The best Vanguards in Marvel Rivals

Hero shooters like Overwatch 2 have various playable characters. Every character usually has a designated role that determines what they excel in, whether it be dealing damage to enemies or supporting allies to ensure they stay in the battle for longer. Of course, there are also characters whose job is to absorb damage.

Today, we want to take a closer look at the tanks of Marvel Rivals ^[1], fittingly called Vanguards. In addition to highlighting our picks for the best Vanguard characters in Marvel Rivals, we also want to dive deep into all the best Vanguard’s abilities to ensure players can determine whether the character will be a good fit for them

So, without any more delay, here are our picks for the best Vanguard characters in Marvel Rivals.

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange blends defense, utility, and offense, putting him in another league. His Shield of the Seraphim lets him block projectiles, deflect enemy Ultimates, and cover his teammates. His Pentagram of Farallah lets him teleport his team across the map. His levitation also adds to his utility and effectiveness.

His Daggers of Denak and Maelstrom of Madness add excellent offense. His Eye of Agamotto Ultimate immobilizes enemies while transferring constant damage. His kit can wipe out enemy groups and set up follow-ups. His adaptability and creative gameplay make him the strongest Vanguard.

Venom

Venom has a surprising mix of durability and disruption. His Venom Swing adds mobility and lets him position himself for key plays. This, combined with his Frenzied Arrival dash, lets Venom knock enemies back and create chaos. He's lethal against weaker Strategiests or Duelists, and his Cellular Corrosion excels in crowd control.

Venom shines in survivability. He gains bolus health when at low HP with Symbiotic Resilience. This tankiness and self-sufficiency complement his Ultimate, Feast of the Abyss. Venom is a damage sponge that wastes enemy abilities, the perfect choice for leading the charge.

Magneto

Magneto has a powerful offense with defensive utility. He can generate metallic rings through shielding and attacks, allowing him to unleash his Mag-Cannon. Few characters match his ability to take out weak Duelists and Strategists, especially when his Iron Volley and Meteor M come into play. His Metal and Iron Bulwark can absorb damage and turn it into rings.

His Ultimate creates massive destruction by hurling a giant meteor at clustered enemies. Though he still has a powerful kit, the post-beta nerfs have slightly lowered his defense. Players need to generate and utilize metallic rings efficiently to make them effective. When paired with the Scarlet Witch, Magneto shines even brighter.

Peni Parker

Peni Parker has strong crowd-control and zoning abilities thanks to her mech suit. Her Bionic Spider-Nest provides healing, boosts movement, and spawns Spider-Drones. Peni has good defense thanks to her Arachno-Mines, and her Ultimate disrupts enemies and causes chaos. 

The effectiveness of her traps shines with clever positioning and map awareness. Heer Cyber-Webs limit enemy maneuvers, and her ability to heal and buff allies makes her crucial in objective-based gameplay. Her kit requires practice, but she can be a highly versatile pick.

Groot

Groot is a balanced Vanguard and a reliable anchor for objective-focused gameplay. He can create plant walls that block enemy advances. When enhanced by his Flora Colossus passive, these walls can damage enemies or heal Groot. His Ultimate is a vine bomb that traps enemies in a large AoE, helping set up plays. 

Despite great defense, Groot can struggle in damage output and relies heavily on strong teammates. His abilities are impactful but require careful placement. Mobile enemies can also exploit his lower damage output and chase potential. His effectiveness depends on team coordination, making him an average but reliable choice.

Thor

Thor has a unique playstyle that revolves around his Thorforce. His kit combines damage with decent survival, though he is a situational pick. His Mjolnir Bash has steady damage, while Lightning Realm and Awakening Rune add sustainability. His Ultimate, God of Thunder, delivers powerful lightning strikes but requires precise timing.

Thor has a few notable weaknesses that keep his ranking grounded. His lower health pool and limited mobility can leave him exposed. While his abilities have range, Thor can struggle to stay effective without proper planning, especially considering his skill ceiling. He has team synergy with Hela but is unremarkable alone.

Hulk

Hulk struggles to make an impact due to an overly complex kit. His multiple forms are meant to add depth but often result in inefficiency. Bruce Banner has little offense with his Gamma Ray Gun, while hero Hulk relies too much on melee. His mobility is limited with a basic leap that fails to close the gap effectively.

Managing his forms is more frustrating than rewarding. He lacks tankiness due to low health and minimal survivability tools. Compared to Venom, Hulk feels like a downgrade. He can still shine in chaotic skirmishes, but he shouldn't be your first choice.

Captain America

Captain America severely lacks in offense. His Sentinel Strike and Vibranium Energy Saw allow for piercing attacks but have very underwhelming damage. His Liberty Rush adds mobility with a shield-based charge, while his Ultimate boosts team health. However, his 400-HP shield depletes quickly.

His biggest weakness is his damage output, which limits him to proximity with low impact. While his sprints and shield slam add mobility, they lack the power to make a real impact. He can still work in solo skirmishes but is a weaker Vanguard for most players.

FAQs

What are all the roles in Marvel Rivals?

Marvel Rivals has three primary roles and every playable character falls under one of them.

• Duelists are primary damage dealers. These characters excel in dealing high damage to enemies, even if they may be fairly squishy
• Strategists are Marvel Rivals’ version of healers. These characters work toward ensuring their teammates last longer in fights, whether through healing, shielding, or even complete resurrection 
• Finally, Vanguards are tank characters. As the name suggests, these characters stay at the forefront and take the brunt of the damage dealt by enemies, though they also usually have the health to back their role up.

Are Vanguard characters important in Marvel Rivals?

Absolutely! While a team of all Duelists and Strategists could theoretically win, it would be extremely difficult. 

Vanguards sponge much of the damage intended for other players to ensure their teammates can finish the job, and not having at least one tank means there's nothing stopping enemy Duelists from absolutely destroying the entire enemy team using their ultimates.

References

1. [1] "Official Marvel Rivals website". www.marvelrivals.com. Retrieved December 29, 2024