Marvel Rivals Roles and Classes Explained

In Marvel Rivals, every hero fits into one of three core roles: Vanguards, Duelists, or Strategists. These roles are essential for shaping your team composition, gameplay approach, and in-match responsibilities. Whether you enjoy tanking damage, diving into the backline, or supporting your squad with tactical tools, understanding these roles will help you make better hero picks and stronger plays.

Let’s break down what each role does and how it contributes to the team.

Vanguards (Tanks)

Vanguards are your team’s frontline defenders. These heroes specialize in soaking up damage, initiating teamfights, and shielding their allies. They often have abilities that offer area disruption, crowd control, or strong defensive utility. Think of them as the anchors of your team — they go in first, hold the line, and keep enemies away from your squishier allies.

Heroes like Hulk and Groot shine in this role, using tools like shields, slams, and walls to control space and protect their teammates.

Hero	Role Description
Bruce Banner (Hulk)	Switches between calm and enraged forms. In Hulk mode, he becomes a high-health brawler with slam attacks and AoE knockups. Great at initiating fights and absorbing aggro.
Doctor Strange	A tactical defender who combines barriers, shields, and area control. His utility makes him a hybrid between tank and support.
Captain America	Offers mid-range tanking with defensive ricochet shields, speed buffs, and clutch team protection.
Thor	Strong frontline bruiser with lightning-based burst and sustain tools. Combines high damage with tankiness.
Groot	Root-focused tank with healing vines, area denial, and wall creation. Great at controlling zones and objectives.
Venom	Tanky diver with lifesteal and sticky AoE abilities. Good for initiating or hunting down fleeing enemies.
Magneto	Tank-disruptor with ranged magnetic manipulation, shield generation, and terrain control.
Peni Parker	Hybrid utility tank using SP//dr mech to block damage and support teammates from the frontline.

Pro Tips for Playing Vanguards:

• Use your tank-like abilities to protect Duelists and Strategists from burst damage.
• Position yourself between enemies and your team to soak pressure safely.

Duelists (DPS)

Duelists are aggressive heroes focused on eliminating high-priority targets. They typically have high damage output and mobility, allowing them to dive into the backline and burst down key enemies like supports or low-health carries. Duelists thrive in chaotic fights and are great at turning small skirmishes into quick victories — but they’re also fragile, so positioning is key.

Characters like Wolverine, Black Panther, and Spider-Man are classic Duelists, built for fast-paced, hit-and-run engagements.

Hero	Role Description
The Punisher	Mid-range damage dealer with aggressive combos and shotgun pressure.
Black Widow	Stealth assassin who relies on precision and escape rather than raw stats.
Hawkeye	Long-range sniper with consistent poke, traps, and zoning tools.
Iron Fist	Burst bruiser with empowered strikes and defensive counters. Strong in sustained trades.
Mister Fantastic	Extended reach and flexible zoning make him excellent for keeping enemies away or finishing from afar.
Moon Knight	Melee skirmisher with multiple stances and abilities to adapt mid-fight.
Psylocke	Teleporting burst-DPS assassin who excels at deleting squishies and escaping quickly.
Squirrel Girl	Bouncy, unpredictable melee/AoE duelist who disrupts positioning with ricochet attacks.
Wolverine	Close-range brawler with Rage mechanic, self-healing, and quick gap closers. Excellent for chasing supports.
Winter Soldier	Balanced mid-range hybrid using tactical gadgets and fast burst shots.
Storm	AoE spellcaster with mobility, crowd control, and flexible poke or dive potential.
Hela	Shadowy AoE caster who thrives in group fights with her wide attacks and dark zone pressure.
Black Panther	High-speed melee assassin with dash combos and reposition tools. Relies on rhythm and timing.
Magik	Teleports into combat, healing while she attacks. Great for quick trades and staying in fights.
Iron Man	AoE-focused blaster with zoning beams, missile barrages, and hover mobility.
Spider-Man	Mobile crowd controller with web-based disruption and safe engages/disengages.
Scarlet Witch	Ranged magic duelist with AoE slow, healing, and burst damage potential.
Star-Lord	Versatile mid-range shooter with AoE grenades and momentum-based damage scaling.
Namor	Heavy melee pressure with self-sustain and wave-based push mechanics.

Tips for Playing Duelists:

• Look for isolated targets instead of charging into the middle of the teamfight.
• Work alongside a Vanguard for peel and front pressure to reduce the risk of diving alone.

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Strategists (Supports)

Strategists provide critical team utility, such as healing, shielding, buffs, and battlefield control. They are the backbone of team stability — helping allies stay alive and giving your team an edge with tactical positioning and support tools. Strategists often stay in the backline, managing cooldowns, assisting allies, and setting up key zoning advantages.

Support-focused heroes like Rocket Raccoon, Mantis, and Doctor Strange fit perfectly into this role with their strong utility kits.

Hero	Role Description
Loki	Deceptive utility support using illusions, healing, and confusion to break enemy momentum.
Mantis	Stable single-target healer with team buffs and cleanse potential.
Cloak & Dagger	Support duo that switches between healing and burst tools, depending on form.
Invisible Woman	Offers stealth, team barriers, and mobility disruption from the backline.
Jeff the Land Shark	AoE healer with comedic charm, decent survivability, and strong zone presence.
Rocket Raccoon	Gadget-based utility support with team buffs, trap placement, and revive tech.
Luna Snow	Hybrid support/DPS who can swap between healing and attacking modes. Strong AoE sustain.
Adam Warlock	High-tier support with resurrection, burst healing, and ultimate team-saving abilities.

Tips for Playing Strategists:

• Stay out of direct combat and focus on positioning to heal or buff multiple allies.
• Use zoning tools and utility abilities proactively to shape the fight before it begins.

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General Tips for Role Synergy

• Always draft around a core: Start with a durable Vanguard or flexible Strategist and build your team around them.
• Balance your lineup: Avoid stacking the same role unless you're running a specific comp. A good mix keeps you adaptable.
• Protect your backline: Duelists tend to overcommit — Strategists and Vanguards should be ready to peel.
• Use vision and comms: Strategists can control sightlines and objectives — make sure the team follows up.
• Learn counterpicks: Know which roles give you the upper hand. Duelists destroy Supports, but fall quickly to tanks.

Team Composition Examples

Here are some effective team compositions that balance all three roles and show how different heroes can synergize to win fights and control objectives:

Standard Balanced Comp

• Vanguard: Hulk – Durable initiator with strong CC.
• Duelist: Wolverine – Frontline diver with self-healing for extended trades.
• Strategist: Luna Snow – Sustains the team with AoE healing and crowd control.

Backline Collapse Comp

• Vanguard: Venom – Disrupts enemy formations with mobility and pressure.
• Duelist: Psylocke – Teleports behind enemies for rapid eliminations.
• Strategist: Cloak & Dagger – Adds healing and control to enable deep dives.

Zone Control Comp

• Vanguard: Groot – Uses walls and root effects to control chokepoints.
• Duelist: Storm – Provides AoE damage while staying mobile and safe.
• Strategist: Rocket Raccoon – Supports the team with zoning, buffs, and utility gadgets.

Conclusion

Understanding the core Marvel Rivals roles — Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists — is the foundation of team-based success. Each role offers a unique contribution to combat, and together they create balanced, responsive, and lethal squads. Whether you prefer to protect, attack, or support, knowing your role and how it complements others is the key to consistent victories.

Whether you're queueing solo or drafting with friends, a thoughtful team comp with clear class synergy can turn even close games in your favor. Adapt, communicate, and draft smart — and you'll find success in every match.

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Change Log

• 25.05.2025 - Marvel Rivals Classes and Roles Explained published.