Marvel Rivals

A third-person sci-fi team shooter where you pair hero abilities in dynamic team-ups and destroy environments in chaotic 6v6 battles.

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Released Dec 2024 3D / Multiplayer / Sci-fi

For fans of Overwatch 2 hungry for team-up synergies and free-form 6v6, Rivals stabilized at 100k peak after an 82% drop from launch.

7.8 /10

Fair

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You bounce off Overwatch 2's role queue and want a 6v6 free-for-all with no role limits
You play with friends and want hero-pair team-ups (Iron Man+Hulk, Magik+Black Panther) that shape your comp
You enjoy environmental destruction maps and third-person camera over Overwatch's first-person view

Not for you if

You hate live-service grinding for cosmetics and the 990-Lattice Luxury Battle Pass paywall
You want a competitive scene with major prize pools — Overwatch 2's esports scene dwarfs Rivals
You quit games when balance patches every season force you to relearn your main hero

What frustrates them

The matchmaking system's forced 50% win rate and absence of role queue create landslide games and 6 DPS teams in ranked, frustrating long-time players.

See the reviews behind this →

What critics say

8/10IGN
By doing so Marvel Rivals has firmly placed itself in a strong position to take the crown for itself.
Simon CardyDec 2024 Read review →
8/10GameSpot
Marvel Rivals is a refined take on the hero shooter genre that offers more than just being a comic-themed clone.
James CarrJan 2025 Read review →
8.5/10Game Informer
Its gameplay is tight and balanced, its characters are satisfying to use, and I'm coming back to play more every night.
Charles HarteMar 2025 Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

Who are the best heroes in Marvel Rivals in 2026?

Season 7.5 (May 2026) S-tier heroes include Hulk (Vanguard), Groot, Deadpool, Rogue, Hawkeye, Hela, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Invisible Woman across roles. By raw win rate, Peni Parker (59.6%), Daredevil (57.7%), Storm (56.7%), and Magik (55.6%) are the safest mains. Dive comps built around Spider-Man or Psylocke with White Fox or Loki support define the meta. New Season 7.5 hero Black Cat is too fresh to rank confidently.

Source: PCGamesN: Marvel Rivals tier list

Is Marvel Rivals still active in 2026?

Yes — Marvel Rivals is still very active in 2026. Steam concurrent peaks have stabilized around 100,000-105,000 daily players in May 2026, down ~82% from the all-time peak of 644,269 in January 2025 but still one of the largest hero shooters by player base. Console (PS5/PS4/Xbox Series) playerbase is not reflected in those numbers, so true population is significantly larger.

Source: Steam Charts: Marvel Rivals

What's the difference between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2?

Marvel Rivals is third-person 6v6 with three flexible roles (Vanguard tanks, Strategist supports, Duelist DPS) and no role queue, while Overwatch 2 is first-person 5v5 with locked role slots (1 tank, 2 support, 2 DPS). Rivals adds team-up abilities — paired heroes like Iron Man + Hulk or Magik + Psylocke unlock new combat moves — plus map destruction physics that Overwatch 2 lacks. Overwatch 2 has a far larger competitive esports scene.

Source: GameRant: Marvel Rivals vs Overwatch 2

Are Marvel Rivals skins free or do you need to pay?

Marvel Rivals is free-to-play with optional Battle Pass tiers. The free track gives free skins (currently 18+ available across past seasons), but most premium skins require the Luxury Battle Pass at 990 Lattice (~$10) per season. Purchased Battle Passes never expire — you can finish them in future seasons. NetEase regularly drops free skins via login events, achievements, and limited-time campaigns, so dedicated free players accumulate cosmetics over time.

Source: Dexerto: All free Marvel Rivals skins

What are the best team-up abilities in Marvel Rivals?

Top synergies in Season 7.5 include Gamma Charge (Namor + Iron Man), Arcane Order (Doctor Strange + Scarlet Witch — gives Wanda infinite ammo on her right-click), Chilling Assault (Luna Snow + Hawkeye — adds an AOE freezing arrow), Ammo Overload (Rocket + Winter Soldier or Punisher — infinite ammo near Rocket), and Dimensional Shortcut (Magik + Black Panther or Psylocke — melee retreat with healing). Team-ups need an Anchor Hero present to activate.

Source: GamesRadar: Marvel Rivals Team-Ups