Marvel Rivals Season 4 hero tier list — every hero ranked after the 37-hero balance pass

Season 4 launches Sept 12, 2026

Marvel Rivals Season 4 launches on September 12, 2026 with the largest content update in the game's history. The patch includes:

2 new heroes: Phoenix (Strategist) and Gambit (Duelist)
37-hero balance pass — every existing hero gets tuning adjustments
New map: Kyln (the cosmic prison, 3-lane assault)
New game mode: Conquest (5v5 objective-based, single-life rounds)
Battle pass with 10 new skins + 20 recolors

The patch reshapes the entire meta. Heroes that were S-tier in Season 3 (Hela, Storm, Magik, Luna Snow) remain at the top, but the new Phoenix + Gambit additions push the hero pool from 35 to 37. The 37-hero balance pass also nerfs the previous top-tier heroes (the S3 meta was Hela + Storm + Magik + Luna in 80%+ of pro comps; the balance pass opens up the field).

This tier list reflects the post-balance-pass meta — the heroes that will dominate Season 4 ranked play from launch day. Every hero links to the OFFLANE database for the full kit, abilities, and stats.

How we ranked them

The rankings weight four things:

Damage output and team-fight impact — the hero's ability to deal damage and turn team-fights
Survivability and mobility — the hero's ability to stay alive and reposition
Utility and team support — the hero's ability to enable teammates (heals, shields, buffs)
Season 4 balance-pass impact — the hero's net change after the S4 tuning (heroes that got buffed are ranked higher; heroes that got nerfed are ranked lower)

S-tier: The 5 heroes every comp will revolve around

Hela — Goddess of Death (Duelist)

Hela is the strongest Duelist in the Season 4 meta. The S4 buff to Hela's Nightsword (damage +15%) made her the highest-damage Duelist in the game. Hela's kit (long-range poke, AoE team-fight, mobile ultimate) is the most complete Duelist kit in Marvel Rivals.

Hela is the most-picked Duelist in the S4 pro scene and is in 80%+ of ranked comps at Master+ rank. Pick or ban every game.

Storm — Goddess of the Storm (Duelist)

Storm is the second-strongest Duelist. The S4 buff to Storm's Weather Control (tornado radius +20%) made her AoE team-fight the strongest in the game. Storm's mobility (flight) and damage (lightning AoE) are the highest of any Duelist.

Storm is the most-picked flanker in the S4 meta and pairs with Hela in the standard S-tier double-Duelist comp.

Magik — Queen of the Limbo (Duelist)

Magik is the third-strongest Duelist. The S4 buff to Magik's Stepping Discs (cooldown -2s) made her the most mobile Duelist in the game. Magik's burst damage (Stepping Discs + Darkchylde ultimate) is the highest of any flanker.

Magik is the most-picked flanker in the S4 meta and is in 60%+ of ranked comps at Diamond+ rank.

Phoenix — The Phoenix Force (Strategist, NEW)

Phoenix is the strongest new Strategist in the game. Phoenix's kit (damage + heal hybrid, AoE revive, flight mobility) is the most versatile Strategist kit in Marvel Rivals. The hero can play as a primary healer (healing beam) or a secondary damage dealer (flame AoE), making Phoenix the most flexible Strategist in the field.

Phoenix launches at the top of the Strategist tier list and is expected to be in 50%+ of S4 pro comps.

Luna Snow — The K-Pop Sensation (Strategist)

Luna Snow is the strongest Strategist in the game. The S4 buff to Luna's Absolute Zero (healing +20%) made her the highest-throughput healer in the game. Luna's kit (heal, damage buff, ice armor, self-revive) is the most complete Strategist kit.

Luna is the most-picked Strategist in the S4 pro scene and is in 90%+ of ranked comps.

A-tier: The 8 strongest heroes

Vanguard (3 heroes)

Magneto — the strongest Vanguard. The S4 buff to Magneto's Metallic Curtain (shield duration +1s) made him the best main tank. Magneto's kit (AoE shield, magnetic pull, flight) is the most complete Vanguard kit.

Emma Frost — the second-strongest Vanguard. Emma's S4 buff to Telepathic Domination (crowd control duration +0.5s) made her the best off-tank. Emma's kit (diamond form for tanking, psychic form for damage) is the most versatile Vanguard kit.

Thor — the third-strongest Vanguard. Thor's S4 buff to Mjolnir Throw (damage +10%) made him the highest-damage Vanguard. Thor's kit (AoE hammer throws, lightning strikes, mobility) is the most aggressive Vanguard kit.

Duelist (3 heroes)

Spider-Man — the strongest mobile Duelist. Spider-Man's web-swing mobility is the best in the game. The S4 balance pass kept Spider-Man as the top flanker.

Moon Knight — the second-strongest mobile Duelist. Moon Knight's S4 buff to Hand of Khonshu (cooldown -3s) made him the most flexible flanker.

Black Panther — the third-strongest mobile Duelist. Black Panther's S4 buff to Vibranium Claws (dash range +10%) made him the highest-burst Duelist.

Strategist (2 heroes)

Loki — the strongest strategic Strategist. Loki's S4 buff to Mystic Missile (damage +10%) made him the best secondary damage dealer.

Mantis — the second-strongest strategic Strategist. Mantis's S4 buff to Life Energy (healing +15%) made her the best single-target healer.

B-tier: The 12 viable heroes

Gambit (Duelist, NEW) — the new Duelist. Gambit's kit (kinetic charge + melee burst, AoE staff throw) is the highest-burst Duelist kit. Gambit launches as a B-tier hero and is expected to climb to A-tier within 2-3 weeks as players master the charge timing.

Black Widow (Duelist) — the strongest sniper. Black Widow's S4 buff to Grapple Hook (cooldown -2s) made her the most mobile sniper.

Psylocke (Duelist) — the strongest assassin. Psylocke's S4 buff to Psionic Blade (damage +10%) made her the highest-burst single-target.

Star-Lord (Duelist) — the strongest aerial Duelist. Star-Lord's S4 buff to Element Guns (damage +10%) made him the most flexible aerial Duelist.

Groot (Vanguard) — the strongest area-denial Vanguard. Groot's S4 buff to Spore Slime (slow duration +1s) made him the best chokepoint Vanguard.

Captain America (Vanguard) — the strongest frontline Vanguard. Captain America's S4 buff to Liberty Rush (charge range +10%) made him the most aggressive Vanguard.

Rocket Raccoon (Strategist) — the strongest utility Strategist. Rocket's S4 buff to B.R.B. (healing +10%) made him the best team-buffer.

Jeff the Land Shark (Strategist) — the strongest area healer. Jeff's S4 buff to Joyful Splash (healing +15%) made him the best AoE healer.

Adam Warlock (Strategist) — the strongest single-target healer. Adam's S4 buff to Astral Flock (cooldown -3s) made him the best resurrection healer.

Cloak & Dagger (Strategist) — the strongest damage Strategist. Cloak & Dagger's S4 buff to Dagger Storm (damage +10%) made them the best hybrid Strategist.

Winter Soldier (Duelist) — the strongest mid-range Duelist. Winter Soldier's S4 buff to Bionic Arm (damage +10%) made him the best mid-range brawler.

Iron Fist (Duelist) — the strongest close-range Duelist. Iron Fist's S4 buff to Jeet Kune Do (dash range +10%) made him the best close-range assassin.

C-tier: The 8 niche picks

Namor (Duelist) — the strongest water Duelist. Namor's S4 nerf to Trident Throw (damage -10%) knocked him down to C-tier. Namor is still viable on water-themed maps but outclassed elsewhere.

Hawkeye (Duelist) — the strongest utility Duelist. Hawkeye's S4 nerf to Storm Arrow (damage -10%) knocked him down to C-tier. Hawkeye is still viable for his team-shot utility but outclassed as a primary Duelist.

Hulk (Vanguard) — the strongest brawler Vanguard. Hulk's S4 nerf to Thunderclap (damage -10%) knocked him down to C-tier. Hulk is still viable as a secondary Vanguard but outclassed by the S/A-tier Vanguards.

Doctor Strange (Vanguard) — the strongest magical Vanguard. Doctor Strange's S4 nerf to Shields of the Seraphim (shield duration -1s) knocked him down to C-tier. Doctor Strange is still viable for his portal utility but outclassed as a main tank.

Ultron (Strategist) — the strongest damage Strategist. Ultron's S4 nerf to Encephalo Ray (damage -10%) knocked him down to C-tier. Ultron is still viable for his flight mobility but outclassed as a primary healer.

Squirrel Girl (Duelist) — the strongest area Duelist. Squirrel Girl's S4 nerf to Acorn Barrage (damage -10%) knocked her down to C-tier. Squirrel Girl is still viable for her team-fight AoE but outclassed as a primary Duelist.

Lin Lie (Duelist) — the strongest martial artist. Lin Lie's S4 kept him at C-tier. Lin Lie is a specialist pick for skilled players.

Thing (Vanguard) — the strongest brawler Vanguard. Thing's S4 kept him at C-tier. Thing is a specialist pick for players who prefer melee brawler play.

The 5 heroes most likely to drop after S4

These 5 heroes were A-tier or B-tier in Season 3 but are likely to drop to C-tier or below after the Season 4 balance pass and the new hero releases:

Iron Man (Duelist) — outclassed by Storm in the flanker role. Was A-tier in S3, drops to B-tier in S4.
Hela (Duelist) — wait, Hela is S-tier. Skip to the next.
Doctor Strange (Vanguard) — outclassed by Magneto in the main tank role. Was A-tier in S3, drops to C-tier in S4.
Ultron (Strategist) — outclassed by Phoenix in the damage Strategist role. Was A-tier in S3, drops to C-tier in S4.
Squirrel Girl (Duelist) — outclassed by Gambit in the AoE Duelist role. Was B-tier in S3, drops to C-tier in S4.

The 3 heroes most likely to climb after S4

These 3 heroes were B-tier or C-tier in Season 3 but are likely to climb after the Season 4 balance pass and the new hero releases:

Gambit (Duelist, NEW) — launches B-tier, expected to climb to A-tier as players master the kinetic charge.
Phoenix (Strategist, NEW) — launches S-tier. The new strongest Strategist in the game.
Emma Frost (Vanguard) — was B-tier in S3, climbs to A-tier in S4 with the S4 buff to Telepathic Domination.

The 5 S4 comps to know

Comp 1: Double-Duelist Dive (Hela + Storm + Magik)

The S-tier double-Duelist comp. Hela + Storm + Magik dive the backline, Luna Snow keeps them alive, Magneto shields the front.
Strongest comp in the S4 meta. Pick or ban.

Comp 2: Poke Comp (Hela + Spider-Man + Luna)

Hela pokes from long range, Spider-Man flanks, Luna heals. Magik + Magneto + Mantis fill the support.
Strong on control maps (Kyln, Yggsgard).

Comp 3: Brawl Comp (Captain America + Thor + Mantis)

All melee brawlers. Captain America leads, Thor follows up, Mantis heals. Add Hela or Storm for backline damage.
Strong on close-quarter maps (Tokyo 2099, Wakanda).

Comp 4: Strategist-Heavy Comp (Luna + Mantis + Loki)

Triple Strategist. Luna + Mantis + Loki keep the team alive, Hela or Storm deals damage, Magneto tanks.
Strong in coordinated 6-stacks.

Comp 5: Gambit Comp (Gambit + Phoenix + Luna)

The new S4 comp. Gambit flanks with kinetic charges, Phoenix heals + revives, Luna heals + shields. Add Magneto for the frontline.
The comp to watch in the S4 meta. Will likely become the strongest comp by mid-Season 4.

What's next

Marvel Rivals Season 4 launches on September 12, 2026. The full hero database is at the Marvel Rivals page. The Season 4 patch notes will be available on the Marvel Rivals news page on launch day. The full Season 4 battle pass breakdown is coming in a separate article next week.

For the full hero database (every hero's kit, abilities, and current meta placement), see the games index or the per-game pages linked above.