Hey there, future Invisible Woman ace! Get ready to bend light and battles to your will, because Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman, is a truly fantastic hero in Marvel Rivals. She's not just a supporting character; she's a top-tier "Strategist," consistently ranked S-Tier in the current meta. This means mastering her can be absolutely game-changing. Her appeal is broad: she's described as "one of the most versatile Strategists" with a "strong mix of support and utility", and is widely considered both "fun and powerful" to play.
This widespread acclaim isn't accidental. Invisible Woman offers an "accessible introduction to the Strategist role" for those new to the archetype, yet her kit possesses enough depth that "veterans can exploit her advanced mechanics to dominate matches". This combination of accessibility and high skill-ceiling makes her a rewarding hero to invest time into, as her effectiveness can grow significantly with player experience.
The Unseen Protector and Playmaker
So, what does it mean to be a "Strategist" when playing as Sue Storm? It's far more than just topping off health bars. While she certainly excels at supporting and healing her allies, her true strength lies in smart, tactical plays, area control, and enabling her team through utility. She has a "mixed focus on healing and area control", and her entire toolkit is designed for proactive engagement, boasting "impressive healing output, crowd control abilities... [and a] fight-flipping Ultimate". She isn't a hero who waits for the fight to come to her; she actively shapes it.
For instance, her primary fire, Orb Projection, can heal teammates while simultaneously damaging enemies if lined up correctly. Her Force Physics ability can push threats away from a vulnerable ally or, conversely, pull a key enemy target out of position for a swift takedown. Even her Ultimate, Invisible Boundary, provides healing and concealment for her squad while also slowing any opponents who dare to cross its threshold. This constant choice of how to best apply each versatile tool in the fluid dynamics of combat is the essence of her strategic gameplay, making her far more than a simple "healer."
Understanding Your Powers
Alright, let's get to the really cool part – Sue's incredible powers! Knowing these like the back of one's hand is the first step to becoming an Invisible Woman legend. Her toolkit is packed with goodies that, when used effectively, can control the flow of any engagement.
Orb Projection (Primary Fire): Your Bread and Butter
Sue launches a psionic energy projectile that behaves like a boomerang. It travels to its maximum distance and then returns to her. Crucially, on both its outbound and return journeys, it heals any allies it passes through and damages any enemies it contacts. The most significant aspect of this ability is that it pierces through all targets – allies and enemies alike.
Guardian Shield (Instant Protection!)
Sue deploys a stationary energy shield in front of a targeted ally or at a specific location on the ground. This shield possesses its own health pool (approximately 250 HP) and blocks incoming damage. Additionally, it emits an aura that heals allies standing behind or within its effective radius. A vital mechanic is the ability to recall the shield by reactivating the ability if it hasn't been destroyed.
Force Physics (Push 'Em, Pull 'Em!)
This is Sue's signature telekinetic ability, allowing her to either PUSH enemies away or PULL them closer. This action also inflicts a moderate amount of damage (55 damage). The pull function has a shorter operational range (7 meters) compared to the push function (12 meters). An enemy within effective range will be highlighted with a red visual cue.
Psionic Vortex (The Annoyance Zone)
Sue launches an orb of psionic energy. Upon impact with an enemy or terrain, or when manually detonated in mid-air by reactivating the ability, it erupts into a swirling vortex. This vortex continuously pulls enemies towards its center while dealing damage over time (DoT) to any caught within its radius.
Veiled Step & Covert Advance: Now You See Me, Now You Don't!
These invisibility mechanics are absolutely foundational to Invisible Woman's survivability. She lacks exceptionally high health pools or innate super-speed. Her defensive strength lies in elusiveness. Mastering the timing and application of Veiled Step, alongside leveraging Covert Advance for healing and repositioning, is non-negotiable for maintaining presence in fights and maximizing her supportive output.
Invisible Boundary (The Game-Changing Ultimate!)
Sue unleashes her ultimate ability, manifesting a large, shimmering, circular field at a chosen location. Allies positioned inside the field become invisible to enemies who are outside it, receive healing over time, while enemies who enter the field are slowed (this includes their attack animations).
Additional Abilities
| Ability Name | Default Bind (PC) | Brief Description | Key Use / Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agile Strike | V (Melee) | Three-hit melee combo; third hit knocks enemies back | Create space in close quarters; can combo into Orb Projection |
| Fantasti-Force | Team-Up (Requires FF Teammate) | Empowers Fantastic Four allies with specific buffs | Coordinate with FF teammates for significant power spike |
Abilities At-a-Glance
| Ability Name | Default Bind (PC) | Brief Description | Key Use / Pro Tip Snippet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orb Projection | Left-Click | Psionic boomerang; heals allies & damages enemies on path out and back; pierces all | Line up shots to hit allies and enemies simultaneously for maximum value |
| Guardian Shield | Right-Click (commonly) | Deploys a shield that blocks damage & heals nearby allies. Recallable | Recall before destruction to shorten cooldown; use to self-heal behind an ally |
| Force Physics | E | Pushes or pulls enemies; deals damage. Pull is shorter range than push | Interrupt key enemy abilities; pull targets out of position or into hazards |
| Psionic Vortex | Shift | Creates a damaging field that pulls enemies in. Detonate manually or on impact | Control chokepoints; combo with Force Pull; clear some enemy deployables |
| Veiled Step | Space (Double Jump) | Double jump that grants brief invisibility and self-healing | Primary escape tool; use to reposition safely |
| Covert Advance | Passive | Grants invisibility and self-healing after being out of combat for a short time | Use for self-sustain between fights or for cautious scouting |
| Invisible Boundary | Q (Ultimate) | Large field: allies inside are invisible (to outsiders) & healed; enemies entering are slowed | Game-changing for team fights, objective control, or defensive stands |
Core Game Plan
Understanding Invisible Woman's abilities is one thing; applying them effectively in the chaotic environment of a match is another. Her success hinges on a few fundamental principles.
Finding Your Sweet Spot: Positioning Like a Pro
Invisible Woman operates best as a close-to-mid-range support. This is a critical aspect of her gameplay because her primary healing and damage tool, Orb Projection, has a limited effective range. While exact figures vary slightly in player perception (some suggest 20m, others feel it might be 30m), the consistent takeaway is that it is not a long-range ability. Proximity to the action is necessary.
This positioning conundrum is central to her playstyle. Her Orb Projection requires relative closeness to pierce multiple targets for optimal value. Her Guardian Shield and Force Physics abilities are also most impactful when deployed from these intermediate ranges. Yet, this proximity inherently exposes her to danger. Consequently, a player's ability to read the battlefield, utilize available cover, and master the timing of her invisibility for repositioning is not merely beneficial—it is essential for both her survival and her capacity to perform her role effectively.
The Healer's Mindset (But Don't Be Afraid to Make Plays!)
- Team relies on your healing capabilities
- Supportive function should remain primary
- Consistent healing output is crucial
- Keep teammates alive through engagements
- Don't restrict yourself to just healing
- Use Force Physics for eliminations and peels
- Deploy Vortex for area denial and damage
- Can "hard carry a game" with smart plays
A core principle to remember is that "the golden rule for Invisible Woman... is [that she is] a healer, NOT a dps!". The team relies on her healing capabilities to sustain them through engagements. This supportive function should always remain a primary consideration.
However, restricting her role solely to healing would be a significant underutilization of her potential. Her kit is replete with tools designed for proactive, impactful plays. Players should not hesitate to use Force Physics to secure an elimination on a low-health enemy or to peel for a teammate under duress. Similarly, deploying Psionic Vortex for area denial, supplemental damage, or to disrupt enemy formations is a key aspect of her contribution.
Mastering Your Invisibility
Invisible Woman's stealth capabilities, derived from Veiled Step (double jump) and Covert Advance (passive), are her primary survival mechanisms. These should be used to:
- Escape: When taking focused fire, "double jump backwards to go invisible" to disengage
- Reposition: Utilize stealth to move to a safer location or a more advantageous angle to support the team
- Self-Heal: The inherent healing effect during invisibility provides crucial self-sustain
Shield Savvy: Getting the Most Out of Your Guardian Shield
Guardian Shield is a multifaceted ability whose effectiveness is greatly amplified by active management.
- Smart Placement: Deploy it on allies absorbing heavy damage or those who cannot be constantly monitored with Orb Projection
- Recall Discipline: As soon as the shield is no longer actively protecting someone or is low on health, it should be recalled. This initiates its cooldown sooner, allowing for more frequent shield availability
- Self-Serve Healing: If in need of healing and unable to go invisible, place the shield on a nearby ally and then position oneself behind it to benefit from its healing aura
- Ultimate Blocker: The shield can intercept and block some powerful enemy Ultimates, such as Groot's Strangling Prison
- Aerial Support: It can be placed on flying teammates, providing them with a mobile source of healing and protection
Pro Moves & Slick Combos
Beyond the fundamentals, there are advanced techniques and combinations that can elevate Invisible Woman's impact on the game.
Key Combos: Making Your Abilities Sing Together!
The Classic: Psionic Vortex + Force Physics (Pull)
Launch Vortex
Force Pull
Enemy Trapped
This combination is "especially devastating in tight spaces" where escape options are limited. Use Force Pull to drag enemies back into the vortex if they try to escape.
Ultimate Offensive: Invisible Boundary + Aggression
Deploy Ultimate
Force Pull Targets
Vortex + Orbs
Her Ultimate offers more than just defensive sanctuary. Deploy strategically, use Force Pull to drag high-priority targets into the slowing field, then follow up with Vortex and Orb Projection.
Top Tier Tips for Each Ability
The Foot Shot: When targeting a single enemy (or an isolated ally needing healing), aiming Orb Projection at their feet can cause the orb to strike the ground and return more quickly and reliably.
The Reload Cycle: To maintain constant healing output, coordinate shield deployment with Orb Projection reloads. When out of primary ammunition and about to reload, quickly deploy Guardian Shield on an ally. Just as the reload animation is completing, recall or reposition the shield. This fills the reload downtime with shield healing, enabling near-continuous support.
Interrupt Master: Precise timing is crucial for interrupting enemy abilities or Ultimates. Look for the yellow CC-immune visual indicator on ulting enemies; if absent, they are susceptible to displacement.
Anti-Air Juggle: Force Physics has a significantly greater displacement effect on enemies who are already airborne. It can "effectively double how far you push/pull them" on flat ground.
Stealth Break Timing: Invisibility breaks the moment the Force Physics button is pressed, not when the push or pull is confirmed. This timing is important for stealthy initiations or disengagements.
Early Game Ult Charge & Intel: At the start of a defensive round, double jump towards the enemy spawn. As their doors open, launch a Psionic Vortex at their exit, then immediately double jump back to safety. This can generate approximately 5% ultimate charge and potentially provide early intel on enemy hero selections.
Grounding Flyers: With accurate aim or manual detonation, Psionic Vortex can hit flying characters at their feet, temporarily pulling them downwards and making them vulnerable.
Bunny Hop Extension (B-Hop): After the Veiled Step double jump, performing 2-3 quick, consecutive jumps (bunny hops) can significantly extend forward momentum. This technique is often easier if jump is bound to the mouse scroll wheel.
Ultimate Evasion: While invisible, Invisible Woman is NOT targeted by Star-Lord's Ultimate and does not take damage if standing within Psylocke's Ultimate area of effect. This offers significant personal survivability against specific threats.
Pro-Level Mindset Tricks
- Cooldown Rhythm: Invisible Woman's abilities generally have relatively short cooldowns. Players should feel empowered to use them frequently when opportunities arise. However, it's crucial to maintain awareness of what abilities might be needed in the immediate future.
- Anticipation & Baiting: Highly skilled IW players don't just react; they anticipate enemy actions. For instance, if a Hulk dives an allied Mantis, instead of instantly using Force Push on Hulk, a more advanced play might involve healing Mantis through the initial assault, waiting for Hulk to attempt his disengage leap, and then using Force Pull to drag him back into the waiting team.
- Information Warfare: Invisibility is also a tool for information denial. Use it to make the enemy team uncertain of positioning, team intentions, or the direction of an impending assault.
At the highest levels, playing Invisible Woman transcends simply using abilities; it becomes an act of orchestrating the battlefield. It involves a seamless flow between numerous micro-decisions (like the Orb Projection foot-shot or shield-reload cycling) and critical macro-decisions (Ultimate timing, strategic Vortex placement to cut off enemy rotations). This constant, sophisticated decision-making process is what enables a skilled Invisible Woman to profoundly influence, and at times, even carry a match.
Navigating Matchups
Understanding how Invisible Woman interacts with other heroes is crucial for maximizing her effectiveness and mitigating her vulnerabilities.
Best Teammates: Who You Love to See on Your Squad
The Thing: This pairing is exceptionally strong. Sue's Fantasti-Force team-up ability grants The Thing additional armor and bonus health, making him incredibly resilient. She can sustain him with Orbs and Guardian Shield while he controls space.
Thor: Another excellent Vanguard partner. Thor is inherently durable and thrives in close-quarters combat. Sue's consistent healing and shielding enable him to brawl more aggressively and for longer durations.
Moon Knight: Sue's Psionic Vortex serves as an ideal setup for Moon Knight's area-of-effect damage capabilities. By grouping enemies, she allows him to maximize his impact. Additionally, if enemies attempt to flee Moon Knight's Ultimate, Sue can use Force Pull to drag them back into its devastating radius.
Naturally, Sue has inherent synergies with her Fantastic Four teammates due to the Fantasti-Force ability. Mister Fantastic, for example, gains bonus health when this ability is active.
Toughest Enemies: Who to Watch Out For
Iron Man, Psylocke, Spider-Man: These heroes can pose a significant threat. Their mobility allows them to bypass the frontline, close the distance to Sue rapidly, and potentially eliminate her with burst damage before she can effectively react.
How to Deal: Prioritize saving Veiled Step (invisibility escape) for these encounters. Utilize Force Physics to PUSH them away if they get too close. Effective positioning near cover and prompt communication for peels from teammates are crucial.
Doctor Strange, Rocket Raccoon, Cloak & Dagger: Heroes with significant AoE damage can make it challenging to maintain stealth or can punish a team grouped within Invisible Boundary.
How to Deal: If anticipating heavy AoE, encourage the team to maintain a slightly more spread formation. Use Guardian Shield to attempt to block incoming projectiles. Be highly aware of enemies who possess detection abilities.
How Sue Counters Others
- The Ultimate Interrupter: Her Force Physics is an excellent tool for disrupting enemy channeled abilities or Ultimates, provided the target is not immune to crowd control
- Position Punisher: Capitalize on enemy misplays by using Force Pull to drag them out of cover, off advantageous high ground, or away from their healers
- Anti-Dive Support: While divers can be a threat to Sue herself, her Force Physics is also a strong deterrent when they target her teammates
- Gadget Buster: Psionic Vortex can be used to damage or even destroy certain enemy deployables, such as Punisher's Turret or Namor's squids
- Flyer Grounding Service: A skillfully placed Psionic Vortex can temporarily pull airborne enemies downwards, making them significantly easier for the team to target and eliminate
- Ultimate Negation Through Stealth: Her personal invisibility serves as a direct counter to certain Ultimates that rely on targeting or line of sight
Go Make 'Em Disappear!
Invisible Woman stands out as a premier Strategist in Marvel Rivals due to her exceptional blend of potent healing, disruptive crowd control, invaluable invisibility, and an Ultimate ability that can decisively alter the course of any team fight.
This guide provides a comprehensive toolkit of knowledge and strategies. However, Invisible Woman is a hero with a notably high skill ceiling. True mastery will ultimately stem from individual player experience, creativity in applying these concepts, adaptability to the ever-changing dynamics of each game, and a commitment to continuous learning and refinement. This foundation is a launchpad; the heights achieved with Invisible Woman will be determined by player skill and dedication.