Season 5 has shaken up Marvel Rivals in a big way. Tanks got a major overhaul, Gambit joined the roster, and the meta has shifted toward sustain-heavy compositions that reward patience over aggression. This guide breaks down every hero across all three classes and ranks every team-up in the game so you know exactly what's strong right now.
How to Read This Tier List
These rankings reflect performance at Diamond and above. That's an important distinction. What dominates in high-level play often looks completely different from what works in casual matches.
If you're newer to the game or still climbing through lower ranks, don't treat these tiers as gospel. A C-Tier hero played by someone with 200 hours on them will outperform an S-Tier pick you just learned yesterday. Use these rankings as a reference point, not a rulebook.
S Tier heroes define the meta. These are the picks that get banned constantly, shape team compositions, and force opponents to play around them.
A Tier heroes are strong, reliable choices. They won't carry games the way S-Tier picks can, but they perform well in most situations and reward good play.
B Tier heroes work in specific situations. They need the right team composition or enemy lineup to shine, and they struggle to deliver consistent value otherwise.
C Tier heroes sit at the bottom. You can still win games with them if you put in the practice, but they'll make you work harder than higher-tier options would.
Season 5 Changes
The biggest shift this season is the tank overhaul. Vanguards across the board received utility buffs that push them toward an anchor playstyle. Pure damage tanks can't keep up with options that provide team-wide value.
Triple support compositions have also become a dominant force. Running three healers creates sustain that traditional comps struggle to break through, which has major implications for which Duelists can actually secure kills.
Gambit's arrival has added another wrinkle. He plays somewhere between support and damage dealer, enabling aggressive compositions while providing backup healing.
Vanguard Tier List
Tanks create space, absorb punishment, and provide utility for their teams. Season 5 rewards Vanguards who do more than soak damage. The best tanks now offer tools that make their entire team more effective.
S Tier Vanguards
| Hero | Tier | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Magneto | S | Best tank in the game - unmatched versatility |
| Emma Frost | S | Diamond Form utility is irreplaceable |
| Doctor Strange | S | Portal repositioning provides massive team value |
| Groot | S | New Unstoppable ability grants CC immunity |
Magneto - There's really no contest here. Magneto was already S-Tier, and the Season 5 changes made him even better. More shield opportunities give him increased survivability and utility. His new team-up with Gambit opens up offensive options that synergize perfectly with his kit.
What makes Magneto so dominant is his versatility. He protects his team, controls space, and deals meaningful damage when the situation calls for it. The buffs to his two bubbles only strengthened an already dominant position. Right now, he's the best tank in the game by a clear margin.
Emma Frost - Emma has been S-Tier for so long that it's almost boring to talk about. Her Diamond Form gives her unmatched utility for dealing with hard-to-kill enemies. Nobody else in the Vanguard roster can do what she does.
That lack of alternatives is exactly why she stays at the top. When you need her specific utility, you can't substitute anyone else. She's a permanent fixture in high-level play.
Doctor Strange - Strange has bargained his way back into S-Tier yet again. The meta favors anchor tanks right now, and portals provide massive value for repositioning teammates and creating advantageous angles.
He's also benefiting from what isn't being played. Brawler compositions that would normally counter him have fallen out of the meta, so he operates with fewer threats to worry about. Some minor recent buffs round out a strong package.
Groot - One word explains Groot's jump to S-Tier: Unstoppable. This new ability attached to his Ironwood Wall grants CC immunity while he's within 15 meters of it. That's a game-changer.
Before this update, heroes like Wolverine or Angela could grab Groot and drag him away from his defensive position. Now? Good luck moving him. He's become an incredibly effective anchor that enemies simply can't displace. His team-up with Mantis adds an extra wall that heals, which only compounds the problem for anyone trying to deal with him.
A Tier Vanguards
| Hero | Tier | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Banner (Hulk) | A | Solid survivability and damage |
| Captain America | A | Top-tier stall and backline harassment |
| Venom | A | One-shot combos with Mantis buffs |
| Peni Parker | A | Healing nests provide team-wide sustain |
Bruce Banner (Hulk) - Hulk finally has a fair ranking. For too long, his tier placement was tied to his Gamma team-up rather than his actual solo performance. Without that team-up active, he was never truly S-Tier material.
This adjustment means fewer Hulk bans in competitive, so you'll probably see him more often. More play time doesn't mean he's gotten stronger though. He's a solid choice with good survivability and damage, just not quite at the top.
Captain America - Cap stays in A-Tier. Dive tanks have lost ground to anchor and utility-focused options, which hurts his overall value. His stall potential remains top tier though, and his ability to harass enemy supports for extended periods still makes him useful.
Outside of that harassment role, he doesn't offer much this season. He buys time and disrupts backlines well, but the meta rewards different playstyles right now.
Venom - Venom didn't get any direct changes in Season 5. The problem is that other tanks got major utility buffs while he stayed the same. He's being outpaced by the competition, which drops him a tier.
Don't read too much into the tier drop though. Venom is still incredibly good. He can still execute one-shot combos with Mantis buffs, and he remains lethal when played well. Other tanks just got better.
Peni Parker - The tank overhaul gave Peni a massive buff. Her webs now automatically heal allies standing on them and provide a small health boost. This transforms her nest placements from pure area denial into "healing stations" that support her whole team.
Her nests actually heal faster than Ultron's drone now, which is wild for a tank ability. Combined with her Rocket team-up that creates additional nests with movement speed bonuses, Peni has earned her spot in A-Tier.
B Tier Vanguards
Thor - Thor was just starting to see play again when other tanks got buffed past him. He's not bad. He's actually quite solid as a damage-focused tank. The issue is that he's purely a DPS tank without much team contribution.
The utility-focused direction of Season 5 left him behind. His team-up with Angela still has value, but the base hero can't compete with what other tanks now offer. He'll probably get similar treatment in future updates.
Angela - Angela never lived up to her launch potential. Her core problem is kill power. She just can't finish targets, and triple support compositions make her virtually useless since she can't burst through the healing.
Her Season 5 buffs don't address the damage problem, so nothing has really changed. The only thing keeping her out of C-Tier is her unique value as a flying tank and her strong team-up with Thor.
C Tier Vanguards
The Thing - Multiple buffs couldn't save The Thing from the bottom spot. He's not terrible, but every tier list needs someone at the bottom, and he's the clear choice.
His fundamental issue is that he's too easy to focus down once he commits to a fight. Natural CC immunity is nice, but he lacks the utility other tanks bring. His entire gameplan boils down to "run in and punch," which isn't versatile enough for high-level play.
Strategist Tier List
Strategists keep their teams alive and provide crucial utility. With triple support compositions dominating the meta, your healer picks matter more than ever.
S Tier Strategists
| Hero | Tier | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket Raccoon | S | Ultimate buff + revive station value |
| Adam Warlock | S | Soul Bond + revive ultimate with bonus HP |
| Jeff the Land Shark | S | Ultimate now heals teammates |
| Invisible Woman | S | Safe, consistent healing + vanish survivability |
| Gambit | S | Hybrid damage/support with incredible versatility |
Rocket Raccoon - Rocket got a huge ultimate buff that significantly increases his damage boost output. His biggest counter, Phoenix, has fallen out of the meta, making him far more viable than before.
His revive station provides enormous value. His quick, dodgy movements make him hard to kill. His primary fire is surprisingly strong too. In triple healer comps, that weapon lets you protect the backline like a DPS when enemies get too close. Faster BRB cooldowns and improved bullet velocity round out a very strong package.
His team-up with Peni that creates extra healing zones pushes him firmly to the top.
Adam Warlock - Adam might surprise some players as an S-Tier pick, but the math has shifted in his favor. He's received several buffs over multiple seasons while his competition got nerfed.
Soul Bond functions like a mini-ultimate that helps your team survive scary situations. His revive ultimate became a game-changer when it started giving bonus health on resurrection, making the team much harder to wipe after being brought back. He takes practice to use well, but mastering his kit rewards you with one of the strongest support picks available.
Jeff the Land Shark - Jeff has seen every tier placement since launch. In Season 5, he's landed firmly in S-Tier with a massive ban rate at high levels.
The key change is that his ultimate now heals teammates. You're no longer abandoning your team when you try to swallow enemies. Speed boosts on his healing bubbles let you reach objectives faster than opponents, especially on Domination maps. Healing and dealing damage at the same time is a clear advantage most other supports can't match.
Invisible Woman - Invisible Woman has emerged as a top healer through safe, consistent play. Her ultimate now competes with other healers, her push/pull provides solid utility, and her vanish makes her incredibly hard to kill.
She's proven herself as a safe, reliable pick that works in most team compositions. Season 5 buffs made her even stronger.
Gambit - The verdict is in. Gambit is S-Tier. Everything about him works well, and finding a downside is difficult. His ultimate hits hard, and he can pivot to threatening DPS output when pressured.
His hybrid nature lets him support his team while remaining dangerous on his own. Versatility and a strong kit make him an excellent pick for the current meta.
A Tier Strategists
Mantis - Mantis offers a damage-centered approach to healing that players are realizing works really well. She constantly buffs damage dealers and enables characters like Venom to pull off one-shot combos.
She has a learning curve and requires decent aim for critical hits, but those aspects are exactly what makes her competitive. Her team-up with Groot that provides an extra healing wall is extremely strong.
Luna Snow - Luna has cooled off a bit. Players now favor higher-impact ultimates like Rocket's or Adam Warlock's. She's still a solid pick with a good ultimate, just not dominant anymore.
One unique advantage she still holds is the fastest movement speed in the game for returning to objectives. In close matches, that speed difference can keep your team alive during a crucial fight.
B Tier Strategists
Loki - Loki never really recovered from his Season 4 nerf. The reduction to his healing and damage output tanked his play rate, and he was already tricky to play effectively.
Having his team-up tied to another healer through Vibrant Vitality also limits his flexibility in compositions that want those team-up bonuses. His Season 5 buffs are welcome but don't fix his core issues.
Cloak & Dagger - Another healing ultimate nerf has pushed Cloak & Dagger out of top-tier play. Too many other healers produce better results at high ranks. Magneto constantly being played and directly countering their ultimate makes picking them even harder to justify.
Lower ranks still use them frequently for the ultimate's pathing value and the auto-aim healing. At competitive levels though, even Jeff draws more picks and bans, which says a lot. The HP buff in Season 5 wasn't enough.
C Tier Strategists
Ultron - Ultron sits at the bottom this season. He's not unplayable, but he lacks rapid healing after his Season 4.5 nerf.
He only works in competitive within triple healer compositions as supplementary healing. He used to charge his ultimate faster than other healers, letting him eliminate enemy supports before they got their ultimates online. Now that his ultimate takes much longer to charge, he's strictly a triple healer character.
Requiring a specific comp to be reliable is a big ask. Peni's spider nest now heals faster than his drone, which feels backwards for a dedicated healer.
Duelist Tier List
Duelists secure kills and apply pressure. Season 5 has shuffled the DPS rankings significantly, with former S-Tier picks falling and new threats emerging.
S Tier Duelists
| Hero | Tier | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| The Punisher | S | Highest damage output among Duelists |
| Hela | S | Consistent ranged damage + Deep Wrath team-up |
| Magik | S | Isolation ultimate breaks triple support holds |
| Winter Soldier | S | Tremendous utility and target immobilization |
| Daredevil | S | Self-sufficient diver with high skill ceiling |
The Punisher - The "basic" hero has become anything but basic. Punisher is a damage machine that breaks through any defense. Recent buffs and freedom from his weak Black Widow team-up have made him one of the highest-damage Duelists you can pick.
His straightforward playstyle makes him accessible while remaining effective at the highest levels.
Hela - Hela sitting at S-Tier surprises nobody. With Phoenix nerfed hard, Hela has become the go-to replacement for players wanting high-impact ranged damage. Her anchor bonus with Namor and second team-up with Venom make her great for activating multiple synergies at once.
Her Season 4.5 survivability buff keeps her in fights longer. The Deep Wrath team-up with Namor is particularly strong, providing locking damage with healing reduction.
Magik - With previous S-Tier characters toned down, Magik has emerged as a clear top pick. Her Doctor Strange team-up pushes her above other divers since she can trap multiple targets together.
Her ultimate often becomes the key piece for breaking through triple support holds. When the meta runs on sustained healing, Magik's ability to isolate and delete targets becomes invaluable.
Winter Soldier - Winter Soldier performed well in Season 4.5 and continues that success. He has tremendous utility in his abilities that make him adaptable to any situation.
His orb shot immobilizes targets, making him perfect for eliminating mobile opponents who would otherwise be hard to pin down.
Daredevil - Daredevil might be one of the strongest launch characters, second only to Phoenix at her peak. If you know his kit well, he's the menace Spider-Man wishes he could be.
He's a high-ceiling character. Don't expect to dominate immediately after picking him up. But he's a solid diver who doesn't need specific comps or team-ups to work. That self-sufficiency makes him reliable across various team setups.
A Tier Duelists
| Hero | Tier | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Storm | A | Unique flyer with ground-flying damage boost |
| Hawkeye | A | One-shot potential on squishies |
| Moon Knight | A | Effective against triple support backlines |
| Namor | A | Strong with Hela team-up |
| Psylocke | A | High win rate for those who master her |
| Wolverine | A | Tank killer role returns |
| Iron Fist | A | Rapid target deletion when unchecked |
| Phoenix | A | Still usable despite nerfs |
Storm - Storm occupies a unique spot as a flyer. While aerial heroes struggle in the current meta, her Season 5 buffs make her a valuable tool. She gains damage boosts while flying close to the ground near her team.
Her baseline was already strong, and this aspect puts her above other flying options.
Hawkeye - Hawkeye is a silent performer. He gets overlooked for Hela or Phoenix, but he's actually very strong for targeting hard-to-kill enemies. A charged headshot one-shots most healers and DPS. Easier said than done, but achievable with practice.
A player with decent aim can warp entire matches with Hawkeye. His new team-up with Cloak & Dagger that provides healing buffs when shooting through teammates adds extra value.
Moon Knight - Moon Knight has been quietly climbing the rankings. With triple support becoming common, constantly barraging backlines with Ankh attacks has proven effective as a counter.
Many teams drop a tank for that third healer, giving Moon Knight more low-HP targets to work with.
Namor - This might sound surprising, but Namor is only A-Tier despite many players rating him higher. He's solid, but he heavily depends on Hela's team-up to reach his peak. As a standalone pick with Hela banned, his value drops noticeably.
He still has great utility. The Deep Wrath team-up is one of the best in the game. But that dependency prevents him from reaching true top-tier status independently.
Psylocke - Psylocke is another quiet performer. Her pick rate is low, but her win rate shows real success for players who master her. She's not easy to use, but learning her combos and understanding her kit is the path to success.
If you want a DPS who consistently dodges bans, Psylocke is a great option right now.
Wolverine - Wolverine has eaten numerous nerfs across different seasons, but Season 5 returns his role as a tank killer. He's not broken like before, landing in a healthier spot overall.
After tanks received their big changes, a dedicated tank killer has become necessary. Wolverine has S-Tier potential, but his current stats don't reflect that level of performance yet.
Iron Fist - Iron Fist has performed well since Season 4.5, and the Season 5 meta still favors him. Left unchecked, a good Iron Fist quickly deletes any single target. Against healers who can't protect each other, he terrorizes backlines.
He doesn't quite match Magik's strength currently, but a slight meta shift could change that quickly.
Phoenix - The Season 4.5 nerfs hit hard. Phoenix isn't the powerhouse she was now that her melee tech is gone. She's still usable, but options like Hela look much more appealing.
Phoenix is arguably B-Tier, but we're watching her performance as the meta settles. Her new Black Widow team-up that enables healing support adds an interesting dimension.
B Tier Duelists
Human Torch - The flyer meta has collapsed, and Human Torch fell with it. Justifying a flyer on your team is tough when Hela, Punisher, and Winter Soldier are everywhere.
Human Torch isn't bad, but this meta makes him incredibly hard to be effective with. He does serve as anchor for two team-ups (First Steps and Ever Burning Bond), enabling some interesting compositions.
Black Panther - Black Panther's reign of terror is over. He's dropped back to obscurity. He's not horrible, but he's significantly harder to perform well with unless you have extensive practice. Without that experience, he's a clear C-Tier.
Triple healer comps make getting consistent results with Panther rough. Everyone else got damage increases, healing reduction, and HP boosts. Black Panther didn't get any of that love.
Squirrel Girl - Squirrel Girl is in a tough spot. She excels against very specific characters and performs poorly against everyone else. She often feeds enemy ultimates since constant splash damage lets their healers charge abilities freely.
Only her strength against specific matchups keeps her from C-Tier.
Iron Man - The flyer meta collapse hit Iron Man too. Like Human Torch, he isn't bad, but Hela, Punisher, and Winter Soldier make aerial heroes difficult to be effective with.
He has the tools to succeed but struggles to find opportunities against the dominant picks.
Scarlet Witch - Scarlet Witch stays in B-Tier. Buffs across multiple seasons have finally made her competitive at high levels. Her faster movement ultimate lets her dodge counters and reposition much more easily.
Her ultimate was the main reason she never saw play before. This change finally makes her threatening to veteran players.
Mister Fantastic - Mister Fantastic got interesting Season 5 changes that put him in a weird position. For casual and lower-ranking players, he's an easy S-Tier stomp machine. For mid to high-ranking players, he's lackluster.
The changes make him better overall but haven't proven enough for competitive viability. They feel more like adjustments than straight buffs.
Star-Lord - Star-Lord never recovered from his earlier nerfs. He doesn't deal enough burst damage to compete with top DPS options, and experienced players manage his ultimate easily.
At lower ranks, he can still dominate. Even with his Rocket team-up, this former S-Tier hasn't found his footing again.
C Tier Duelists
Black Widow - Black Widow can't find a place in the meta. She lives in Hawkeye's shadow since he one-shots targets and she can't. Hela does her job better too.
Her new Phoenix team-up transforms her into a pseudo-Strategist who heals teammates by shooting them. That's interesting but not enough to pull her from the bottom. This could change as the season continues.
Spider-Man - Spider-Man was once a top DPS. Now he's in a terrible state. He has no real kill ability besides his ultimate and web-pulling enemies off ledges. Season 5 buffs (reduced web cluster cooldown, extra uppercut damage) haven't been strong enough to matter.
His popularity means the Human Torch team-up (Ever Burning Bond) can help if you have access to it. But his core problems remain, keeping him at the bottom.
Blade - Blade struggles to find any place in the meta. He can do lots of things but specializes in nothing. There's no reason to play him over other DPS options except personal preference.
His new Moon Knight team-up (Blade of Kongou) is actually S-Tier, giving him extra damage and burst healing. That significantly improves his viability, but his base kit remains underwhelming. He's probably one balance patch from being relevant.
Team-Up Tier List
Team-ups activate when certain hero combinations are on your team, providing synergistic abilities that can dramatically change how heroes function. Understanding which team-ups provide the most value shapes team composition decisions at competitive levels.
S Tier Team-Ups
| Team-Up | Heroes | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Vibrant Vitality | Mantis + Groot + Loki | Extra healing + damage for anchored composition |
| Rocket Network | Rocket + Peni + Star-Lord | Incredible zone control and sustain |
| Ever Burning Bond | Spider-Man + Human Torch | Buffed Spider-Man combos |
| Jeffnado | Jeff + Storm | Devastating combined ultimate |
| Deep Wrath | Namor + Hela | Locking damage with healing reduction |
| Blade of Kongou | Blade + Moon Knight | Extra damage + burst healing for Blade |
| Primal Flame | Phoenix + Wolverine + Black Widow | Black Widow becomes pseudo-Strategist |
| Charged Fury | Gambit + Magneto | Insane damage output synergy |
Vibrant Vitality (Mantis + Groot + Loki) - Mantis anchors this team-up, benefiting both Groot and Loki. Both heroes got Season 5 buffs that strengthen this synergy. Groot gains extra healing output that makes him incredibly durable. Combined with his new CC immunity near Ironwood Wall, he becomes nearly unkillable in certain situations. Loki benefits from increased damage. When used effectively together, this is top-tier.
Rocket Network (Rocket + Peni Parker + Star-Lord) - This team-up got buffed into one of the strongest in the game. Star-Lord's teleport is standard, but the Rocket and Peni components have become exceptional.
Rocket's BRB has faster cooldown and releases a spider nest. He heals more effectively and deals better damage through improved bullet velocity. Peni heals teammates with her nests and grants movement boosts. Combining all these nests creates incredible zone control and sustain.
This team-up perfectly counters dive compositions featuring Gambit or Daredevil.
Ever Burning Bond (Spider-Man + Human Torch) - Human Torch isn't particularly strong right now, but Spider-Man's buffs make this team-up valuable. Reduced web cluster cooldown and extra uppercut damage let Spider-Man combo more effectively. Given his popularity, having this team-up available provides real value. This could drop as the meta develops.
Jeffnado (Jeff + Storm) - This combines Storm and Jeff's ultimates into a devastating super-ultimate. Lower-level players struggle to counter it, but it deals substantial damage at high ranks too. The synergy has remained consistently strong since launch.
Deep Wrath (Namor + Hela) - S-Tier for multiple reasons. The ability locks onto enemies and gives Namor additional squids, which works great against Gambit or Daredevil. Beyond the initial damage, it applies healing reduction. That's valuable tech in Season 5 as more heroes gain access to anti-heal mechanics.
Blade of Kongou (Blade + Moon Knight) - Blade gains an extra ability that deals damage using Moon Blades. It works at extended range or up close, attaching damage between two enemies while healing Blade. The burst healing addresses one of Blade's core weaknesses. Both heroes are solid in Season 5, making this particularly valuable.
Primal Flame (Phoenix + Wolverine + Black Widow) - This was already strong with Phoenix and Wolverine. Wolverine gains extra damage that synergizes with his Season 5 buffs. The big addition is Black Widow transforming into basically a Strategist who heals teammates by shooting them.
That's a complete role change for one hero, which automatically makes this S-Tier. Phoenix remains solid, and Black Widow's healing utility creates unique composition possibilities.
Charged Fury (Gambit + Magneto) - Magneto always gets great team-ups. The Scarlet Witch one was fantastic. Mental Projection with Emma was fantastic. This Gambit combination provides insane damage output that's equally fantastic.
Given Gambit's popularity and Magneto's bubble buffs, this will be everywhere throughout Season 5.
A Tier Team-Ups
Angel's Boon (Angela + Thor) - This provides combo potential between Angela and Thor. Nothing massive, but it has a place. Both heroes are reasonably strong for Season 5, and Thor gets additional movement tech. Angela's decent buffs complement the synergy.
Symbiote Shenanigans (Venom + Hela + Jeff) - Hela gets extra healing and damage, with similar benefits for Jeff. It's solid for those who know how to use it. It won't dramatically change games like other team-ups, but it provides consistent value.
Hawkeye's Mark (Hawkeye + Cloak & Dagger) - This replaces the previous Cloak & Dagger and Moon Knight combination. When Hawkeye shoots through a teammate, it heals them and lets Cloak & Dagger or other teammates heal them faster. This introduces a healing buff mechanic that could become more valuable as more heroes get added.
First Steps (Human Torch + The Thing + Invisible Woman + Spider-Man) - Getting The Thing across the map quickly is useful, and his buffs help this team-up. Human Torch anchors two team-ups (First Steps and Ever Burning Bond), letting him have The Thing and Spider-Man on his team simultaneously. Combined with buffed Invisible Woman, this creates a foundation for triple team-up compositions.
Arcane Order (Doctor Strange + Magik + Scarlet Witch) - This has been around for a while. Magik benefits significantly, and Scarlet Witch gains a damage boost. Doctor Strange is one of the better Vanguards, and that's unlikely to change. Both DPS heroes receive solid abilities from this synergy.
Mental Projection (Emma Frost + Psylocke) - This drops to A-Tier because Magneto was removed. Psylocke got some nerfs previously but had her ultimate buffed recently. Emma remains solid for Season 5 and likely forever. Two strong heroes, but losing Magneto weakens the overall value.
B Tier Team-Ups
Duality Dance (Luna Snow + Iron Fist) - Useful in certain scenarios, mainly when Luna Snow is being dived. She already has an anti-dive tool with her freeze ball though, so this is extra rather than necessary.
Dive compositions will be okay for Season 5 but not dominant. Gambit enables dive-style play, and Daredevil remains strong, but traditional dive heroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther aren't threatening enough to make this team-up priority.
Stark Protocol (Ultron + Squirrel Girl + Iron Man) - Mainly good for Ultron, who needs more healing output to compete. Squirrel Girl got a slight buff too. The team-up provides decent value, but Ultron's overall weakness prevents higher placement.
Fantastic Four (All Fantastic Four Members) - This involves more heroes than any other team-up, allowing full Fantastic Four stacks. Invisible Woman got buffed, Human Torch isn't great, Mister Fantastic received adjustments (debatable if buff or nerf), and The Thing got substantial buffs. The variety provides flexibility, but uneven power levels keep this at B-Tier.
Fastball (Wolverine + Magneto/Venom/Thor) - Okay with situational uses, but it's been around forever without proving dominant. It's not broken or particularly necessary. You can basically replicate the effect in-game without the team-up.
Beastial Hunt (Daredevil + Punisher) - Giving Punisher wall-hacks is decent but not game-changing. You can hear enemies coming from a distance in Marvel Rivals, and objective flow makes enemy positions predictable. The wall-hack occasionally spots someone unexpected, but it doesn't dramatically impact most games.
Chilling Assault (Luna Snow + Iron Fist) - Iron Fist can overshield his team. With DPS heroes now gaining teammate healing capabilities, this could potentially be adjusted to full healing instead. For now, it provides situational value.
Gamma Charge (Hulk + Black Panther) - Black Panther struggles in Season 5 while everyone else got damage, healing reduction, and HP buffs. This team-up keeps him alive a bit longer when nearly dead, but the cooldown is too long for consistent value. Reducing that cooldown significantly could make this A-Tier.
C Tier Team-Ups
Battle Buddies (Captain America + Winter Soldier) - This is arguably the worst team-up in the game. Cap deserves better. Winter Soldier is strong right now, but this team-up provides minimal value to either hero. Hopefully it gets removed or reworked soon.
F Tier Team-Ups
Planet X Pals (Rocket + Jeff + Groot) - This was a fun gimmick at launch but provides no real competitive value anymore. Minor damage reduction to Rocket and Jeff is okay, but it's a weird team-up nobody uses seriously. It can stay in the game since it doesn't hurt anything, but don't build compositions around it.
Current Meta Trends
Understanding what's driving the meta helps you make smarter picks and adapt your play.
- Anchor tanks with team utility
- Triple support compositions
- Healing reduction abilities
- Burst damage Duelists
- Pure damage tanks
- Traditional dive compositions
- Aerial heroes (flyer meta)
- Low-burst DPS options
Anchor Tanks Dominate
Season 5 heavily favors anchor-style tanks that provide utility and team-wide benefits. Magneto, Doctor Strange, and Groot excel because they do more than absorb damage. Pure damage tanks like Thor struggle because they don't offer the same team contribution.
Triple Support Is King
Running three healers creates sustain that traditional compositions can't break through. This affects Duelist viability dramatically. Heroes who can't burst through healing (like Angela) struggle. Those with execute potential or healing reduction (like Magik or the Deep Wrath team-up) thrive.
Dive Has Fallen Off
Traditional dive compositions aren't as effective anymore. Gambit and Daredevil can function in dive-like styles, but classic dive heroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther have dropped hard. The Rocket Network team-up with Peni's healing zones perfectly counters dive attempts.
Healing Reduction Matters
Multiple heroes and team-ups now provide anti-heal effects. In a meta built around high sustain, cutting through healing has become premium tech. Team-ups like Deep Wrath that provide healing reduction are particularly valuable.
Flyers Struggle
The flyer meta is dead. With Hela, Punisher, and Winter Soldier constantly present, aerial heroes like Human Torch and Iron Man face serious difficulties. Storm remains viable because of her unique ground-flying damage boost, but she's the exception.
Final Thoughts
Season 5 has changed Marvel Rivals' competitive landscape in significant ways. The tank overhaul elevated utility-focused Vanguards like Magneto and Groot while leaving damage-oriented options behind. Rocket Raccoon's resurgence among Strategists reflects the shift toward sustain. Hela, Magik, and Winter Soldier give Duelists the tools needed to break through triple support holds.
Team-ups have become more impactful than ever. Rocket Network, Primal Flame, and Deep Wrath can define entire compositions. Understanding these synergies and building around them matters for climbing ranks.
Remember that these rankings reflect high-level competitive play. Your experience will vary based on skill level, practice time, and the compositions you face. Use this guide to understand the meta, but don't be afraid to play heroes you enjoy. Mastering any character can lead to success if you put in the time.