Top Hero Shooters Ranked by Character Count: Which Game Reigns Supreme?

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Summary

  • Siege offers a vibrant 5v5 experience with 70+ unique Operators to play around with.
  • Quake Champions combines fast-paced gunplay with strategic Champions, each with unique abilities.
  • Valorant stands out with tactical gameplay, emphasizing gunplay over abilities, and continues to add new Agents regularly.

Essentially, Hero-Shooters refer to games where players select from a variety of characters, such as heroes, operators, or champions, each having unique roles and special abilities before engaging in combat. Although hero shooters have existed for quite some time, it was Team Fortress 2 by Valve that popularized this subgenre within the mainstream gaming community. Today, there’s an abundance of similar games on the market, varying greatly in quality, gameplay mechanics, and crucially for our list, the number of characters they feature.

Introducing new characters in a game can be a daring move for creators, as there’s always the possibility they might become overpowered. Yet, the advantage lies in offering an expansive range of playstyles to players. So, if you’re eager to dive into a hero shooter with an extensive roster, take a look at these games below – they boast the broadest spectrum of heroes across the entire genre.

8. Quake Champions

Number Of Heroes: 15+

The “Quake” series has consistently won the hearts of gamers with its thrilling, fast-paced shooting action that gets the adrenaline pumping. It’s true that “Quake Champions” maintains this excitement, but also brings in a strategic element to the intense gameplay. This is done by introducing Champions, each of whom has a unique active ability for surprising opponents and dealing damage, as well as a passive ability.

Initially, some longtime enthusiasts questioned if these skills might unfairly influence matches, given that Quake is predominantly about sharp shooting skills. Over time, though, these abilities have been lessened to preserve a level playing field. Despite being reduced in power, they remain potent enough to make each Champion feel confident in combat.

7. Dirty Bomb

Number Of Heroes: 20+

As a devoted gamer, even though Splash Damage ceased their support for Dirty Bomb in 2018, they somehow managed to cram a good variety of Mercs into this wild hero shooter. Each Merc comes armed with their unique weapons and gear, giving players the freedom to choose between stealthy, tactical, or all-out aggressive playstyles when aiming for objectives.

Discussing strategies, certain Mercenaries are built for holding ground and securing strategic locations, whereas others perform better by moving freely across the map. Therefore, having a variety of characters is essential if you want to increase your chances of victory. Although no new Mercenaries will be added to Dirty Bomb in the future, the game continues to have a substantial player base, making it an exciting prospect for those curious about understanding these unique characters.

6. Valorant

Number Of Heroes: 25+

In most hero-shooter games, players are typically urged to jump straight into combat and use their attacks and abilities as swiftly as they can. However, Valorant follows a unique path. Often referred to as a strategic version of Counter-Strike, this game adopts a more gradual and tactical style compared to many other hero shooters available currently. Each Agent in the game has distinct abilities, but these can only be obtained with cash at the start of each round, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay.

This mechanism prevents players from solely depending on their skills throughout the entire game, instead prompting them to concentrate more on their shooting skills. Given that this is a game where single headshots with most guns are typically decisive, accurate aiming becomes crucial for securing victories. With Valorant’s immense popularity and its recent availability across all platforms, Riot Games plans to consistently introduce new Agents to maintain the experience engaging and enjoyable.

5. Apex Legends

Number Of Heroes: 25+

Discussing the category of experimental team-based shooters, Apex Legends is another game that opted for an unusual route by incorporating the battle royale style of play, yet preserving the hero element. In this game, teams consist of three players with a maximum of 60 players on the map at once, which necessitates a diverse range of characters, or Legends, to ensure variety and prevent repetition. It’s accurate to say that there is an ample number of Legends to select from.

From 2019 onwards, Respawn has consistently worked on enhancing the game by introducing more than just balance adjustments and new appearances. They’ve also been adding new characters, each tailored to one of the game’s five roles. This categorization aids new players in understanding the unique skills each character offers, as teamwork is crucial in this game. Each character possesses abilities that can strengthen their team members, leading to some fascinating character combinations.

4. Marvel Rivals

Number Of Heroes: 35+

Looking at Marvel Rivals, one might have thought it would be limited in character selection and gameplay due to its quick release after announcement. However, players were pleasantly surprised when they launched the game to find over 30 characters available, divided into Duelists, Vanguard, or Strategist roles.

One reason Marvel Rivals has kept a significant number of players since its debut is due to the distinct tactical options these characters offer during combat. For instance, pairing particular characters together triggers unique advantages, such as Captain America acquiring a lightning shield from Thor or Bucky benefiting from infinite ammo when Rocket Raccoon is present. Given that Marvel is known for its vast cast of heroes and villains, developers NetEase have a rich source to draw from. With their assurance of continued support for the game in the future, players are eagerly anticipating more characters to be added to the already extensive roster, each with their own desired additions to the lineup.

3. Overwatch 2

Number Of Heroes: 40+

Initially launched in 2016, Overwatch garnered considerable acclaim from both players and critics, not only due to its robust and gratifying gameplay mechanics, but also the captivating character aesthetics. Given Blizzard’s reputation, this level of appreciation was anticipated; however, the team has persistently introduced fresh characters with eye-catching designs, along with a plethora of skins that can be purchased for each one, even after several years have passed.

Due to the extended period that Overwatch has been available, players have grown accustomed to its typical gameplay pattern. As a result, the arrival of a fresh hero is usually a significant event because they can significantly alter the dynamics when they join the fray. For instance, Brigitte combines both Tank and Support roles, or Kiriko can instantly teleport to her teammates – these are only a few instances demonstrating how new heroes bring unique excitement to matches.

2. Paladins

Number Of Heroes: 55+

Hi-Rez Studios stands out as one of the top game developers when it comes to crafting a vibrant and engaging roster of playable characters. They’ve demonstrated this versatility with their MOBA game, Smite, but truly showcased their creative prowess with Paladins. With more than 50 Paladins available, players are indeed fortunate in terms of choice. However, each unique character offers a distinct level of complexity when it comes to gameplay.

For instance, Jenos and Seris are simple champions ideal for beginners, offering team support through their healing abilities. On the other hand, Nyx, who demands strategy and quick thinking, might take some time to master, but this progression allows players to climb the skill levels at their own pace, experimenting with more challenging champions along the way.

1. Rainbow Six Siege

Number Of Heroes: 70+

In the year 2015 when Ubisoft launched “Rainbow Six Siege”, they mentioned that they aimed to eventually include 100 distinct Operators in the game. Initially, this statement appeared more like a jest than a genuine aspiration, but given the game’s widespread popularity and frequent updates, reaching this number no longer seems implausible. The Operators in “Siege” are divided into two categories: Attackers and Defenders. Each one carries a unique set of weapons, equipment, and gadgets to employ throughout a match.

In essence, these gadgets are true innovators, adding depth and strategy to the gameplay experience. For instance, certain Operators can employ cameras for reconnaissance purposes, detecting approaching adversaries, while others can deploy explosive drones to create chaos and disrupt the enemy team’s organization. Furthermore, there are Operators known as Breachers whose main role is to create an entry point by blowing open a hole in the bomb site. This is merely scratching the surface of what these Operators can do, and with the fresh release of Siege X, offering significant updates to the game, it’s the perfect moment to immerse yourself in the most character-rich hero shooter available.

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2025-03-15 08:05