Marvel Rivals: guide and hero tier list, September 2026
Marvel Rivals is a free team-based shooter by NetEase featuring Marvel universe heroes: 50+ characters, three roles and endless team-up combos. Released in December 2024, it quickly became Overwatch's main competitor. This guide covers the roles, the Season 10 tier list (September 2026) and ranked tips.
Roles: who to play
- Vanguard (tanks). Hold the front and protect the team: Hulk, Groot, Thor, Peni Parker, Venom, Magneto, Captain America.
- Duelist (damage). The main killers: Magik, Hela, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Star-Lord, Hawkeye, Black Panther.
- Strategist (support). Heal and buff: Mantis, Rocket, Ultron, Cloak and Dagger, Luna Snow, Adam Warlock.
Tier list: Season 10, September 2026
Ranked by combined winrate and ladder popularity (aggregator data from mid-September 2026).
| Tier | Heroes |
|---|---|
| S | Mantis, Magik, Peni Parker, Rocket, Storm, Ultron |
| A | Hood, Mister Fantastic, Blade, Black Panther, Iron Fist, Hela, Daredevil, Hulk, The Thing, Venom |
| B | Spider-Man, Angela, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Rogue, Devil Dinosaur, White Fox, Jubilee, Cyclops, Magneto, Black Cat, Winter Soldier |
| C | Star-Lord, Psylocke, Wolverine, Doctor Strange, Emma Frost, Groot, Cloak and Dagger, Luna Snow, Adam Warlock, Human Torch, Elsa Bloodstone, Scarlet Witch |
| D | Namor, Punisher, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Invisible Woman, Gambit, Loki, Phoenix, Moon Knight, Deadpool, Jeff |
Meta headline: Mantis (56.6% winrate) and Magik (56.0%) lead the ladder — the most stable picks of the season. Peni Parker (55.4%) remains the strongest tank even after the patch 9.5 nerfs.
Best heroes for beginners
- Starter tank: Hulk — forgives mistakes, simple abilities.
- Starter duelist: Magik — the role's top winrate and a clear melee pattern.
- Starter strategist: Rocket — reliable healing and mobility, present in 35% of ladder matches.
The ranked system
| Rank | What it takes |
|---|---|
| Bronze — Gold | Master one hero per role and basic team-ups |
| Platinum — Diamond | Team-ups, ultimate economy, positioning |
| Master — Eternity | Meta picks, team coordination, macro rotations |
Tips
- Master one hero for each role — winrate climbing starts with a full roster coverage.
- Watch the patch notes: balance shifts every two weeks and tier lists age fast.
- Team-ups decide fights: combos like Storm plus Black Panther beat individual skill.
- Do not grind low-tier heroes: Jeff and Namor demand far more effort for the same result.
- Progress the battle pass: the free track grants new heroes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marvel Rivals free? Yes, with a battle pass and cosmetic monetization; heroes unlock with in-game currency.
What platforms? PC (Steam/Epic), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S with cross-play.
How many heroes are there? Over 50, with new ones every season.
How often does the meta change? Balance patches every two weeks, a new season every three months.
What should a beginner unlock first? Three heroes: a tank, a duelist and a strategist from the top tiers.
Is Russian supported? Yes, interface and voiceover are available in Russian.
Last updated: September 19, 2026.