Grand Garden marks Marvel Rivals' first 18v18 map, bringing Annihilation mode to the game. This massive battlefield splits into distinct zones, each with terrain that favors specific hero types and playstyles. Victory goes to the first team reaching 120 eliminations, and with minimal respawn times keeping fights constant, hero selection matters more than ever.
This guide covers every zone in Grand Garden and identifies which heroes perform best in each area. Use these recommendations as a starting point, but keep in mind that hero effectiveness depends on team composition, enemy picks, and your own skill level with each character.
How Annihilation Mode Works
Annihilation is straightforward: first team to 120 eliminations wins. Fast respawns mean you're back in the fight almost immediately, which changes how hero selection works in a few important ways.
Frequent hero swapping carries no real penalty. Deaths hurt less individually but stack up fast toward the enemy's win condition. Consistent damage output beats flashy one-off plays. And zone control becomes critical since holding good positions lets your team farm eliminations more efficiently.
Zone-by-Zone Hero Recommendations
The Middle Area: Long-Range Power and Choke Control
Terrain Overview
The central section sees the most chaotic fighting on the map. Narrow pathways converge on a large central fountain, creating natural choke points and clear sightlines.
Why It Matters
Those narrow pathways and the central fountain create an environment where ranged burst damage thrives. Heroes who can punish enemies funneling through predictable routes dominate here. Vanguards who hold positions well also excel since enemies have limited angles to work with.
Damage Dealers
Hela, Thor, Gambit, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, The Punisher
All of these heroes can deal heavy damage from safe distances while enemies navigate restricted terrain. The choke points make landing shots easier and escaping harder for your targets.
Vanguards and Controllers
Namor, Groot, Mister Fantastic
These three hold choke points effectively, making pushes difficult for enemy teams. Limited pathways amplify their zone control abilities.
Support and Specialists
Squirrel Girl, Phoenix, Adam Warlock
The centralized fighting keeps teams grouped together, which maximizes support value. Phoenix and Adam Warlock sustain teammates through constant skirmishes. Squirrel Girl contributes both damage and utility.
The Chess Platform Area: Vertical Mobility and Flanking
Terrain Overview
The chessboard platform features tall pillars, multiple elevation levels, and plenty of cover. Combat here plays out across three dimensions with numerous flanking routes and vantage points.
Why It Matters
Verticality changes everything in this zone. High-mobility characters exploit elevation differences to gain positioning advantages, escape danger, or ambush from unexpected angles. The abundant cover also lets heroes disengage and reposition safely.
High-Mobility Duelists
Black Panther, Psylocke, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Spider-Man
Movement abilities let these heroes fully exploit the vertical space. They reach elevated positions quickly, drop on enemies from above, or escape through pillars when pressured. Cover throughout the zone supports their hit-and-run style.
Flying and Airborne Heroes
Storm, Angela, Human Torch, Iron Man, Ultron, Star-Lord
Flight proves extremely valuable when terrain emphasizes verticality. These heroes maintain advantageous positioning on top of pillars or above the battlefield, forcing enemies to deal with threats from multiple elevations at once.
The Open Garden Area: Precision Aim and Close Combat
Terrain Overview
The open garden centers on a large tree with more exposed sightlines than other map areas. Three health packs scatter throughout this zone, providing sustain for heroes who can secure them.
Why It Matters
The open layout rewards two distinct playstyles. Heroes with precise aim capitalize on longer sightlines, while aggressive close-range fighters use the central tree and terrain features to close distance. Health pack locations become mini-objectives worth controlling.
Aim-Focused Heroes
Hela, The Punisher, Star-Lord, Black Widow, Hawkeye
Open sightlines let skilled players land shots at range without obstacles blocking their view. Strong accuracy makes these heroes dominant here since they can pick off enemies before anyone closes the gap.
Close-Range Heroes
Magik, Blade, Wolverine, Black Panther
These heroes use the central tree and terrain to approach enemies, then overwhelm them in close quarters. Health packs support their aggressive playstyle by providing sustain after trades.
The Basement Area: Corridor Control and Ultimate Devastation
Terrain Overview
The basement consists of a long, narrow hallway with two health packs. This is Grand Garden's most confined zone, with extremely limited space for maneuvering or escaping.
Why It Matters
The tight corridor heavily favors close-to-mid-range heroes who can control confined spaces. More importantly, the lack of escape routes makes certain ultimates devastating. Enemies simply have nowhere to go when powerful abilities activate in that narrow hallway.
Top Picks
Blade, Namor, Magik, Wolverine, The Punisher, Scarlet Witch
Blade deserves special attention here. His ultimate becomes almost unavoidable in the narrow hallway since enemies can't escape to the sides or use vertical mobility to dodge. The basement is where Blade hits his peak.
Namor with his minions turns the basement into a death trap. The confined space forces enemies pushing through to deal with Namor and his summons simultaneously, with zero room to maneuver around them. This creates a defensive chokehold that's brutal to break.
The other picks (Magik, Wolverine, The Punisher, Scarlet Witch) all bring strong close-to-mid-range kits that excel when enemies can't disengage easily. Two health packs provide sustain for extended fights.
General Strategy Tips
Switch Heroes Often
Annihilation's fast respawns let you swap heroes frequently without real penalty. Struggling in a zone or against specific enemy picks? Switch to someone better suited. Stubbornly sticking with a hero that isn't working only helps the enemy reach 120 eliminations faster.
Match Your Hero to Your Zone
Rather than locking one hero for the entire match, consider where you're planning to fight. Heading to the basement? Blade or Namor will serve you better than heroes needing open space. Moving to the chess platforms? Swap to someone with vertical mobility.
React to Enemy Picks
Pay attention to what the enemy team is running. If they're stacking heroes that dominate a particular zone, either counter-pick or fight somewhere else. Grand Garden is large enough that you don't have to contest every area.
Team Composition Still Matters
This guide focuses on individual hero picks by zone, but don't neglect overall team composition. A mix of damage, Vanguards, and support helps your team sustain through extended fights and capitalize on eliminations.
Quick Reference
| Zone | Playstyle | Recommended Heroes |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Area | Choke Control & Range | Namor, Squirrel Girl, Groot, Hela, Thor, Mister Fantastic, Phoenix, Adam Warlock, Gambit, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, The Punisher |
| Chess Platform | Mobility & Verticality | Black Panther, Psylocke, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Ultron, Star-Lord, Storm, Angela, Human Torch, Iron Man, Spider-Man |
| Open Garden | Aim & Close Combat | Hela, The Punisher, Star-Lord, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Magik, Blade, Wolverine, Black Panther, Jeff The Land Shark |
| Basement | Corridor Control | Blade, Namor, Magik, Wolverine, The Punisher, Scarlet Witch |
Final Thoughts
Grand Garden's 18v18 Annihilation mode delivers chaotic, high-elimination gameplay that rewards smart hero selection and zone awareness. These recommendations cover each area of the map, but the best hero choice depends on your personal playstyle, your proficiency with specific characters, and what your team needs at any given moment.
Fast respawn times encourage experimentation. Something not working? Switch heroes and try a different approach. Use that flexibility to find what clicks for you in each zone.
The key to success on Grand Garden is understanding that different areas reward different playstyles, then matching your hero selection to wherever you choose to fight.