Marvel Rivals Season 1 Tier List, All Characters Rank & Explained!

With Season 1 of Marvel Rivals well underway, players have begun to get a sense of which heroes dominate the battlefield and which ones might need a little more polish. While a few characters have received nerfs or buffs over the course of updates, the current meta is shaping up to offer some exciting gameplay dynamics.

Whether you’re diving into the game for the first time or are already a seasoned player, knowing which characters are top-tier and which ones are a bit lackluster will help you make better choices. Below is our breakdown of the Marvel Rivals Season 1 tier list, categorizing each hero from the best (S-Tier) to the weakest (B-Tier).

Marvel Rivals Tier List Season 1

S-Tier Heroes: The Best of the Best

These heroes are highly consistent and perform incredibly well in almost every situation. Whether you’re playing offense, defense, or support, these characters excel. They have solid kits, game-changing abilities, and offer incredible versatility.

Doctor Strange

Dr. Strange stands as the Sorcerer Supreme for a reason. With his exceptional damage output and ability to set up complex portal traps, Strange can dominate both offensively and defensively. If you master his ability to animation-cancel melee attacks, you’ll be dishing out heavy damage while supporting your team with strategic moves.

Storm

Once considered an inferior pick to Iron Man, Storm has risen to prominence in Season 1 thanks to significant buffs. She now provides nearly the same damage output as Iron Man while dipping into support territory with some healing and crowd control abilities. Storm is one of the most well-rounded and adaptable heroes in the game.

Hawkeye

Despite some nerfs to his kit and seasonal buffs, Hawkeye remains an extremely strong pick. His long-range capabilities and precision shooting make him a threat in the hands of skilled players. His consistent damage output, even after adjustments, keeps him a valuable asset on any team.

Hela

Hela, the Goddess of Death, is still one of the best in terms of raw DPS. The nerfs she received at the start of Season 1 haven’t been enough to dethrone her. She can melt through enemies with ease, making her a must-pick for players who want to focus on pure damage.

Black Panther

Black Panther is a sleeper pick who has made a significant impact in higher ranks. His flexibility allows him to fill various roles on the battlefield, and his effectiveness increases as you climb the competitive ladder. Once you hit higher tiers, Black Panther becomes a force to be reckoned with.

Loki

Loki is a wildcard who excels as a burst healer and a damage dealer. His skill ceiling is high, meaning that when played well, he can turn the tide of battle with his misdirection and copycat ultimate. Loki is a versatile support hero who can break through team compositions with ease.

Thor

Thor is a dependable tank with great movement, decent damage, and excellent survivability. He excels in nearly all situations, only truly being countered by burst damage or crowd control. If you need a strong frontline character who can deal damage and absorb hits, Thor is your go-to.

Luna Snow

As one of the best strategists in the game, Luna Snow brings top-tier support to the table. Her ultimate ability, Fate of Both Worlds, renders allies invincible, making her an incredible asset to any team. Along with her freezing abilities and damage buffs, Luna can keep her team on top of the competition.

Wolverine

Wolverine’s single-target damage is unmatched, especially against tanks. His ability to tear through enemies makes him one of the most feared characters in high-level play. While he may be banned in competitive settings, his power as a tank killer is undeniable.

Mantis

Mantis is a strong support hero who can heal and buff allies while also contributing to damage mitigation. Her versatility makes her an essential part of any team, able to cover multiple roles, whether you need healing, shielding, or debuffing the enemy.

Cloak and Dagger

This duo works incredibly well as a support character and offers great versatility in ranked play. Cloak and Dagger can support their team with healing and annoying attacks that disrupt enemy advances. Their synergy makes them a powerful, hard-to-ignore threat.

The Hulk

Even with some nerfs, the Hulk remains a solid tank. His survivability, mobility, and damage output allow him to stay relevant in Season 1. His ability to escape tough situations and regenerate makes him a nightmare for those trying to break through his defenses.

A-Tier Heroes: Consistent but with Some Weaknesses

A-Tier heroes are reliable and perform well in most situations, though they may have a few weaknesses or limitations compared to their S-Tier counterparts. They are still great picks, but they may require more coordination or precise play to truly shine.

Rocket Raccoon

Rocket is an all-around support character who can heal and buff his team effectively. While he may lack burst potential, his ability to revive allies and consistently provide buffs keeps him a valuable part of any team. His movement and survivability add to his versatility.

The Punisher

The Punisher is a reliable damage dealer with excellent turret placement skills. He excels at taking down airborne targets and dealing with pesky enemies in the air. His consistent damage and ability to disrupt opponents make him a strong pick.

Moon Knight

Moon Knight is a reliable character with solid mobility and damage, but his potential drops off at higher ranks. His Ankh mechanic can be effective, but once players learn how to counter him, he becomes just another hero in the crowd. Still, his movement and versatility make him a solid pick.

Mister Fantastic

Reed Richards is a hybrid duelist, able to act as both a tank and a DPS when needed. His Reflexive Rubber ability gives him some of the best defensive options in the game, making him a reliable pick if you need someone to handle burst damage.

Magik

Magik is an underrated gem with excellent close-quarters combat skills and impressive ranged support. While her mobility can be a bit slow, her ability to handle multiple enemies in close combat makes her a strong pick for players who know how to position themselves properly.

Venom

Venom has received several buffs and is now a reliable tank with solid survivability. His Symbiotic Resilience ability helps him counter burst damage, but in later levels, he struggles against highly mobile or burst-damage heroes.

Peni Parker

Peni Parker is a tank that excels at trapping and defending, especially when playing around her Cyber Webs. While she is a bit weaker on offense, her ability to disrupt opponents and block ultimate abilities makes her an invaluable defensive asset.

Iron Man

Iron Man is a solid DPS hero with great burst potential. However, he relies heavily on his team’s coordination to be effective. If he’s not supported properly, he can struggle to make an impact in longer matches. Still, in the right hands, he’s a formidable character.

Groot

Groot is a tank with the ability to play a flexible Vanguard role. He can create barriers for defense and deal considerable damage up close. However, his walls can sometimes hinder the team’s offensive efforts, so good communication is key when using him.

Winter Soldier

Winter Soldier has some of the best DPS potential in the game, especially with his Kraken Impact ability. He’s great at isolating enemies, but his true strength lies in his ability to capitalize on kills with his powerful ult.

Psylocke

Psylocke is a formidable flanker with a straightforward kit. While her ult is powerful, her lack of solo potential means she performs best when working with her team. Still, she remains a valuable pick for players who excel at flanking.

B-Tier Heroes: Inconsistent but Fun to Play

B-Tier characters are viable but have some major consistency issues. They often require more skill or specific team compositions to perform well. While fun to play, they may struggle in higher-level matches.

Squirrel Girl

Squirrel Girl is great in the early game, but her damage output becomes inconsistent as players get better at maneuvering their characters. She struggles against airborne targets and becomes less effective at higher ranks.

Jeff the Land Shark

Jeff can be a fun character with decent healing and escape abilities, but his performance drops off as players improve their game. His lack of consistent utility makes him a less reliable pick in higher-level play.

Captain America

Despite his buffs, Captain America still struggles to keep up with other tanks in the Vanguard role. His defensive capabilities are limited, and while fun to play, he’s often outshined by other characters in competitive settings.

Scarlet Witch

Scarlet Witch’s potential is high, especially with her Reality Erasure ult, but its long setup time and vulnerability to counters make her a risky pick. She struggles in higher ranks when players know how to avoid her setups.

Black Widow

Black Widow relies heavily on precision, but in high-level play, snipers are only effective when paired with the right setups. Unfortunately, Black Widow lacks the consistent damage output of other S-Tier or A-Tier heroes.

Spider-Man

Spider-Man is all about movement, but his inconsistency makes him a tough hero to play at higher ranks. Mastering his combos takes time, and if you don’t, he can be a major hindrance to your team.

Iron Fist

Iron Fist is another high-skill DPS hero. His mobility and damage potential are high, but he’s easily countered by characters who can control the battlefield. He also requires the player to perform highly skilled combos to take advantage of his full potential.

If you’re aiming for success in Marvel Rivals Season 1, stick with the S-Tier characters like Doctor Strange, Storm, and Black Panther. These heroes offer the most consistent results and have solid kits. That said, each hero has its own strengths and weaknesses, and with the right coordination, even lower-tier characters can shine in the right hands. Keep an eye out for balance changes and playtesting to stay ahead of the meta and climb the ranks!