What Is a Vanguard in Marvel Rivals? All Tank Heroes

In Marvel Rivals, a Vanguard is a tank: a high-health frontline hero who soaks damage, blocks for teammates and takes space on the objective. It's one of the game's three roles, next to Duelist (damage) and Strategist (support). As of Season 11 (November 2026) there are 14 Vanguards, from Groot at 850 health down to divers like Thor and Captain America who lean on regenerating shields. Deadpool can also be played as a Vanguard, because he switches between all three roles.

What are Vanguards in Marvel Rivals?

Vanguards in Marvel Rivals are the tank role. They have the biggest health pools in the game, and every one of them has at least one ability that blocks or reduces incoming damage. Most Duelists and Strategists sit at 250 to 275 health, while a Vanguard has 550 to 850 once you count shields.

In a fight, a Vanguard does three jobs:

• Make space. You walk forward first, so the enemy has to give up the point or the corner and your Duelists get room to shoot.

• Block damage. Doctor Strange's Shield of the Seraphim absorbs 800 damage and Groot's Ironwood Wall has 550 health since the Season 11 balance post (down from 850 and 600).

• Disrupt. Dive tanks like Venom jump the enemy Strategists, which pulls healing away from their frontline.

The trade-off is damage and reach. Vanguards usually hit softer than Duelists and at shorter range, so a tank who pushes without a Strategist behind them dies fast.

Who are All The Vanguard Characters in Marvel Rivals?

There are 14 Vanguards in Season 11. The season's new hero, Nightcrawler, isn't a tank, so the list is the same as in Season 10.5. Health values below are from the Season 10.5 stat sheets, and the Season 11 balance post didn't change any Vanguard's base health.

Also Read: Marvel Rivals Celestial Codex: Everything You Need to Know

Deadpool has 500 health in his Vanguard form and 275 in his other two.

Players sort tanks into three loose groups. Anchors (Groot, The Thing, Devil Dinosaur) hold the objective with raw health. Blockers (Doctor Strange, Magneto) put a shield between the enemy and your team. Divers (Venom, Captain America, Thor, Angela) have lower base health and a shield that refills, because their job is to jump in, cause trouble and get out.

Also Read: What is Recursive Destruction in Marvel Rivals?

How Many Vanguards Should a Team Have?

Two is the standard. Matches are 6v6, and the default comp is 2-2-2: two Vanguards, two Duelists, two Strategists.

Nothing forces that, though. Marvel Rivals has no role queue, and creative director Guangyun Chen told Dot Esports the team isn't considering one, so you'll often land in a lobby with one tank and three Duelists. If nobody has picked a Vanguard, taking one yourself is the fastest fix. A Duelist or Strategist standing at the front gets sent back to spawn in seconds.

What’s the Best Vanguard in Marvel Rivals?

IIt changes every patch, so check the date on any tier list. In tracked matches from early November 2026, right before Season 11, Peni Parker had the highest Vanguard win rate at 58.5%, with The Thing and Emma Frost at the bottom near 49%.

Season 11 then nerfed three of the most-picked tanks. Doctor Strange and Emma Frost lost shield value, Devil Dinosaur's Buddy Barrier dropped from 450 to 400, and Angela got damage buffs.

If you're new to the role, start with Venom or The Thing. Both carry the lowest difficulty rating among Vanguards, and their kits teach the basics: when to go in and when to back out.

Marvel Rivals Boosting For Sale

You've just leveled up your knowledge with our latest definition. Now, let's keep the momentum going! Our definitions page is your one-stop resource for Marvel Rivals. From A to Z, we've got every term covered. 

Marvel Rivals Terms & Definitions