Target Prioritization in 1v1 vs. Team Fights
Gaming
Mar 2, 2025
Mastering target prioritization in duels and team fights can significantly enhance your gameplay and improve your chances of victory.

Want to win more fights in Marvel Rivals? It all comes down to who you target and when. Whether you're in a tense 1v1 duel or a chaotic team fight, mastering target prioritization can give you a serious advantage. Here's a quick breakdown:
1v1 Duels: Focus on exploiting your opponent's cooldowns and weaknesses. Use your hero's abilities and map control to dominate.
Team Fights: Coordinate with your team to eliminate high-priority targets like damage dealers or healers. Adapt your focus as the fight evolves.
Quick Comparison
Targeting the right enemy at the right time is the difference between victory and defeat. Keep reading for detailed strategies to improve your gameplay.
1v1 Target Selection
Dominate 1v1 duels by understanding your opponents and leveraging your hero's strengths. Knowing how different heroes interact and adjusting your tactics accordingly is key to winning these encounters.
Reading Your Opponent
Pay close attention to your opponent's abilities and cooldowns. For instance, when facing Wolverine, your strategy should depend on his Rage meter:
Watch their movements and ability usage to time your engagements effectively. Once you understand their patterns, use your hero's unique strengths to gain the upper hand.
Using Your Hero's Abilities
Make the most of your hero's abilities to dominate 1v1 encounters. For example, Wolverine shines in certain matchups:
"As Wolverine, focus on Vanguards due to the damage scaling of Savage Claw."
If you're playing as a DPS hero, you'll generally have the advantage - until Wolverine's Rage swings the momentum in favor of Strategists and Duelists.
Map Control
Controlling the map can give you a huge edge in 1v1 battles. Use these tactics to secure better positioning:
Take the high ground for improved visibility and better attack angles.
Break line of sight using walls to avoid unnecessary damage.
Flank strategically to catch opponents off-guard and force them into bad positions.
Mastering these positioning strategies will enhance your overall effectiveness in 1v1 situations.
Team Fight Target Selection
In team fights, focusing on the right targets and maintaining coordination can make all the difference.
Priority Targets by Role
Target selection often follows two main strategies: Front-to-Back (FTB) and Back-to-Front (BTF). The choice depends on your team's strengths and the current game situation:
When picking targets, think about their threat level and positioning. Damage dealers, crowd-control-heavy supports, or isolated enemies are usually top priorities. Once roles are clear, strong communication becomes critical.
Team Communication
"Communication and coordination are essential for winning team fights. It's important to have a plan and to communicate that plan with your team. This includes target selection, positioning, and objective control."
Here are some ways to keep everyone on the same page:
Signal your intentions.
Use text chat for quick clarifications.
Ping priority targets to draw attention.
This communication helps your team stay aligned and ready to adapt as the fight unfolds.
Changing Targets Mid-Fight
Sometimes, you’ll need to adjust your focus during a fight. Here’s what to watch for:
Fight Evolution: As the battle progresses, priorities may shift. Start by addressing immediate threats and adapt as the fight changes.
Enemy Vulnerability: Look for opportunities when high-value targets - like a damage dealer or support - are exposed or isolated.
If your ideal target is out of reach, focus on nearby threats while repositioning for better opportunities. Flexibility is key to staying effective in chaotic situations.
Target Selection Factors
Team Setup and Goals
Your team's composition and goals play a big role in deciding which targets to prioritize during fights. By understanding your team's strengths and weaknesses, you can make smarter choices about who to focus on in both duels and team battles.
In team fights, target priority usually looks like this:
"Target Priority is very dynamic due to oftentimes rapidly changing battlefield conditions." - Dignitas
While this priority order is a good starting point, always adjust based on your team's objectives and the fight's specific circumstances. Flexibility is key.
Ability and Health Management
Keeping track of cooldowns - both yours and your opponents' - is critical. When an enemy runs out of defensive abilities, it's often the perfect time to strike.
"Everyone (whether it be support, tank, or damage dealer), when his or her defensive cooldowns have been expended, is a potentially valid focus target." - Dignitas
Health management is equally important. When deciding on a target, consider:
Their current health percentage
Whether they have access to healing
Their damage output potential
Whether their escape abilities are on cooldown
These factors help you identify targets that can be taken down efficiently.
Punishing Enemy Mistakes
Beyond setup and cooldown management, taking advantage of enemy mistakes can change the course of a fight. Poor positioning, overextension, or predictable moves are all opportunities to exploit.
"Vulnerability/ease of elimination is a competing interest with the target priority list above. Don't get tunneled on taking out the enemy DPS when there's an easy kill on an opposing tank presented!" - Dignitas
When you spot these openings, act quickly and communicate with your team. Securing an easy kill and gaining a numbers advantage often outweighs sticking rigidly to the usual target priority list.
Practice Methods
If you want to excel at target prioritization in both duels and team fights, regular practice is crucial.
Training Exercises
Use specific drills to improve your ability to choose and engage targets effectively.
"The decision of the defender will be based on the information they see in front of them. Has the attacker got the ball under control? Maybe they need to delay and force the attacker away from the goal. If the touch is poor, maybe it's a trigger to press." – Dave Wright, Co-Founder of PDP
Defensive Positioning Practice: Set up small goals and practice defending from various angles. This drill helps you figure out the best time to engage. Rotate roles every 10-15 minutes to keep the exercise dynamic.
Multi-Target Tracking: Recreate scenarios where you need to monitor multiple opponents. This helps with quick target switching in team fights.
Analyzing professional gameplay is another way to refine these skills.
Pro Player Analysis
Watch professional matches to study how top players manage ultimate timing, resource usage, and adjust their positioning.
"When we talk about the value of 1v1s, I instantly think of young players learning the game. There are lots of different ways to work on them. For instance, 1v1s could also mean duels from different angles and different sides; they don't just concern dribbling - the ball-retention aspect is equally important." – Dave Wright, Co-Founder of PDP
Finally, take time to review your own matches to spot areas for improvement.
Match Review Tips
Target Selection Analysis
Identify missed opportunities to engage high-priority targets.
Review moments where you capitalized on enemy mistakes.
Assess how your positioning affected your ability to reach targets.
Decision Timeline Review
Note your initial target choices, when you switched targets, and how you used your key cooldowns.
"It's important to consider where the player is receiving. Is it off the shoulder? Is it double movements to try to lose the defender? Then we can look at receiving shapes, to face forward on the half-turn and try to play forwards quickly. Don't over-coach. Allow your players plenty of opportunities to explore different 1v1 solutions." – Dave Wright, Co-Founder of PDP
Conclusion
Main Points
When it comes to targeting, 1v1 duels and team fights require different approaches. Here's a quick breakdown:
Interestingly, structured teamfight strategies can improve performance by more than 30%. These concepts provide a clear path for refining your gameplay.
Further Learning
Sharpening your targeting skills takes practice and analysis. Drills and reviewing replays are excellent ways to improve. Resources like the Marvel Rivals Guides & Tier List (https://marvelrivalsmeta.com) offer detailed advice on hero matchups and advanced targeting techniques. To take your gameplay to the next level:
Analyze your gameplay footage to assess positioning and targeting decisions.
Practice coordinated targeting with your team to improve communication and timing.
Stay updated on current meta trends and hero matchups to make smarter decisions.
Track your performance metrics to measure progress and identify areas for growth.
Dive into community platforms for additional tips and strategies - they’re great for staying informed about the latest trends and tactics.