This guide contains our rankings for the Tank Heroes in Marvel Rivals and, while you can't fairly compare characters between different classes, we are focusing on the Vanguard class in this tier list. If you want to see more characters, check out our Strategist Meta Tier List and Duelist Meta Tier List, where we rank the Supports and DPS in their own classes!
For any tier list to make sense in this style of game, you need to understand the kind of players this list is designed for. Pro players and casual players will play characters very differently, so their rankings can vastly differ. In these tier lists, we are ranking for high ranking and competitive players, which refers to Diamond rank and above.
This means a less experienced or new player may have a very different experience playing these higher tier characters, or lower tier might be really good for you. If you are a new or more casual player, the Meta can look very different than at higher competitive levels. For a more casual take on the meta, check out our Vanguard Casual Tier List!
S Tier
A Tier
B Tier
C Tier
Season 2.5 Overview
This is a full Season 2.5 update to the tier list based on:
- The metagame leading up to Season 2.5.
- Balance adjustments for Season 2.5.
- Changes to Team-Ups for Season 2.5.
- New Season 2.5 Hero: Ultron.
Any low tier ratings for characters doesn't mean the character is outright bad. You can play any character in this game, practice them a bunch, and perform well in a match despite a tier rating.ng.
C Tier
To the surprise of everyone, Thor got a significant rework to some of his core abilities with season 2.5. His playstyle has shifted away from a brawler, and more into a dps tank that is meant to be in a near permenant "Awakened State". While this state does give him more damage burst potential, his mobility is significantly hindered and makes him easy time take down. It's a big enough shift to the character that he can't be played the same way he was before. As players relearn his playstyle, we could see him move up in tiers if that style is actually playable. In the meantime though, Thor isn't the god he once was.
B Tier
Speaking of nerfs, Captain America got hit with some tough nerfs with the 2.5 update. Unlike Thor though, Cap is still playable. While the survivability nerfs clearly hurt his viability, the shift away from the brawler meta is what locks him into B-Tier. Anchor tanks are back on top, so it makes Cap's usefulness limited to stalling and making space for the team. There will be circumstances where Cap is the exact tank your team needs, but I wouldn't expect it to be very often.
The Thing actually had no nerfs or buffs with season 2.5, so why B-Tier? He is actually a solid tank, but like Cap, he performs much worse in certain metas. He is a good option against Doctor Strange, but Emma Frost and Groot really make him hard to use effectively. DPS this season is really focused on focused ranged combat, which The Thing struggles with unless he can manage to rush in and single out the threat. Since he relies on leaping back to his team to escape, the Anchor tanks get more value from punishing Thing than he gets from singling out his target.
A Tier
Yet another nerfed character in 2.5 is Emma Frost. Her diamond form got the bulk of the nerfs, which is a big portion of why players pick her. The normal primary attack did get a small boost to its range though, so it should be a bit easier to keep your charged maxed out. While she's still a solid tank, these changes are enough to drop her down to A-Tier.
Oddly enough, Venom is going up a tier from 2.0 despite losing a team-up with Spider-Man and Peni Parker. A dive tank is a great option for targeting a back line guarded by anchor tanks. Either the anchors have to turn their backs to your team, or let you harass the back line. Once you use up your extensive hp bar, you can web swing out and avoid getting punished for diving. If he didn't lose that Spider-Man team-up, I would consider him low S-Tier, but the new Jeff team-up doesn't really make up for it.
Similarly, Peni Parker is going up a tier this season despite having no balance changes. I will admit, I have over rated Peni in previous seasons, but I think this new Rocket team-up is enough to make her more effective. Mines are the main reason you play her, so getting a second Spider-Nest that also gives your team armor packs is incredibly useful. Her nets can help you punish Doctor Strange for lowering his shield, or prevent Hulk from leaping away. I am concerned about her large hit box against the buffed Hela and Hawkeye, so that may hinder her viability and drop her tier back down.
S Tier
Groot got hit with a big nerf to his Iron Wood wall, and a small nerf to his damage with the 2.5 changes. Despite that, I think he is still a top tank pick. That Iron wall is still extremely potent, and his damage nerf doesn't kill his throat potential. High level Groot players tend to use the walls for extra damage and to direct opponents where you want them. While that extra 6 second cooldown obviously makes him worse, other tanks stick can't provide the same utility as he can. Even without a brawler meta, the walls can help your team to single out enemy tanks from their healers. They can also offer some soft protection against divers. Simply put, I think the nerfs will reduce his ban rate, but he's still very good!
Speaking of ban rates, Bruce Banner (Hulk) might finally see a reduction in his ban rate. He was already a high tier character, so him staying in S-Tier is an easy choice. Now that Iron Man is out of the team-up and Namor got some adjustments, Hulk may finally get a break from the constant bans. As for his place in this meta, his high mobility makes him the best brawler tank option there is currently. He gives you a good way to fight against a Doctor Strange, but without worrying about Groot walling you in.
Magneto managed to get a nice, small buff in 2.5. It shouldn't he enough of a buff to warp the meta or anything, but buffing an already solid tank clearly boosts his viability. His shields should give him and his team plenty of protection from the increase of ranged opponents, and the buff to his Iron Rings gives him more threat potential than before.
For Rival's favorite character to change every season, Doctor Strange is back for yet another run in S-Tier. Brawler taking a hit and giving his damage a buff is enough of a shift to bring this anchor tanks back to the front lines. I think he's finally in a sweet spot where he is a great pick, but not a likely ban target, making him reliable to build team comps around. With that said, he protects his team very effectively against the buffed ranged characters, so you could see some target banning if players find him more obstructive to deal with than beneficial on their own team.
Wrap Up
That's all for this Vanguard Meta Tier List for competitive players! As new characters are added and balance changes are made, we will release updated tier lists for these characters. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our tier lists for Strategist and Duelist!
