As we enter the mid-season with massive changes and an addition to the roster, the tier list shifts ever so slightly. Characters who were irrelevant in the previous seasons are now some of the best, and if you want to know why, here is the Marvel Rivals Season 9.5 Tier list.
Marvel Rivals Tier List Mechanics
This list will consider several factors for its ranking. Win Rate is an important metric; a higher win rate across more games generally signifies a strong presence in the meta. The second factor would be recent buffs and nerfs; small stat changes can significantly affect a character's performance.
Ranking Criteria
- S Tier: Best-in-slot or meta-defining
- A Tier: Strong Overall pick and can compete with the meta
- B Tier: Average, struggles with some matchups, but still a decent choice
- C Tier: Niche pick, situational
- D Tier: Extremely lacking this season, struggles to compete with characters in class
Duelist Tier List
Duelist Ranking Explained
Elsa Bloodstone
Elsa Bloodstone is easily the premier S-tier pick. Capable of easily dealing with Vanguards and has become extremely relevant now thanks to the 3 Vanguard meta. Her whole kit was made for this season's meta, and her high skill ceiling allows players to invest a lot of time mastering her.
Winter Soldier
Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes, has always been a staple of the game. He has never truly been bad, just not the optimal choice depending on the meta. But this season, Bucky has been seeing tons of success in solo games thanks to his amazing carry potential. He can easily take out the back line with his hook or kite tanks while dashing.
Black Widow
Black Widow had such a massive glow-up. From being one of the worst heroes in the game to one of the best. She occupies the same role as she did before: long-range poke, which she is able to consistently do with good aim. However, she lacks any team utility, and her only real contribution is damage, so missing shots is just all the more punishing.
Strategist Tier List
Strategist Ranking Explained
Mantis
Mantis is the premier Strategist this season. Extremely strong healing, amazing damage, and the best part is she has some of the best team-ups this season. There is not much to say about Mantis other than her healing is just that good and consistent.
Gambit
Gambit is the best Strategist for solo players. He has been nerfed to the ground, but it does not diminish just how well-rounded his kit is. He has a solution to almost every problem in the game and can easily carry games with good map knowledge and timing.
Cloak and Dagger
Cloak and Dagger has always been good. It's hard to think of a single season where choosing this pair was seen as a negative. They can output amazing healing and damage regardless of the map or game mode.
Vanguard Tier List
Vanguard Ranking Explained
Magneto
Magneto is without a shadow of doubt the best Vanguard in the game. He is able to effectively tank; he has damage; his sword is extremely terrifying in the hands of a good player. He was almost always picked in pro play, and matches with 2 of him were decided by the better Magneto.
Emma Frost
Emma Frost has one of the best kits in the game for this season. She can easily shut down dive heroes and save her backline just as easily as she can do for the enemy team's frontline. She lives up to her comic book counterpart as a master of control. When paired with Magneto or other meta vanguards, the game feels like a cakewalk for you and torture for your enemies.
The Thing
The Thing has a very simple yet impactful kit. He is a strong counter to extremely mobile heroes and naturally bulky enough to stay in the front. The downside is just the lack of excitement while playing him. He is consistent, a strong counterpick, and overall a great vanguard to pick up this mid-season.
