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The Marvel Rivals Vanguard lineup starts off pretty limited, with only a select few heroes available at launch. Vanguards play the tank role, boasting hefty health pools and skills centered around protecting allies or disrupting foes – especially those pesky Duelists. The top tanks manage to juggle both defense and offense, bringing a variety of abilities to dominate the battlefield. Much like the Strategists, the current Vanguard roster is small but set to expand with future updates. As of now, no Vanguard feels outright weak in Marvel Rivals, though some clearly outshine others. Here’s a detailed look at the best tanks in the game.
10. Magneto
Magneto rounds out the list, mostly because other heroes simply outclass him at what he does. His game plan revolves around defense, wielding a shield to block attacks and projectiles. Though his shield can soak up damage, it doesn’t match the durability of other tanks. Magneto can share shields with teammates, temporarily absorbing damage and charging up a projectile. This charged shot knocks enemies back, but it’s underwhelming in power.
On the bright side, Magneto dishes out respectable damage, and his ultimate is a large-area attack that hits hard if you land it – so he’s not without merits. Still, compared to other tanks, Magneto feels like a second-tier choice.
9. Hulk (Bruce Banner)
Hulk is a somewhat unconventional tank, designed for diving headfirst into enemy lines, but he lacks the staying power of some dive tanks. He carries a shield, and his ultimate transforms him into Monster Hulk, restoring health and boosting damage. However, if the enemy zeroes in on him or healing isn’t consistent, Hulk often reverts to Bruce Banner – much like D.Va’s mech mechanic in Overwatch.
Despite this, Hulk’s damage output is impressive, able to shred foes faster than many tanks. In skilled hands and the right scenario, Hulk shines. But pulling off those perfect hit-and-run plays requires everything to click perfectly.
8. Captain America
Cap is one of the more challenging tanks to master. His attack combo is complex, unlocking a shield throw only if the second punch connects, demanding precision and commitment. He also has a run that can transition into a diving strike, plus a ricocheting shield throw and a shield block that reflects projectiles, making his defensive play more nuanced than Magneto’s.
This complexity can feel overwhelming, especially mid-fight, as you juggle cooldowns and timing. While his abilities deal decent damage, the payoff sometimes feels underwhelming. His ultimate is simple – granting movement and health boosts while allowing rapid punching – but lacks the excitement seen in other heroes’ ultimates.
7. Thor
Thor is a high-damage tank who thrives by diving into enemy ranks, though managing his hammer charges requires attention. He starts with three charges that refill over time or by hitting enemies with his Lightning Realm attack. Most of his damage comes from melee attacks, except during his Awakening Rune state, which grants ranged lightning projectiles.
Thor’s dash helps him engage, and he can throw his hammer at a distance. The downside? Hammer charges grant bonus health but recharge slowly if missed, making resource management crucial. Thankfully, his massive AoE ultimate can decimate objectives, a solid tool in team fights.
6. Venom
Venom stands out as one of the best dive tanks right now. His web-swinging mobility lets him zip in and out of combat easily, essential for a dive playstyle. His Symbiotic Resistance gives him a second health bar, converting missing health into bonus health for great sustain.
Venom’s primary attacks can crit, making him deadly if you aim well. His ultimate deals damage based on enemy health while boosting his own survivability, allowing him to stay in fights longer. For players who love aggressive, fast-paced tanking, Venom is an excellent pick.
5. The Thing
Taking diving a notch further, The Thing is Marvel Rivals’ first full-on brawler Vanguard. His passive immunity to knockbacks and displacement abilities makes him a nightmare for tank killers like Wolverine. But he does have some flaws – his defensive damage reduction requires a teammate’s presence, and he has little self-sustain aside from shields during his run.
His punches pack a serious punch, and his charge can displace enemies. The Thing’s ultimate lifts foes around him, setting up kills – but its long animation often leaves him vulnerable to stuns or interrupts. Plus, he struggles against flying enemies, making team composition important when playing him.
4. Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is an outstanding defensive Vanguard who also dishes out moderate damage. His large 800-health shield recovers quickly and can negate powerful ultimates like those from Iron Man or Hela, especially when combined with his ability to ascend and block attacks from above.
While his primary attack lacks crit potential and raw damage, hitting enemies builds up Dark Magic. Too much of it stops his healing, but he can release it in bursts with Maelstrom of Madness, dealing AoE damage. His ultimate, Eye of Agamotto, stuns enemies by knocking their souls out temporarily – a powerful tool for team fights.
3. Emma Frost
Emma Frost ranks high thanks to her anti-dive toolkit, countering aggressive enemy pushes that have become increasingly troublesome. Her beam attack ramps up damage the longer it hits, making her lethal over sustained fights. Plus, her shield supports teammates defensively.
Her diamond form is the real game-changer: invulnerable to displacement, she can grab enemies with a damaging chokeslam, holding down agile foes like Spider-Man or Black Panther for teammates to finish. Her kick knocks enemies into walls for extra damage, often finishing off non-tanks. Emma’s ultimate, Psionic Seduction, deals continuous damage and forces enemies to walk toward her, disrupting enemy ultimates and positioning.
2. Groot
Groot is a powerhouse Vanguard, blending offense, defense, and crowd control. He can summon walls – Thornlash and Ironwood – to block enemy movement and damage. Thornlash also damages nearby enemies who attack it, while Ironwood boosts Groot’s health when allies or Groot hit enemies near the wall.
He has a Spore Bomb AoE attack and a potent ultimate that gathers enemies, locking them down for easy takedowns. Groot’s versatile toolkit lets him adapt to many situations, making him a formidable tank.
1. Peni Parker
Taking the crown, Peni Parker boasts unmatched defense and arguably overpowered damage abilities. She excels at controlling objectives with her Bionic Spider-Nest, which spawns a Cyber-Web providing healing and deploying Spider-Drones that hunt enemies entering the web.
Peni can hide mines inside the web, invisible to foes and dealing significant damage with four charges available. Her Cyber-Web Snare traps enemies or sets environmental webs, while her primary fire hits hard. Her ultimate unleashes a flurry of Cyber-Web placements and attacks over a large area, solidifying her dominance as the top Vanguard choice.
That’s your rundown of the Marvel Rivals Vanguard tanks – each unique, each with its own strengths, and all crucial for mastering the game’s battlefield dynamics. Which one fits your playstyle best?
