Season 4.5 of Marvel Rivals is here, and the competition is heating up. With so many characters to choose from, it can be quite confusing to decide which one to main. However, some heroes clearly stand out from the rest—especially among the Vanguard class. In this tier list, I’ll break down the current meta, ranking which Vanguards dominate the battlefield and which ones are struggling to keep up in competitive matches.
Marvel Rivals Vanguard Tier List
| Tier | Characters |
| S | Doctor Strange, Emma Frost, Groot, Magneto |
| A | Captain America, The Thing, Thor, Venom, Hulk |
| B | Angela, Peni Parker |
S Tier: Best Vanguards in Marvel Rivals
These characters are currently the best Vanguards in the game. They embody what a true tank should be—able to absorb heavy damage, protect teammates with shields, and maintain strong frontline presence. They are so powerful that they can solo tank with ease.
On top of that, they’re relatively easy to master, making them reliable picks for both beginners and experienced players.
Doctor Strange
The Sorcerer Supreme remains one of the strongest Vanguards in Marvel Rivals. Not only is he easy to use, but his versatile abilities make him effective in almost any situation. His shield is the widest and most durable in the game, while his teleport skill often enables clutch plays.
What truly sets him apart, however, is his Ultimate ability, which can chain with ally ultimates to wipe out entire enemy teams when executed perfectly.
Emma Frost
The Diamond Queen, introduced in Season 2, has remained at the top of the tier list since her release. She is a true tank capable of providing shields and diving into enemy lines while in her Diamond Form. Her damage output is impressive for a Vanguard, and her Ultimate is a highly useful ability for initiating plays and turning fights.
Groot
Groot is one of the most picked Vanguards in the game — and for good reason. He’s easy to use, naturally tanky, and can withstand heavy damage. However, what truly makes him S-Tier is his ability to utilize his walls effectively. When used properly, Groot can counter almost every character in the game, except for flying heroes.
His Ultimate also remains one of the best in Marvel Rivals. Whether used to combo with teammates or secure solo kills, it’s easy to execute and can often be game-changing.
Magneto
If the enemy team is packed with heroes that have annoying Ultimates like The Punisher, Iron Man, Star-Lord, or Cloak & Dagger, Magneto is your best counterpick. He’s the ultimate answer to many heroes, capable of one-shotting enemies with his Ultimate.
On top of that, his shield abilities are extremely strong, especially his ability to grant shield bubbles to teammates. This not only helps them survive longer but also allows them to play more aggressively and turn fights around effectively.
A Tier: Second Best Vanguards
A-Tier Vanguards are still excellent picks and can shine as secondary tanks in many team compositions. However, they lack strong shielding abilities to protect teammates, which makes them slightly lower in the overall Vanguard rankings.
Captain America
If you enjoy flanking and disrupting the enemy backline, Captain America is your go-to Vanguard. He excels at pressuring enemy healers and forcing them to shift focus away from supporting their teammates. With his high mobility and aggressive playstyle, he can be extremely annoying for opponents.
However, he struggles as a solo Vanguard and has a steeper learning curve, which prevents him from maintaining an S-Tier spot in the current meta.
The Thing
The Thing excels at charging into enemy lines with immense power and durability. However, he heavily benefits from having Invisible Woman as a teammate due to her bonus shield ability. Without it, a single wrong move can leave him vulnerable to punishment.
That said, after the recent update, The Thing gained the ability to leap toward enemies and prevent them from flying. This new skill significantly improves his engage potential, allowing him to climb into the A-Tier category.
Thor
Thor has been a Vanguard who frequently rises and falls in the tier list, with many players still debating his overall value. However, the latest update has buffed his abilities, making them more controllable and effective. With the right mechanics, Thor can become surprisingly durable while dealing massive damage, especially when awakened.
His team-up ability with Angela, which grants him a leap skill, is also a strong addition to his kit. This synergy has helped him climb up a tier after struggling in the previous season.
Venom
While Venom is among the tankiest Vanguards in the game, his playstyle requires him to isolate himself and dive deep into the enemy backline. He excels at harassing enemy supports and damage dealers.
In previous seasons, Venom often struggled to stay competitive. However, with the latest buff—where his Ultimate now inflicts Slow and reduces enemy healing—he’s gained the extra edge needed to climb higher in the tier list.
Hulk
Hulk is undeniably strong, one of the toughest Vanguards in the game, but mastering him requires excellent skill and positioning. A single misstep can easily cost the team its advantage. With his Gamma Charge team-up ability with Namor now removed, Hulk has become less effective compared to the previous season, causing him to drop slightly in the tier list.
B Tier: Good In Specific Situations
These B-Tier Vanguards aren’t bad, but they require specific situations to shine. They are difficult to master, needing a deep understanding of their abilities and positioning to be truly effective.
Angela
The newest Vanguard introduced in Season 4, Angela, can be incredibly strong when used correctly. She’s the only flying Vanguard in the game, capable of punishing enemy flyers with ease. However, her kit is quite complex to master, and she isn’t a traditional Vanguard who can effectively shield or protect teammates.
As a secondary tank, she performs exceptionally well—especially in the hands of skilled players who know how to use her mobility to surprise enemies from behind, swoop in like an eagle, and impale targets toward teammates for quick eliminations.
Peni Parker
She is one of the easiest Vanguards to play, yet remains crucial in key moments. Her ability to defend like a fortress with simple gameplay mechanics makes her stand out among other tanks. However, her offensive potential is limited—she lacks the tools to protect teammates during engagements, which places her slightly lower in the overall ranking.
Moreover, in higher-ranked matches of Marvel Rivals, players are generally more experienced and know how to counter Peni Parker easily, which significantly reduces her overall effectiveness.
That’s everything you need to know about the current Vanguard meta in Marvel Rivals. As balance changes roll out and new heroes join the roster, we’ll keep this tier list updated every season, so make sure to check back regularly for the latest updates!