Character classes are a familiar mechanic that categorizes a video game’s cast by skill, especially in team-based games. For instance, MultiVersus, a 2v2 platform fighter, classes each cast member by Bruiser, Assasin, Tank, and Mage/Ranged. Marvel Rivals uses a similar class-based system featuring Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists.
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So, how does Marvel Rivals’s class system work? Vanguards are tank-like characters with both offensive and defensive abilities. Duelists excel in one-on-one combat and boast various offensive skills. Lastly, Strategists offer superb support abilities that heal and boost their allies. These three roles work together to claim victory!
Updated by Allyson Cochran on January 12, 2025: All heroes are now accounted for! And, we’ve added some hero description information to keep you well-informed.
What Are Vanguards?
If your Rivals team is an army, then Vanguards lead the charge. This class deals considerable damage across a wide area and can take a few punches, too. Vanguards can use their skills to shield teammates and ward off enemies. In short, they are balanced all-rounders.
Let’s observe Hero Hulk as an example. His normal attack, Heavy Blow, deals significant melee damage. Hero Hulk’s abilities, like Gamma Burst and Incredible Leap, give him an expanded range of movement and attack. Finally, Hulk’s Indestructible Guard effectively shields Hulk and nearby allies from damage.
Vanguards are an excellent choice for intermediate players. You can take more risks with Vanguards since they have higher H.P. However, they have a slight learning curve, especially if you wish to use them well.
Vanguards provide significant cover to their teammates. When playing as a Vanguard, use your tank qualities to defend Duelists and Strategists against mobs of enemies.
What Heroes Are Vanguards?
There are a total of eight Vanguards to choose from.
|
Hero |
Role Description |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Bruce Banner (Hulk) |
A hybrid tank with two forms: frail but tactical Bruce Banner and the high-mobility, melee-focused Hulk with dual health bars. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Doctor Strange |
A versatile defender who excels in disruption and crowd control, with adaptable abilities for protecting allies and stalling enemies. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Captain America |
A mobile, resilient tank specialized in hit-and-run tactics, capable of shielding allies and disrupting enemies with ricocheting attacks. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
|
Thor |
A close-range bruiser with sustained durability and mobility, using Thorforce to enhance his abilities and control combat flow. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
|
Groot |
A mid-range tank with area-denial capabilities, able to build and enhance walls for protection, crowd control, and team utility. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Venom |
A durable and mobile bruiser adept at diving the enemy backline, with self-healing and crowd-control tools to maintain pressure. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Magneto |
A defensive hero who uses magnetic manipulation for strong area denial and offensive disruption. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
|
Peni Parker |
A versatile hybrid hero with defensive capabilities and high team utility, excelling in disruption and area control. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
What Are Duelists?
As their name implies, Duelists excel in one-to-one combat. Furthermore, the majority of their abilities are offense-oriented. Duelists can use their abilities to target and attack foes or boost the attack strength of nearby allies.
The Punisher is a straightforward example of a Duelist. His normal attacks, Adjudication and Deliverance, deal targeted ranged damage. The Punisher can activate Culling Turret or his Ultimate Attack, Final Judgment, to deal massive damage. Finally, abilities like Vantage Connection and Warrior’s Gaze let The Punisher fiercely stalk his prey.
Duelists, specifically more difficult ones like Spider-Man, are challenging to play. This class does not get much H.P., meaning a handful of hits can knock them out. For these reasons, we recommend Duelists for advanced players. If you’re new to this class, try heroes with a high ease of use, like The Punisher or Scarlet Witch.
Duelists can quickly get overwhelmed due to their low H.P. Therefore, we recommend targeting straggling team members rather than jumping into the fray of battle. If a Duelist wishes to take on multiple foes at once, they should make sure a friendly Vanguard or Strategist is nearby to assist.
What Heroes Are Duelists?
There are 19 duelists to choose from, the highest number among the three role types.
|
Hero |
Role Description |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
|
The Punisher |
Versatile arsenal hero who adapts between long-range rifle and close-range shotgun combat. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Black Widow |
Agile sniper adept at switching between melee and ranged combat for tactical flexibility. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Hawkeye |
Precision sniper excelling at long-range damage with versatile arrow types. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Iron Fist |
Nimble melee attacker who uses mobility to infiltrate and eliminate enemy backlines. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Mister Fantastic |
Durable disruptor with mid-range reach and ally-supportive capabilities. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Moon Knight |
Mobile damage dealer who excels at exploiting clustered enemies with bouncing projectiles. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Psylocke |
Stealthy assassin specializing in high-burst flanking attacks. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩(5/5) |
|
Squirrel Girl |
Long-range bomber who overwhelms enemies with area-of-effect attacks. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Wolverine |
Persistent brawler with high survivability and relentless close-range offense. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Winter Soldier |
Combo-based fighter excelling in seamless transitions between mid- and close-range combat. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Storm |
High-mobility damage dealer and team buffer with free-flight and versatile team buffs. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Hela |
High-damage, long-range combatant with potential for area-of-effect explosions. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Black Panther |
Agile melee fighter who dashes and strikes vulnerable targets. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Magik |
Durable close-range skirmisher with portal-based mobility and health regeneration. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Iron Man |
Long-range area-of-effect specialist with constant aerial dominance. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
|
Spider-Man |
Agile aerial combatant leveraging exceptional mobility and tracer-enabled abilities. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩(5/5) |
|
Scarlet Witch |
Mid-range disruptor using sustained damage beams and explosive magic for crowd control. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Star-Lord |
Agile mid-range attacker blending damage bursts with sustained fire. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
|
Namor |
Long-range combatant summoning sea creatures for consistent pressure and zone control. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
What Are Strategists?
Strategists are Marvel Rivals’s support class. These heroes can heal friendly fighters and give them combat boosts. Some Strategists, like Loki, even have tactical abilities to trick and distract opponents.
The easiest Strategist to pick up and play is Rocket Racoon. His Bombard Mode attack is comparable to other shooters in the game, like The Punisher. However, he can use Repair Mode to heal himself and nearby allies. Rocket’s Ultimate Attack, C.Y.A. deploys a Cosmic Yarn Amplifier that boosts his allies’ attack damage.
Beginners to PvP shooters will do best in a Strategist role. Most Strategists can heal themselves, which makes survival significantly easier. Plus, a Strategist’s supporting role allows them to learn the ropes of the game from a distance without getting wiped out every few minutes.
Do you know how airline safety protocols recommend putting on your oxygen mask first before assisting others? Strategists work similarly. They should always take care of themselves so they can effectively support their team. Jumping in to defend other players is a fruitless endeavor if you are low on H.P.
What Heroes Are Strategists?
Just like Vanguards, there are eight Specialists to pick from.
|
Hero |
Hero Description |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Loki |
Deceptive support who conjures illusions to amplify damage, healing, and distract enemies. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Mantis |
Sustained healer with high buffs and personal damage output. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Cloak & Dagger |
Dynamic duo switching between healing (Dagger) and damage-oriented (Cloak) playstyles. |
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛(3/5) |
|
Invisible Woman |
Elusive support who shields and heals allies while disrupting foes and turning invisible. |
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛(4/5) |
|
Jeff the Land Shark |
Mobile healer with versatile area and single-target healing, excelling in any team composition. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Rocket Raccoon |
Agile support with strong healing, reviving, and damage–buffing abilities, enhanced by wall-running mobility. |
🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛(1/5) |
|
Luna Snow |
High-output healer with area-of-effect restoration and dual passives for mobility and self-healing. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
|
Adam Warlock |
Burst healer with team damage-sharing, revival abilities, and powerful area-effect healing options. |
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛(2/5) |
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