Welcome to the electrifying world of Marvel Rivals! This guide is designed to get new players up to speed on the core team roles: Vanguard (the Tanks), Duelist (the Damage-Dealers), and Strategist (the Supports). Understanding these roles, how they approach objectives, and some solid starting hero choices will give any newcomer a heroic head start.
The Core Roles: Your Path to Victory
In Marvel Rivals, team composition is a significant factor in achieving victory. Matches are typically 6v6, and a balanced team generally includes a mix of Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists. Each role has a unique job, and when they work together, they create a formidable force. Think of it like a well-oiled machine; every part needs to function correctly for the whole thing to succeed.
Vanguards (Tanks): The Unstoppable Force!
Your Mission (What Vanguards Do)
Vanguards are the frontline protectors, the heroes who lead the charge and absorb incoming damage for their team. Their primary tasks include creating space for their teammates to operate, disrupting enemy formations with crowd control abilities, and protecting vulnerable allies. A good Vanguard is like a shield, allowing their Duelists to safely deal damage and their Strategists to provide support without being immediately targeted. They are often the first into the fight and the last to leave, drawing enemy attention and controlling the flow of battle. The ability of a Vanguard to hold ground and make space is fundamental; if a Vanguard falls, the team often loses the area they were controlling, which can be disastrous for objective-based game modes. This makes learning to use cover, manage defensive abilities, and coordinate with Strategists for healing crucial for aspiring Vanguards.
Objective Focus (How Vanguards Win Games)
Vanguards are absolutely critical for playing the objective. Their ability to soak up damage and control space makes them essential in every game mode.
- When attacking, Vanguards should be at the front, physically pushing or staying near the payload to keep it moving, absorbing enemy fire to protect it and their escorting teammates.
- On defense, a Vanguard's job is to be a massive roadblock. They need to use their body and abilities to halt the payload's progress, contesting its movement and buying time for their team to eliminate attackers. Heroes with good mobility can also quickly reposition to defend or attack the payload effectively.
- Vanguards need to establish a strong presence on the control point, using their durability to withstand enemy assaults and prevent the other team from capturing or holding it. Area control abilities, like Magneto's Metallic Curtain, can be particularly effective in securing choke points around the objective.
- In this mode, map awareness is key. Vanguards should use the unique terrain to their advantage, finding strong defensive positions, initiating ambushes, or blocking enemy paths. For instance, a well-placed Groot wall can completely alter a fight in tight corridors.
Starter Vanguards (Your First Line of Defense)
For players new to the Vanguard role, certain heroes offer a more straightforward and forgiving introduction.
| Hero Name | Key Abilities (Keywords) | Why They're Awesome for Newbies |
|---|---|---|
| Hulk | Indestructible Guard (team shields), Incredible Leap (mobility/knockdown), Radioactive Lockdown (immobilize) | High health pool, straightforward damage absorption with Indestructible Guard, and good disruption. His ultimate, Hulk Smash!, transforms him, making him even tankier and more damaging, which can be very impactful. |
| Groot | Vine Strike (attack), Thornlash Wall/Ironwood Wall (area denial/defense), Strangling Prison (AoE pull/imprison ult) | Excellent at controlling space with his walls. His abilities are relatively easy to understand and can significantly impact choke points and objective defense. He's considered a straightforward tank. |
| Doctor Strange | Shield of Seraphim (large protective barrier), Eye of Agamotto (AoE stun ult), Pentagram of Farallah (team portals) | While having a higher skill ceiling, his Shield of Seraphim is a very direct and powerful defensive tool. His ultimate can turn fights. He excels at team protection and zoning. |
These heroes provide a solid foundation because their core defensive mechanics are relatively clear. Hulk's ability to provide shields and leap into or out of trouble is quite intuitive. Groot's walls offer very visible and impactful area control. Doctor Strange's large shield is a direct way to protect the team, though mastering his full kit takes time. New Vanguards should focus on understanding how to use these core defensive abilities to protect teammates and hold space.
- Be the Shield: A Vanguard's primary job is to absorb damage and protect allies. Players should position themselves between the enemy and their more fragile teammates.
- Control the Space: Vanguards dictate where fights happen. They should push forward to take ground and fall back strategically to create better defensive positions. Corners and cover are a Vanguard's best friends for survival.
- Communicate Your Intentions: Vanguards should let their team know when they are engaging, using a major defensive cooldown, or need healing. This allows Duelists and Strategists to follow up effectively.
- Don't Be Afraid to Make Some Noise: Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Vanguards should pressure the enemy backline when opportunities arise, forcing enemy Strategists to focus on healing themselves or their tanks, which reduces pressure on the Vanguard's own team.
- Live to Protect: A dead Vanguard isn't protecting anyone. While taking damage is part of the job, survival is paramount. Players must learn to manage their health, use defensive abilities wisely, and know when to disengage to get healed. The longer a Vanguard stays in the fight, the more opportunities their team has.
Duelists (DPS): The Offensive Powerhouses!
Your Mission (What Duelists Do)
Duelists are the primary damage dealers of the team, specializing in securing eliminations and applying offensive pressure. Their main goal is to take down enemy heroes, particularly high-priority targets like enemy Strategists or other Duelists, to swing fights in their team's favor. They are often agile and capable of high burst damage or sustained fire. A Duelist's effectiveness isn't just about raw aiming skill; it heavily depends on smart decision-making regarding who to target, when to engage, and how to position. Simply pouring damage into a heavily healed Vanguard might just charge the enemy Strategist's ultimate ability faster, whereas focusing down a vulnerable healer can cripple the enemy team.
Objective Focus (How Duelists Win Games)
While Vanguards hold the line and Strategists sustain the team, Duelists ensure that the enemy team can't contest objectives effectively by eliminating threats.
- On attack, Duelists need to clear the path by taking out defenders who are trying to stop the payload. They should focus on targets that pose the biggest threat to the payload's advance or their Vanguard.
- When defending, Duelists should prioritize eliminating the most dangerous attackers, especially those directly on or near the payload, or those harassing their own Strategists.
- Duelists are key to clearing and holding the control point. They need to win their fights against enemy Duelists and pressure Vanguards and Strategists off the point. Flanking routes become very important here for catching enemies off-guard.
- Duelists should utilize the map's layout to find flanking opportunities, secure high ground for better firing angles, or cut off enemy escape routes. Understanding their hero's effective range is critical; some excel in tight corridors, others in open spaces.
Starter Duelists (Your Go-To Damage Dealers)
New players looking to deal damage have some excellent starting options.
| Hero Name | Key Abilities (Keywords) | Why They're Awesome for Newbies |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Witch | Chaos Control (hitscan beam), Chthonian Burst (AoE projectile), Dark Seal (stun), Mystic Projection (flight/escape) | High and consistent damage output. Chaos Control is relatively easy to aim. Mystic Projection provides good escape potential. Considered straightforward and a "tremendous character for newcomers". |
| Iron Man | Repulsor Blast (primary fire), Unibeam (beam attack), Hyper-Velocity (flight), Armor Overdrive (damage boost) | Good mix of firepower and aerial mobility. His abilities are fairly intuitive, and flight offers good positioning options and escape routes. Rated 2-star difficulty. |
| Spider-Man | Web-Swing (mobility), Web Cluster (tracer/damage), Get Over Here! (pull/gap closer), Spectacular Spin (AoE damage/stun ult) | High mobility makes him survivable and fun. His combos can be learned progressively. Good for players who like agile, in-and-out playstyles. His agility helps in learning maps and engagement tactics. |
These Duelists offer a good balance of damage and survivability or ease of use. Scarlet Witch's damage is potent and her flight helps her reposition. Iron Man's flight and straightforward weaponry make him a solid pick for learning ranged DPS play. Spider-Man's incredible mobility allows for mistakes to be less punishing and his kit is engaging. New Duelists often need to learn the fine line between aggressive play and overextending; these heroes provide tools to manage that.
- Prioritize Targets: Enemy Strategists should often be the number one target. Taking them out first makes fights much easier for the entire team. After supports, focus on other enemy Duelists.
- Live to Fight Another Day: Duelists should not get tunnel vision and chase kills into a bad spot. Staying alive means they keep dealing damage. Knowing when to back off is crucial.
- Work with Your Vanguard: Let the Vanguard create space and draw attention, then follow up with damage. A Vanguard making an opening is a Duelist's cue to strike.
- Understand Effective Range: Some Duelists are better up close, others from afar. Players should fight where their chosen hero is strongest.
- Secure Kills, Don't Just Spam: Dealing a lot of damage without getting eliminations, especially into a heavily healed target, might only be giving the enemy Strategists their ultimates faster. Confirming kills is key.
Strategists (Supports): The Masterminds Keeping Everyone Alive!
Your Mission (What Strategists Do)
Strategists are the unsung heroes, the masterminds pulling the strings to ensure their team can perform effectively. Their primary function is often healing and sustaining teammates, keeping them in the fight longer. Many Strategists also offer powerful buffs to allies, such as damage boosts, or apply debilitating debuffs to enemies. Some possess crowd control abilities like stuns or sleeps, which can neutralize threats or create offensive opportunities. Playing a Strategist effectively requires a "big-picture perspective," understanding game flow, tracking ultimate abilities on both teams, and making critical decisions about how and when to use their valuable resources. A Strategist's ability to stay alive directly impacts the team's overall capacity to win prolonged engagements and secure objectives; if the Strategist falls, the team's primary source of sustain is often lost, leading to a rapid decline in their ability to hold ground.
Objective Focus (How Strategists Win Games)
A team cannot effectively capture or defend objectives if they are constantly waiting to respawn. This is where Strategists shine, enabling their team to maintain presence and pressure.
- When attacking, Strategists must keep their Vanguards and Duelists healthy as they push the payload. Consistent sustain allows for a relentless advance.
- On defense, their healing and utility can help defenders hold their ground much longer, potentially stopping an enemy push entirely with a well-timed ultimate or crucial save.
- Holding a control point means enduring sustained enemy fire. The healing and utility provided by Strategists are absolutely essential for team survival and maintaining control of the objective. Area control abilities, such as Jeff's healing zones or Luna Snow's ultimate, can make the point significantly harder for enemies to contest.
- Strategists need to find safe positions that offer good lines of sight to their team. Utilizing the map's terrain for cover while still being able to provide support is a key skill. They can also control off-angles alongside their Duelists to apply pressure and support from unexpected directions.
Starter Strategists (Your Team's Guardian Angels)
For those new to the pivotal role of a Strategist, these heroes offer a great starting point.
| Hero Name | Key Abilities (Keywords) | Why They're Awesome for Newbies |
|---|---|---|
| Luna Snow | Light & Dark Ice (heal/damage), Ice Arts (AoE heal/damage), Absolute Zero (freeze), Fate of Both Worlds (AoE heal/damage boost ult) | Versatile with straightforward heal/damage options. Her ultimate offers clear, impactful choices. Good self-sustain with Cryo Heart passive. Rated 2-star difficulty and considered "ideal to learn the Strategist role". |
| Rocket Raccoon | Repair Mode (bouncing heal orbs), B.R.B. (revive beacon/item spawner), Jetpack (mobility), Minigun (damage) | High mobility and survivability make him harder to kill. Healing orbs can be effective even if aim isn't perfect due to their bouncing nature. The revive beacon is a very powerful utility. Described as having a "low floor to learn". |
| Mantis | Healing Flower (heal over time), Allied Inspiration (damage boost), Spore Slumber (sleep/stun), Soul Resurgence (AoE healing/speed boost ult) | Her Life Orb resource system is easy to grasp. Targeted heal-over-time is forgiving for new players. Spore Slumber provides good self-defense and utility for setting up plays or escaping danger. |
These Strategists are recommended because they possess mechanics that are easier for new players to manage effectively. Luna Snow's dual-purpose abilities are intuitive. Rocket's mobility and forgiving heal projectiles, coupled with a revive, make him very impactful. Mantis's targeted healing and useful sleep ability are great tools for learning support fundamentals. Effective Strategist play is not merely reactive healing; it involves proactive game sense, anticipating team needs, and managing resources wisely to make strategic plays that control the battlefield's tempo.
- Your Life is Precious: A Strategist cannot heal if they are waiting to respawn. Prioritizing personal safety through good positioning—usually behind Vanguards or near cover—is paramount.
- Communicate Actively: Teammates need to know when they are being healed, when major support ultimates are ready, or if the Strategist is under attack and requires assistance. Turning on allied health bars in settings can greatly aid awareness.
- Don't Just Be a Healbot: Strategists should look for opportunities to use their full kit, including utility (buffs, debuffs, crowd control) and even contributing damage. Reducing enemy pressure can be as valuable as healing existing damage.
- Know Who to Heal First (Triage): Prioritization is key. Generally, keeping Vanguards healthy allows them to protect everyone. If a Duelist is about to secure a crucial elimination, a timely heal can ensure their success. This is highly situational and requires good game sense.
- Track Ultimates (Yours and Theirs): Sometimes, the most game-changing play a Strategist can make is saving their healing or defensive ultimate to counter a powerful enemy damage ultimate.
It's All About Teamwork, True Believer!
This concludes the crash course on roles in Marvel Rivals. It is important to remember that these roles—Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist—do not operate in isolation. True success comes from synergy: Vanguards create space for Duelists to secure kills and for Strategists to support safely; Duelists eliminate threats so Vanguards are not overwhelmed and Strategists are not constantly under fire; and Strategists keep Vanguards and Duelists alive and empowered to perform their duties effectively.
The game also features exciting "Team-Up" abilities that activate when specific heroes fight alongside each other, further deepening the strategic possibilities. For example, Hulk and Wolverine can perform the "Fastball Special," a powerful combination attack.
Ultimately, the most important elements are communication with the team, focusing on objectives, and, of course, having a fantastic time. Now, it's time for new heroes to enter the fray and demonstrate their capabilities!