Marvel Rivals Season 10.5 introduces Avengers: Infinity War, a fresh 2v2 player-versus-player mode built around the Infinity Stones. The mode limits the roster to 13 heroes from the full Marvel Rivals lineup, each retaining their standard abilities but enhanced through new upgrade cards that can be applied between rounds. After extensive playtime across numerous matches, a clear hierarchy emerges among the available roster.
Top-Tier Performers
Winter Soldier stands as the dominant choice in Infinity War PvP. Bucky's exceptional one-on-one combat prowess translates perfectly to the smaller 2v2 format, where dueling skills matter most. His position at the top of Marvel Rivals' broader tier lists holds firm in this specialized mode. Strategic upgrade selection amplifies his already formidable kit—prioritizing firing speed, shot count, and Tainted Voltage to counter airborne opponents can allow a skilled Winter Soldier player to dismantle enemy teams almost single-handedly.
Captain America emerges as the premier tank option, though his baseline performance masks his true potential. While the base version struggles with damage output and mobility, survivability proves equally critical in this mode's tight encounters. The right upgrades transform Cap into a powerhouse capable of throwing multiple ricocheting shields and significantly amplifying all abilities. His ultimate ability provides both personal and teammate protection during critical moments, making him invaluable for coordinated pairs.
Scarlet Witch delivers consistent high damage output once her abilities receive full enhancement. Her Mystic Projection ability enables constant repositioning, allowing players to layer primary and secondary attacks for sustained pressure. Her Reality Erasure ultimate represents a game-changing tool—it can be deployed early for immediate impact or upgraded to extend its range and effect radius, capable of eliminating entire opposing squads.
Strong Mid-Tier Choices
Black Panther appeals to players favoring fast-paced melee combat. T'Challa excels in one-on-one engagements and leverages Wakanda's spacious arena layout to maintain mobility and evasion. Enhancement cards unlock his full potential, making him nearly unstoppable in direct confrontations. His primary weakness emerges against aerial threats like Iron Man, representing his only notable vulnerability.
Rocket Raccoon stands as the strongest Strategist available in the mode—a role many dismiss as suboptimal for PvP. However, Rocket defies expectations by excelling at both healing and damage output simultaneously. Combining his Bombard primary fire with his Repair healing ability generates continuous critical damage against enemies. His ultimate ability functions as a reliable lifeline during emergencies, justifying his selection despite the Strategist class's typical PvP limitations.
Iron Man underwent significant transformation in Season 10.5, receiving auto-tracking capabilities for his missile barrages that reposition him as a pure Duelist. In Infinity War mode, Tony Stark becomes a missile platform—upgrading only missile-related abilities and activating auto-lock creates sustained punishment while other abilities layer additional damage. The trade-off involves vulnerability to Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, and similar burst-damage heroes who can eliminate him before his missiles accumulate sufficient pressure.
Doctor Strange functions as the second-best Vanguard option. Players can adopt a defensive posture, primarily shielding teammates while striking during openings, or fine-tune his kit toward aggressive offense. His flexibility makes him compatible with virtually any partner hero. Proper timing of his Eye of Agamotto ultimate ability can reverse losing situations, though his performance remains more reliable than exceptional.
Situational and Niche Picks
Spider-Man presents a paradox: he counters specific threats like Iron Man and highly mobile Strategists such as Rocket, yet struggles in general one-on-one scenarios. The arena's layout restricts his signature swing-and-combo playstyle, making him viable only for players with mastered Spider-Man mechanics. Casual or intermediate players should avoid selecting him despite his theoretical advantages against certain matchups.
Star-Lord initially appeared promising for 2v2 scenarios but proves average in practice. His close-range damage output can be improved through upgrades, and his Rocket Propulsion ability enables quick repositioning toward central health packs. His Galactic Legend ultimate retains respectable impact, yet he underperforms compared to other Duelist options. Players struggling with primary Duelists might consider him as a fallback, though better alternatives exist.
Thor disappoints relative to expectations. Despite upgrade cards boosting his damage output, he fails to deliver the overwhelming power his character archetype suggests. His performance mirrors his underwhelming showing in the previous Avengers: Age of Ultron PvE mode. Only dedicated Thor specialists should select him; players preferring Tank roles should opt for Captain America or Doctor Strange instead.
Weaker Options
Groot underperforms significantly compared to his effectiveness in other Marvel Rivals modes. His walls and Spore Bombs lack the impact necessary for competitive 2v2 play, forcing reliance on basic Vine Strikes that fail to compensate. His near-complete absence from observed matches reflects his poor viability—players have already identified and abandoned him as a suboptimal choice.
Mantis represents a curious case: she ranks among Marvel Rivals' strongest Strategists in standard modes following recent buffs, yet becomes the weakest Strategist in Infinity War PvP. She struggles both when engaging frontline enemies and when supporting from distance. Matchups against Iron Man or Black Panther prove nearly unwinnable, as her survivability cannot withstand their burst damage. Rocket Raccoon outclasses her entirely for Strategist selection.
Black Widow occupies the bottom tier despite her reworked kit in Marvel Rivals. Her rifle demands precision that proves difficult to maintain against highly mobile Duelists like Spider-Man or Black Panther. Her ultimate ability fails to generate meaningful impact even with full upgrades, leaving her ineffective as both a primary damage source and support character. She represents the weakest overall choice in Infinity War PvP mode.
Strategic Considerations
The upgrade card system fundamentally shapes character viability in Infinity War mode. Heroes like Winter Soldier, Captain America, and Scarlet Witch benefit dramatically from strategic enhancement selection, while others like Black Widow and Groot cannot overcome their fundamental limitations regardless of upgrades. Players should prioritize learning characters whose base kits align with 2v2 gameplay demands rather than attempting to force weaker heroes through enhancement alone.
Arena design influences character performance significantly. The Wakanda-themed arena's spacious layout favors mobile melee fighters while constraining ranged heroes and those dependent on swing mechanics. Positioning and escape routes matter more in this confined format than in broader multiplayer modes, elevating characters with strong one-on-one capabilities and penalizing those requiring space for their signature abilities.
Team composition and partner synergy matter, though individual character strength remains paramount in 2v2 scenarios. Pairing complementary roles—such as a Duelist with a Strategist healer—provides advantages, but strong individual performers like Winter Soldier or Scarlet Witch can overcome suboptimal pairings through sheer mechanical superiority.
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