Knowing how to play both as your main and a few pocket picks is a must if you plan to reach One Above All as a Vanguard in Marvel Rivals. However, given how each of the tanks plays fundamentally differently, understanding their strengths and playstyles can give you an edge. Here are quick guides on how to play all Vanguards in Marvel Rivals.
- Table of Contents:
How to play Peni Parker in Marvel Rivals
- Health: 650
- Best Modes: Domination and Convergence (Defense)
My favorite among the class, Peni is a Vanguard that shines when the subject is keeping position, as she can set up her Bionic Spider-Nest to create a literal minefield capable of also offering healing over time and a welcome movement boost. She is also the only Vanguard to have full auto normals. To give you a better look, you can check out Peni’s full kit below:
With Peni, the most important thing is picking the perfect spots to plant your nest and staying within its reach, as she won’t be able to put up a front against divers or even other tanks while outside of its range. Remember, after an opponent steps in the web, all mines within it will rush towards them.
She will also have in her Cyber Bond a great tool for evading death, so keep it hooked or at the ready. Making careful us𝓀e of her Cyber-Web Snare will also be a must here, as it can be used to set up sure kills and stop enemy Ultimates by binding them. When using Spider-Sweeper, make sure to prioritize the enemy backline and cover any escape paths for sure kills.
How to play Venom
- Health: 650 (+150 in on teams featuring Peni Parker or Spider-Man)
- Best Modes: Convergence and Convoy
A Duelist in all but name, Venom shines by being able to dive in with Frenzied Arrival, cause chaos, and then swing out if things go south by performing Venom Swing. His ability to get a second wind and a large amount of bonus HP with Symbiotic Resilience also allows him to excel by harassing enemies. So that the above can make sense, you can check out a quick overview of all of Venom’s skills below, as shown in-game:
Given his ability to score headshots, being aggressive is the norm when using Venom, so don’t be scared to dive into your opponent’s backline to keep their Tacticians and even Duelists on their toes. Keep in mind, however, that the low uptime of Symbiotic Resilience can make him easy prey when ganged upon while Venom Swing’s 8-second cooldown will also mean that once you dive, you will be there for a while. To avoid that, always stay in sync with a healer and never overextend.
How to play Hulk in Marvel Rivals
- Health: 200 (Bruce Banner) / 650 (Hero Hulk) / 1400 (Monster Hulk) + 150 to both Hero and Monster Hulk if paired with Doctor Strange or Iron Man
- Best Modes: All when on the offense
An extremely oppressive Vanguard that demands constant support from your strategists, Hulk’s playstyle lies in leading the charge and breaking the opposition apart to create space. Once Monster Hulk takes the stage, his gameplay streamlines, as no hero will be able to compete with the Green Goliath at close/medium-range range. You can check out an overview of Hulk’s whole kit below:
You can check out how to p𓄧lay all Hulk variants, as well as Brune Banner below:
- Bruce Banner: The rule with Bruce Banner is simple, just go Hulk as soon as possible. Don’t forget that his Gamme Grenade can work as both a source of Gamma and a last-minute keep-of-move when in emergencies.
- Hero Hulk: After turning into Hulk, your goal should lie in using Incredible Leap to apply pressure and being the vocal point in your team’s offense, all while using his gamma shields to support. If well covered, don’t hesitate to dive into the backline. Rely on Radioactive Lockdown to pick up Duelists and out-of-positions Tacticians.
- Monster Hulk: When in Monster form, your goal should lie in smashing the opposition and pushing them back. Although he has in his World Breaker combos a great tool for close range, I recommend spamming his enhanced Gamma Burst projectiles when in a pinch, given their 1-second cooldown and devastating damage.
How to play Thor
- Health: 625 + 100 if paired with Storm or Captain America
- Best Modes: Convergence and Convoy
Although not as mobile as Venom, Thor is an adaptable Vanguard who relies on the constant use of his abilities to maximize his da🌜mage and generate Thorforce stacks, which must be consumed to perform most of his kit. Each stack will also generate bonus health upon being used and will help Thor self-sustain/make up for his low health pool. You can check out the in-game overview of his kit below.
As shown above, resource management is key when playing Thor, as although Awakening Rune will be your ace in the hole, withholding resources will spell your doom. Ideally, you want to hold your position and look for o♚penings to catch out-of-position Duelists and Strategists by performing Storm Surge and then following up with Hammer Throw.
It’s also worth pointing out that Thor has access to one of the best Team Up Abilities in the game, which allows him to either immediately come back from the dead or get a welcome boost in health after Hela performs eliminations. If paired with Captain America or Storm, he can then both boost their damage and get a welcome 100 HP boost.
How to play Doctor Strange
- Health: 650
- Best Modes: All
The most straightforward vanguard in Marvel Rivals, Doctor Strange is a tank that relies on leading the charge via his high normal attack damage and Shield of Seraphim’s 800 DMG absorption. His ability to deal decent AoE damage with Maelstrom of Madness and set up team whippings with Eye of Agamotto (his Ultimate) also allows him to excel when in clutch situations. Here’s an overview of his kit:
When taking the field as the Sorcerer Supreme, you will be your team’s first line of defense. To perform in the role, make sure to avoid leaving his shield up needlessly, as it will become an easy target and stop you from attacking. In most cases, it’s best to flicker it while trading to keep pressure and save it to counter ultimates or protect your backline in emergencies. Do not forget, however, that the Shield of Seraphim can only block projectile damage.
Offensive-wise, Strange will rely on canceling his medium-range normals for close-range pressure. Pairing Eye of Agamotto with Maelstrom of Madness can also be a death sentence to prꩵetty much all Duelists and Strategists under 80% HP via its double damage.
How to play Magneto in Marvel Rivals
- Health: 650
- Best Modes: Convergence and Convoy
The Lord of Magnetism, Magneto plays extremely similar to Strange given his ability to deploy his Metallic Curtain and protect both himself and his allies with his magnetic shields. He, however, also has access to long-range offensi﷽ve tools via his normals and Mag-Cannon. If using Scarlet Witch, that goes even further g🍃iven the high damage and range of Metallic Fusion. You can check out the in-game overview of his kit below:
When usiꦉng Magneto, you will be the bastion of your offense, usually found leading the charge or providing your allies with the protection needed to go for the kill. To make up for his low movement speed, you must rely on Metallic Curtain to nullify damage while making your advance. Make sure to also save Mag-Cannon to cripple the opposing backline or any DPSs trying to dive in.
As His Meteor M Ultimate will force the opposing team to mobilize, I only recommend using it as a defensive/set-up tool, as the Meteor will leave DPSs such as The Punisher, Iron Man, and Star-Lord powerles♏s.
How to play Groot
- Health: 700 (+150 if paired with Rocket Raccoon or Jeff)
- Best Modes: Domination / Convergence and Convoy if paired with Rocket or Jeff
A pick that shines in maps where paths can be easily blocked, Groot makes up for his low mobility and situational kit by pairing the highest HP among the class with the ability to grow walls at will. Once planted, his walls can either help him stay in the fight through bonus health or damage enemies nearby. Groot can also pair his Furious Flora sequence with his long-reaching normals for a solid normal/melee combo. Here’s an overview of his kit:
When playing Groot, the key will lie in taking point while sniping away out-of-position Strategists. This strategy works even better if paired with Rocket Racoon, as he can both keep Groot alive and boost your ranged damage via Friendly Shoulder. When defending in more cramped maps, position your walls in a way that will force enemy teams into ambushes. Just be careful not to plant them in a way that will close off your teammate’s angles or separate them.
How to play Captain America
- Health: 675
- Best Modes: Convoy and Convergence
The most mobile among the class, Captain America’s gameplay revolves around diving into the backlines and hunting down out-of-position heroes. If used at the right time, his Ultimate (Freedom Charge) can also become a game-changer given its team-focused effects. You can check out the in-game overview of his kit below:
Similarly to both Hulk and Venom, mobility is key when play🌞ing Captain America, as his shield throws can be specifically deadly when the subject is targeting more nimble or fragile heroes. To make the most out of it, make constant use of his Leading Dash and Super Soldier Slam combo to dive on top of the opposing backline or even quickly traverse. Do not forget, however, that although his shield can withstand a fair amount of damage, its 400 value and low recharge speed makes saving it for the right situations a must.
Published: Feb 1, 2025 09:05 am