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During any Marvel Rivals match, you’ll need one Vanguard (Tank) in your team, ideally even two, to distract the enemy and soak up damage. You must figure out who the best Vanguards are early to gain an edge over your opponent and push the objective, hopefully securing some well-earned wins, XP and MVP awards in the process.
Vanguards are this game’s name for tanks, the characters equipped with considerably larger health bars, in most cases limited mobility, but shields and countermeasures to deal with enemy teams. Like with the Duelists and Support characters, there is some variety here, with no Vanguard being completely useless, but as always, some stand out compared to the others.
None of the Vanguard characters are impressive from range, but that’s also not why you choose this class; here, you want to be on the frontline in the thick of the action, getting in your opponent’s face. Keep reading for our number one pick for the best Tank in Marvel Rivals, including some honourable mentions offering something different.
Venom, the best Vanguard in Marvel Rivals
This version of Venom is Eddie Brock, the original. Captured by VideoGamer
Venom’s kit is more balance than most Vanguards. Captured by VideoGamer
Slow on foot, so swing to your objective. Captured by VideoGamer
Get ready to earn MVP with Venom. Captured by VideoGamer
Venom is not only the best Vanguard, but he’s also one of the easiest to use, and if you’re using him as a solo Tank, he has excellent options to keep himself alive thanks to his Symbiotic Resistance that lets him gain bonus health. He’s also the most mobile of the Vanguards, thanks to his swing, which enables you to take the character high into the sky before diving into the action to cause chaos. His primary attack also has a good range compared to other melee characters, and with 800 health points, Venom is a nightmare to knock down, absorbing damage for fun.
Venom’s Team-up with Spider-Man and Peni Parker, two very popular characters, also make him a valuable asset for team composition. It makes those two characters more powerful, offering them a new move.
The only downside to Venom is you don’t have many options for stopping opponents’ Ultimate moves with a shield, but this is where his increased mobility helps as he can escape easily thanks to his swing. If you’re giving a Tank a go for the first time, he remains the best option, too, but once you get into the groove of this character, you feel invincible.
Other tanks in Marvel Rivals
Peni Parker can lay traps and leave webs on surfaces. Captured by VideoGamer.
Magneto can construct shields and use a greatsword. Captured by VideoGamer.
Thor, the God of Thunder who uses his hammer to battle up close. Captured by VideoGamer
Although Venom is the best Tank character to use right now, there are quite a few options for characters to choose from, and they will vary a bit depending on personal taste. We’ve included some other great options in the table below.
| Vanguard | Description |
|---|---|
| Peni Parker | Peni Parker has the best range of any of the Vanguards, and her mines are great for setting traps as you wait for the opposition to approach. Once you get used to dropping her Spider Nest to increase her fire rate and mobility, she is one of the best characters in the game and an absolute powerhouse of damage. |
| Magneto | Magneto is one of the Tanks that come equipped with shields. It is a great asset when pushing during a match to protect your team. He has excellent attack options up close and afar, but he is one of the less mobile Vanguards. |
| Thor | Thor is out-and-out melee, with minimal range options, but he buffs himself as he goes and can take on any enemy in an up-close fight. If you want to be on the frontlines, targeting your opponent and taking them out in one-on-ones, Thor is your option. |
About the Author
Marvel Rivals
- Platform(s): macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Fighting, Shooter
