8 Common Mistakes New Players Make
Gaming
Feb 1, 2025
Learn the top 8 mistakes new players make in Marvel Rivals and how to avoid them for better gameplay and teamwork.
New to Marvel Rivals? Many beginners struggle with the game's strategic depth, from picking the wrong heroes to ignoring objectives. Here's a quick guide to the most common mistakes and how to fix them:
Choosing the Wrong Heroes: Focus on balanced team compositions, not just favorites.
Ignoring Objectives: Prioritize game-winning tasks over eliminations.
Using Abilities at the Wrong Time: Time ultimates and abilities for maximum impact.
Not Using Team-Up Abilities: Coordinate hero pairings for powerful synergies.
Bad Positioning and Poor Map Awareness: Learn maps, control key areas, and stay alert.
Lack of Communication: Use pings, callouts, and voice chat to coordinate effectively.
Not Learning Hero Mechanics: Master your hero’s abilities and playstyle in the Practice Range.
Letting Frustration Affect Your Play: Stay calm, take breaks, and focus on learning from losses.
Quick Tip: Winning isn’t just about kills - it’s about teamwork, strategy, and staying focused. Master these basics, and you’ll climb the ranks faster while enjoying the game more.
Top Essential Tips - Don't Make These Mistakes
1. Choosing the Wrong Heroes
A common mistake in Marvel Rivals is picking heroes based solely on personal favorites rather than their strategic value. With 33 heroes divided into three roles - Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists - choosing poorly can weaken your team's performance.
How to Build a Balanced Team
A solid team setup often follows a 2-2-2 structure: two Vanguards for defense, two Duelists for damage, and two Strategists for support. The key is pairing heroes with abilities that work well together. For example, Captain America and Thor make a strong Vanguard duo - Thor’s heavy damage pairs perfectly with Captain America's mobility and team-wide damage boost.
Tips for Selecting Heroes
When choosing heroes, focus on effective strategies. While S-tier heroes like Hulk, Doctor Strange, Luna Snow, and Hela are popular in the current meta, don’t rely solely on them. Instead, adjust your picks based on the enemy team. For instance, if they have strong Vanguards, counter with high-damage Duelists to break their defenses.
Pay close attention to Team-Up abilities, as certain combinations can create game-changing synergies. Magneto’s "Metallic Chaos" ability is a great example, offering additional options that can shift the momentum of a match.
Stay updated on balance changes through trusted sources like marvelrivalsmeta.com. The meta shifts with updates, so being informed helps you adapt. Ultimately, choose heroes that fit your playstyle while contributing to your team’s overall strategy.
Keep in mind, success isn’t just about picking the right heroes - it’s also about understanding and prioritizing objectives during gameplay.
2. Ignoring Objectives
At its core, Marvel Rivals revolves around objectives, and overlooking this key element often results in unnecessary losses. A common mistake among new players is focusing too much on eliminations while neglecting the tasks that actually win games.
Why Objectives Outweigh Kills
Top players consistently prioritize objectives and team support over eliminations. Why? Because kills alone don’t secure a win. Each game mode has its own focus - whether it’s capturing points in Domination or escorting payloads in Convoy. Success depends on strategy and teamwork, not just combat.
Finding the Right Balance Between Combat and Objectives
Striking a balance between fighting and completing objectives requires smart decision-making. Here’s how you can manage both effectively:
Team Coordination: Always have at least two teammates dedicated to the objective, especially during overtime. No matter how many eliminations you rack up, the objective won’t progress without someone actively working on it.
Strategic Control: Use your hero’s abilities to dominate objective zones while fending off enemies. Knowing when to focus on the objective instead of chasing kills is crucial. For example, securing a capture point in a critical moment is often far more impactful than eliminating an opponent. As the saying goes, “This is not a deathmatch game, so simply racking up kills will not win you matches”.
Understanding objectives is just one aspect of the game - leveraging your hero’s abilities effectively is just as important.
3. Using Abilities at the Wrong Time
Using abilities, especially ultimates, at the wrong moment can leave your team exposed when it matters most. In a game that thrives on teamwork, timing your abilities correctly is essential to your strategy.
When to Use Ultimate Abilities
Ultimate abilities can turn the tide of a match, but they come with long cooldowns. A poorly timed ultimate can weaken your team’s chances of success. Here are some key scenarios where ultimates shine:
Securing objectives during overtime or other critical moments
Countering enemy ultimates effectively
Protecting teammates who are under heavy fire
Coordinating team pushes for maximum impact
For example, Luna Snow's Fate of Both Worlds should be saved for moments when your team needs healing or support. Using it randomly, when allies are scattered, wastes its potential. Similarly, Iron Man's Invincible Pulse Cannon requires precise positioning and timing to unleash its full power.
Combining Abilities with Teammates
Abilities are far more impactful when used in sync with your team. Combining ultimates strategically can amplify their effectiveness and secure key advantages.
Here’s a quick look at some powerful ability combinations:
One standout combo is Iron Fist’s Chi of Shou-Lao paired with Luna Snow’s abilities. Together, they create an icy ring that slows enemies while healing allies nearby. This synergy blends offense and defense seamlessly.
To make the most of your ultimates, focus on timing and coordination. Use them during team fights, to secure objectives, or to protect key allies. When paired with your teammates’ abilities, ultimates can truly change the course of the game.
4. Not Using Team-Up Abilities
Team-Up abilities in Marvel Rivals can completely shift the course of a battle. However, many players either ignore these abilities or use them without proper planning, losing out on their true potential.
Timing Team-Up Abilities
To get the most out of Team-Up abilities, timing and coordination are everything. Here are some scenarios where these abilities can make a big difference:
Objective Control: Pair Rocket's Ammo Overload with Punisher or Winter Soldier to maintain constant pressure on objectives.
Team Fights: Combine Hulk's Gamma Charge with Doctor Strange or Iron Man for massive burst damage.
Recovery Phase: Use Hela's Ragnarok Rebirth alongside Thor or Loki for instant resurrection or bonus health.
Ambush Setup: Moon Knight's Lunar Force with Cloak & Dagger can set up sneaky surprise attacks.
Examples of Strong Team-Ups
Some combinations stand out for their effectiveness. Defensive options like 'Fantasti-Force' (Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic) create a fortified zone with damage resistance and health boosts. On the offensive side, 'Metallic Chaos' (Scarlet Witch and Magneto) delivers devastating attacks. Support-focused synergies like 'Guardian Revival' (Adam Warlock with Star-Lord and Mantis) ensure your team stays in the fight with instant revives.
For example, when using the Symbiote Bond, Spider-Man and Venom can coordinate their attacks to overwhelm enemies. Unlike individual ultimates, Team-Up abilities require specific hero pairs to work together seamlessly for maximum impact.
While mastering these abilities is crucial, don’t forget that positioning and map awareness are just as important for controlling the battlefield.
5. Bad Positioning and Poor Map Awareness
Positioning and map awareness are critical in Marvel Rivals, yet they're often overlooked. Poor choices here can lead to unnecessary deaths and missed chances, even if your ability execution is flawless.
Understanding Map Layouts
Knowing the map inside and out gives you a significant edge. Prioritize controlling high ground for better visibility and tactical benefits, use permanent cover to stay protected, and explore alternate routes to outmaneuver or escape enemies. For instance, maps like Shin-Shibuya feature vertical areas perfect for ambushes, while others may favor tighter, close-combat tactics.
Keeping Track of Your Surroundings
Map awareness isn't just about memorizing layouts - it's about staying alert to the game's flow and making smart positioning decisions based on your role:
Here are some tips to improve your positioning and awareness:
Check the mini-map often to stay updated on enemy movements.
Communicate actively using voice chat or the ping system to share critical information.
Secure key vantage points early, giving your team a strategic advantage.
Stick close to your team, maintaining a distance that allows for mutual support.
Good positioning isn't just about survival - it's about creating opportunities for your team to succeed. Mastering these basics will help you avoid common pitfalls and consistently play a stronger game.
6. Lack of Communication
Poor communication is a major challenge for new players in Marvel Rivals. With twelve players on the field at once, failing to share key information can lead to missed chances and unnecessary losses. Even experienced players can struggle without proper coordination.
Using In-Game Tools to Communicate
Marvel Rivals includes built-in tools to help players stay connected. The ping system is especially useful for sharing important details quickly:
PC players can activate pings with the middle mouse button, while console players use the D-pad. For more detailed coordination, voice chat is available in the audio settings.
Tips for Clear Communication
Good communication is all about timing and clarity. Here are some strategies to help your team work together:
Share Important Status Updates: Let your team know when your ultimate is ready or if you're running low on health.
Call Out Enemy Locations: Use specific map names and pings to pinpoint threats.
Play to Your Role: Healers should announce when healing is available, while Vanguards should signal when to push or retreat.
Don’t ignore teammate pings or character voice lines - they're packed with useful tactical info. Keep your callouts short and to the point to avoid overwhelming your team.
While communication is key, knowing your hero's abilities ensures you can back up your words with action.
7. Not Learning Hero Mechanics
Not understanding how your hero works is a common mistake that can lead to missed plays and frustration during matches. With 33 heroes to choose from in Marvel Rivals, taking time to learn your hero's abilities and playstyle is key to performing well.
Sharpening Hero-Specific Skills
The Practice Range is your go-to spot for honing skills without the pressure of a live match. Whether it’s combat training, support practice, or team synergy drills, this mode lets you build a solid foundation. Start with the basics before diving into more advanced tactics. Heroes like Magneto may take more time and effort to master, but the payoff is huge for those willing to put in the work.
Finding Hero Guides
Hero profiles provide essential details about abilities, strengths, and playstyles, giving you a great starting point. For more in-depth knowledge, check out MarvelRivalsMeta.com. This site features guides from experienced players, breaking down mechanics, combos, and even counter-pick strategies.
Here’s how to get better, step by step:
Focus on one or two heroes rather than spreading yourself thin.
Use the Practice Range often to sharpen your skills.
Watch top players for advanced tips and tricks.
Learn counter-picks and how to build strong team compositions.
Knowing your hero inside and out is crucial, but don’t forget - keeping a level head during matches matters just as much.
8. Letting Frustration Affect Your Play
Frustration can quietly sabotage your performance, turning even the most skilled players into their own worst enemies. Strong emotions often lead to rash decisions, lost focus, disorganized teamwork, and unnecessary defeats.
Staying Positive and Focused
Keeping calm starts with shifting your mindset. Instead of seeing losses as failures, look at them as chances to learn and grow.
"The only play that matters is the next one. Play forward."
Here’s what successful players often do to stay composed:
Use mindfulness techniques to regain focus.
Prioritize strategy over simply winning and turn negative thoughts into actionable insights.
How to Avoid Getting Tilted
Feeling "tilted" - that state of frustration where you make poor choices - can be especially damaging in games like Marvel Rivals.
"Sometimes it's better to just turn it off and walk away. Continuing to play in this frame of mind can make it seem impossible to focus on the objective, you may even find it makes you play worse."
To handle tilt effectively, try these strategies:
Even professional players deal with frustration. A great example comes from the Rainbow 6 Grand Finals in 2018. Penta, down 0-2 against Evil Geniuses, faced tilting and internal disagreements. But they pulled themselves together and made an incredible comeback, winning the championship with a reverse sweep.
"Emotions are very personal to each individual and that certain emotional states can be more useful for one person than another."
Understanding your emotional triggers and developing coping methods can lead to long-term improvement. By managing frustration and staying calm, you’ll not only perform better but also enjoy the game more.
Learn and Improve in Marvel Rivals
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
To succeed in Marvel Rivals, it's important to recognize and address common mistakes. Here's a quick breakdown of frequent pitfalls and ways to overcome them:
By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for better performance and more enjoyable gameplay.
Building Better Habits
Improving in Marvel Rivals takes effort, consistency, and a willingness to learn from every match. As Deltia wisely puts it:
"At the end of the day, Marvel Rivals is a game, and games are meant to be fun."
Spend time practicing in custom matches, studying map layouts, and engaging with online communities to sharpen your skills. Growth in this game is about steady progress - winning comes from teamwork, smart decisions, and staying patient, not just flashy mechanics.
"If you blindly rush into enemies, you'll die before you can even land a shot."
Stay focused, keep learning, and enjoy the journey!
FAQs
How many wins to rank up Marvel Rivals?
To rank up in Marvel Rivals, you need to earn 100 points per tier, with each rank split into three tiers (i, ii, iii). Points are gained through victories and lost through defeats, so consistent performance is key to moving up. Competitive mode becomes available once you reach level 10, letting you start your ranked journey.
The exact number of wins needed depends on how well you perform in each match. Focusing on strong teamwork and objectives will naturally lead to more wins and quicker progression. Playing during peak hours can also help you face more balanced opponents, increasing your chances of success.
Avoiding mistakes like poor communication, bad positioning, or ignoring objectives can significantly improve your win rate. Progressing through the ranks is about steady improvement and smart gameplay, not just quick wins.
Climbing the ranks in Marvel Rivals isn’t just about understanding the system - it’s about teamwork, strategy, and avoiding common pitfalls, as highlighted throughout this guide.