Summary
WhatOverwatch 2andMarvel Rivalshave in common is that they’re both epic team-based shooters that promise exciting firefights across stunning battlefields featuring iconic locationswith killer voice lines, but that’s not all.
Long-time fans of the Overwatch franchise will enjoy Marvel Rivals because of its renowned cast of heroes - currently 35 in total, with more on the way - and how similar their skill sets are to our beloved Overwatch heroes. Still don’t know who to play? We’ve listed out every single Marvel Rivals hero here and matched them with at least one Overwatch 2 hero counterpart.
Updated on July 08, 2025, by Lucas Olah:Now that we’ve had more time with the game, it’s normal to get a better understanding of how it works. With that comes the realization that some characters are closer to Overwatch characters, not just due to their raw abilities, but also because of the role they play in the game. So, we decided to take another look at the heroes and villains from Marvel Rivals and see what other connections we have here that are worth talking about.
Hawkeye
Overwatch 2 Counterparts
Hawkeye is a great pick if you enjoy Hanzo’s bow-and-arrow gameplay. Keep in mind that their abilities are different, so you’ll need to get used to your new abilities, but if you want a similar feeling to your primary weapon, then Clint is the way to go.
His headshots can one-hit kill most characters in the game (not counting vanguards), so Hawkeye can be a terrifying character to fight against if his player has a good aim. It’s very fitting for the best archer in Marvel.
Black Widow
Black Widow and Widowmaker follow a similar logic to Hawkeye and Hanzo. Natasha’s skills are quite different from Widowmaker’s, but their primary fire hits similarly, as Natasha’s primary fire is also a sniper. The sniper isn’t strong enough to kill with a single hit, even as a headshot, but if you pair her with characters who can increase damage, like Mantis, you can fix that.
That said, Natasha is a mix of ranged and melee since she can also fight with batons, and her abilities also help her in melee. If you want to be a sniper at all times, then Hawkeye may also be a better fit.
Cloak & Dagger
Comparing Cloak & Dagger with Moira is also pretty interesting. Their abilities are also not similar, but they share the same role in the party: they’re both healers who can fight. Cloak’s primary fire is the same as Moira’s, auto-targeting whoever is closest to the center of your camera, and their ultimates are similar, with Moira shooting a beam that heals allies and hurts enemies and C&D covering an area on the ground that heals allies and hurts enemies.
That said, Dagger is also a great healer who doesn’t rely too much on aiming, as her daggers track people to heal them. They also track enemies to a certain extent, making you surprisingly useful against flying enemies. Both characters can heal, cause damage, and do so without relying too much on their aiming skills.
Thor
Thor, the Mjölnir-wielding hero, is a powerful dive tank blending traits from various Overwatch tanks. His primary hammer attack is similar to Reinhardt’s, while his Hammer Throw echoes Junker Queen’s Jagged Blade, giving him some utility at mid-range.
Thor’s Storm Surge combines Reinhardt’s Charge and Junker Queen’s Rampage, enabling him to swiftly devastate enemy lines. His ultimate, God of Thunder, delivers AOE damage akin to Doomfist’s Meteor Strike. If you enjoy diving into battle and shattering enemy defenses, Thor is the ideal choice.
Jeff The Land Shark
Marvel Rivals' most adorable hero has abilities similar to Overwatch 2’s Illari and Venture. His Hide-and-Seek movement resembles Venture’s Burrow, allowing him to move underground. Jeff the Land Shark’s Aqua Burst, like Venture’s primary fire, deals damage to enemies.
His Joyful Splash attack, similar to Illari’s healing beam, heals allies, and both heroes deploy healing aids—Jeff with Healing Bubbles and Illari with Healing Pylons. With these combined abilities, Jeff is a strong healer, perfect for players seeking a fun support role in Marvel Rivals.
Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock shares similarities with Mercy due to their unique skill sets, though their abilities are slightly rearranged. His Soul Bond and Avatar Life Stream link teammates for group healing and damage sharing, much like Mercy’s Valkyrie, which heals all nearby allies.
Adam’s ultimate, Karmic Revival, is a stronger version of Mercy’s Resurrect, allowing him to revive fallen teammates consecutively and potentially shift the outcome of a battle. Mercy mains might find playing as Adam in Marvel Rivals particularly rewarding, though keep in mind that he’s a far more complex character to learn compared to her.
Venom
Overwatch 2 Hero Counterparts
Venom is a powerhouse on the field, with devastating attacks and movement abilities reminiscent of Doomfist and Wrecking Ball. His Venom Swing is similar to Wrecking Ball’s Grappling Claw, allowing him to swing through the air with considerable momentum.
Venom’s Frenzied Arrival combines Doomfist’s Rocket Punch, Seismic Slam, and Wrecking Ball’s Piledriver into one skill, launching enemies into the air and displacing them briefly. If you favor an aggressive, damage-focused tank playstyle, Venom is your go-to in Marvel Rivals - especially if yousynergize with Peni and Spider-Man.
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is a formidable magic user if played correctly. His Shield of the Seraphim is like Reinhardt’s Barrier Field, making him ideal for leading a firefight and starting aggressive pushes.
His Pentagram of Farallah outclasses Symmetra’s Teleporter by allowing portal placement anywhere on the battlefield, even beyond sight. The Eye of Agamotto ultimate temporarily immobilizes enemies, similar to Ramattra’s Ravenous Vortex. If you want a unique skill set that enhances map navigation, Doctor Strange is a strong first pick.
Iron Man
Iron Man is an ideal choice for Overwatch players who enjoy Echo and Pharah’s playstyles. His mobility surpasses both, allowing him to stay airborne indefinitely while moving as fast as Echo. Plus, Tony’s Repulsor Blast deals AOE damage similar to Pharah’s primary fire.
His ultimate, Pulse Cannon, mirrors Pharah’s Rocket Barrage by raining damage from above. The Unibeam is akin to Echo’s Focusing Beam, making Iron Man a powerful choice for players who prefer a bird’s-eye view in battles.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is one of the most agile heroes in Marvel Rivals, perfect for players familiar with Tracer’s slippery movement and for hooking enemies toward you. His web-crawling and web-swinging abilities allow him to find prime vantage points.
His Get Over Here skill displaces enemies, similar to Roadhog’s Chain Hook, making him a versatile and tactical choice for messing up enemy formations.
