I’ve been in the trenches since day one, and let me tell you, Marvel Rivals has never been more exciting. Season 4, “Heart of the Dragon,” just dropped, and it’s a game-changer. With the introduction of Angela, a new Vanguard, and a whole slew of balance updates, the meta has shifted dramatically. While everyone is focused on who has the biggest damage numbers, I know the real secret to victory lies with the Strategists, the heroes who dictate the flow of battle and keep their teams alive. In this article, I am breaking down the absolute best Strategists for Marvel Rivals Season 4.
The New Meta: What’s Changed for Strategists
The balance patch for Season 4 was a big one. NetEase made a conscious effort to shake things up, and the Strategist role felt some of the most impactful changes. Loki, a fan-favorite, got hit with a few nerfs to his illusion damage and ultimate duration. While he is still a potent hero, his dominance is now curtailed. On the other hand, heroes like Invisible Woman and Mantis received some much-needed love, making them even more viable. Jeff the Land Shark even got a buff, allowing his ultimate to leave a healing pool. It’s a clear signal from the developers, they want to see more variety in the support picks. This is a good thing for the competitive scene, and it means mastering a broader roster of heroes is more important than ever.
The new Team-Up abilities also play a huge role. The addition of Angela has given Thor a new team-up, “Divine Armory,” which can be a monstrously effective tool. Meanwhile, the “Arcane Order” team-up has been expanded to include Magik alongside Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch, which creates new strategic possibilities for a triple-threat backline. These team-up changes are crucial to understanding the new synergies and building the most effective squads.
The Top Tier Strategists in Season 4
After countless hours in the new season, analyzing patch notes, and scrimming with my team, I’ve put together my list of the S-tier Strategists of Marvel Rivals who are absolutely dominating the competitive meta right now. These heroes offer unparalleled value to a team, whether through healing, utility, or crowd control.
| Hero | Role | Key Strengths in S4 |
| Luna Snow | Strategist | Unrivaled healing potential, area denial with ice fields, and a powerful ultimate that can swing a team fight. Her consistent output makes her a rock for any team comp. |
| Invisible Woman | Strategist | Now a strategic powerhouse. Her buffs, including a stronger Guardian Shield and a healing ultimate that also slows enemies, have elevated her from a niche pick to a must-have for control-based comps. |
A Deeper Look at the Rankings
Let’s dive deeper into why these heroes are ranked where they are. This isn’t just about picking them, it’s about understanding how to unlock their full potential.
- S Tier: Luna Snow and Invisible Woman are the undisputed queens of the Strategist role this season. I’m not surprised to see Luna at the top. She has been a consistent powerhouse, and Season 4 has done nothing but solidify her position. Her kit is perfectly balanced between healing and offensive utility. My favorite part of her kit is her ultimate, “Frozen Planet,” which she can use to completely zone out a key objective or create a powerful chokepoint. It’s not just a damage tool, it’s a strategic blockade. The key to playing Luna is not just spamming your healing, but also knowing when to use your ice to slow enemies and prevent them from escaping. Invisible Woman’s buffs have made her a meta-defining strategist. Her “Guardian Shield” now slows enemies more effectively, which is a massive boon for controlling space. But the real game-changer is her ultimate, “Invisible Boundary.” Not only does it provide a significant heal over time, but the new slow effect inside the field makes it nearly impossible for enemies to push through or escape. I’ve used this to secure so many objectives and turn losing fights into victories. She is the ultimate protector for your backline.
- A Tier: Cloak & Dagger and Ultron occupy a strong A tier. Cloak & Dagger are not for the faint of heart. They have a high skill ceiling, but the payoff is massive. Their “Dimensional Passage” is one of the most versatile abilities in the game. I use it to get my team out of a bad situation, to flank the enemy backline, or to set up a surprise attack on an unsuspecting target. The ability to pull an ally out of danger with “Shadow Meld” is also a game-saving tool. This pair rewards players who have excellent map awareness and communication with their team. Ultron, meanwhile, is all about control and pressure. His drones are a constant annoyance to the enemy team, forcing them to split their attention and creating opportunities for your damage dealers. Using his “Drone Swarm” to harass the enemy and his ultimate to cause chaos is a winning strategy.
- B Tier: The B tier is still very strong, with Jeff the Land Shark, Doctor Strange, and Loki. Jeff the Land Shark has received a great buff to his ultimate, allowing him to create a healing pool. While he may be a bit of a meme pick, in the right hands, he can be a surprisingly effective support. Doctor Strange is still the king of utility and crowd control. With the buffs to the “Arcane Order” team-up and the addition of Magik to the mix, his strategic value has skyrocketed. I love pairing him with a powerful duelist like Phoenix or Iron Man, using his “Crimson Bands” to lock down a target for my teammates to burst down. His ultimate, “Cloak of Levitation,” is a fantastic tool for getting a high-value target out of the fight or for creating a diversion. Playing Strange is like playing a chess master, every move has to be calculated. Loki, despite the nerfs, remains a potent hero. His illusions can still create immense confusion and pressure, and he is a master of misdirection. I find him particularly effective on maps with a lot of verticality.
- C Tier: Rocket Raccoon and Mantis are in the C tier this season. While they can still be effective, they require specific team compositions to truly shine. Rocket Raccoon’s turrets can provide some area denial and damage, but they are often easy for enemies to destroy. He is a great choice for defending a single point, but less effective for a mobile team. Mantis is the epitome of a pocket strategist. If you are playing with a strong duelist like Wolverine or Human Torch, Mantis is the perfect pick. Her “Nature’s Favor” damage boost is what truly sets her apart. I’ve seen a Mantis-boosted Wolverine absolutely tear through an enemy team. Her healing is consistent and reliable, making her the perfect hero to keep your aggressive teammates in the fight. However, her limited utility outside of single-target buffs places her a bit lower on the tier list.
Bottom Line
Season 4 is a breath of fresh air, and the meta is still evolving. My guide to the best strategists should give you a head start on dominating the new season. Remember, a great strategist isn’t just a passive healer. They are the brains of the team, the ones who make the clutch plays and enable their teammates to shine. Whether you prefer the raw healing power of Luna Snow or the tactical mastery of Doctor Strange, there’s a strategist for every playstyle. So get out there, experiment, and find the hero that clicks for you in Marvel Rivals.
