When it comes to Marvel Rivals' competitive scene, nothing is more important than knowing what the best heroes for the meta are. Understanding which ones are currently the strongest can be the difference between achieving a certain victory or a crushing defeat.
However, just because the latest patch notes deem certain characters as the most viable for competitive play, doesn't mean they're the only ones who can guarantee a win for the team they're on. Some can be seen as Marvel Rivals' unsung heroes, as they're often not seen as viable, but can be just as devastating as the current meta picks when used right. As for who those are, a few come to mind.
The God of Thunder, Thor
The competitive meta of Marvel Rivals' season 2 is dominated by flying heroes, such as Iron Man and Ultron, which means teams usually consist of tanks that have a chance of taking them down or at least holding their own against them.
While characters such as Peni or Doctor Strange are usually the go-to answers, some forget that Thor can also be a good one. In his Awakened state, he can land devastating hits from afar with his enhanced attacks, often taking down flying enemies quickly with the right aim. He also doesn't have to worry too much about being killed, as his Thorforce can help sustain him even when ganged up on.
Couple all that with his ability to dash into and out of fights with his Hammer Throw ability, and it should be clear that Thor can be an exceptional pick, even in matches among the higher ranks.
The Celestial Madonna, Mantis
The best strategists are the ones who can provide constant sustain, which is why many would veer towards Cloak and Dagger or Luna Snow for competitive matches. And while Mantis doesn't fit this category as well, she makes up for it through her other benefits.
Although she can't give as much healing, her damage boost via Allied Inspiration can easily dictate the pace of battles. Give that to something like current Duelist meta picks, like Hawkeye or Storm, and most enemy compositions start crumbling because of the brute force.
If that wasn't enough, her ultimate, Soul Resurgence, can make allies nearly unkillable while also more agile, which is beneficial for teams who have normally slow but powerful characters, like Groot or Magneto. Although she isn't picked as often despite the benefits, Mantis still has some presence and can usually lead to victory when handled by skilled players.
The Immortal Weapon, Iron Fist
Again, the current competitive meta is dominated by flying heroes, which means the need to counter them is high. Many would pick characters such as Spider-Man, Hela, and Namor to go against such threats because their abilities make them the best to do so, but if that's the case, then Iron Fist should be a part of that list.
While the close combat hero received some nerfs in season 2, that doesn't mean he's no longer dangerous. Being able to lock onto enemies makes him the perfect candidate to take down flying characters, constantly running into them regardless of how high they go. He can even mess up the enemy backline with little danger to himself due to his Dragon's Defense and Crane Leap abilities, jumping in and out constantly while potentially getting a few pick-offs.
Iron Fist can certainly dominate the lower-tiered ranks in competitive play, and can also do the same in higher ones, so long as his user can make fast and smart decisions with his aggressive playstyle.
Marvel Rivals' current competitive meta certainly has heroes that are more favored than others, but they aren't always the best option for every single match. It's important to learn that there are others who, while not as viable and often ignored, can be more deadly and attain victory better than the meta picks at times. These unsung heroes can be the difference between ranking up or down, so it's best to learn about them and perhaps even use them at some point.
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