Knowing which heroes are strong is one thing. Knowing how to build a team around them is what actually wins ranked games in Marvel Rivals. This guide goes beyond the tier list with four proven team compositions, synergy breakdowns, and counter-picking strategies for Season 6.5.
For individual hero rankings, check our Marvel Rivals tier list. If you’re having launch issues, see our Marvel Rivals won’t launch fix guide.
Current Meta Overview (Season 6.5)
The Season 6.5 meta strongly favors strategic utility — heroes with crowd control, shields, and anti-heal abilities dominate. The S-tier picks you’ll see in most ranked games:
- Vanguards: Magneto (practically required — Metal Bulwark bubble is that good), Hulk
- Duelists: Hela, Daredevil, Magik, Gambit
- Strategists: Invisible Woman, Rocket Raccoon, Doctor Strange
Key meta note: At Diamond rank and above, each team bans 2 heroes. Magneto and Gambit are the most common bans, so have backup plans.
Comp 1: Standard 2-2-2 (53% Win Rate)
The most consistent composition in ranked. Two Vanguards, two Duelists, two Strategists.
Example lineup:
- Vanguards: Magneto + Hulk
- Duelists: Hela + Daredevil
- Strategists: Rocket Raccoon + Invisible Woman
Why it works: Magneto’s bubble protects the team while Hela and Daredevil deal damage from safety. Rocket Raccoon provides AoE healing while Invisible Woman offers targeted protection. Hulk creates space and disrupts enemy positioning.
When to run it: This is your default. If you don’t know what to play, 2-2-2 is always solid.
Comp 2: Triple Support (1-2-3)
One Vanguard, two Duelists, three Strategists. Controversial but dominant in organized play.
Example lineup:
- Vanguard: Magneto
- Duelists: Hela + Magik
- Strategists: Gambit + Rocket Raccoon + Invisible Woman
Why it works: Nearly every Strategist ultimate makes the team borderline unkillable. With three supports running at once, the team can outlast anything. Gambit provides CC cleanse plus buffs, Rocket heals the group, and Invisible Woman protects the carry.
Counter: Dive comps with Daredevil. Focus fire on one Strategist at a time.
Comp 3: Poke Comp
Win through sustained ranged pressure without committing to close-range fights.
Example lineup:
- Vanguard: Magneto (infinite shield absorption at range)
- Duelists: Hela + Star-Lord or Phoenix
- Strategists: Doctor Strange + Luna Snow
Why it works: Magneto’s bubble blocks incoming poke while your Duelists chip down the enemy team from safety. Doctor Strange provides portals for repositioning if enemies close the gap.
When to run it: On maps with long sightlines. Struggles against coordinated dive.
Comp 4: Brawl / Deathball
Group as five, steamroll with superior close-range CC and healing.
Example lineup:
- Vanguards: Emma Frost + Hulk
- Duelists: Wolverine + Blade
- Strategists: Groot (Flower Wall healing) + Jeff the Land Shark
Why it works: Everything stays tight. Groot’s Flower Wall heals the group. Emma Frost and Blade provide crowd control. Wolverine and Hulk brawl in the frontline while Jeff provides supplementary healing and disruption.
When to run it: On tight, objective-heavy maps. Falls apart on open maps where enemies can kite.
Counter-Picking Guide
| Enemy Running | Counter With |
|---|---|
| Rush/Brawl comp | Magneto + Doctor Strange (disengage tools to disrupt momentum) |
| Triple Support | Daredevil dive — focus one Strategist at a time |
| Flying/Air heroes | The Thing (Leap + Haymaker grounds fliers), Hela/Punisher (hitscan) |
| Poke comp | Magik + Spider-Man dive to close distance; shields to absorb poke |
Ranked System Quick Reference
- 9 ranks: Bronze through One Above All (Top 500)
- 100 ranked points per tier (300 to advance a full rank)
- Hero bans unlock at Diamond — 2 bans per team per match
- Chrono Shield activates during losing streaks to prevent rank demotion
- Queue restrictions: Gold I to Celestial requires being within 3 divisions of your party members
- No console-PC crossplay in ranked
TL;DR
- Default to 2-2-2 if unsure — it’s the highest win-rate comp
- Magneto is practically mandatory until banned — learn a backup Vanguard
- Team-Up abilities (21 total in S6.5) are significant — check which pairings activate bonuses
- At Diamond+, ban Magneto or Gambit depending on enemy tendencies
- Adapt comp to the map — poke on open maps, brawl on tight ones
