Marvel Rivals: Everything You Need To Know (Heroes, Maps, Classes)

Marvel Rivals, developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel, is a thrilling new entry in the team-based PvP shooter genre. Launched on December 6, 2024, this free-to-play game combines iconic Marvel characters, destructible environments, and strategic gameplay to create a unique experience.

But how does it compare to Blizzard’s Overwatch 2, a dominant force in the genre? Let’s dive deep into the details, from the roster and maps to gameplay mechanics and competitive potential.

Marvel Rivals Hero Roster: Characters by Class

Marvel Rivals offers a diverse range of heroes, each falling into unique classes based on their skills and combat styles. Below is a reimagined list of the characters, organized in a randomized order across three distinct classes:

Duelist Class: Masters of One-on-One Combat

Duelists are built for high-speed, offensive play, excelling at taking down individual opponents. Their abilities allow them to deal immense damage while also providing buffs to nearby allies. Here are the heroes who fall under the Duelist class:

Scarlet Witch

Gameplay:Scarlet Witch’s primary strength lies in her ability to warp reality. She can manipulate the battlefield with devastating area-of-effect spells and chaos magic. Her Chaos Warp ability disorients enemies, creating confusion by briefly altering the positions of enemies on the battlefield.

Her Hex Field provides a debuff to opponents, weakening their abilities and making them vulnerable to attacks. In one-on-one combat, Scarlet Witch can overwhelm foes with unpredictable powers that defy traditional physics.

Black Panther

Gameplay: Black Panther excels in agility and close-range combat. His Vibranium Slash allows him to deal heavy damage while his Panther's Reflexes ability enhances his dodging and speed, enabling him to quickly reposition and outmaneuver enemies.

His Vibranium Shield provides temporary invulnerability, making him an excellent duelist capable of both taking damage and dealing it back. He shines in quick, high-speed engagements and taking down squishy support characters.

Wolverine

Gameplay: Wolverine is a relentless force in melee combat. His Adamantium Claws cut through enemies with incredible speed, making him effective at both dealing damage and closing the gap between him and ranged opponents. His Regenerative Healing allows him to recover health quickly, making him a tanky duelist. Wolverine excels at overwhelming opponents in direct confrontations and can often be hard to kill thanks to his self-healing abilities.

Moon Knight

Gameplay: Moon Knight is a highly versatile character, able to adapt to multiple combat situations. His Crescent Darts ability allows him to attack from range, while his Khonshu's Blessing provides a buff that increases his movement speed and damage for a short period. His Moon’s Fury ultimate ability summons Khonshu’s spirit, allowing him to enhance his melee strikes and confuse enemies with disorienting effects.

Moon Knight thrives in unpredictable combat, switching between ranged and melee attacks seamlessly.

Hawkeye

Gameplay: As a marksman, Hawkeye’s Explosive Arrows can deal massive damage from a distance, making him a top-tier choice for picking off enemies before they even get close.

His Hawkeye’s Precision increases his accuracy, enabling him to hit weak points on enemies, while his Gravity Bow ability creates an area-of-effect zone that pulls enemies in, allowing him to trap them for follow-up shots. He’s an ideal character for players who prefer long-range, strategic combat.

Storm

Gameplay: Storm controls the weather, turning the battlefield into a deadly storm of lightning and wind. Her Lightning Strike ability deals high burst damage to enemies in a line, while her Hurricane Force creates a strong wind vortex, pushing enemies back and disrupting their positioning.

Her Eye of the Storm ultimate creates a massive area-of-effect storm that continuously deals damage to enemies caught within it. Storm is best played as an area control hero, able to control the flow of battle.

Iron Man

Gameplay: Iron Man uses his advanced technology to fly and attack from a distance. His Repulsor Blast deals consistent damage, while his Unibeam ability is a powerful long-range attack that can melt through enemy defenses. His Armor Upgrade provides a temporary boost to his health and damage resistance, allowing him to tank incoming damage. Iron Man’s Hulkbuster Suit ultimate is a game-changer, granting him a temporary power boost with massive area-of-effect damage potential. He’s great for players who enjoy ranged combat and team support.

Spider-Man

Gameplay: Spider-Man’s Web-Swing allows him to traverse the map quickly, while his Webbing ability can trap enemies in place, rendering them vulnerable to attacks. His Spider-Sense provides a brief period of invulnerability to incoming attacks, allowing Spider-Man to dodge damage with ease.

His ultimate, Web Bomb, traps enemies in a massive web, leaving them open for follow-up attacks. Spider-Man excels at flanking and harassing enemies from unexpected angles.

Namor

Gameplay: Namor’s Hydrokinetic Blast deals damage at long range, but his real strength lies in his Atlantean Strength, which allows him to dive into the water and gain enhanced mobility and health regeneration.

His King of Atlantis ultimate allows him to temporarily summon an aquatic army to attack and stun nearby enemies. Namor is perfect for players who prefer aggressive tank roles and can adapt to both land and water-based combat.

Squirrel Girl

Gameplay: Squirrel Girl may seem quirky, but her Squirrel Army ability summons a swarm of squirrels that can attack and distract enemies, making her an excellent crowd control hero.

Her Squirrel Power enhances her defense, allowing her to absorb damage while her squirrels overwhelm opponents.Squirrel Bomb causes her squirrels to explode on contact, dealing AoE damage. She is highly effective in creating chaos and distractions in team fight.

Read more: Marvel Rivals Ranked System Explained

Black Widow

Gameplay: Black Widow is a stealthy hero with high mobility and precision-based attacks. Her "Widow’s Bite" stuns enemies, while her "Tactical Cloak" allows her to remain hidden from enemies.

Her ultimate, "Widow’s Strike," combines speed and stealth to deal massive burst damage to a single target. Black Widow is ideal for players who prefer tactical gameplay, setting traps and ambushing enemies from unexpected angles.

The Punisher
The Punisher thrives in sustained combat, punishing enemies who try to escape or stand still. He’s perfect for players who enjoy aggressive, high-damage gameplay and locking down areas with suppressive fire.

Iron Fist
Iron Fist excels when engaging in rapid, high-damage attacks and is ideal for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward close combat strategies.

Star Lord
Star Lord excels at mid-range combat, providing flexibility through his gadgets and abilities. His ultimate allows for a fast-paced, offensive playstyle that can overwhelm enemies when used strategically.

Magik

Gameplay: Magik wields powerful magic, manipulating both space and time. Her "Teleport" ability allows her to move instantly across the battlefield, while her "Soul Sword" can deal devastating damage in close combat.

Her ultimate, "Limbo Portal," creates a massive rift that pulls enemies into another dimension, dealing damage over time. Magik’s gameplay revolves around strategic positioning, as players can shift through dimensions and control the flow of combat.

Hela

Gameplay: Hela uses the power of death to overwhelm her enemies. Her "Necrotic Wave" damages enemies in a line, while her "Reanimation" ability summons undead minions to fight alongside her.

Her ultimate, "Hel's Fury," boosts her attack speed and damage for a limited time, making her a threat in prolonged battles. Hela excels at sustained damage and overwhelming enemy teams with a combination of crowd control and summoned allies.

Psylocke

Gameplay: Psylocke is a psychic powerhouse who excels at both ranged and melee combat. Her "Psi-Blade" allows her to deal psychic damage at close range, while her "Psychic Focus" grants increased damage and movement speed.

Her ultimate, "Psycho-Kinetic Explosion," releases a burst of mental energy, stunning and damaging nearby enemies. Psylocke is perfect for players who enjoy fast-paced, highly mobile combat, mixing mind-based abilities with physical attacks.

Strategist Class: Support and Healing Experts

Strategists are vital for keeping the team in top form during battle. Their primary role involves healing allies, providing buffs, and manipulating the battlefield with support abilities. They may not deal as much damage but are essential for turning the tide of combat in favor of their team. The following heroes are part of the Strategist class:

Rocket Raccoon

Gameplay: Rocket Raccoon brings an arsenal of weapons and tactical abilities to the team. His Explosive Grenade can clear large areas, while his Tactical Wires ability can disrupt enemy movement by slowing them down.

His Rocket Barrage ultimate summons a flurry of rockets that target multiple enemies. Rocket excels at providing consistent damage from afar while offering strategic support with his traps and explosives.

Adam Warlock

Gameplay: Adam Warlock’s Soul Gem grants him the ability to heal allies or harm enemies based on his intent. His Cosmic Shift allows him to buff allies, enhancing their speed and damage output.

His Soul Drain ultimate temporarily siphons health from enemies, healing his team in the process. Adam excels as a healer and utility character, able to support his team through his cosmic powers.

Luna Snow

Gameplay: Luna Snow’s Ice Shards freeze enemies in place, while her Snowstorm creates a massive blizzard that continuously damages enemies and slows their movement. Her Cryogenic Shield can absorb a portion of incoming damage and reflect it back at attackers.

Luna is excellent for controlling enemy movements and providing healing and protection for her teammates.

Cloak & Dagger

Gameplay: Cloak & Dagger specialize in stealth and surprise attacks. Cloak’s Darkforce ability allows him to teleport short distances, while Dagger’s Light Daggers can deal precise damage from afar.

Their synergy lies in their combined abilities—Cloak can teleport enemies into Dagger’s line of sight, maximizing her damage potential. Together, they create a strong duo that thrives in hit-and-run tactics and strategic positioning.

Loki

Gameplay: Loki’s Illusion ability can create decoys to confuse enemies, while his Scepter of Mischief slows or immobilizes enemies with a wave of magic.

His Trickster’s Portal creates a teleportation portal that allows him and allies to quickly reposition. Loki is a master of deception, and his gameplay revolves around confusion, deception, and manipulating the battlefield.

Mantis

Gameplay: Mantis’s Empathy Field allows her to heal allies in a wide radius, while her Mind Control ability stuns enemies, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.

Her Cosmic Meditation ultimate boosts her healing output for a short period. Mantis is an excellent support hero, keeping the team alive while controlling the flow of battle through crowd control and healing.

Jeff The Land Shark

Gameplay: Jeff is a unique support hero, using his Shark Bite ability to disable enemies and his Shark Frenzy to deal moderate damage to multiple enemies. His Land Shark Protection provides a shield to his allies, preventing damage while they regroup or heal. Jeff excels in being a mobile tank who can support the team through his defensive abilities.

Vanguard Class: Tough and Strong Front-Liners

Vanguards are the frontline warriors, capable of absorbing large amounts of damage and leading the charge against enemies. They typically have high health, can inflict heavy damage, and often play a key role in protecting teammates. Here are the Vanguards in Marvel Rivals:

Doctor Strange

Gameplay: Doctor Strange uses his Eye of Agamotto to create protective shields for his allies. His Mystic Bolts can deal ranged damage, while Flames of Faltine creates a fire field that damages enemies.

His ultimate ability, Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, traps multiple enemies and renders them unable to escape, making him an ideal crowd control hero. Doctor Strange excels in both defense and offense.

Thor

Gameplay: Thor is a powerhouse, with Mjolnir delivering massive area-of-effect damage. His Thunder Strike can damage and stun enemies in a large radius. His God of Thunder ultimate summons lightning to strike foes and empower his next attacks.

Thor excels as a frontline tank and damage dealer, capable of dealing devastating blows while absorbing damage with his godlike durability.

Captain America

Gameplay: Captain America uses his Vibranium Shield for both offense and defense. His Shield Throw can bounce off multiple enemies, while his Combat Tactics provides buffs to nearby allies, enhancing.

Magneto

Gameplay: Magneto is a master of metal and magnetism, giving him control over the battlefield in a way few heroes can match. His "Magnetic Pull" allows him to manipulate enemies and objects around him, pulling them into his attacks.

His "Magnetic Field" generates a protective shield around him, deflecting incoming projectiles and reducing damage. Magneto’s ultimate, "Magnetic Cataclysm," creates a massive force field that traps enemies, dealing damage over time. Magneto is perfect for players who want to manipulate the battlefield, control enemy positioning, and deal massive area damage.

Venom

Gameplay: Venom is a powerful symbiote-based hero that thrives on close-range combat and absorbing enemy power. His "Symbiote Tendrils" lash out, dealing damage over a wide area, while his "Venom Blast" delivers a concentrated burst of energy to enemies.

Venom’s ultimate, "Venomous Fury," unleashes his full symbiote strength, dealing massive damage to all enemies within range while healing himself. Venom is best used by players who enjoy aggressive, in-your-face combat with a mix of healing and tanking capabilities.

Groot

Gameplay: Groot is a unique hero whose abilities focus on healing, crowd control, and tanking. His "Rooted Defense" allows him to regenerate health over time, while his "Whip Lash" sends out his limbs to deal damage to enemies in a line.

Groot’s ultimate, "I Am Groot," summons a massive version of himself that knocks back enemies and grants allies nearby a shield. Groot excels in protecting his team, controlling enemy movements, and providing sustainability in longer fights. Players who enjoy a more defensive, supportive role will find Groot a valuable ally.

Peni Parker

Gameplay: Peni Parker is a high-tech, agile hero who operates a mech suit with an emphasis on mobility and precision. Her "SP//dr Strike" allows her to launch quick, targeted strikes that deal considerable damage. She can quickly maneuver around the battlefield with her "Spider Sense," giving her increased evasion and a speed boost.

Her ultimate, "Neural Overload," channels the full power of her mech suit, sending out a devastating electric shockwave that stuns and damages enemies in range. Peni Parker is perfect for players who prefer a fast, dynamic combat style that can quickly adapt to changing situations.

Hulk

Gameplay: The Hulk is a massive powerhouse who excels in soaking up damage and delivering devastating blows. His "Smash" ability allows him to deal heavy area damage, while "Hulk Rage" significantly boosts his attack speed and power as his health decreases.

His ultimate, "Thunderclap," generates a shockwave that deals massive damage and knocks enemies back. Hulk thrives in prolonged battles where he can deal consistent damage and outlast his opponents, making him an excellent pick for tanking and soaking damage while delivering punishing blows.

Read more: What Is Marvel Rivals Boosting and How It Works Explained

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Characters

Exciting new characters are coming soon to Marvel Rivals, with their classes yet to be revealed. These are the upcoming heroes that will join the roster in future updates:

Blade

Mister Fantastic

Ultron

Marvel Rivals Maps and Game Modes

Marvel Rivals offers three distinct game modes—Convoy, Domination, and Convergence—each played on unique maps, offering a variety of gameplay experiences. Below, we break down each mode along with the corresponding maps in Season 0 and an explanation of how each game mode works:

1. Convoy Mode

Objective:

In Convoy,, one team plays offense, while the other defends. The offensive team's objective is to escort a cart or moving object through the map by staying close to it. Meanwhile, the defending team works to stop them by eliminating them and their teammates. If the offensive team can successfully escort the convoy to its destination within the time limit, they win the round.

Maps in Convoy Mode:

Yggdrasill Path (Yggsgard)

Spider-Islands (Tokyo 2099)

2. Domination Mode

Objective:

Domination mode focuses on capturing and holding a central point. Both teams compete to control a designated location on the map. The team that captures the point first must then hold it until it reaches 100%, while the opposing team tries to take control. Once a point is captured, the match moves to a new map, and the cycle repeats. The first team to capture two points wins the game.

Maps in Domination Mode:

Royal Palace (Yggsgard)

Birnin T’Challa (Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda)

Hell’s Heaven (Hydra Charteris Base)

3. Convergence Mode

Objective:

In Convergence, teams alternate between offense and defense. The offensive team’s goal is to capture a series of checkpoints scattered across the map. To capture a checkpoint, they must stand near it while defending against attackers. If the offensive team successfully captures a checkpoint, they progress to the next one.

The round continues until the attacking team captures three checkpoints before time runs out. If they succeed, they win.

Maps in Convergence Mode:

Shin-Shibuya (Tokyo 2099)

Hall of Djalia (Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda)

Symbiotic Surface (Klyntar)

Gameplay: Marvel Rivals vs. Overwatch 2

Both Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 focus on team-based PvP gameplay, but they approach the genre differently. Here’s how they stack up:

Team Roles

Marvel Rivals: Rather than traditional roles like tank, damage, or support, Marvel Rivals focuses on each character’s powers and abilities. Characters can synergize through "Team-Up Skills," such as Groot and Rocket combining forces for a devastating attack.

Overwatch 2: The game uses well-defined roles (tank, damage, support), making team composition crucial. Players must balance offense, defense, and healing.

Abilities and Combat

Marvel Rivals: Abilities are tied to iconic powers—Iron Man’s Unibeam, Spider-Man’s web-slinging, Scarlet Witch’s reality-warping. Players can combine abilities for unique effects, emphasizing creativity and adaptability.

Overwatch 2: Abilities are tailored for precise roles. While innovative, they lack the dynamic combination system of Marvel Rivals.

Maps and Environment

Marvel Rivals: Maps are destructible, allowing for dynamic gameplay. Players can alter the environment to gain tactical advantages or disrupt opponents.

Overwatch 2: Maps are static but highly polished, with specific pathways and chokepoints encouraging strategic team fights.

Story and Immersion

Marvel Rivals takes storytelling to another level with a narrative-driven PvP experience. The game’s plot revolves around the "Timestream Entanglement," where Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart collide, creating a multiversal crisis. Heroes and villains must join forces—or clash—to prevent either Doom from taking control.

In contrast, Overwatch 2 features lore-rich characters and cinematic storytelling, but it lacks a cohesive in-game narrative that evolves with gameplay.

Graphics and Performance

Marvel Rivals utilizes advanced visuals to bring the Marvel Universe to life. From the shimmering vibranium in Wakanda to the glowing neon of Tokyo 2099, the game’s graphics emphasize cinematic quality.

On PC, minimum specs include:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600Xli

GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580

RAM: 16GB

Storage: 70GB SSD

For comparison, Overwatch 2 runs well on lower-end systems, making it more accessible to casual players.

Overwatch 2 vs. Marvel Rivals: The Competitive Scene

While Overwatch 2 has firmly established itself as a staple in the competitive shooter scene, Marvel Rivals brings new mechanics that may carve out its own space in the esports world. The dynamic environmental features and Team-Up Skills will likely become central to the meta in Marvel Rivals competitions. The strategic use of terrain and team abilities could lead to innovative strategies and tactics, providing ample opportunities for skilled players to shine.

In contrast, Overwatch 2 has a more streamlined competitive scene with its distinct roles (Tank, Damage, Support). This makes the game easier for teams to create compositions and focus on specific areas of improvement, such as healing efficiency or damage output. The game’s established esports scene also benefits from Blizzard's backing, with frequent tournaments, team sponsorships, and a large fanbase.

However, Marvel Rivals' focus on creativity and environmental interaction may allow for a greater diversity of playstyles in its competitive scene. Players could focus on mastering characters with strong synergy, using Team-Up Skills in new and unexpected ways, or leveraging destructible environments to create entirely new strategies. This could make Marvel Rivals an exciting game to watch at the esports level, as each match could look very different from the last.

Final Thoughts

Marvel Rivals carves its niche in the crowded hero-shooter genre by blending beloved Marvel characters with innovative gameplay mechanics. Its dynamic maps, evolving roster, and narrative-driven approach make it a standout contender. While Overwatch 2 excels in accessibility and role-focused gameplay, Marvel Rivals offers a fresh take with its creative powers and environmental interactions.

With robust post-launch support promised by NetEase and Marvel, Marvel Rivals is set to grow and challenge the dominance of Overwatch 2. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or a competitive gamer, this is one superhero showdown you won’t want to miss.

Wrapping It Up

I hope this guide has helped you get a solid understanding of Marvel Rivals and all it has to offer! If you're looking to get a head start and accelerate your progress, we’ve got just the solution for you. OurMarvel Rivals Boosting services feature a team of professional boosters and coaches who can help you improve quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re aiming to climb the ranks or simply want to learn the mechanics of the game, our boosters are here to assist you. Don’t wait—get in touch with us today and reach the highest ranks before anyone else!