Welcome to Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals has burst onto the scene as an incredibly exciting, 6v6 team-based superhero shooter where players can step into the boots of iconic Marvel characters. One of the most thrilling aspects of the game is its dynamic gameplay, featuring destructible environments. This means battles are always changing, as heroes can blast through walls or obliterate cover, adding a fun, chaotic layer that even new players can enjoy causing or reacting to. The fact that Marvel Rivals is free-to-play is a significant advantage for newcomers. This removes any initial financial commitment, making it much easier for players to jump in, experiment with the recommended heroes in this guide, and find their favorites without feeling like they've risked an investment if a particular character doesn't immediately click. This accessibility encourages exploration and helps players get comfortable with the game's mechanics at their own pace.
Understanding Hero Roles
In Marvel Rivals, heroes are generally categorized into three main roles, and understanding these can greatly help a team succeed. Knowing what kind of job a hero is designed for allows new players to grasp their basic function within the team more quickly, leading to a more intuitive and enjoyable experience from their very first match. This early understanding can also help in making more informed hero selections based on personal playstyle preferences, even as a beginner.
These are the tough protectors of the team. Vanguards typically have more health and abilities designed to absorb damage, create space for their teammates, and lead the charge into objectives. Think of them as the super-strong front line, shielding allies and disrupting enemy formations.
These are the heavy hitters. The primary job of a Duelist is to inflict significant damage on the opposing team and secure eliminations. They bring the firepower and are often responsible for taking down key enemy targets.
Strategists are the backbone of the team. They focus on keeping their allies in the fight by providing healing, offering helpful buffs (like making teammates stronger or faster), and utilizing other unique supportive abilities. They ensure the team can sustain itself through tough engagements.
Best Beginner Heroes
These heroes have been handpicked because they are fantastic for learning the ropes of Marvel Rivals. Their abilities are generally straightforward, they offer a degree of forgiveness for common beginner mistakes, and they allow new players to make a meaningful impact on the game even with little prior experience. The goal is to help newcomers understand the game's flow and, most importantly, have a blast while doing it!
Quick Hero Reference
For new players who might feel overwhelmed by the choices, this table offers a quick summary. It can help in narrowing down options based on simple criteria before diving into more detailed descriptions of each hero, reducing initial confusion and encouraging players to explore characters that catch their eye.
| Hero Name | Role | Why They're Easy to Start With | You'll Love Them If You Like... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulk | Vanguard, Brawler | Huge health, simple punches, impactful leaps | Smashing things and being incredibly hard to take down! |
| The Punisher | Duelist, Poking | Familiar rifle/shotgun, good consistent damage | Straight-up shooting with versatile and reliable weapons! |
| Scarlet Witch | Duelist, Versatile | Attacks help aim, easy escape ability | Dishing out damage without perfect aim and zipping away! |
| Rocket Raccoon | Strategist | Heal-bouncing orbs, can revive fallen pals | Clever healing, supporting from afar, and clutch revives! |
| Groot | Vanguard, Zone Control | Creates protective walls, very sturdy | Controlling areas with barriers and being a defensive anchor! |
Hulk - The Incredible Smasher
Your Basic Game Plan
The most crucial part of playing Hulk is to transform from Bruce Banner into Hulk as soon as a match begins and strive to stay in Hulk form for as long as possible. As a Vanguard, the primary role is to be at the forefront, absorbing damage for the team and disrupting the enemy. Stay within your allies' sights, especially healers, to maintain Hulk form. Use Incredible Leap to jump into the fray, target vulnerable backline enemies, or quickly reposition. Gamma Burst can be used to deal damage to grouped-up foes, helping to build ultimate charge.
- Hulk Form is Key: Always prioritize transforming into Hulk and staying in that form. Retreat for healing if necessary to avoid reverting to Bruce Banner.
- Leap Wisely: Use Incredible Leap not just to engage or disengage, but also to pounce on airborne enemies like Iron Man or Storm, or to reach out-of-position healers.
- Shield Your Pals: Indestructible Guard creates a shield that protects Hulk and nearby teammates. Use it when pushing an objective or when allies are under heavy fire.
The Punisher - Your Go-To Gunslinger
Your Basic Game Plan
As The Punisher, the goal is to consistently output damage. Position slightly behind or alongside Vanguards to utilize their protection while laying down fire. Switch between the rifle and shotgun based on engagement distance – rifle for poking and sustained fire, shotgun for when enemies get close. Use Scourge Grenade (smoke bomb) defensively to create distance if enemies dive, or offensively to obscure sightlines. The Culling Turret can be powerful for holding chokepoints or breaking shields but be mindful of being stationary.
- Right Gun, Right Time: Get comfortable switching between your rifle for ranged fights and your shotgun when enemies are up close. The shotgun can deliver devastating headshots.
- Zipline Mobility: Use Vantage Connection (zipline) to reach good vantage points, flank unsuspecting enemies, or quickly return to the fight from spawn. Remember, up to three ziplines can be active.
- Passive Peeking: Leverage Warrior's Gaze by quickly peeking from cover; even if enemies hide, their outline will be visible for a short duration, giving an advantage.
Scarlet Witch - The Chaos Mage
Your Basic Game Plan
Scarlet Witch excels at dealing consistent damage and controlling space with her abilities. Use Chaos Control to whittle down enemy health, focusing on enemy Strategists or Duelists when possible. Chthonian Burst fires explosive missiles that are great for area damage, especially when aimed at groups or at an enemy's feet for splash damage. Dark Seal is a projectile that creates a stunning field, perfect for throwing into chokepoints or at enemies trying to escape. Her ultimate, Reality Erasure, is a powerful explosion but requires channeling, so finding a safe spot or having team protection is key.
- Escape Artist: Always try to keep at least one charge of Mystic Projection available for a quick getaway if things get too dangerous. Don't use both just to travel unless absolutely necessary.
- Stun 'Em Silly: Toss Dark Seal into doorways, narrow passages, or onto objectives to stun enemies and disrupt their plans. It can also interrupt some enemy abilities.
- Float and Fire: Use Telekinesis (slow fall) in conjunction with Mystic Projection to hover above enemies, making it harder for them to hit while raining down damage, especially with Chthonian Burst.
Rocket Raccoon - The Gadget Healer
Your Basic Game Plan
As Rocket, the primary focus is on keeping the team healthy and strategically using gadgets. Stay mobile, using Jetpack Dash and Wild Crawl to stay safe while healing allies with Repair Mode orbs. Place the B.R.B. in a safe but accessible location near the fight so teammates can be revived quickly. Don't forget about Bombard Mode (primary fire) for contributing damage, especially when allies are topped up or to help break enemy shields. His ultimate, C.Y.A. (Cosmic Yarn Amplifier), provides a team-wide damage boost, best used when the team is ready to make a coordinated push.
- Bounce Your Heals: Practice bouncing Repair Mode orbs off walls and objects to heal teammates who are out of direct sight or in tricky positions.
- Beacon Placement is Key: Place your B.R.B. revival beacon thoughtfully. Too far back and it's not going to work; too close and it gets destroyed. Try to anticipate where the fight will be.
- Stay Squirrelly: Use Rocket's high mobility (dashes, wall runs) to be an elusive target. A hard-to-hit healer is a very effective healer.
Groot - The Walking Fortress
Your Basic Game Plan
Groot's game plan revolves around smart wall placement and being a sturdy frontline presence. Use Thornlash Wall more offensively, placing it behind enemies to trap them or to add damage when Awakened by his Flora Colossus passive. Use the more durable Ironwood Wall defensively to block major damage, protect objectives, or separate key enemy targets from their team. Spore Bomb is a good area-of-effect damage tool that combos well with his ultimate, Strangling Prison, which pulls enemies together and imprisons them.
- Wall Off Wisely: Use your walls to control sightlines and protect your team. An Ironwood Wall can completely block a choke point, while Thornlash Walls can be used to funnel enemies or add damage.
- Divide and Conquer: Try to use your walls to separate an enemy from their team, making them an easy target for your allies.
- Combo Your Ult: Communicate with your team when using Strangling Prison. Pulling enemies together sets them up perfectly for allied damage ultimates.
Honorable Mentions
Want a couple more options? These heroes are also super welcoming for newcomers and offer slightly different ways to play! Their kits allow for a significant impact even if players are still learning the finer points of the game.
Luna Snow (Strategist)
Top Tip: Utilize the Share the Stage ability on a teammate who tends to dive deep into enemy lines or is highly mobile (like a flying character). This ability allows Luna to heal them effectively even if they are far away or difficult to hit directly with primary healing shots.
Mantis (Strategist)
Top Tip: Focus on staying a bit behind the main engagement, keeping Vanguards and Duelists topped up with healing.
General Tips for New Players
Beyond specific hero choices, a few general approaches can help any new player get more enjoyment and success out of Marvel Rivals.
Practice Makes Perfect
Play the Objective
It's crucial for newcomers to understand that Marvel Rivals is not solely about achieving the highest number of knockouts. Each game mode, such as Convoy (escorting a payload) or Domination (capturing control points), has specific objectives that lead to victory. Focusing on these objectives – pushing the payload, capturing points, defending areas – is often more critical to winning than simply chasing eliminations. Learning to prioritize the game mode's goal helps build good habits and a deeper understanding of team-based strategy.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
As a 6v6 game, teamwork is paramount in Marvel Rivals. Players should try to stick with their allies, offer assistance (healing as a Strategist, protecting as a Vanguard, or focusing fire as a Duelist), and pay attention to what the team is trying to achieve. Even simple communication or being aware of teammates' actions can make a substantial difference. The game also features unique "Team-Up Abilities" where certain hero pairings can unleash powerful combined moves. While mastering these isn't a day-one priority for beginners, knowing they exist can encourage players to think about team composition and cooperation, adding another layer of Marvel-themed fun to the experience.
You've Got This, Hero!
Starting any new game, especially a fast-paced hero shooter, can feel like a whirlwind of new information and action. However, by starting with some of the more accessible and forgiving heroes highlighted in this guide, new players are well-equipped to dive into Marvel Rivals and begin having an amazing time.
The journey of learning is part of the fun. Experiment with different heroes, find the ones whose abilities and playstyles truly click, and don't be afraid to try new things. The most important element is to enjoy the process of discovery and the thrill of playing as some of the most beloved Marvel characters. This positive mindset, combined with a willingness to learn, will lead to many enjoyable matches.
So, gear up, choose a champion from the recommendations, and get ready to make a mark on the battlefields of Marvel Rivals. A warm welcome to the arena – may the first matches be filled with fun, learning, and heroic moments!