Marvel Rivals Season 1 is in full swing, drawing players to the super-powered team-based shooter to explore its expansive roster of 35 heroes. As the character list continues to grow, with The Thing and The Human Torch slated to arrive later in the season, Marvel Rivals players are likely curious to test various team compositions. With an already expansive lineup of heroes and six-player teams, players have no shortage of ideas to explore.

Some players may play Marvel Rivals' most meta heroes in Competitive. However, Quickplay is the perfect place to queue with friends and try new characters. When testing viable team compositions, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and comics may wonder whether a composition like the Guardians of the Galaxy could find success in this game.

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Are The Guardians of the Galaxy a Viable Team Composition in Marvel Rivals?

The Guardians of the Galaxy Composition Has a Major Flaw

While more unorthodox team compositions can find success, such as a team of all Strategists in Marvel Rivals, a Guardians of the Galaxy composition faces an obvious disadvantage from the start. The third-person shooter consists of teams comprised of six. In Season 1, there are only five heroes that can be considered part of, or closely related to, the MCU Guardians of the Galaxy:

  • Adam Warlock
  • Groot
  • Mantis
  • Rocket Raccoon
  • Star-Lord

This composition features three Strategists, one Vanguard, and one Duelist. Unfortunately, while the MCU Avengers composition in Marvel Rivals struggles due to a shortage of healers, the Guardians of the Galaxy have an overabundance of healers and lack a sixth teammate. Of course, there are positives to trying this line-up; the Team-Up Ability "Guardian Revival" significantly boosts survivability. Adam Warlock can grant the power of rebirth to Star-Lord and Mantis, allowing them to revive upon elimination. Groot and Rocket Raccoon also benefit from a Team-Up skill called "Planet X Pals," which lets Rocket ride on Groot's shoulders while receiving damage reduction.

Playtesting The Guardians of the Galaxy Composition

Though this isn't recommended for players to do because of possible in-game penalties, for the sake of authenticity, this playtest required its sixth teammate to sit AFK in the spawn room. At the same time, members of the Guardians of the Galaxy attempted to secure a win. If players wanted to give themselves some leeway by adding a second Vanguard hero, they could consider Thor an honorary member. This is based on his brief time with the Guardians in Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Out of three games, in matches that were always a 5v6, this composition was able to win twice, making its success rate a surprising 66.67%. The first loss was likely a direct result of being outnumbered while playing defense on Yggsgard Yggdrasil Path. Though there were ample heals to keep Groot up, alongside a revival beacon and "Guardian Revival" for more than half the team to return, the lack of a second Vanguard or Duelist was noticeable.

The first win may not have been genuine, as it occurred in Practice vs. AI. However, it did prove to the members playing this composition that it was possible, which led to a second victory in a real Quickplay match. This game was heavily in the Guardians of the Galaxy's favor as they played on the Attacker's side of Midtown, Marvel Rivals' newest Convoy map. A huge factor in gaining traction with this line-up is to play quite aggressively as Groot. Adam Warlock and Mantis should then do their best to fulfill the role of a second Duelist, though healing their teammates is still critically important.

Overall, the MCU Guardians of the Galaxy team may not be the best option in the game, but it's a solid roster of heroes, especially if players decide to add Thor as their sixth member. Even in a 5v6, it's not an unwinnable matchup, but it won't be easy. It is worth noting that this composition likely wouldn't maintain a high win rate in Competitive, but it is worth trying out with friends in a Quickplay game.

"Even in a 5v6, it's not an unwinnable matchup, but it won't be easy."