Marvel Rivals and Overwatch are similar in gameplay, with team-based objectives, unique hero abilities, and a focus on strategic combat. Becoming a shooter hero is basically impossible if you don’t have several similar heroes. But this is a blessing in disguise, as it makes it easier for Overwatch players to jump into Marvel Rivals. Here’s an in-depth look at 10 Marvel Rivals heroes and their Overwatch counterparts.
Thor and Reinhardt/Junker Queen: Melee tanks in front of you
Thor shares Reinhardt’s role as a frontline powerhouse and the Junker Queen’s mid-range disruption capabilities. Like Reinhardt, Thor uses a hammer. Of course, these two hammers have very different use cases. However, they have the same attack pattern: smashing the enemy team’s face with a hammer.
One great thing about Mjölnir is that you can throw it to deal long-range damage. This ability resembles Junker Queen’s Jagged Blade throw. Both of these weapons return to their users after dealing damage.
These same traits make Thor a familiar choice for Overwatch players who appreciate tanky, aggressive gameplay with team-supporting tools.
Lastly, Thor’s Storm Surge allows him to charge through enemy lines, similar to Reinhardt’s Charge. Basically you spin the hammer and then run at the enemy pinning them to a wall or isolating them from the team. His ultimate, God of Thunder, rains down devastating AOE damage like Doomfist’s Meteor Strike.
In short, Thor’s mastery of Mjölnir combines elements of both Reinhardt’s and Junker Queen’s skills. Her hammer swings deal massive melee damage, reminiscent of Reinhardt’s main attack, while Hammer Throw mimics Junker Queen’s Jagged Blade to attack enemies at mid-range.
Iron Man and Pharah: Raining rockets from above
You can’t have a hero shooter based on superheroes without having characters who can fly. You also can’t have a Marvel Shooter without the star of the Marvel universe: Iron Man.
Iron Man’s gear is very similar to Pharah’s gear from Overwatch. First, they are flying heroes who rain rockets on the enemy team. However, unlike Pharah, Iron Man does not run out of fuel and can stay in the air indefinitely.
Both characters’ main attacks are rockets that deal AOE and projectile-based damage. In short: both heroes rely on their ability to hover above the battlefield, raining explosive projectiles onto enemies below.
For players familiar with Pharah’s abilities in aerial combat, Iron Man’s flying mechanics and area damage attacks feel comfortable. Honestly, Iron Man feels much better playing than Pharah, simply because he doesn’t have to go to the ground as often to charge his jetpack. Plus, he has the mobility to get out of difficult situations rather than just being an easy target.
Black Widow and Widowmaker: Deadly marksmen with grappling hooks
Black Widow mirrors the sniper-centric gameplay of Widowmaker, offering long-range precision with her rifle. He’s pretty much what you’d expect from a sniper character in a hero shooter.
The overall design idea of these kits is more or less similar, although there are some clear differences between the two. Black Widow has mobility abilities that allow her to run and jump, while Widowmaker has a grappling hook. Widowmaker’s rifle changes automatically for close range, while Black Widow brings out her staff for close combat.
Their emphasis on high-damage, one-shot attacks makes them an ideal choice for players who excel at positioning and timing, ensuring their team stays one step ahead.
Hawkeye and Hanzo: Mobile threats that use bows
Hawkeye’s bow-using gameplay feels natural to main player Hanzo. His Precision Arrow deals exactly the same damage as Hanzo’s main shot, while his Shockwave Arrow adds an AOE element.
While their other abilities may not be the same, there is one more thing they have in common: facing them in a match can be very frustrating. One headshot from Hanzo or Hawkeye will send you back to your spawn.
These two heroes are intended for players who like to move while delivering precise and impactful attacks from a safe distance.
Magneto and Sigma: Flexible barrier tanks
Magneto and Sigma both manipulate physical forces to control battles. Magneto’s Metallic Curtain provides a flexible shield similar to Sigma’s Experimental Barrier, protecting allies from incoming fire.
His Mag-Cannon requires charging, like Sigma’s primary fire, which delivers high-impact shots. Magneto’s ultimate, Meteor M, destroys enemies with an AOE attack, echoing Sigma’s Gravitic Flux.
This makes both characters strong choices for tank players who enjoy controlling the flow of battle.
Venom and Doomfist/Wrecking Ball: Diving tanks with high mobility
Venom’s aggressive playstyle makes him a mix between Doomfist and Wrecking Ball. His Venom Swing allows him to traverse the map quickly, similar to Wrecking Ball’s Grappling Claw. Venom’s dive bomb ability is a loose combination of Doomfist’s Rocket Punch and Wrecking Ball’s Piledriver, used to launch enemies and disrupt their formation.
Venom is basically Marvel Rivals’ best dive tank. With his mobility, he can easily isolate enemies or take control of the map. If you like that kind of dynamic tanking gameplay style, Venom could be your ultimate hero.
Luna Snow and Lucio: Skating healers
Luna Snow shares Lucio’s love of music. His ultimate is a crossfade version of Lucio, where he can swap between increased damage and healing while dancing around.
Luna Snow also glides around the map like Lucio, but she cannot glide on walls. He also has a crowd control ability to help him deal with diving duelists: he throws ice shards that can freeze enemies. Lucio has a similar ability but instead of freezing, he can knock back enemies to quickly escape.
If you like Lucio’s dynamic style of providing support, you’ll definitely love Luna Snow.
Doctor Strange and Symmetra/Ramattra: Teleport around the map
Doctor Strange combines Symmetra’s utility with Ramattra’s survivability. His Seraphim Shield acts like a deployable barrier while his teleportation ability, Pentagram of Farallah, is a game-changing trump card. His ultimate, Eye of Agamotto, paralyzes enemies, functioning similarly to Ramattra’s Ravenous Vortex.
Doctor Strange is a versatile hero for players who enjoy combining team support with battlefield control. Both characters shine when played by players who value utility and adaptability in high-pressure situations.
Punisher and Soldier 76: CoD style shooter heroes
Punisher channels Soldier: 76’s straightforward yet effective play style. He’s basically a CoD character in Marvel Rivals, equipped with a high damage Assault Rifle, grenades, and some mobility. Just like Soldier: 76, these characters are designed to be beginner-friendly.
In short, Punisher is ideal for players switching from traditional FPS games. It offers simplicity without sacrificing impact. Both Punisher and Soldier 76 offer a classic shooter feel, making absorbing the hero shooter aspect easier.
Mantis and Zenyatta/Anna: Fragile healers that also offer buffs
Mantis and Zenyatta are not very similar but they have similar equipment and playing styles. Mantis has leaves that can be used to heal or provide damage to his team’s buffs. Likewise, Zenyatta has balls that he can stick to teammates to recover them.
His ultimate, Soul Resurgence, increases healing and movement speed, functioning like Zenyatta’s Transcendence. Mantis also has the ability to make enemies sleep, just like Anna’s sleep arrow.
Mantis’ balance of healing and utility makes it a great choice for players who want to influence the battle without being on the front lines. He is a balanced healer who can also attack when needed.
Conclusion
There are so many abilities and concepts you can utilize when creating a hero shooter. Therefore, some overlap between different heroes is inevitable. Please note that we did not create this article to ‘mention’ any particular game. This is only intended as a practical guide for experienced Overwatch players looking to dive into the world of Marvel: Rivals. These heroes will make you feel right at home if you’re new to the game, and they will serve as an ideal platform for getting to know the many other heroes that Marvel Rivals has to offer.
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