7 best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners, ranked

Starting your journey in Marvel Rivals can be intimidating, but picking the Best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners can make all the difference. These heroes' intuitive kits and straightforward gameplay will get you started and dive into the action without worrying about complex mechanics. In addition, you'll learn to deal damage, protect your team, and simply provide support through these characters perfect for beginners.

Here's a ranked list of the seven best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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Ranking the 7 best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners

7) Winter Soldier (Duelist)

Bucky Barnes in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Bucky Barnes, or the Winter Soldier, is perfect for those seeking melee and ranged action. His Trooper's Fist ability lets you dash forward, grabbing and launching enemies, while Bionic Hook reels in targets, even those hiding behind others. The Kraken Impact ultimate lets you to leap and slam down with his bionic arm, marking enemies for instant death if their health drops below a threshold (recharging quickly for another use).

Those who prefer close combat and ability-based gameplay will find him quite rewarding, making one of the best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners.

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6) Rocket Raccoon (Strategist)

Rocket Raccoon in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Rocket is the "lazy genius" character for beginners who want to support the team without necessarily diving into direct combat. He excels in utility, especially with gadgets like recon drones, armor packs, and rocket jetpacks. His tools like C.Y.A. (which deploys a Cosmic Yarn Amplifier) can give his allies a damage boost. The guy has escape skills like Jetpack Dash so that he never stays out of the action for too long.

For those new to the Strategist role, Rocket offers a low-pressure, high-impact playstyle, hence ranking at sixth place in the best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners.

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5) Mantis (Strategeist)

Mantis in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

If you want a purely healing role, Mantis is the character for you. Her kit includes ther Spore Slumber ability, which throws a spore to sedate the closest enemy. In addition to healing, Mantis comes with a powerful ability called Soul Resurgence, which releases energy around her while moving, offering both healing over time and movement boosts for nearby allies.

Mantis' simplicity and effectiveness make it one of the easiest to master as a healer, making it easy to keep your team alive in chaotic battles.

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4) Magneto (Vanguard)

Magneto in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Magneto is a great pick for those who want to guard their team while giving out damage from a safe distance. He is resilient and, being a Vanguard, is equipped with powerful abilities like Metallic Curtain, a shield that blocks damage but lets allies pass through and attack. His Metal Bulwark and Iron Bulwark create protective shields for teammates and himself, converting absorbed damage into Iron Rings for devastating counterattacks.

His ultimate, Meteor M, lets him summon a massive iron meteor to decimate enemies in a selected area. Magneto's straightforward tanking and ranged capabilities make him one of the best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners.

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3) Groot (Vanguard)

Groot in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Groot is a strong and newbie-friendly Vanguard with a massive health pool (700 base health) and crowd-control capabilities. He can create walls for blocking enemy attacks, imprisoning foes, and throwing cluster bombs for area damage. His V ability lets him whip enemies into the air for follow-up combos.

Groot's rather straightforward melee combat style, coupled with his ability to take and mitigate damage, makes one of the Best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners.

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2) Jeff the Landshark (Strategist)

Jeff the Landshark in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Jeff is the ultimate healer for players who want to support their team with minimal combat. His primary water beam is a constant heal, and his Healing Bubbles provide area-based healing zones. Jeff's Hide and Seek ability lets him hide in the battlefield and stay alive and mobile. His ultimate (It's Jeff!) is a whirlpool that sucks in enemies and allies; using it creatively can help disrupt enemies or save teammates.

With his cute design and straightforward gameplay, Jeff is an absolute beginner-friendly gem in the list of Best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners, focusing on fun and utility.

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1) The Punisher (Duelist)

The Punisher in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

The Punisher is the most "point-and-shoot" straightforward guy, making him a great choice for experienced FPS players. His dual weapon modes—a rifle for long-range and a shotgun for close quarters—simplify things but provide versatility. Abilities like Culling Turret enhance his damage-dealing potential, while his Final Judgement ultimate gives him immense firepower to turn the tide of battle.

The Punisher’s straightforward kit makes him the perfect pick for players transitioning from traditional shooters and one of the Best Marvel Rivals characters for beginners.

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