The Marvel Universe Battle Begins
The Marvel universe is in turmoil, and the free-to-play team-based shooter, Marvel Rivals, has brought the heat with an expansive roster of iconic heroes. Whether you’re a fan of the brawny brutes, the agile duelists, or the tactical strategists, the game offers a diverse array of characters to choose from. The challenge lies in selecting the right hero to counter your opponents effectively. What sets Marvel Rivals apart is the unique feature that allows players to swap heroes mid-game, making it crucial to adapt and change your strategy on the fly to outmaneuver your opponents. This guide will help you navigate the best counters for every hero, ensuring your team has the edge in every encounter.
Best Counters for Every Marvel Rivals Hero
Vanguard Heroes
Hulk (Bruce Banner)
- Vanguard Counters: Dr. Strange, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Punisher, Hela
- Strategist Counters: Jeff, Loki, Luna Snow
Hulk is a powerful brawler who excels at close-range combat. To counter him, use long-range characters like Dr. Strange or Peni Parker to keep him at bay. Characters with high mobility and the ability to disrupt his attacks, such as Black Widow or Hawkeye, are also effective. Strategist heroes like Jeff, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Hulk at a distance.
Captain America
- Vanguard Counters: Dr. Strange, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Punisher, Hela
- Strategist Counters: Mantis, Luna Snow
Captain America is a well-rounded hero with a focus on close combat and defense. To counter him, long-range characters like Dr. Strange and Peni Parker can deal damage from a safe distance. Duelist heroes like Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Punisher can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Mantis and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Cap at a distance.
Doctor Strange
- Vanguard Counters: Hulk, Venom, Groot
- Duelist Counters: Black Panther, Magik, Star-Lord
- Strategist Counters: Luna Snow, Loki
Doctor Strange is a powerful support hero with a focus on protection and crowd control. To counter him, use brawlers like Hulk, Venom, and Groot to disrupt his ability to shield his team. Duelist heroes like Black Panther, Magik, and Star-Lord can close the gap and deal damage up close. Strategist heroes like Luna Snow and Loki can use their unique abilities to disrupt Doctor Strange’s support.
Groot
- Vanguard Counters: Peni Parker, Dr. Strange, Magneto, Captain America
- Duelist Counters: Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier, Hela, Star-Lord, Storm
- Strategist Counters: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow
Groot is a formidable close-range fighter with strong defensive abilities. To counter him, use long-range characters like Peni Parker, Dr. Strange, and Magneto to deal damage from a distance. Duelist heroes like Hawkeye, Punisher, and Winter Soldier can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Adam Warlock, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Groot at bay.
Thor
- Vanguard Counters: Peni Parker, Magneto, Dr. Strange
- Duelist Counters: Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier, Hela, Star-Lord, Spider-Man
- Strategist Counters: Jeff, Loki, Mantis
Thor is a powerful ranged attacker with a focus on close-range combat. To counter him, use mobile heroes like Peni Parker, Magneto, and Dr. Strange to avoid his hammer attacks. Duelist heroes like Hawkeye, Punisher, and Winter Soldier can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Jeff, Loki, and Mantis can heal and support their team while keeping Thor at a distance.
Venom
- Vanguard Counters: Peni Parker, Magneto, Dr. Strange
- Duelist Counters: Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier, Hela, Star-Lord
- Strategist Counters: Mantis, Luna Snow
Venom is a versatile hero with strong close-range and mobility abilities. To counter him, use long-range characters like Peni Parker, Magneto, and Dr. Strange to deal damage from a distance. Duelist heroes like Hawkeye, Punisher, and Winter Soldier can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Mantis and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Venom at bay.
Duelist Heroes
Black Panther
- Vanguard Counters: Groot, Venom, Hulk, Captain America
- Duelist Counters: Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier
- Strategist Counters: Jeff, Loki, Mantis
Black Panther is a nimble hero with strong close-range and mobility abilities. To counter him, use strong brawlers like Groot, Venom, and Hulk to deal damage up close. Duelist heroes like Hawkeye, Punisher, and Winter Soldier can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Jeff, Loki, and Mantis can heal and support their team while keeping Black Panther at a distance.
Black Widow
- Vanguard Counters: Hulk, Venom, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Spider-Man, Magik, Black Panther, Star-Lord
- Strategist Counters: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow
Black Widow is a powerful sniper with the ability to deal high damage at range. To counter her, use mobile heroes like Spider-Man, Magik, and Black Panther to close the gap and deal damage up close. Strategist heroes like Adam Warlock, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Black Widow at a distance.
Hawkeye
- Vanguard Counters: Magneto, Doctor Strange, Venom, Hulk
- Duelist Counters: Spider-Man, Black Panther, Star-Lord, Magik
- Strategist Counters: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow
Hawkeye is another powerful sniper with strong long-range abilities. To counter him, use characters with strong shields like Magneto and Doctor Strange to block his shots. Duelist heroes like Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Star-Lord can close the gap and deal damage up close. Strategist heroes like Adam Warlock, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Hawkeye at a distance.
Iron Fist
- Vanguard Counters: Magneto, Venom, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier
- Strategist Counters: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow
Iron Fist is a powerful melee hero with strong close-range abilities. To counter him, use long-range characters like Magneto, Venom, and Peni Parker to deal damage from a distance. Duelist heroes like Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Punisher can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Adam Warlock, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Iron Fist at a distance.
Iron Man
- Vanguard Counters: Dr. Strange, Peni Parker, Captain America
- Duelist Counters: Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier
- Strategist Counters: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow
Iron Man is a versatile hero with strong ranged and mobility abilities. To counter him, use long-range characters like Dr. Strange, Peni Parker, and Captain America to deal damage from a distance. Duelist heroes like Hawkeye, Punisher, and Winter Soldier can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Adam Warlock, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Iron Man at a distance.
Magik
- Vanguard Counters: Dr. Strange, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Hawkeye, Punisher, Winter Soldier, Black Widow
- Strategist Counters: Adam Warlock, Loki, Luna Snow
Magik is a powerful melee hero with strong close-range abilities. To counter her, use long-range characters like Dr. Strange and Peni Parker to deal damage from a distance. Duelist heroes like Hawkeye, Punisher, and Winter Soldier can disrupt her attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Adam Warlock, Loki, and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Magik at a distance.
Strategist Heroes
Adam Warlock
- Vanguard Counters: Dr. Strange, Magneto, Captain America
- Duelist Counters: Black Panther, Magik, Punisher, Star-Lord
- Strategist Counters: N/A
Adam Warlock is a versatile hero with strong long-range and support abilities. To counter him, use long-range characters like Dr. Strange, Magneto, and Captain America to deal damage from a distance. Duelist heroes like Black Panther, Magik, and Punisher can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Since Adam Warlock is a Strategist, there are no specific Strategist counters.
Cloak and Dagger
- Vanguard Counters: Venom, Hulk, Captain America
- Duelist Counters: Spider-Man, Iron Fist, Magik, Punisher
- Strategist Counters: Mantis, Luna Snow
Cloak and Dagger are powerful support heroes with strong close-range and mobility abilities. To counter them, use brawlers like Venom, Hulk, and Captain America to deal damage up close. Duelist heroes like Spider-Man, Iron Fist, and Punisher can disrupt their attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Mantis and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Cloak and Dagger at a distance.
Invisible Woman
- Vanguard Counters: Venom, Hulk
- Duelist Counters: Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Hela, Iron Man
- Strategist Counters: Luna Snow, Adam Warlock, Mantis
Invisible Woman is a powerful support hero with strong defensive and mobility abilities. To counter her, use brawlers like Venom and Hulk to deal damage up close. Duelist heroes like Spider-Man, Hawkeye, and Hela can disrupt her attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Luna Snow, Adam Warlock, and Mantis can heal and support their team while keeping Invisible Woman at a distance.
Jeff the Land Shark
- Vanguard Counters: Venom, Hulk, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Black Panther, Magik, Punisher, Spider-Man
- Strategist Counters: Mantis, Luna Snow, Cloak and Dagger
Jeff the Land Shark is a unique hero with strong support and mobility abilities. To counter him, use brawlers like Venom, Hulk, and Peni Parker to deal damage up close. Duelist heroes like Black Panther, Magik, and Punisher can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Mantis, Luna Snow, and Cloak and Dagger can heal and support their team while keeping Jeff at a distance.
Loki
- Vanguard Counters: Venom, Peni Parker, Hulk
- Duelist Counters: Black Panther, Magik, Punisher, Star-Lord
- Strategist Counters: Mantis, Luna Snow
Loki is a powerful support hero with strong defensive and mobility abilities. To counter him, use brawlers like Venom, Peni Parker, and Hulk to deal damage up close. Duelist heroes like Black Panther, Magik, and Punisher can disrupt his attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Mantis and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Loki at a distance.
Luna Snow
- Vanguard Counters: Venom, Hulk, Peni Parker
- Duelist Counters: Punisher, Star-Lord, Hela, Magik
- Strategist Counters: Mantis, Luna Snow
Luna Snow is a powerful support hero with strong long-range and healing abilities. To counter her, use brawlers like Venom, Hulk, and Peni Parker to deal damage up close. Duelist heroes like Punisher, Star-Lord, and Hela can disrupt her attacks and mobility. Strategist heroes like Mantis and Luna Snow can heal and support their team while keeping Luna Snow at a distance.
Conclusion
Marvel Rivals offers a dynamic and engaging experience with a vast array of heroes to choose from. The ability to swap heroes mid-game adds a layer of strategy and adaptability that can turn the tide of battle. By understanding the best counters for each hero, you can ensure your team has the edge in every encounter. Whether you’re a brawny Vanguard, a nimble Duelist, or a tactical Strategist, the key to victory lies in adapting your strategy and playing to your strengths. So, assemble your team, choose your hero, and prepare to battle for the fate of the Marvel universe!








