7 Best Marvel Rivals DPS for Ranked in 2025
Want to discover Marvel Rivals best DPS heroes? Players know they've found something special if a character melts enemies in just two shots. Hela demonstrates this power perfectly and leads an impressive roster of 18 Duelist class heroes in Marvel Rivals.
DPS (damage per second) characters excel at securing kills and dealing consistent damage, but they're not all equal in power. To name just one example, see Hawkeye's fully charged shots - they pack a devastating 80 bonus damage that can one-shot all but one of these non-Vanguard heroes. Storm and Winter Soldier shine among the top-tier picks because their team-wiping ultimate abilities make them favorites in high-ranking matches.
Your success depends on understanding these damage-dealing powerhouses, whether you're starting or aiming for competitive ranks. Here's our breakdown of the 15 best DPS heroes that dominate Season 1.
What Makes a Great DPS Hero in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals' success depends on becoming skilled in the Duelist class. These heroes are the foundations of offensive gameplay. Players need deep knowledge about their roles and how they affect the game.
Understanding DPS Role Fundamentals
Duelists are the main damage dealers in Marvel Rivals' 6v6 format. These heroes do more than just deal damage - they control key map spots and create openings for their team. DPS players must balance aggressive moves with staying alive because Duelists have less health than other classes.
Key Attributes of Top DPS Heroes
The best DPS heroes share these vital characteristics:
- Damage Output: Star-Lord stands out with 260 DPS at close range
- Mobility: Iron Man and Star-Lord's movement speeds reach 12 m/s
- Survivability: Wolverine and Mister Fantastic boast health pools of 350 HP
Impact on Team Composition
DPS heroes shape how teams work together. Teams can use multiple Duelists, but balance matters. Too many DPS heroes without support make the team weak, especially against organized enemies. Duelists perform better with strategic support - healers keep them alive while tanks create space for their attacks.
Smart positioning makes DPS heroes shine. Good Duelists control off-angles and stay within their support's sight. They target enemy healers first to weaken the opposing team's staying power.
DPS heroes show their true value during objective-based gameplay. They work with Vanguards and Strategists to eliminate enemies fast and take control of objectives. Their performance can make or break important team fights and decide the match outcome.
Hela - The Undisputed Queen of Damage
Hela reigns supreme among damage dealers with her devastating hitscan attacks. Her Nightsword Thorn packs a punch with 140 damage per headshot, letting her take down 275 HP heroes with just two precise hits.
Hela's Deadly Arsenal
Hela's primary weapon, Nightsword Thorn, excels at long-range combat. Her Soul Drainer ability stuns multiple enemies and creates perfect opportunities for follow-up attacks. Her Piercing Night launches four explosive blades that deal individual damage plus area effects.
Optimal Positioning
Staying 18 meters away from targets is vital for Hela's survival. Her Hel's Descent passive lets her control aerial movement and makes her lethal against flying heroes. Her Astral Flock ability provides complete immunity to damage during flight with a 12-second cooldown.
Team Synergies
The Queen of Hel team-up ability creates powerful combinations with Thor and Loki. Hela can instantly revive fallen allies or grant them 50 bonus health if they're alive after landing a final blow. Mantis is a perfect support partner who provides healing through Soul Resurgence and damage amplification with Allied Inspiration.
Counter Strategies
Heroes with shields like Magneto and Doctor Strange pose major challenges to Hela's effectiveness. Her low 275 HP makes her an easy target for dive attacks, especially with Astral Flock on cooldown. Players should take high-ground positions and keep their support heroes in sight to overcome these weaknesses.
Storm - Master of Area Control
Storm's mastery over weather patterns and exceptional area control capabilities make her stand out as an Omega-level mutant. Her versatile kit makes shared offensive pressure and team support possible, which turns her into a formidable force in Marvel Rivals.
Storm's Ability Kit
The Weather Control system is the foundation of Storm's arsenal, which works through two distinct stances. Thunder stance boosts her damage by 16% while giving allies an 8% increase. Her Tornado stance gives her a 16% movement speed bonus and nearby teammates get 8%. The Goddess Boost ability is a big deal as it means that Thunder damage rises to 30% and Tornado speed reaches 40%.
Map Control Tactics
Storm's flying ability helps her create vertical pressure points. Her Wind Blade cuts through multiple targets and controls crowds in choke points effectively. Her positioning is vital - she works best by switching between high vantage points and team-based positions.
Best Support Pairings
Storm creates powerful combinations with specific heroes. She can cast abilities with Thor to trigger the Charged Gale team-up ability that creates chain lightning bouncing between three enemies. Doctor Strange's Shield of Seraphim protects Storm while his portals are a great way to get unique offensive combinations.
The Omega Hurricane ultimate ability is Storm's trump card that teleports her to a target location and summons a devastating hurricane. This ability works best when enemies cluster together, but timing is critical to avoid defensive ultimates.
Psylocke - The Backline Assassin
Knowing how to play Psylocke's assassin style needs exact execution and smart thinking. She stands out as one of the deadliest duelists in Marvel Rivals, and her quick target elimination makes her a scary backline threat.
Psylocke's Burst Damage Potential
Psylocke packs a devastating 350-damage burst combo that takes out most Duelists and Strategists. Her Psionic Crossbow creates the foundation and reduces ability cooldowns by 0.25 seconds each time a projectile connects. You can deal optimal damage with this pattern:
- Primary Fire (Psionic Crossbow)
- Wing Shurikens (Right-click)
- Second Wing Shuriken cast
- Primary Fire follow-up
Flanking Routes
We found that smart positioning and target selection lead to success with Psylocke. Her damage drops off beyond 15 meters, so close-range fights are vital. Psychic Stealth gives you invisibility and faster movement for 3 seconds, perfect for approaching key targets like support heroes.
Escape Tactics
Your survival depends on smart cooldown management. The best escape combines Psychic Stealth with vertical Psi-Blade Dash movements. Keep at least one mobility ability ready to ensure you can always escape. Wing Shurikens give up to 325 bonus health when they hit multiple targets, which helps you stay alive during long flanking missions.
Time your attacks with team pushes to maximize impact. Working with other flankers creates chaos for enemies and ends up giving more chances for eliminations. Instead of direct fights, use terrain and cover to close the gap without taking enemy fire.
Winter Soldier - Versatile Combat Specialist
Winter Soldier is a powerful combo-based Duelist who packs a devastating arsenal. He naturally switches between mid-range attacks and crowd-control abilities. His unique weapon system and smart positioning options make him incredibly versatile.
Weapon Loadout Overview
The life-blood of Winter Soldier's arsenal is his Roterstern blaster that fires explosive rounds with these key specs:
- Projectile Speed: 180 m/s
- Base Damage: 75 per shot
- Fire Rate: 2.5 shots per second
- Magazine Size: 3 rounds
His Ceaseless Charge passive will reload the Roterstern after he uses bionic arm abilities. This grants 30 bonus health for Bionic Hook and Tainted Voltage, and 50 bonus health for Trooper's Fist.
Ultimate Timing
The Kraken Impact's ultimate ability turns Winter Soldier into a team-fight powerhouse. He leaps into the sky and creates a targeting reticle before he releases devastating tentacles that mark enemies with Culling. Targets below 20% health show a unique icon that signals instant elimination potential. When marked targets are eliminated, the ultimate instantly recharges and allows chain executions.
Position Control
Winter Soldier shines as a side-initiator and flanker who operates near the frontlines with Melee Duelists and Vanguards. His kit works well with heroes like Punisher, Captain America, and Storm. During offensive pushes, he can support melee duelists through Trooper's Fist and Tainted Voltage combinations when positioned next to the frontline. All the same, smart retreats are vital for survival despite his self-heal passive.
Moon Knight - Strategic Damage Dealer
Moon Knight excels through smart positioning and calculated strikes, making him one of Marvel Rivals' most effective DPS heroes. His mastery of space control through Ancient Ankhs distinguishes him from other damage dealers.
Ankh Placement Mastery
The Ancient Ankh creates a 5-meter spherical radius pull-in effect and deals 20 damage on impact with a 12-second cooldown. You can place Ankhs strategically in these locations:
- Behind corners to surprise enemies
- On horizontal surfaces to create angles
- Near contested spots where enemies gather
- Hidden positions to avoid detection
Movement Techniques
Moon Knight's mobility centers around three core mechanics. The Moonlight Hook pulls you toward targets at 120 meters per second within a 25-meter range. The Night Glider lets you move horizontally at 8.7 meters per second while descending at 1.5 meters per second. You can combine these abilities with double jumps to create powerful vertical launches and reach better positions.
Team Fight Impact
The Crescent Dart is the foundation of Moon Knight's damage output. It fires three projectiles at 120 meters per second that bounce between targets up to three times and deal 25 damage per round. His Hand of Khonshu ultimate ability summons spectral claws from the sky and works especially when you have grouped enemies. Your success in team fights depends on keeping vertical sightlines and coordinating Ankh placements with your allies' positions. This combination of abilities helps Moon Knight control key map positions while delivering consistent damage.
Iron Man - Tech-Enhanced Damage
Iron Man comes to Marvel Rivals with innovative nanotech armor that gives him versatile damage abilities through advanced weapon systems and flight mechanics. Players can pick him up easily thanks to his 2-star difficulty rating, yet he packs serious damage potential.
Armor Systems
Iron Man's arsenal revolves around his main weapons. His Repulsor Blast hits hard with 55 damage, and the Unibeam uses the same ammo pool to deliver focused beam damage. The Armor Overdrive mode boosts his damage by 50%, which lets players create devastating attack combinations.
Flight Path Planning
Iron Man's strength lies in his unrestricted up-and-down movement. The Hyper-Velocity lets him zoom across maps using an energy system that fills up over time. Moving vertically works better than dodging side-to-side, which makes him a tough target to hit.
Energy Management
Players need to watch their energy levels to get the best results. Armor Overdrive quickly fills up the Hyper-Velocity energy bar, perfect for aggressive attacks or quick getaways. The Invincible Pulse Cannon ultimate hits for 1000 damage and creates a field that deals 300 damage per second. This works best after using Hyper-Velocity to gain height.
Iron Man and Hulk make a powerful team with Gamma Overdrive, which makes Iron Man's attacks even stronger. Players should keep moving while putting pressure on enemies. Even with all his aerial advantages, staying close to teammates helps coordinate better attacks and support.
Iron Fist - Close Quarter Combatant
Iron Fist rules close-quarter combat through precise chi manipulation and devastating martial arts combinations. His auto-targeting primary attack is the foundation of his combat style. Players need to adapt their strategy for the best results.
Chi Management
Dragon's Defense is Iron Fist's main defensive tool that blocks incoming projectiles while giving bonus health and letting loose a flurry of counter-attacks. Players who time this ability well against enemy ultimates will get a vital 1-second window to negate incoming damage. Passive Chi Absorption turns successful strikes into sustained combat presence.
Combo Execution
Iron Fist's damage sequence follows a specific pattern:
- Start with Jeet Kune Do to build pressure
- Use Dragon's Defense to parry incoming attacks
- Let loose Yat Jee Chunk Kuen punch volley
- End with K'un-Lun Kick for maximum effect
The K'un-Lun Kick serves two purposes - it delivers finishing blows and provides quick escape options. Players who become skilled at timing this ability will survive longer.
Defensive Tactics
Wall Runner and Crane Leap abilities give superior vertical mobility that enables better positioning and surprise attacks. Harmony Recovery helps with vital sustain and offers bonus health when used at full health. Players should focus on targeting healers and damage dealers while staying aware of team positions. This strategy will make Iron Fist a powerful force without unnecessary risks.
Conclusion
Success with Marvel Rivals DPS heroes comes down to mastering their unique mechanics and playstyles. Raw damage output isn't enough - players need to understand positioning, timing, and team synergies for competitive play.
You can excel with powerhouses by selecting the right hero and putting in practice time. Hela's devastating headshots, Storm's area control, and Psylocke's lethal burst damage stand out. Each hero's advantages are unique - Iron Man excels at precision strikes from a distance, while Iron Fist rules close-quarter combat.
These 7 heroes are the meta's strongest picks, but they work best when you know how to maximize their strengths. The right cooldown management, positioning, and team coordination can turn these powerful characters into game-changing forces on the battlefield.
Becoming skilled with just one of these heroes can substantially affect your competitive performance. Master their mechanics, learn the best ability combinations, and adapt your gameplay to their strengths. Your commitment to perfecting these DPS powerhouses will without doubt lead to more wins in Marvel Rivals Season 1.
