The Best Strategists In Marvel Rivals

Key Takeaways

• Mastering
  Marvel Rivals’
  Strategist class is vital for team success & victory.
• Cloak and Dagger offer a unique blend of offensive and healing powers.
• Characters like Rocket Raccoon, Mantis, and Adam Warlock are formidable Strategists.

The launch of Marvel Rivals brings a roster of 33 characters for players to choose from, all of which are organized into 3 distinct classes: Duelists, Vanguards, and Strategists. Though most players may flock to a Duelist to deal heavy damage, or a Vanguard to protect their allies, the Strategist class is arguably the most important in the game, as they fight to keep their allies alive and disrupt the battlefield.

Mastering the Strategist class is no easy feat though, as it requires an understanding of their core abilities and how to best synergize with the rest of the team. Whether they’re focusing on crowd control, buffing damage, or healing wounds, choosing the right Strategist can elevate a team’s overall performance and vastly increase the likelihood of victory.

7 Loki

God Of Mischief Excels In Trickery

• Health: 250
• Difficulty: 4/5
• First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #85 (1952)

Thor’s evil half-brother Loki is one of the most versatile and unpredictable Strategists in Marvel Rivals. His abilities center on deception and disruption, as he can spawn illusions of himself and switch between controlling them. This makes him a slippery target for enemies to focus on, as they may waste attacks and burn through cooldowns on his doppelgängers.

Despite his typically evil nature, Loki does possess some abilities to heal his teammates, but they’re not the greatest when compared to his compatriots. One such ability, Regeneration Domain, places a Rune Stone that provides allies with a Healing Over Time effect should they remain within its vicinity. Though seemingly powerful, due to the fast-paced nature of the action it’s unlikely players can get its full benefit, and the 20-second cooldown on this primary healing ability isn’t too generous either.

6 Cloak And Dagger

A Fine Balance Between Healing And Damage

• Health: 250
• Difficulty: 3/5
• First Appearance: Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #64 (1982)

Though they function as a singular character, Cloak and Dagger bring a unique dynamic to the Strategist class, as players can alternate between them on the fly, blending the power of light and darkness to control the battlefield. Cloak is certainly more offensive, as he focuses on blinding enemies and dealing constant close-range damage. Dagger, on the other hand, is an effective healer, whilst still possessing the ability to deal damage from far with her Lightforce Daggers.

The most notable thing about Cloak and Dagger is their offensive strength, even though they’re classed as a support character. Thus, if teams opt for a singular support character, Cloak and Dagger might struggle on their own to keep their team alive, as players juggle between debuffing and damaging enemies, and healing dying allies.

5 Rocket Raccoon

Tech Genius With Ally-Buffing Gadgets — And A Big Gun

• Health: 250
• Difficulty: 1/5
• First Appearance: Marvel Preview #7 (1976)

Anyone who’s a fan of the MCU will know that Rocket Raccoon has a big mouth and an even bigger arsenal of gadgets, and in Marvel Rivals he’s no different. From the C.Y.A. (Cosmic Yarn Amplifier) to the B.R.B. (Battle Rebirth Beacon), Rocket’s loadout is stacked full of useful gizmos that even players new to picking a Strategist can use to instantly impact the flow of battle.

Thanks to his small frame and nimble movement, players are likely to dodge enemy attacks more easily, allowing them to dart around maps with ease and distribute healing and damage where necessary. The secondary fire on his gun acts as his primary healing ability, as it shoots bouncing spheres that heal allies around the map. Its fire mode is both a blessing and a curse, as it allows him to heal players who are out of sight or far away, but it sacrifices speed and effectiveness in exchange.

4 Mantis

The Master Of Life Orbs

• Health: 275
• Difficulty: 1/5
• First Appearance: The Avengers #112 (1973)

Most characters in the game have their skills available on a cooldown, limiting everyone to casting them once every few seconds, but the majority of Mantis‘ skills are fueled by Life Orbs. These regenerate over time, or by landing a critical hit with her normal attacks, and it adds a unique layer of depth to her role as a support character.

Her abilities are largely tied to healing and buffing allies, though it’s mostly Healing Over Time instead of instantaneous. It might sound like a detriment at first, but clever players who can manage their supply of Life Orbs can consistently dish out healing in a manner no other Strategist can. Partner that with her Team-Up combo with Adam Warlock, which allows her to cocoon and come back to life upon death, and Mantis can quickly become a nuisance for enemies to get rid of.

3 Jeff The Land Shark

Equal Parts Cute And Deadly

• Health: 250
• Difficulty: 1/5
• First Appearance: West Coast Avengers #7 (2019)

Jeff instantly captured people’s hearts with his adorable design, but it didn’t take long for players to realize they shouldn’t judge a shark by its cuteness. Whether he’s dishing out decent splash damage with his Aqua Burst or healing multiple teammates at once with Joyful Splash’s stream, there will be a notable impact felt on the battlefield when Jeff’s on a team.

And that’s just his normal attacks. His Ultimate is widely considered to be overpowered, as he can swallow the entire enemy team and spit them off the map, making him the best hero for zonal clearances. Now consider the Healing Bubbles he can strategically place around the map as well as his incredible maneuverability, and Jeff isn’t just an excellent Strategist, but a great character overall.

2 Luna Snow

Playing Support Has Never Been So Cool

• Health: 275
• Difficulty: 2/5
• First Appearance: Marvel Future Fight (2018)

Luna Snow is probably one of the lesser-known characters in Marvel Rivals, but players shouldn’t let that deter them from choosing her, as she’s one of the best Strategists in the game. She has numerous abilities that offer instant healing for her allies, with Share the Stage even allowing her to heal two players at once.

Her primary focus might be as a healer, but Luna still packs a mean punch, as her normal attack alone deals decent damage at a rapid pace. Where she truly shines, though, is with her Ultimate, Fate of Both Worlds, which is arguably one of the best in the game. She can toggle between healing allies or granting them a damage boost, all while she’s nigh on impossible to kill.

1 Adam Warlock

If Healing Fails, Revive Fallen Allies Instead

• Health: 250
• Difficulty: 3/5
• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #67 (1967)

Adam Warlock’s entire kit is something to envy for most characters in the game, especially his fellow Strategists. Not only does he deal surprisingly high amounts of damage — especially with critical hits — but his healing abilities, which can flow through numerous allies at once, make him an essential support member for any team seeking victory.

Success isn’t just found with one character though, as the whole team needs to work together. Thus, Adam Warlock’s Ultimate (and Passive ability) allows him to revive his entire team with the press of a button. It is truly a game changer and befitting of the literal Avatar of Life. Clever players who can make the most of this ability and use it in crucial moments can turn the tide of any battle, something only very few other characters offer.