This guide contains our rankings for the Support Heroes in Marvel Rivals and, while you can't fairly compare characters between different classes, we are focusing on the Strategist class in this tier list. If you want to see more characters, check out our Vanguard Meta Tier List and Duelist Meta Tier List, where we rank the Tanks 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 means 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 casual more casual take on the meta, check out our Strategist Casual Tier List!
S Tier
A Tier
B Tier
C Tier
Season 8.5 Overview
This is a full Season 8.5 update to the tier list based on:
- The metagame at end of Season 8.0
- Balance adjustments for Season 8.5
- Changes to Team-Ups for Season 8.5
- New Season 8.5 Hero: Cyclops
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.
C Tier
Like usual, Luna Snow hasn't been seeing any meta play. High ranking players prefer stronger characters, so she sees little play. Mid and low level play can't make good enough use out of her without dedicating her as a main. She isn't an outright bad character, but C-Tier is the best representation for her usage in the meta.
B Tier
In high level play, Ultron has been seeing a lot of play in 3-healer comps. This is mainly the reason why you are seeing nerfs appear for an average healer. The majority playerbase will still find him to be an off-meta healer that rarely gets picked.
After gaining flight, Adam Warlock soared in popularity. His viability, however, has yet to follow. Despite multiple buffs over different seasons, he still can't find a good place in the meta outside of 3 healer comps.
The God of Mischief, Loki has continued to underperform other healers as a consistently good pick. When they increased his healing and decreased bis damage, they made him more situational. He can't respond to threats as easily, but he is much more effective as a healer if he isn't in danger. Outside of specific scenarios where he can thrive, Loki has fallen to B-Tier.
A Tier
The healer Deadpool got a notable buff with 8.5 that makes him actually decent to use. He still isn't the best by any means, but he's a solid choice now and deserving of a bump up to A-Tier.
Speaking of mild reworks, Mantis is trading some of her signature damage buffs for an additional speed boost. While the damage buff drop is definitely a nerf, so far it looks like the speed buff is a sizable upgrade. Now she has different utility and more reasons to pick her. Giving your team a slight damage boost with higher speed is a significant tool for teams to use! The change makes her a dependable A-Tier with S-Tier potential in the future as she is seeing more play.
Jeff: Everyone's favorite landshark got a little balance change with season 7.5. He's isn't quite as strong as he was, so he seems to be dipping in the meta right now. The buff to his ult is a very strong change though, giving a bit more forgiveness when you miss everyone with his ult. While he could see S-Tier again, so far he's proving to be closer to a high A-Tier.
Rival's latest healer, White Fox got a bit of a sidegrade in 8.0 that has lowered her net value in the meta. In essence, her skill ceiling is lower at the cost of being baseline stronger. She's still performing well, but she just doesn't have as much kick as she used to.
S Tier
Rocket Raccoon players rejoice, for he has finally recieved a surprise change that isn't an unnecessary nerf! His multiple buffs with the 8.0 patch has returned his meta viability back. This not only is helping him be more effective as a support, it's also making him more survivable. He isn't the peak character he used to be, but he is proving to be at least a low S-Tier pick.
The healing menace Gambit has recieved yet another nerf, but only a moderate one to his ultimate. It doesn't make him fall out of S-Tier, but it does make him less likely to be banned. In other words, expect to see him in more games now.
As an Invisible Woman main, I have definitely overestimated her strength in the past. In the current meta though, she has really stood out as top healer. She's got a solid ult that is more comparable to the other healers now, her push/pull is a great utility option, and getting to vanish the instant she is in danger let's her constantly evade death. She is simply proving herself to be a safe, solid healer pick in most team comps. After her nerfs in season 6.5, she is a little worse, but her overall kit is still solid.
Cloak & Dagger can't find a healthy spot in the meta. One second, they are strong and really popular. The next, they go virtually unseen. Dagger's buffs with season 8.5 are decent, but not enough to shift her one way or the other. In top level play, they're never used. For the majority of the playerbase though, they are a solid S-Tier.
Wrap Up
That's all for this Strategist 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 Vanguards and Duelists!
