7 best defensive heroes in Marvel Rivals
In Marvel Rivals, defense is more than just standing your ground — it's about strategically outsmarting your opponents. With over 20 million players globally, NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has created a dynamic arena where defensive heroes truly shine. Whether you’re protecting your team or controlling key areas of the map, the right hero can turn a tight match into a victorious one.
On that note, if you’re aiming to dominate defensively, here’s a breakdown of the top seven best defensive heroes in Marvel Rivals, each armed with abilities designed to block, absorb damage, and protect teammates.
Note: The article is subjective and reflects the writer's views. The entries are ranked in no particular order.
Doctor Strange, Groot, and the other 5 best defensive heroes in Marvel Rivals
1) Doctor Strange
When it comes to absorbing damage and keeping your team safe, Doctor Strange stands out. This Shield of Seraphim absorbs 800 damage and regenerates quickly, offering strong protection for your team. His Pentagram of Farallah portal ability can also turn the tide by allowing your team to quickly retreat or reposition.
While his damage output isn’t top-tier, his defensive value makes him a must-have for any defensive setup.
Also read: Captain Marvel rumored to join Marvel Rivals, here's why
2) Groot
If you’re looking for someone who can absorb a lot of damage while also creating space for your team, Groot is your go-to. His Ironwood Wall creates a 700 damage shield with an eight-second cooldown, blocking enemy attacks, and being close to it gives more health to Groot. His Thornlash wall can be used aggressively, dealing consistent damage of 60 every 0.5 seconds.
Groot’s defensive prowess is enhanced by his versatility, but be careful where you place the walls to avoid blocking your teammates’ line of sight.
3) Magneto
Magneto’s strength lies in his Metallic Curtain and Bulwark bubbles, which provide excellent protection for the team. While his shield isn’t as strong as Doctor Strange or Groot's Ironwood wall, his Metal and Iron Bulwarks have the same 2.5-second cooldown, giving him frequent defensive options.
Magneto’s range also allows him to deal damage while protecting his allies, making him a solid Vanguard choice, especially when paired with characters like Scarlet Witch.
4) Punisher
Punisher is a master of area defense with his Culling Turret, which has 600 health and fires at 12.5 rounds per second. The turret is great for holding positions and creating space. However, the Punisher lacks mobility, so you must position the turret strategically. Once his Vantage Connection is on cooldown (20 seconds), he struggles to catch up to fast-moving enemies, making him more vulnerable.
But with careful turret placement and good map awareness, Punisher is excellent at controlling objectives.
5) Mantis
Mantis excels at crowd control with her Spore Slumber ability, which puts enemies to sleep for 3.5 seconds within a three-meter radius. This can be a game-changer when facing aggressive opponents or flanking heroes.
Mantis’ Ultimate Soul Resurgence can save herself or her allies from dangerous situations, and she’s great at staying behind the frontlines, healing and buffing teammates. Play her smartly, and she can be a huge defensive asset for your team.
6) Scarlet Witch
Excellent at peeling off tanks and creating chaos on the battlefield, Scarlet Witch is easily one of the best counters to opponent duelists who try to dive behind the frontline. Her Dark Seal ability allows her to stun enemies, setting them up for follow-up attacks, while her Chthonian Bursts deal devastating damage which has a projectile speed of 120 m/s and 30 damage.
All she needs is a four-second charge time, and she can unleash a solid 750 damage with her Reality Erasure. When her bursts run out, use Mystic Projection to retreat and heal.
7) Peni Parker
While Peni Parker isn’t a traditional tank, she’s incredibly effective at defense, especially in holding objectives. Her Bionic Spider-Nest deploys Spider-Drones and Cyber-Webs to control an area and keep enemies at bay. She can also lay Arachno-Mine, which offers 100 damage and has a three-meter spherical radius to surprise any enemies who think they can flank your position.
Peni’s playstyle revolves around controlling space and preventing enemies from pushing too hard, making her perfect for holding objectives and protecting teammates.
Also check: Marvel Rivals ad hints at two Fantastic Four characters to join the game