As a writer who has spent countless hours exploring the Marvel Rivals, I have come to appreciate every single facet of its design, from the explosive hero interactions to the subtle nuances of its game modes. My journey through this chaotic, fast-paced world has taught me one thing above all else, practice is paramount. And for anyone looking to truly sharpen their skills without the intense pressure of competitive play, the “Practice vs. AI” mode is an indispensable training ground. It is more than just a place to warm up, it is a full-fledged environment for growth.
In this article, I want to share my insights on why this mode is so valuable and what you can, and cannot, accomplish within its confines. I will break down everything from the core differences between playing against AI versus human opponents, to the specifics of achievements, Heroic Journey progression, and hero proficiency. My goal is to give you a clear roadmap so you can maximize your time and become a formidable force in the multiverse.
The Training Ground for True Heroes
First, let’s talk about what the Practice vs. AI mode truly offers. It is a live-action, team-based experience where you, and other players, face off against a full team of AI-controlled enemies. This is not a solo training range, it is a simulated Quick Match, complete with objectives, team compositions, and the ebb and flow of a real battle. What makes it so brilliant is the adjustable difficulty, allowing you to tailor the challenge to your current skill level.
There are three difficulty settings to choose from, Easy, Medium, and Hard. I have found that each one provides a unique benefit. Easy is perfect for absolute beginners who need to learn the basic controls and hero abilities. It is a no-stress environment where you can get a feel for a new character without the fear of being “stomped.” Medium offers a bit more resistance, forcing you to think about positioning and ability usage more strategically. And then there is Hard. I will be honest with you, the Hard difficulty AI is no joke. They are incredibly coordinated, their aim is uncanny, and their healers are almost telepathically linked. It is a better training experience than many Quick Matches I have played because the bots actually work as a team, unlike some human players who treat the mode like a free-for-all.
This mode is a consequence-free learning space. There is no risk to your rank, your stats are not affected, and you can experiment with unconventional hero combinations and strategies without upsetting your team. For me, it has been the perfect place to get a feel for a new Duelist or test out a different build for a Strategist before I take them into the fray of live competition.
Achievements, Progression, and the Heroic Journey
Now, let’s address the big question I get from many players, what progress can I make in Practice vs. AI? This is a crucial distinction, and one that is often misunderstood.
Here is a simple breakdown of what counts and what does not.
| Progression Category | Counts in Practice vs. AI? | Details |
| Account Leveling | Yes | You can earn experience points and level up your overall account. |
| Missions/Quests | Yes | Daily, weekly, and event missions can be completed in this mode. |
| Proficiency | No | Hero proficiency challenges and progression do not advance in this mode. |
| Heroic Journey | No | Hero-specific achievements within the Heroic Journey system do not count. |
| Specific Achievements | Yes/No | A few general achievements, like “Heating Up!” (take down 50 AI enemies) can be earned. However, most others are excluded. |
As you can see, the game is designed to funnel players into live matches for the most significant progression systems. My advice is to use Practice vs. AI for its intended purpose, which is to learn and improve. Trying to grind Heroic Journey or proficiency challenges here will only lead to frustration, as your efforts will not be recorded. I have seen many players, myself included, make this mistake, thinking they were making progress only to find out they were spinning their wheels.
The Heroic Journey is a particularly important system to understand. It is a list of hero-specific achievements, such as “Snack Attack!” for Jeff the Land Shark (swallow 4 enemies with a single use of It’s Jeff!), that reward you with valuable items like units and exclusive skins. These challenges are often quite difficult and require very specific in-game actions. While it would be convenient to complete them against AI, the developers have restricted them to live modes, likely to ensure a certain level of skill and challenge is required to earn those rewards.
Hero Proficiency, The Ultimate Test of Skill
The Hero Proficiency system is perhaps the most direct measure of a player’s mastery of a character. It is a personal progression tracker that awards you with unique cosmetics like sprays, KO prompts, and avatars as you rank up. My favorite part about this system is that it is a public display of dedication to a specific hero, culminating in the prestigious “Lord” rank.
The challenges for hero proficiency are not simple. They range from reaching specific playtime milestones to completing role-specific quotas for damage, healing, or damage blocked. This is where you will really notice the distinction between Practice vs. AI and other modes. As I mentioned earlier, proficiency challenges cannot be progressed in Practice vs. AI or custom games. The developers have stated that these challenges are meant to be completed in the heat of battle against other players, in modes like Quick Match, Competitive, and Arcade.
Here is a quick look at the kind of proficiency challenges you might encounter:
- Play Time Challenges: This is the most straightforward, requiring you to play a certain amount of time with a hero. It is a great way to earn a steady stream of points.
- Role-Specific Challenges: These are tied to your hero’s role. For example, a Duelist might need to deal a certain amount of damage, while a Strategist will be challenged to heal a specific amount.
- Hero-Specific Challenges: These are unique to each hero, such as landing multiple KOs with a specific ability or assisting your teammates a certain number of times.
I have found that the best way to tackle these is to focus on a single hero and prioritize their unique challenges. For me, playing in Arcade mode has been the fastest way to grind proficiency because of the non-stop action and high-intensity fights. It is a perfect middle ground between the casual Quick Match and the high-stakes Competitive mode.
A Path to Glory
In the end, Practice vs. AI is an invaluable tool in your Marvel Rivals arsenal. It is the perfect place to learn the ropes, master a new hero, and experiment with strategies without any of the stress or toxicity that can sometimes plague online games. While you cannot level up your hero proficiency or complete the majority of the Heroic Journey achievements in this mode, its purpose is far more fundamental. It is the training montage for your inner hero, the stepping stone to becoming a true champion of the multiverse.My final piece of advice for you is to embrace this mode. Do not think of it as a lesser experience, but as a critical part of your journey. Spend time in the Practice vs. AI lobby before you jump into a Quick or Competitive Match. Get a feel for the hero, practice your team-up abilities, and build muscle memory. When you feel confident, then take your skills to the next level and face off against human opponents. The progress you make here, while not always visible on a stat sheet, will translate directly into better performance and a more enjoyable experience in every other mode. So, what are you waiting for, the multiverse needs you, and the AI is waiting.
