We're diving into one of the most exciting times for Marvel Rivals fans: Season 2. And you smell that? That faint whiff of hope? This will be the season you finally get decent teammates? Let's be honest—you probably won't. But what you will get is a brand-new map, a shiny new hero, and some game-changing balance tweaks that are going to flip the meta on its head.
This is the Hellfire Gala Season, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to find your next main. Whether you're queuing for some casual fun, grinding ranked, or eyeing the pro scene, the meta has evolved—and we're here to walk you through who's on top. Today, we're breaking down the best heroes to main in Season 2, starting with the most crucial role in Marvel Rivals: the Vanguards.
Vanguard Meta – Tanks That Dominate
Groot – The Evergreen Pick
We start where we left off: Groot, still sitting pretty at the top of the meta. No nerfs, no changes—just pure, reliable dominance. In high-rank play and especially in pro-level competition (looking at you, Invitational and the Marvel Rivals Championship), Groot is a must-pick Vanguard. His walls still disrupt team formations, and his ultimate remains one of the most flexible tools for combos and peel.
He's a bit tough to master—his wall placement can either win you the fight or get you flamed in team chat—but once you get the hang of him, he's a solo carry in tank form. Solid protection, crowd control, and unexpected damage. If you've got a solid duelist to queue with, hit Quick Play and start wiping squads.
Magneto – The Meta Magnet
Welcome to the Season of Magneto. Yes, it's Hellfire Gala, yes, it's Krakoa-themed—and yes, it's Magneto's world, and we're all just respawning in it. He didn't get hit hard in the patch, aside from a slightly slower ultimate charge, but that's negligible when paired with Emma Frost, his new best friend in the front line.
His crowd control, zoning potential, and ultimate are excellent counters to squishy threats like Hela and mid-range pressure dealers like Star-Lord. If you ever get stuck solo-tanking, Magneto's toolkit will keep your team alive and your enemies shaken. Offense, defense, disruption—he does it all.
Emma Frost – The White Queen of the Frontline
Speaking of Emma, let's talk about the hero everyone is buzzing about: Emma Frost. She broke the internet and she's breaking frontlines. With her unstoppable diamond form, she has built-in crowd control immunity while still dishing out punishment. From Punisher's turret to The Thing's charge, you can shrug it all off like royalty.
Emma has incredible combo potential with her ultimate, respectable poke with her diamond shard burst, and serious disruption tools. She's effective up close or at range, and her learning curve isn't steep. After just a few games, most players find a rhythm with her. Expect her and Magneto to be one of the most picked or banned duos in high-level play.
The Thing – Simple, Effective, Brutal
If Emma gets banned—and she will—The Thing is your go-to. Straightforward, powerful, and very beginner-friendly. He's a brawler with excellent survivability, strong AoE and single-target options, and a good ultimate for disrupting fights. No major nerfs to him this patch means he's a safe, stable pick.
He's especially strong when paired with high-IQ strategist players, and as you rank up, his value only increases. His bully-style gameplay is a perfect answer to squishy duelists or overextended supports. Don't sleep on him this season.
Penny Parker – Low Elo Terror
Now let's talk about Penny Parker, who just got everything she ever wanted. Movement reduction while firing? Check. Easier crit potential? Yep. +100 bonus health? Cherry on top.
Penny was already a decent pick in lower ranks, but now she's shaping up to be an absolute menace in Diamond and below. Her survivability and self-healing make her incredibly frustrating to deal with. If you master spider nest placements and basic positioning, you'll find yourself dominating lobbies. Her only drawback? A fairly unimpressive ultimate. But everything else? Top-tier.
Captain America – The Wild Card
Cap is always a maybe. He starts strong every season, then falls off. But with a 5% damage boost and better survivability, this could be the season he sticks around. His value hinges on synergy—how his team-ups play out and whether the slight nerfs to shield health impact his frontline presence. Keep an eye on him.
Duelists – Who's Dishing Out Damage?
Now let's flip the script and talk about Duelists—the damage dealers who carry games if left unchecked.
Hela – The Goddess of Meta Control
No surprises here. Hela is still that girl. If you can aim even decently, you're going to carry. Hela is lethal in any environment—casual, competitive, or pro. She excels at DPS, has great synergy with Loki and Thor, and provides crowd control with her thorn projectiles.
Her soul drainer just got buffed, and her ultimate remains a force for zoning or turning the tide of a fight. She did receive a minor mobility nerf, but it's not enough to move her off the throne. Hela isn't just good—she's meta-defining.
Human Torch and Iron Man – The Flyers Rise
We're not diving deep into them today, but it's worth noting: Human Torch got buffed. His damage is more reliable, and his aerial pressure is stronger. Iron Man also sees a rise in viability due to better mobility and increased survivability. Flyers are back, and Hela's crowd control toolkit is one of the few reliable counters in the duelist space.
Expect an uptick in airborne skirmishes and vertical engagements this season. If you're a ground-focused duelist, you'll need a strategy to handle it.
Final Thoughts: The Season 2 Meta Shakeup
Season 2 of Marvel Rivals is shaping up to be a defining moment for the game's growing community. With the Hellfire Gala theme, new balance patches, and standout heroes like Emma Frost entering the fray, now's the time to refine your mains and dominate the meta. Marvel Rivals Bundles service can help you enjoy the game more.
Whether you're climbing ranked or scrimming for scrappy tourneys, understanding this season's meta is your first step toward victory. So suit up, hit the queue, and bring your A-game.
MMOexp Marvel Rivals Team