With NetEase Games' highly-anticipated super-hero shooter,Marvel Rivals, officially in its pre-Alpha phase, the game has garnered quite a bit of attention. Though the playtest is only set for ten days, the most dominant characters have quickly become apparent. Intriguingly, boasting nineteen heroes in the closed Alpha,Marvel Rivalsthrows players into a world of diverse hero abilities and ultimates to learn and manage.
Notably, players familiar with hero shooters likeOverwatch 2andPaladins, or MOBAs likeSmite, will likely find their experience influencing their character choices inMarvel Rivals. With comparisons already drawn betweenOverwatch 2andMarvel Rivals, some characters' abilities could be reminiscent of those found in Blizzard’s game. As such, these similarities suggest some strategies and tactics from the former could be strong in this game too.
Experience With Overwatch 2’s Heroes May Be An Advantage for Marvel Rivals
Many of Marvel Rivals' Duelists Share Similar Traits to Overwatch 2’s Heroes
Hela, the Asgardian goddess of Death, has quickly become a top performer inMarvel Rivals. Players liken her to a moredamage-focused version ofOverwatch 2’s Kirikosince they share similar throwing weapons and possess an escape ability. However, Hela has an incredibly high time to kill and an ultimate capable of one-shotting enemy squishies, which makes her a force to be reckoned with. Additionally, since Hela doesn’t have any means to heal her teammates, she doesn’t need to support her team in the way that Kiriko does.
With Hela performing so well in the closed Alpha, NetEase Games may make adjustments to her damage output by the time the game officially launches.
For players accustomed to hitscan heroes like Ashe, Widowmaker, or Bastion inOverwatch 2, The Punisher may feel familiar. Equipped with a versatile weapon system, The Punisher can seamlessly transition between an automatic rifle for mid-range engagements and a devastating shotgun for close-quarters combat. Additionally, he can utilize a deployable cable akin to Widowmaker’s Grappling Hook to get to high ground. Combined with a turret form reminiscent ofBastion’s Assault configuration, this Duelist is a compelling choice because he can get significant value without being overly aggressive.
Marvel Rivals' Heroes With More Niche Kits May Also Feel Familiar
Intriguingly, Black Panther shares similar traits toOverwatch 2’s Genji. With a kit that gives him a lunge that refreshes if he hits an enemy, it parallelsGenji’s Swift Strike,which resets after securing an elimination. Coupled with melee abilities and a wall climb called Subtle Step, Black Panther excels at getting in and out of the enemy backline. If given teammates who can follow up on his targets, the Duelist has immense potential.
Furthermore,Moira players who enjoy a more offensive playstyleshould find a kindred spirit in Scarlet Witch. Both characters possess basic attack abilities that deal significant damage without being aim-dependent. Remarkably, her Mystic Projection gives her an escape mechanism via free flight, much like Moira’s Fade. However, unlike Moira’s Coalescence, Scarlet Witch’s ultimate ability unleashes a devastating attack, akin to the massive damage dealt by D.Va’s Self-Destruct.
“Moira players who enjoy a more offensive playstyle should find a kindred spirit in Scarlet Witch.”
Star-Lord’s skillset offers an intriguing blend of mechanics reminiscent of severalOverwatch 2flank DPS heroes, namely Soldier: 76, Tracer, and Reaper. With Dual Element guns, Star-Lord thrives when he can pressure the enemy team from off angles. Additionally, his Blaster Barrage, which is on an eight-second cooldown, is comparable to Reaper’s Death Blossom, though it has significantly less damage output. On top of an ultimate that allows him to lock on to enemies, akin to Soldier: 76’s Tactical Visor, Star-Lord can be extremely lethal in the right hands.
Support Players From Overwatch 2 May Find Comparable Traits in Marvel Rivals
For those who opt to play a Strategist inMarvel Rivals, Mantis may feel familiar because she seemingly borrows abilities fromOverwatch 2heroes like Brigitte, Ana, Mercy, and Lucio. Though she has a limited number of Life Orbs, analogous to Brigitte’s Repair Pack, Mantis has Healing Flowers that grant allies healing over time. Alongside her immense healing output, she has a Spore Slumber that can sedate unsuspecting enemies, a damage boost, and an ultimate that resembles Lucio’s Sound Barrier because it grants both healing over time and a movement boost.
In a similar vein, the ice-skatingLuna Snow may beMarvel Rivals' answer to Lucioand Zenyatta. Luna Snow possesses an Idol Aura capable of attachment to an allied character, providing them with continuous healing, mirroring the functionality of Zenyatta’s Orb of Harmony. Further augmenting her strategic utility is her Mei-like ice shards and game-changing ultimate. Her ultimate ability, theorized to share similarities with Zenyatta’s Transcendence, empowers Luna Snow to dynamically toggle between a damage amplification effect and an area-of-effect heal for her teammates, solidifying her position as a highly adaptable support character.
Finally,Rocket Raccoon is one of the game’s best Strategists, mostly because he can heal both his teammates and himself, resurrect teammates, and inflict heavy damage. After debuting in the closed Alpha with Cosmic Yarn Amplifier (C.Y.A), an ultimate that gives his team a damage boost, it’s clear why many players inMarvel Rivals' leaderboard are running compositions with the anthropomorphic raccoon. In many ways, he mirrors Baptiste, though the latter can only heal himself with his Regenerative Burst.
Honorable mentions of other heroes withOverwatch 2reminiscent abilities include, but aren’t limited to:
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
