Marvel Rivals Characters Confirmed To Be Available At Launch

Key Takeaways

Marvel Rivals set to release on Dec 6, 2024, with every character available from the start, no microtransactions or unlocking needed.
This hero shooter features a wide variety of characters like Captain America, Winter Soldier, Black Panther, Adam Warlock, and more.
Each character in Marvel Rivals has unique abilities and traits, from healing to damage dealing, making gameplay diverse and engaging.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, let me tell you that these Marvel Rivals characters are nothing short of extraordinary! Each one brings a unique blend of abilities and playstyles that cater to different strategies and preferences.

As a thrilled fan, I can’t contain my excitement! After a triumphant alpha and beta phase, it’s officially confirmed that Marvel Rivals is all set to launch on December 6, 2024, graciously available for free on PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5. This hero shooter shares similarities with games like Overwatch or Rogue Company, and just like them, Marvel Rivals boasts an expansive roster of characters.

Instead of having players unlock characters through microtransactions or gradual progression, NetEase Games has announced that Marvel Rivals will offer all characters from its roster at launch, totaling 25 playable characters. Among these are fresh additions like Captain America and the Winter Soldier.

1 Adam Warlock

Wielder Of Quantum Magic

Marvel Rivals Characters Confirmed To Be Available At Launch

Class: Strategist
Difficulty: 2/5
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #66

Despite having godlike power, Adam Warlock is not the damage dealer that one might expect. Instead, he focuses on healing teammates with a simple snap of his fingers that can even heal tanks at incredible rates.

Adam Warlock has the ability to connect with his fellow team members, enabling a gradual healing process for all involved. In this way, everyone benefits from mutual health support, as they collectively share each other’s vitality. This enhanced teamwork also empowers Vanguard classes to offer additional shielding to their allies, leveraging their already substantial health reserves.

2 Black Panther

The King Of Wakanda

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 4/5
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #52

In Wakanda, the ruler displays a variety of attacks and talents typical for this figure, including wielding vibranium claws, hurling javelins, and summoning the spirit of Bast against foes. At first glance, Black Panther appears to be a character relying heavily on close combat; however, he’s more complex than that.

In the heat of combat, Black Panther’s charging forward and swiping attacks often compel him to dart into and out of skirmishes, as ranged adversaries can take him down swiftly. Yet, his rapid speed and nimbleness make it tough for enemies to land a hit, creating a demanding scenario for both parties.

3 Bruce Banner / Hulk

Ths Strongest One There Is

Class: Vanguard
Difficult: 4/5
First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk #1

In Marvel Rivals, Hulk can be characterized as a character who contrasts with Overwatch’s D. Va in a significant way. Unlike D. Va, who shrinks when she needs to evade danger, Hulk begins the game as Bruce Banner and must decide when to transform into his powerful alter ego using his gamma pistol.

In his character, the Hulk possesses typical traits such as thunderclaps, long jumps, uncontrollable rage, and more – all of which are quintessential Hulk attributes. However, he is relatively sluggish with minimal reach, making it essential for him to have at least one teammate to support him when tackling objectives. This aspect of his abilities is reminiscent of the traditional Hulk.

4 Captain America

Sentinel Of Justice And Liberty

Class: Vanguard
Difficulty: Unknown
First Appearance: Captain America Comics #1

Under his iconic shield, Captain America, also known as Steve Rogers, will prove to be a potent Vanguard character in the game Marvel Rivals. His unique skillset includes hurling his shield for powerful ricochet attacks and taking heavy damage, while simultaneously serving as a formidable defensive tool. In fact, it can effectively counterattack against abilities like Iron Man’s ultimate move by reflecting them back.

Steve Rogers, or Captain America, possesses an additional skill: mobilizing his comrades, thereby boosting their capabilities. Unfortunately, it’s important to note that Captain America primarily excels in close-combat attacks, which means that ranged allies may need to offer support during gameplay.

5 Doctor Strange

Master Of The Mystic Arts

Class: Vanguard
Difficulty: 3/5
First Appearance: Strange Tales #110

In much the same way that Doctor Strange is renowned for his magical portals in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these portals make him an effective vanguard when utilized strategically by the right player. These portals not only serve as means of transporting teammates across the map, but they also function like open doorways, allowing teammates to fire at opponents from them.

Apart from these, Doctor Strange possesses additional capabilities. For instance, he can construct sturdy shields that withstand substantial impact before collapsing. His Cloak of Levitation serves as a means of flight. Moreover, he wields the Eye of Agamotto, which metaphorically and concretely incapacitates opponents temporarily, allowing allies to inflict damage during this period.

6 Groot

Prince Of The Floral Colossi

Class: Vanguard
Difficulty: 1/5
First Appearance: Tales to Astonish #13

Similar to Mei in Overwatch, Groot’s colossal floral physique enables him to construct substantial barriers of tough vines that can either obstruct enemy paths or safeguard injured allies. Additionally, these barricades have the added benefit of restoring health to nearby teammates by absorbing damage inflicted on them, Groot himself.

Groot has the ability to immobilize opponents using his vines, making him a substantial character in terms of health due to his Floral Colossus nature. In many Marvel games where the Guardians of the Galaxy are present, Groot tends to combine aspects of both a tank and a supporting character.

7 Hela

The Goddess Of Death

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 3/5
First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #102

As the Goddess of Death, Hela is designed to aggressively attack her enemies, inflicting maximum damage wherever she goes. However, it’s important to note that she excels not just in close combat but also from a distance. With her basic attacks using the Nightsword and her abilities, Hela can accurately target and eliminate opponents from afar.

Flanking the enemy team as Hela is also vital to her gameplay thanks to her Astral Flock ability that allows her to transform into a flock of ravens and quickly soar a distance before changing back. As a result, Hela has something for everybody.

8 Iron Man

Man On A Mission With Armor And High-Tech Ammunition

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 2/5
First Appearance: Tales Of Suspense #39

The wealthy inventor, socialite, and philanthropist embodies the typical traits associated with most Iron Man characters. He possesses the ability to fly, discharge his repulsors, emit a potent energy beam, and command an array of missiles and lasers for attacking foes from above or below using his aerial vantage point.

In the skies, Iron Man operates at peak efficiency, bombarding any adversary within reach and diverting their attention towards himself, clad in his high-tech armor. This tactical maneuver leaves them preoccupied with Iron Man, allowing his fellow team members to seize the objective unopposed.

9 Jeff The Land Shark

Cutest Creature On Land And Sea

Class: Strategist
Difficulty: 2/5
First Appearance: West Coast Avengers #6

An unexpected addition to the Marvel Rivals team is Jeff The Land Shark. At first, he appears adorable and snuggly, but don’t let that deceive you – he packs a punch as a Strategist character. His primary skill involves squirting healing water onto his allies, while his secondary ability lets him spit damaging water balls at enemies.

Whenever I’m ready to cause some serious trouble for my adversaries, I kick into high gear with my Hide and Seek abilities. This lets me dive beneath the surface, swimming faster than ever before. With this power, I can move effortlessly across floors and walls, giving me the edge to outmaneuver or swiftly escape from a battle. My ultimate attack is an unparalleled one, capable of swallowing up enemies in a vast area, ensuring they don’t stand a chance!

10 Loki

The God Of Mischief

Class: Strategist
Difficulty: 4/5
First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #85

Since Loki is known as the Trickster Deity, it’s not surprising that his gaming style revolves around deception and illusion. He has the ability to become invisible, allowing him to move stealthily among enemy ranks, or mimic an opponent in every aspect, including their skills.

Additionally, Loki possesses the ability to heal his comrades by generating a magical field that converts harm into restorative energy. Similar to Jeff, he primarily serves as a supportive character, yet he’s capable of inflicting significant damage, particularly when teamed up with characters such as Thor or Hela.

11 Luna Snow

Superhero Work Never Looked This Cool

Class: Strategist
Difficulty: 2/5
First Appearance: Marvel Future Fight

In an unusual yet delightful twist, Luna Snow combines traits of both superheroes and K-Pop artists. While she’s capable of inflicting damage, her primary focus is maintaining the wellbeing of her teammates. This is achieved through her unique abilities like her aura, which can either amplify the damage dealt by nearby foes or gradually restore their health – its effects depending on the game mode.

Incorporating her ice-based skills, Luna exhibits a remarkable blend of characteristics similar to Mei and Lucio from Overwatch. Although she shares traits with these characters, using elements from Overwatch is fitting given that it set the standard for the hero shooter genre.

12 Magik

Mutant Guardian Of Limbo

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 3/5
First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1

As a gamer controlling Magik in this action-packed game, I’m unleashing my mutant abilities and mystical powers, backed by my reliable blade. My foes on the battlefield had better watch out – Magik is a formidable adversary because she can vanish and reappear at will, making her a real headache to track down. To make things even more challenging, her sword shoots bursts of energy that can take me by surprise. It’s an intense fight every time!

Initially, Magik is among the deadliest side-attacking characters in Marvel Rivals. Moreover, she has the ability to metamorphose into Darkchild, enhancing her health, attack power, and reach simultaneously. Consequently, she could be an excellent choice for novice players.

13 Magneto

Magnetic Protector Of Genosha

Class: Vanguard
Difficulty: 2/5
First Appearance: X-Men #1

If Magneto appears on the opposing side, it’s prudent to eliminate him swiftly. Being the master of magnetism, Magneto possesses an ability to absorb projectiles and environmental elements, transforming them into a devastating meteor that could obliterate your entire team.

Beyond that, it’s worth noting that Magneto possesses a power similar to Reinhardt’s from Overwatch – he can create a vast shield. Moreover, he has the capability of generating protective shields for his adversaries as well. If skillfully managed, his abilities could significantly alter the course of any battle.

14 Mantis

Empathic Guardian Of The Galaxy

Class: Strategist
Difficulty: 1/5
First Appearance: The Avengers #112

As a diehard fan, I’d say another Guardian of the Galaxy who excels in debilitating foes while nurturing allies is none other than Mantis. With a casual toss of her spores, she can momentarily subdue an opponent for a brief span, usually just seconds. However, those few seconds are often all it takes for a damage-focused character to deliver some serious harm or even take the enemy out.

Mantis is quite proficient as a healer because she’s capable of emanating a healing energy or focusing on an ally to gradually restore their health through her Healing Blossom ability. In addition, her damage is potent when used appropriately, allowing her to attack foes from almost any distance.

15 Namor

King Of The Seven Seas

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 2/5
First Appearance: Marvel Comics #1

In the game “Marvel Rivals”, the Sub-Mariner, despite being landbound, possesses the ability to conjure a colossal whale for attack and deploy squid-like turrets to ward off adversaries at range. While his presence might seem unusual to some, it’s essential to remember that he was Marvel Comics’ inaugural superhero.

Even without a body of water in sight, Namor has the ability to construct a protective water shield to mitigate harm. With his trusty trident, Namor proves to be a straightforward and potent contender in the game, often underestimated during the beta phase.

16 Peni Parker

Mechanized Spider-Hero Of Earth-14512

Class: Vanguard
Difficulty: 3/5
First Appearance: Edge of Spider-Verse #5

In numerous aspects, Peni Parker is akin to the Marvel Universe’s counterpart to D. Va: a youthful warrior donning a mechanized battle suit equipped with heavy-duty Gatling guns capable of inflicting significant harm. Yet, unlike D. Va, Peni possesses an unique ability – she can ensnare enemies using Cyber Webs that not only entangle them but also serve as anchors for Peni to securely ascend or flee.

She primarily focuses on achieving her goal, but she also has the power to release a Bionic Spider-Web setup which boosts teammates and restores their health. However, her standout feature is setting up traps using Arachno-Mines that inflict significant damage when detonated.

17 Punisher

Scourge Of The Underworld

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 1/5
First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #129

In many team-based action games similar to “Marvel Rivals”, there’s usually one character that players find is a bit too powerful, and in this case, it’s The Punisher. As expected for his persona, The Punisher uses an assault rifle, but he stands out as the first and only character currently who can switch to another weapon, specifically a shotgun.

1. The Punisher’s arsenal delivers incredible damage, wiping out enemies swiftly. Moreover, he has a deployable turret as his skill and an exosuit brimming with weapons as his ultimate ability, which is so potent that the opposing team is often compelled to retreat or hide.

18 Rocket Raccoon

Gun-Toting Guardian Of The Galaxy

Class: Strategist
Difficulty: 1/5
First Appearance: Marvel Preview #7

Despite being a Strategist class character who shoots healing orbs at his allies, Rocket Raccoon remains true to his character by carrying a large weapon that seems oversized for his small, furry frame – in this instance, it’s a colossal machine gun capable of switching between dealing damage and healing almost instantly.

Similar to a Vanguard, Rocket has the capability of safeguarding his teammates by establishing a Battle Resurrection Beacon, which generates armor supplies. He also possesses a powerful rocket dash and an ultimate skill that amplifies damage, making him appealing to many players.

19 Scarlet Witch

Queen Of Chaos Magic

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 1/5
First Appearance: X-Men #4

In the Marvel Rivals game, Wanda, famed for her potent chaos magic as the Scarlet Witch, floats above the combat, unleashing strong spells that persistently harm any adversary within reach. Since her magic is broad in scope, precise aiming is seldom required.

scarlet witch swiftly transforms battles from breathtaking spectacles into terrifying encounters for her foes. Her unique talent lies not only in her explosive attacks reminiscent of grenades but also in her ability to become ethereal. This transformation makes her abilities lethal and almost impossible to evade as she summons chaos magic, annihilating any adversary within reach.

20 Spider-Man

Wall-Crawling, Web-Slinging, New York Hero

Class: Duelist
Difficulty: 5/5
First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15

If someone thinks that Spider-Man will behave as he does in the Insomniac games, they are wrong. The only connection is Yuri Lowenthal once again delivering an outstanding performance with his voice, similar to the games. In contrast, Marvel Rivals features a more intricate Spider-Man, given his lower health and complex combat system.

To perform effectively, the player should consistently combine Spider-Man’s web-related skills and movement attacks. Keep in mind that Spider-Man is not particularly strong, so it’s often wise to flee from battles as quickly as you can, much like Black Panther.

2024-08-24 11:05