Marvel Rivals embarked on its inaugural Season 0 on December 6, unveiling an impressive lineup of 33 playable heroes and villains. Following this launch, the Ranked mode became accessible a few days later, allowing players to begin their journey toward the prestigious Top 500 by reaching a minimum level of 10.
The ranking system in this exciting third-person superhero shooter is designed for clarity. Players begin their climb from Bronze 3 and can earn points to scale the ranks up to Eternity. To progress to the next tier, 100 points are required, typically necessitating three to four consecutive wins.
Establishing the Meta in Marvel Rivals
Heroes With Carry Potential in Marvel Rivals
The initial roster of Season 0 features 8 Vanguard heroes, 18 Duelists, and 7 Strategists. Although players might lean towards the high damage output of the Duelist class, Marvel Rivals emphasizes versatility. Without a role queue, success demands that players explore various characters across all categories, also factoring in Team Up Abilities to maximize effectiveness.
Currently, the S-Tier heroes—determined by their performance in the Top 500, as well as data from the Rivals Codex regarding win rates and pick rates—are as follows:
| Hero | Role | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Strange | Vanguard | 4.20% | 54.90% |
| Whole | Duelist | 4.70% | 59.60% |
| Psylocke | Duelist | 3.50% | 55.70% |
| Luna Snow | Strategist | 6.40% | 53.10% |
| Mantis | Strategist | 6.60% | 59.0% |
As for the A-Tier characters, their standings can vary, showing variability in performance:
| Hero | Role | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magneto | Vanguard | 2.70% | 55.10% |
| Big | Vanguard | 2.70% | 54.10% |
| Hawkeye | Duelist | 2.80% | 55.60% |
| Moon Knight | Duelist | 4.20% | 51.90% |
| Namor | Duelist | 1.50% | 57.20% |
| The Punisher | Duelist | 2.90% | 52.60% |
| Winter Soldier | Duelist | 2.70% | 53.20% |
| Cloak and Dagger | Strategist | 8.0% | 49.90% |
| Rocket Raccoon | Strategist | 3.0% | 57.10% |
These rankings are strictly based on statistics from ranked play and do not account for individual player skill, which can significantly impact performance.
Impacts of Hero Bans in Ranked Play
It’s essential to recognize that starting at Diamond 3, players face hero bans within their lobby if all individuals are of Diamond rank. This introduces a dynamic layer to the game, affecting pick rates dramatically. Prominent heroes such as Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Hela, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Psylocke frequently find themselves on the ban list. For instance, data from Rivals Meta highlights that Hawkeye leads with a 38.04% ban rate, followed closely by Hela at 37.76% and Luna Snow at 20.26%.
Strategic Insights and Team Compositions
Despite the bans, the aforementioned meta heroes continue to be steadfast options below Diamond rank. Some players have voiced concerns about the need for nerfs for Hawkeye, while the tactical potential of Doctor Strange’s portals for flank and environmental kills has proved immensely effective. Commonly observed team compositions often feature duo combinations of Mantis and Luna Snow, where they can synergize their ultimates for powerful offense and defense.
As players ascend to the Diamond rank and above, A-tier characters begin to thrive. The prevalence of double-shield combinations diminishes due to the frequency of Doctor Strange’s bans, leading players to opt for aggressive combinations that include Hulk with dive champions like Iron Fist and Black Panther targeting the enemy backline. Heroes such as Adam Warlock and Rocket Raccoon emerge as strong contenders in the higher ranks, distinguished by their unique abilities: Rocket Raccoon’s consistent healing contrasts with Adam Warlock’s burst healing prowess, valuable during critical moments.
It’s crucial to note that heroes with lower win rates can perform exceptionally in the hands of skilled players. While the absence of a role queue gives players flexibility, a common and effective strategy involves using a 2-2-2 composition, with two Vanguards, two Duelists, and two Strategists. Alternatively, some players adopt a 3-3 structure, similar to the GOATS strategy from Overwatch, utilizing three Vanguards and three Strategists. The meta is bound to evolve as Season 1 approaches, with new characters and potential balance changes on the horizon.
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