Marvel Rivals Tier List (July 2025) Season 2.5 Meta

If you've been getting destroyed by flying heroes in Marvel Rivals lately, you're not alone. Season 2.5 has completely transformed the meta, and I'm here to help you understand which heroes dominate the current landscape. With Ultron's arrival shaking things up and dive compositions getting nerfed into oblivion, it's time to adapt or get left behind.

After grinding through countless ranked matches and analyzing data, I've compiled the definitive tier list for all 39 characters. Whether you're stuck in Bronze or pushing for Celestial, this guide will show you exactly which heroes can carry you to victory.

Quick Marvel Rivals Tier List Overview 2025 - Season 2.5

Tier	Vanguards	Duelists	Strategists
S	Magneto, Doctor Strange, Peni Parker	Hela, Punisher, Storm	Luna Snow, Ultron, Cloak & Dagger
A	Emma Frost, Groot	Iron Man, Psylocke, Hawkeye, Star-Lord	Invisible Woman, Mantis
B	Captain America, Thor, Venom	Mister Fantastic, Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch, Namor	Adam Warlock, Jeff the Land Shark, Loki
C	Hulk	Black Widow, Iron Fist, Squirrel Girl, Rocket Raccoon
D		Spider-Man, Black Panther, Magik, Human Torch, Wolverine

Key Stats Overview:

• Total Heroes: 39
• Newest Addition: Ultron (Strategist)
• Most Banned: Storm, Hela, Hawkeye
• Highest Win Rate: Luna Snow (58.3%)
• Most Picked: Magneto (42.7%)

Understanding the Season 2.5 Meta Shift

The Season 2.5 update has completely revolutionized how we play Marvel Rivals. Gone are the days of dive compositions dominating every match - now it's all about controlling the skies. The addition of Ultron as a flying Strategist has only reinforced this aerial supremacy meta.

I've noticed three major changes that define the current meta:

1. Flying Heroes Reign Supreme - Characters like Storm, Iron Man, and now Ultron control matches from above
2. Anti-Air Specialists Thrive - Hela and Punisher have become essential picks to counter flyers
3. Dive Heroes Struggle - Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Magik have fallen hard from grace

The difference between Diamond+ and casual ranks is more pronounced than ever. While lower ranks still see success with easier heroes like Scarlet Witch and Punisher, high-tier play revolves around mechanical skill and team coordination.

S-Tier Heroes: The Meta Dominators

Vanguards

Magneto - The undisputed king of tanks right now. With the Emma Frost team-up, Magneto can delete squishies with a devastating 325HP combo. His shield provides incredible survivability while his primary fire melts anyone foolish enough to challenge him. I've climbed from Platinum to Diamond primarily playing Magneto - he's that strong.

Doctor Strange - After struggling early in Season 2, Strange has bounced back hard. His Shield of the Seraphim remains the best barrier in the game, and his portal utility is unmatched. The 3-minute cooldown on Eye of Agamotto barely matters when you can reposition your entire team for game-winning plays.

Peni Parker - Don't let her cute appearance fool you - Peni is an absolute menace. Her buffs in Season 2.5, including a new team-up ability, have shot her straight to S-tier. The extra 100HP and increased movement speed while firing make her surprisingly durable. Her nest control and mine placement completely shut down flanking routes.

Duelists

Hela - If you can aim, Hela is basically a cheat code. Her hitscan potential directly counters the flying meta, making her essential in high-tier play. Even mediocre players can find success just by consistently pressuring aerial threats. Her ultimate remains one of the best zoning tools in the game.

Punisher - Frank Castle lives up to his name in Season 2.5. His dual-weapon system provides versatility at all ranges, while his turret placement can lock down entire sightlines. Against the current flying meta, Punisher's consistent damage output makes him invaluable.

Storm - Currently the most banned hero in high-tier matches. Her aerial dominance combined with massive area damage makes her nearly impossible to counter when played well. The new Jeff the Land Shark team-up can literally wipe entire teams if executed properly. I've seen Storm players single-handedly carry matches from the skybox.

Strategists

Luna Snow - Despite repeated nerfs, Luna remains the best support in the game. Yes, her ultimate now costs 500 more energy, but 12 seconds of near-invincibility for your team is still broken. Her primary fire damage buff helps her duel flankers, while the Hawkeye team-up provides insane utility with Ice Arrow.

Ultron - The newest addition has already warped the meta around himself. As a flying Strategist with hybrid damage potential, Ultron offers something completely unique. His passive healing through Imperative: Patch lets him pocket specific allies while contributing meaningful damage. The Iron Man team-up (Stark Protocol) is absolutely disgusting in coordinated teams.

Cloak & Dagger - The versatility these two bring is unmatched. Dagger keeps your team healthy while Cloak provides vision control and area denial. Their ultimate might not be as impactful as Luna's, but the consistent value throughout a match makes them S-tier worthy. Switching between forms to adapt to situations is key to mastering them.

A-Tier Heroes: Consistently Strong Picks

Vanguards

Emma Frost - While not quite S-tier material, Emma's flexibility makes her incredibly valuable. Diamond Form allows her to brawl with the best of them, while her ranged poke keeps pressure on flying heroes. Her main weakness? Zero mobility options make her vulnerable to coordinated dives.

Groot - The walking tree provides surprising value in the current meta. His ability to heal and tank simultaneously makes him perfect for teams running single support compositions. His ultimate can completely shut down choke points, forcing enemies to respect his space.

Duelists

Iron Man - Tony Stark thrives in the flying meta. His mobility allows him to contest other aerial threats while his damage output melts unsuspecting backlines. Good Iron Man players are absolute menaces, though his high skill ceiling keeps him from S-tier status.

Psylocke - Despite Wing Shuriken nerfs requiring an extra hit to secure kills, Psylocke remains a top-tier assassin. Her invisibility and burst damage can dismantle backlines, though she struggles against coordinated teams with good peel. Dance of the Butterfly can still secure team fights when timed correctly.

Hawkeye - The archer's focus mechanic rewards patient, skilled players. His ultimate, Hunter's Sight, remains one of the best in the game with afterimages making shots undodgeable. The Luna Snow team-up elevates him even further with piercing, stunning Ice Arrows.

Star-Lord - Peter Quill's hit-and-run playstyle adapts well to the current meta. His ability to contest flyers while maintaining ground presence makes him more versatile than pure dive heroes. Galactic Legend can swing team fights when enemies cluster together.

Strategists

Invisible Woman - Sue Storm's barrier placement and invisibility utility make her excellent for protecting key allies. Her ultimate provides massive area denial, though her high skill floor keeps her from being a universal pick. In the right hands, she's nearly S-tier.

Mantis - Currently bugged with headshot registration issues, Mantis would rank higher if functioning properly. Her damage boost potential is significant, but unreliable healing output and a mediocre ultimate hold her back. Expect her to rise once fixes arrive.

B-Tier Heroes: Balanced But Situational

Vanguards

Captain America - Steve Rogers remains a solid, if unspectacular, choice. His shield provides decent protection while his mobility helps him contest objectives. The Thor team-up adds nice burst damage, but Cap lacks the impact of higher-tier tanks.

Thor - Recent quality-of-life improvements, including manual Awakened state cancellation, have helped Thor's viability. His damage potential is high, but long animation locks make him vulnerable to focused fire. Best on maps with vertical elements where his flight provides value.

Venom - The symbiote works well in coordinated teams but struggles in solo queue. His dive potential has diminished with the meta shift, though his sustain through healing remains valuable. The Spider-Man team-up provides some extra utility but isn't enough to elevate him higher.

Duelists

Mister Fantastic - Reed surprised everyone by climbing from D-tier to respectable B-tier status. His flexibility (pun intended) allows him to adapt between frontline brawling and anti-air duty. Recent buffs to health and Stretch Punch damage have made him genuinely viable.

Winter Soldier - Bucky provides consistent damage but lacks the specialization to excel. He's neither the best hitscan nor the best flanker, leaving him in an awkward middle ground. His ultimate can secure picks but pales compared to other Duelist ults.

Scarlet Witch - Wanda dominates lower ranks with her auto-aim primary fire but struggles against competent players. Her ultimate remains strong for area control, and she pairs well with dive tanks. If you're below Platinum, she's easily A-tier.

Namor - The Sub-Mariner has risen from obscurity thanks to turret improvements. His Octopus sentries can lock down areas while his bubble provides surprising sustain. Still lacks the impact of top-tier heroes but can work in specific compositions.

Strategists

Adam Warlock - A roller coaster of balance changes has left Adam in a weird spot. His resurrection ability provides unique utility, but inconsistent healing output makes him unreliable as a main support. Works best in triple support compositions or as a third DPS with healing utility.

Jeff the Land Shark - The adorable predator provides decent healing and surprising damage potential. His ultimate can secure environmental kills on certain maps, and the Storm team-up is genuinely terrifying. Lacks the consistent impact needed for higher tiers.

Loki - The trickster god's deception abilities can bamboozle uncoordinated teams. His healing output is respectable, and invisibility provides escape options. However, his ultimate is easily countered, and his illusions fool fewer players as you climb ranks.

C-Tier Heroes: Niche Picks Requiring Mastery

Vanguards

Hulk - Banner's transformation mechanic provides interesting gameplay but lacks competitive viability. Monster Hulk can secure kills, but the long transformation time and predictable playstyle make him easy to counter. Hero Hulk's ranged options are decent but outclassed by other tanks.

Duelists

Black Widow - Natasha demands exceptional aim to provide value. On long-range maps like Midtown, a skilled Widow can dominate. However, her lack of mobility and defensive options make her a liability on most maps. Even Lord-ranked Widows struggle to justify the pick over Hela.

Iron Fist - The martial artist brings fists to a gun fight and usually loses. His combo potential is high, but getting close enough to use it is nearly impossible against competent teams. Recent buffs haven't addressed his core issue: why pick him over Psylocke or Spider-Man?

Squirrel Girl - Doreen's slingshot provides decent poke damage, but she lacks the tools to compete with meta picks. Her ultimate can clear points, but its predictability makes it easy to avoid. The Spider-Man team-up (Webbed Acorn) provides some utility but isn't enough.

Rocket Raccoon - The Guardian's damage potential exists, but his tiny hitbox advantage doesn't offset his weaknesses. His revival beacon provides unique utility, but the long setup time and vulnerability make it rarely practical. Mostly picked for the Punisher team-up synergy.

D-Tier Heroes: Currently Struggling

Duelists

Spider-Man - How the mighty have fallen. Recent damage nerfs combined with the anti-dive meta have destroyed Peter Parker's viability. His web-swinging remains fun, but Peni Parker's mines hard counter his entire playstyle. Even one-trick Spidey players are switching heroes.

Black Panther - T'Challa suffers from the same issues as Spider-Man but worse. His predictable engage patterns make him free ultimate charge for enemy teams. The Psylocke team-up provides minimal value when both heroes are struggling. Desperately needs buffs.

Magik - Illyana's portal strikes are satisfying when they land, but good luck reaching competent backlines. Her ultimate requires melee range in a meta dominated by flying heroes and long-range poke. Even her Limbo mode can't save her from focused fire.

Human Torch - Johnny Storm crashed harder than anyone in Season 2.5. Over-nerfs to his damage eliminated his aerial threat potential, leaving him outclassed by every other flying hero. His flame attacks tickle enemies while Storm deletes entire teams. Avoid until buffs arrive.

Wolverine - Logan embodies the current problem with melee heroes: why risk diving when you could safely poke from range? His healing factor can't offset focused fire, and his ultimate is more likely to feed than secure kills. Even Wolverine mains have abandoned him this season.

Game-Changing Team-Up Synergies

Top 3 Meta-Defining Combos

1. Emma Frost + Magneto - This combination turns Magneto from S-tier to S+-tier. Emma's damage boost allows Magneto to two-shot squishies with his 325HP combo. I've seen this duo completely take over lobbies.
2. Iron Man + Ultron (Stark Protocol) - The synergy between these flying menaces is disgusting. Ultron pockets Iron Man while he deletes enemies from the sky. Nearly impossible to counter without dedicated anti-air.
3. Luna Snow + Hawkeye - Ice Arrow might be the most broken ability in the game. Piercing through enemies and walls while stunning creates picks from nowhere. Luna gets bonus healing as the anchor, making her even harder to dive.

Honorable Mentions

• Storm + Jeff the Land Shark - Team wipe potential
• Peni Parker + Spider-Man - Web control domination
• Doctor Strange + Iron Man - Portal surprise attacks

Climbing Tips Based on Your Rank

Bronze to Gold

Focus on mechanically simple heroes with high impact. I recommend:

• Punisher (Duelist) - Straightforward gameplay, high damage
• Magneto (Vanguard) - Forgiving shield, strong damage
• Luna Snow (Strategist) - Best healer, easy to learn

Platinum to Diamond

Start incorporating team-ups and counter-picking:

• Learn flying heroes to abuse lower-tier players' poor aim
• Master one hero per role for flexibility
• Focus on positioning over mechanical plays

Diamond+

Meta knowledge becomes crucial:

• Keep track of ultimate economy
• Coordinate team-up timings
• Master hero-specific tech and animation cancels

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the strongest character in Marvel Rivals right now?

Luna Snow consistently dominates as the strongest overall character with her 58.3% win rate. Her 12-second team-wide invincibility ultimate combined with excellent healing output makes her essential in every team composition. For Duelists, Hela reigns supreme with her hitscan precision countering the flying meta perfectly.

Which Marvel Rivals character is best for beginners?

Punisher is hands-down the best character for new players. His straightforward kit includes an assault rifle, shotgun, and deployable turret that don't require complex mechanics. For support players, Jeff the Land Shark offers simple healing mechanics with his water spray while being adorably hard to hit.

Who are the most overpowered characters that need nerfs?

Based on current data from RivalsMeta.com, the most overpowered heroes are:

• Storm - Most banned hero with devastating aerial AOE damage
• Magneto - 325HP two-shot combo with Emma Frost team-up
• Ultron - Flying Strategist breaking the traditional support role

What's the difference between high rank and low rank tier lists?

The meta dramatically shifts between ranks. In Bronze-Platinum, heroes like Scarlet Witch and Squirrel Girl perform well due to their auto-aim abilities. However, in Diamond+, mechanical skill becomes crucial, making heroes like Helaand Hawkeye dominant. Team coordination also plays a bigger role at higher ranks.

Which role should I main to climb ranks fast?

Strategists have the highest impact on match outcomes. A good Luna Snow or Cloak & Dagger player can single-handedly keep their team alive through crucial fights. However, if you prefer fragging, mastering Hela or Punisher as Duelists will let you carry games through elimination pressure.

Are dive heroes still viable in Season 2.5?

Unfortunately, traditional dive heroes are struggling. Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Magik all sit in D-tier due to the anti-dive meta. Peni Parker's mines, increased flying heroes, and buffed anti-air specialists have made diving incredibly risky. Wait for future buffs before investing time in these heroes.

What team composition works best in the current meta?

The optimal team composition for Season 2.5 is:

• 2 Vanguards (including Magneto or Doctor Strange)
• 2 Duelists (at least one anti-air like Hela/Punisher)
• 2 Strategists (Luna Snow + Ultron/Cloak & Dagger)

This provides enough sustain to survive the poke-heavy meta while maintaining kill pressure.

How often does the tier list change?

Marvel Rivals updates balance roughly every 2-3 weeks, with major shifts happening at mid-season patches. Heroes can jump entire tiers overnight - Mister Fantastic went from D-tier to B-tier in a single update. Always check patch notes and adapt your hero pool accordingly.

Should I one-trick a hero or learn multiple characters?

While one-tricking can work up to Platinum, higher ranks demand flexibility. I recommend mastering:

• 2-3 heroes in your main role
• 1 hero in each other role
• Understanding all team-up synergies

This ensures you're never completely countered or unable to fill team needs.

Will Season 3 change the meta significantly?

Based on developer insights, Season 3 will likely shift away from the flying meta. With Blade potentially arriving as an anti-air specialist and promised Wolverine buffs, we might see melee heroes return to viability. NetEase has confirmed monthly hero releases starting Season 3, ensuring constant meta evolution.

Conclusion

The Season 2.5 meta has completely transformed Marvel Rivals, establishing flying heroes and anti-air specialists as the dominant forces. Whether you're grinding ranked or playing casually, understanding these tier placements will significantly improve your matches.

Remember, while tier lists provide valuable guidance, your personal skill and enjoyment matter most. A dedicated Wolverine main will outperform a reluctant Hela player any day. Use this guide as a starting point, but don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect hero.

Now get out there and show them why you deserve that Celestial rank! Which hero will you master first?