10 Common Mistakes New Players Should Avoid in Marvel Rivals
When diving into a competitive team-based shooter like Marvel Rivals, new players often make missteps that can lead to frustrating defeats and stalled progression. While the game’s fast-paced combat, diverse roster, and destructible environments are thrilling, mastering the fundamentals is crucial to long-term success.
As a long-time PvP gamer and someone who’s spent dozens of hours in the Marvel Rivals closed beta, I’ve compiled a list of 10 things new players should avoid to accelerate their improvement and contribute more effectively to their teams.
1. Ignoring Team Composition
Marvel Rivals isn’t a solo hero shooter. Running a squad of three DPS characters may sound fun, but it usually ends in disaster. New players often disregard team balance, neglecting tanks or support characters. Always check your team comp and be ready to flex if needed.
2. Playing Only One Role
Locking yourself into a single role—especially damage—limits your impact and understanding of the game. Familiarize yourself with at least one tank, one support, and one damage hero. Flexibility helps you adapt to enemy counters and support your team more effectively.
3. Ignoring the Objective
Kill-hunting might feel rewarding, but Marvel Rivals is objective-based. Whether it’s capturing zones or pushing payloads, new players often lose sight of the win conditions. Always prioritize the objective—even if it means retreating from a fight.
4. Overextending Without Backup
Charging into enemy lines alone rarely works, no matter how powerful your character is. Marvel Rivals rewards teamwork and coordinated pushes. If you’re constantly dying while your team is regrouping, you’re feeding ult charge to the enemy and putting your squad at a disadvantage.
5. Not Using Verticality
A major feature of Marvel Rivals is its vertical map design. New players often fight strictly on the ground, missing key movement options. Use vertical mobility—jump pads, wall runs, and flight abilities—to flank, escape, or reposition.
6. Neglecting Hero Synergies
Some characters work better together. Pairing a tank that can displace enemies with a damage hero who relies on grouping (like Scarlet Witch) can turn the tide of battle. Learn which heroes synergize and coordinate combos when possible, especially in team fights.
7. Wasting Ultimates
Ult economy is key. Blowing your ultimate just to secure a single kill or using it during a lost fight is a waste. Time your ults with team pushes or to counter big enemy ultimates. Smart usage can swing a fight; poor timing can cost the match.
8. Not Swapping After Being Countered
Marvel Rivals offers a dynamic hero-swapping system, yet many new players stick to their favorite characters even when hard-countered. If you’re constantly getting shut down, consider switching to a hero that neutralizes the threat.
9. Underestimating Supports
Supports in Marvel Rivals aren’t just healers—they offer mobility, crowd control, and utility that can carry fights. Ignoring them or failing to protect them during engagements is a common mistake. Keep an eye on your support players and help them survive.
10. Ignoring the Destructible Environment
Many maps in Marvel Rivals feature destructible terrain that can expose new routes or deny cover. New players often overlook this tactical layer. Don’t just shoot enemies—think about how you can reshape the battlefield to gain the upper hand.
Mastering Marvel Rivals takes time, but avoiding these common mistakes will give you a huge advantage early on. Focus on playing with your team, adapting to each match, and learning from each loss. With practice and awareness, you’ll find yourself rising through the ranks—and having a lot more fun doing it.