Season 2.5 of Marvel Rivals is ushering in a massive meta shift with the gradual decline of Dive compositions. But with that change comes a whole new challenge: the rise of flying heroes. Six months since release, Marvel Rivals continues to roll out a diverse roster of heroes each month. And with the introduction of the Strategist Ultron this season, aerial supremacy is at an all-time high.
We’ve already covered the best Vanguard heroes in our Tier List here, along with a general meta report for all heroes. Now, let’s shift our focus to the game’s primary damage dealers: the Duelists.
Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Duelist tier list (Diamond+)
Marvel Rivals Duelist Tier-List Season 2.5
S-Tier Duelists
Hela
Hela’s hitscan potential is a direct counter to flying heroes like Ultron and Iron Man, especially in the hands of a player with solid aim. Even without elite mechanics, a player who can consistently land shots can easily eliminate aerial threats.
Punisher
Thanks to a recent buff to his ammo count, Punisher now exerts constant pressure from long range. Even without his Turret, his assault rifle is more than capable of picking off unsuspecting enemies. And when he closes the gap with his shotgun, tanks should beware, the sound of its barrels is never a good sign.
Hawkeye
Hawkeye’s latest team-up with Luna Snow has made him a nightmare for both Vanguards and squishies. And with his arrow recharge buff, he can melt through a tank in seconds if left unchecked. Clint remains a dominant mid-range threat, and Dive comps need to approach with extreme caution.
Storm
Storm is arguably this season’s most-banned hero. If it’s not Hawkeye or Hela, it’s Storm. Her high damage output and aerial control make her a top-tier threat in high-elo matches. Combined with her new team-up with Jeff the Land Shark, she can wipe out entire teams if played correctly.
Iron Man
Tony Stark earns his spot in S-Tier for his disruptive impact on enemy backlines. Duelists who struggle with aim will find his blasters and lasers particularly hard to deal with. Strategists who think they're safe inside their ultimates need to beware of Iron Man’s "Maximum Pulse!"A-Tier Duelists
Psylocke
Psylocke continues to be a seasonal threat, depending heavily on the player’s mastery of her kit. Her stalking potential can dismantle a strong backline, and she can often escape unscathed if the enemy team lacks coordination.
Mr. Fantastic
Reed Richards is a surprising addition to A-Tier after his lackluster debut in Season 1.5. His improved survivability and Vanguard-like utility make him a nightmare for teams unfamiliar with how to counter him. Before they know it, Mr. Fantastic is bouncing around and disrupting everything.
Winter Soldier
Bucky remains a well-rounded Duelist, even with the rise of Shield Vanguards. His gun can shred tanks, and his Ultimate devastates squishies again and again. His grappling hook and anti-air capabilities make him a credible threat to flyers like Ultron and Human Torch, though his non-hitscan weapon does pose a challenge when aiming.
B-Tier Duelists
Iron Fist
Iron Fist is still dangerous in high-elo play, but with proper peeling, he’s easily shut down. That said, his survivability and blocking make him slippery and difficult to pin down in frenetic skirmishes.
Scarlet Witch
Often labeled a "no-skill" hero, Wanda remains a solid pick against dive-heavy comps and shieldless Vanguards. Her Chthonic Bursts and game-changing Ultimate are nothing to scoff at. However, she’s vulnerable to CC and can be countered if not played carefully.
Wolverine
Wolverine’s anti-Vanguard strengths make him useful against low-mobility tanks like Groot, Magneto, or Peni. While his survivability isn’t what it once was, he’s still a menace on double-Vanguard teams and can absolutely carry on a good day.
Star-Lord
Star-Lord is in a tough spot. His mobility and damage are still great, but he's easily shut down by a well-timed Strategist Ultimate or Magneto Meteor. A skilled player can carry with him, but it takes serious effort to stay alive
C-Tier Duelists
Namor
Namor is struggling in the current meta. With Dive comps falling off, his Monstro Spawns aren’t as effective. Even with Hulk’s Gamma Boost, he adds little outside of countering niche picks like The Thing or Venom.
Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Magik
These three Dive-focused Duelists are in a rough spot. Spider-Man’s recent damage nerf has severely hampered his viability. Magik and Black Panther haven’t found their place in the current season either, and their poor survivability makes them easy prey for teams with good peel. All three are particularly vulnerable to Peni’s mines; frustrating for them, but a win for Peni mains.
Human Torch
Johnny’s damage nerf took away his edge in the air. As a result, he’s rarely picked in high-elo lobbies. Against Duelists like Hela or Punisher, he’s outclassed in most engagements
D-Tier Duelists
Black Widow
Still widely considered a “throw pick,” Black Widow struggles to make an impact. While she can shine on long-range maps like Asgard and Midtown Convoy, her kit demands a high-skill player to truly be effective. Even a Lord Black Widow is still a tricky ‘Schrödinger’s cat’ situation.
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl remains an underperformer since its launch. Most of the time, her shots hit more by accident than by intention. Her recent Ultimate buff gives her some threat potential, but she still needs a lot of work to be consistently viable.
Moon Knight
Sadly, Moon Knight has fallen hard in the current meta. Ever since his Ultimate was “fixed,” it no longer deals the burst damage it once did. His Ankhs are still annoying, but good teams in higher-elo play can deal with them easily.
And that’s it for the Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Duelist Tier List. We’ll update this list as soon as a new season drops, so stay tuned to stay on top of the ever-evolving meta.
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