra to tweet and then delete a salty post claiming it’s an “Overwatch clone.” It was always going to happen given that the two games share the same genre, though that doesn’t appear to be the only thing Marvel Rivals shares with its… rival.
A lot of characters in Marvel Rivals function similarly to characters in Overwatch. Scarlet Witch is just a mixture of Reaper and Moira, while Mantis is very clearly a Zenyatta/Ana hybrid. It therefore makes sense that tactics used in Overwatch would also be effective in Marvel Rivals, and players are already using one of Overwatch’s worst to great effect (thanks GamesRadar).
You Can Never Escape The GOAT
Overwatch fans that have been there since day one may recall the infamous GOAT era of Overwatch League, which saw teams using three tanks and three healers to barrel through opposition, albeit very slowly. It was a real pain in the posterior at the time, and eventually forced Blizzard into limiting how many tanks could be on one team.
Marvel Rivals has no such restrictions – with no role queue or role lock to be seen – which means that GOAT meta has been able to make a comeback. While not all that common right now, there is rumbling of the GOAT meta making its way back (ominously foretold by Twitter user Jonunderscor), with players like Twitter user TheChowderhead sharing their victory screen of a team that was obliterated by the tactic.
Related
Marvel Rivals’ Success Will Be Down To More Than Just Its IP
Keeping people playing a live service game requires more than well-known heroes, and Rivals is already demonstrating it’s well aware of that.
A YouTube user called OnlyLegs even recently shared footage of one of their matches that involved four tanks and two supports on their team. You don’t do a lot of damage, but you are essentially unkillable against a less coordinated or put-together team, and it proves to be very effective.
Of course, Marvel Rivals is in its first season out of beta, so there’s plenty of time left for NetEase to start tweaking things. While I’ve personally never run into a team of three Vanguards and three Strategists, I have been stuck on a team in which everyone picked Duelist, so a role queue of some kind has to be on the way eventually. Either that, or NetEase will just embrace the chaos.
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.
Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!
Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!
Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!