Marvel Rivals: How To Play Thor

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As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the strategy guide for Thor in Marvel Rivals is nothing short of impressive. It’s clear that the author has a deep understanding of the game and knows how to leverage each hero’s unique abilities effectively.

For those aiming to excel as Vanguards in Marvel Rivals, mastering gameplay with Thor, one of the top and multi-faceted frontline characters, is advisable. Known as Thor Odinson, he’s the mighty Norse God of Thunder, but his abilities are exclusive to a select few in the game. To make the most out of your time in any game mode, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with some key details about this Aesir before you dive in.

In this tutorial, we’ll outline skills, optimal strategies, combos, and ideal team formations to transform you into a powerful Thor. We’ll kick things off with an overview of abilities, giving you a better understanding of what each skill Thor possesses does and how they can be effectively used in battle.

Thor Abilities Overview

  • Mjolnir Bash: Thor’s basic attack (melee range) press to hit, hold to chain a combo sequence of three blows. It can be blocked by certain abilities (like Captain America’s Shield).
  • God of Thunder: Ultimate ability – Thor soars into the sky and charges Mjolnir, then slams the ground for an AoE that deals 240 Damage plus 40 extra damage if the enemy remains for 0.5 in the area. It is important to mention that the initial impact will also affect flying enemies above the AoE up to 20 meters in the air. The extra AoE damage only affects grounded enemies.
  • Storm Surge: Thor spins the hammer to fly in the pointing direction, holding down the button will charge and make it fly even further. Pushes back enemies and can be used to smash, interrupt, and throw enemies down a ledge.
  • Lightning Realm: Thor creates a bubble AoE with his body as epicenter. Enemies inside the bubble are slowed down (by 30%) and take 40 damage per second. The effect also returns 1 Thorforce per enemy inside the bubble.
  • Awakening Rune: Consumes Thorforce to empower Mjolnir Bash, turning it into a mid-range attack, and granting Thor bonus Health, as well as a damaging AoE that damages melee opponents.
  • Hammer Throw: Thor throws Mjolnir in the pointing direction, causing 70 Damage on the first impact, and 30 when the hammer returns to his hand. The initial flight speed is slower, but the return speed is faster and cannot be blocked.
  • Thorforce (Passive): Thor has a marker of three hammers, that represent Thorforce. Each time Thor uses an ability, he consumes Thorforce and restores 100 Health for abilities that consume 1 Thorforce, and 200 Health for abilities that consume 3 Thorforce.
  • Team-Up Bonus 1 – Odinson Reborn: When Hela plays in the same team and kills an enemy, she can immediately make Thor and Loki respawn at base, or grant them a considerable Health boost if alive.
  • Team-Up Bonus 2 – Thunderous Deity: When Thor plays alongside Captain America and Storm, he gains an extra 100 to Health, and grants empowering bonuses to his companions. Storm gains an Electric Barrage attack, while Captain America gains bonus movement speed, and his shield is empowered with electricity, causing AoE electric damage to his rivals.

Players should understand that Thor’s abilities don’t depend on the Thorforce meter specifically; they can still use any ability regardless of its status. However, using abilities without a filled Thorforce bar won’t grant additional healing benefits, which could be an issue for Vanguards who thrive on taking numerous attacks.

In other words, players should strategically utilize Thor’s special moves to gain an edge in combat:

As a gamer, I’ve found a clever trick: before unleashing the God of Thunder ultimate, I often use Storm Surge to maneuver myself, even vertically, to bridge the gap quicker. This tactic allows me to deal a heavy blow to the enemy team more efficiently. Furthermore, following up with Lightning Realm amplifies the area-of-effect (AoE) combo’s power significantly. By doing so, I can isolate the enemy frontliners from their Strategist and ranged Duelists, making it tough for them to collaborate effectively.

How To Play Thor In Marvel Rivals

It’s likely that players have figured out by now that Thor excels at bridging the distance between opponents, pushing them back, and putting pressure on other Vanguards. Compared to Hulk and Venom, he may not be as tough, but he makes up for it with higher damage output and utility. If played skillfully, Thor can manage without much healing from a Strategist, but keep in mind that his self-sustain abilities should not be overestimated; if misused, he could find himself in a difficult situation quickly.

In most game scenarios, it’s best to take the front line together with your fellow tank-like characters, provided there’s another ‘Vanguard’ on the team. Ideally, the team should consist of 2 Vanguards, 1 close combat specialist, 1 ranged combat specialist, 1 strategic support, and 1 healing strategist. However, since not every game has all these roles filled, Thor can fulfill both melee duelist and vanguard duties in a pinch.

To achieve success as a Thor player, it’s essential to frequently switch between engaging and disengaging. Leading solo into battle without backup can be risky and counterproductive, as the opposing team might see this as an opportunity to launch an attack. In other words, avoid overextending yourself.

Let’s take a look at each game mode and Thor’s strategy in more detail:

Convoy Mode

In combat situations, team up with fellow frontline characters such as Hulk, Venom, Peni Parker, or Magneto. Given that Thor has lower defensive abilities than other frontliners, partnering with Magneto who offers both ranged attacks and supportive skills will make your duo an indomitable pair, making it difficult for the enemy team to counter them effectively unless they attack simultaneously, or characters like Jeff The Land Shark try to separate you from the battlefield. For Vanguards like Thor, the greatest threat is being overpowered by tactical maneuvers, so stay near the combat zone and your team’s strategist to bolster defense and support.

If the primary goal gets thwarted and there’s no alternative but to halt the opponent from advancing the payload, Thor might transition into an initiator role and spearhead the attack to drive melee Duelists and Vanguards away from the moving objective. This tactic will make it simpler for the team to focus on them. Remember, Storm Surge can be utilized not just as an initiation move but also as an escape plan, so be aware of that.

In the heat of battle, focus on making the adversary’s front-line characters engage Thor, while aligning yourself with Captain America, Venom, or Winter Soldier to execute a winning strategy in skirmishes. When necessary, withdraw and avoid solo attacks with Thor, as he could become isolated and prematurely respawn if not supported. If Hela and Loki are with Thor, his power will surge, allowing him to resurrect every time Hela slays an enemy. However, there’s a slim possibility that he may also be joined by Hulk, Captain America, and Storm, forming the most potent offensive team in the gameplay modes.

After the location is freed up, stay with the objective and hide behind it to minimize damage from long-range attackers. This action will provoke the enemy to send their frontline troops to push me out of this convenient hiding spot, causing them to send Melee Duelists and Vanguards instead. Seize this opportunity to unleash Lightning Realm and Awakening Rune, instilling fear in them and inflicting more casualties on the opposing team.

Domination Mode

In essence, dominating an area, much like other strategies, necessitates holding onto it for a certain duration. This limits Thor’s opportunities to leverage its hybrid melee/range tank abilities, leading to subpar performance. Consequently, Thor becomes quite vulnerable when guarding an area, and pairing with Vanguards offering more protection, such as Hulk or Venom, is advisable. However, if Thor teams up with Magneto, they form a potent duo in the Domination Mode. They are ideal for controlling zones, and only opponents boasting powerful Area of Effect skills like Jeff and Psylocke pose a significant threat to them.

Magneto’s protective shielding will compensate for Thor’s mitigation weaknesses, while Thor will assist Magneto by circling around him to prevent enemies from overwhelming him due to his slow attack speed and vulnerability. This pair has forced several teams to give up, so remember this combination if the situation calls for it. Moon Knight is also a suitable ally because his quick and adaptable abilities can aid both Magneto and Thor in dealing with enemy flankers.

Convergence Mode

During battle, consistently stay with fellow Vanguards and never lose track of our objective: ensuring adversaries don’t capture the specified area. Initiating action first is a significant advantage for Thor, as he can select the ideal zone to safeguard and adjust his position if the enemy attempts to outmaneuver him. Make an effort to team up with Strategists and other Vanguards, and always prioritize protecting Duelists’ operational range, as they will frequently search for Thor when they feel overpowered.

While in the Offense phase, work alongside Duelists and other Vanguards, keeping them within your sights at all times. Thor functions best as a team player rather than a pursuer or instigator; his role is to kickstart successful openings for the team. Be alert for opponents employing Iron Fist or Psylocke to disrupt your Duelists and Strategists. Prioritize Hawkeye, Mantis, Jeff, Cloack & Dagger, and Luna Snow as they are particularly susceptible to such flank attacks. Utilize Lightning Realm in their vicinity and seek refuge within it to thwart Melee Duelists from escaping with effortless victories.

Because attacking teams make their move second, there’s a good chance that Thor can set himself up in an advantageous spot initially. However, if this isn’t the case, he could become susceptible to enemy maneuvers from the flank. Keep an eye on allies guarding his back; if they suddenly disappear, Thor is at his most vulnerable and should adjust his position promptly to avoid trouble. Utilize Storm Surge as a means of escaping potential ambushes.

How To Counter Thor In Marvel Rivals

In simpler terms, we’ll show players how to capitalize on Thor’s significant weakness – his lack of defense mechanisms – and provide strategies for overpowering him effectively across various game scenarios.

As a gamer, I always need to be on my toes when facing off against Thor. He’s got this knack for causing trouble at both close quarters and mid-range fights. His ability to hurl Mjolnir, pushback enemies, and take flight when the heat is on makes him quite a handful. Worst comes to worst, he’ll appear out of nowhere and unleash God of Thunder, obliterating my entire team in a single powerful strike. So I always keep an eye out for attacks from high ground.

Convoy Mode

In the heat of battle, make good use of those valuable extra moments to strike first and secure a vantage point with an unobstructed view of your target zone. Characters such as Black Widow and Hawkeye are particularly formidable against Thor due to their long-range precision shooting abilities. Characters like the Punisher, Star-Lord, and Jeff the Land Shark, who excel in mid-range combat, can quickly overpower Thor. Psylocke’s Dance of the Butterfly technique can reduce Thor to pieces more swiftly than any other hero on the field.

While Attacking, focus on Thor’s witty remarks as he tends to be quite vocal, which could help you pinpoint his location. Be extra cautious around Thor, as his ultimate ability poses a significant threat if your team is unprepared. Due to Storm Surge and his ultimate, Thor can leap into the air twice, making it challenging to discern a genuine ult attack from a bluff. Utilize swift-ranging characters like Punisher or Star-Lord to keep him on the move, and aim to lure him away from the rest of your team.

Domination Mode

In Domination, handling Thor isn’t too challenging because he tends to stay in one place. Luring him away from his spot or approaching from the side usually works well, but be cautious: he can transform into a mid-range attacker using Awakening Rune, which can make dealing with him tricky when he’s been fortified by Thorforce.

Choosing agile characters who excel at close combat, such as Star-Lord and Winter Soldier, with rapid strikes that easily overpower their opponents could be advantageous when facing Thor in Awakening mode. However, keep in mind that focusing too much on Thor might leave the rest of his team unguarded. It’s wise to draw Thor away from his allies before launching an attack.

Convergence Mode

When it comes to Defense, much like Convoy mode, those extra moments to maneuver close to the target zone are invaluable. Facing off against Thor, this can be exploited to lure him out of his preferred territory. Utilizing characters such as Hawkeye or Black Widow, there’s a good likelihood they’ll provoke Thor into chasing them (unless Spiderman is also on the team), which gives our side the edge required to clear the opponents from the target area. Since Thor guards Duelists and Strategists, if he strays away from them, keep him engaged long enough for us to eliminate the rest of the team.

As a cunning gamer, I find that during the Offense phase, circling around becomes the optimal move here. Thor tends to stand guard over Strategists, teaming up with Magneto, Hulk, or Venom to safeguard the area. A clever player would aim to dodge these flanking attempts and counter-attack opponents as they advance. It’s best to maintain distance when Thor activates Lightning Realm; not only will it boost his strength, but it also inflicts harm on attackers who dare single him out.

Best Team Composition For Thor In Marvel Rivals

Thor gains significant advantages when interacting with Magneto, Rocket Raccoon, and Jeff The Land Shark as their collaborative abilities aid in both defense and offense. However, for optimal outcomes, the ideal team to partner with Thor consists of Hulk, Hela, Loki, Captain America, and Storm.

The Hulk boasts impressive defense capabilities and serves as a robust shield, effectively balancing out Thor’s vulnerabilities. On the other hand, Loki and Hela enjoy substantial advantages when teamed up with Thor, with Hela’s unique ability to swiftly revive or nearly restore Thor and Loki following the defeat of an opponent. Lastly, Captain America and Storm gain significant strength through their partnership with Thor due to the Team-Up passive Thunderous Deity.

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2024-12-10 11:04