Wolverine Is a Broken Character in Marvel Rivals, if You Know How to Play Him Correctly

SUMMARY

• Marvel Rivals has seen huge success as NetEase Games ends 2024 on a bang.
• Millions of players online have loved playing as their favorite Marvel characters. But one character is still misunderstood.
• Wolverine is one of the most popular Marvel characters but he seems a bit weak in Marvel Rivals. Though he isn't.

Since its launch, Marvel Rivals has introduced a competitive yet fun experience with its cast of 33 characters from Marvel’s vast IP. Many players have initially gone to high-tier favorites like Hela and Hawkeye but Wolverine is one character that is misunderstood. Despite his initial reputation as a low-tier DPS, his abilities can shine when used correctly.

Wolverine has been called weak by a lot of players. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

Despite being one of the most beloved Marvel characters, his mechanics and optimal usage are often misunderstood. With hidden mechanics detailed on the official Marvel Rivals website, Wolverine can become an essential pick in the right circumstances. The key lies in understanding his niche as a tank destroyer.

Wolverine doesn’t do what you think in Marvel Rivals

His kit isn’t fully detailed in-game. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

Wolverine’s lack of range puts him at an immediate disadvantage. Heroes like Iron Fist and Magik have mobility and sustain that allow them to pressure backlines effectively, whereas Wolverine struggles to stick to his targets. Players attempting to play him as a typical DPS hero have been annoyed as he is unable to kill slippery or well-protected enemies.

i love wolverine to death but why did they make him so ass in marvel rivals

One of the most overlooked aspects of Wolverine is his percent max health damage, which scales with his rage meter. You can find this detail on the official Marvel Rivals website page for the character but it’s absent from the in-game tooltips. This part of his kit transforms him into a tank-shredding powerhouse.

For example, his basic attack, Savage Claw, deals 15 damage plus 1.5% of the target’s max health. With a full rage meter, that percentage climbs, allowing him to deal massive damage to tanky heroes like Hulk or Groot. This unique scaling mechanic means that the higher the health pool of his opponent, the more effective Wolverine becomes.

Currently, the Marvel Rivals meta favors tank-heavy lineups to counter popular duelist characters. Wolverine thrives in these scenarios because he pulls tanks out of formation and dismantles them before their supports can react. But many players struggle with Wolverine because they play him incorrectly, targeting supports or squishy heroes instead of the tanks he’s designed to counter.

We probably won’t see any changes to his kit soon

Let’s see where he ends up in the meta. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

The hidden nature of Wolverine’s scaling stats is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gives him a niche advantage, but on the other, it leaves many players unaware of how to maximize his effectiveness.

Additionally, Wolverine’s lack of durability makes him vulnerable when diving into enemy teams. Without proper support or careful positioning, he can be easily countered by heroes with high burst damage or crowd control.

Interestingly, the developers at NetEase Games seem aware of the divisive reception that Wolverine has had but have made no major changes to his abilities. Their restraint may stem from his current role in balancing the meta, preventing tank-dominated strategies from becoming overwhelming. Plus the devs also stated that they’re just observing the data for now.

One point of contention among the Marvel Rivals community is whether Wolverine’s current role as a Duelist fits his character. Some players argue that his lore as an immortal mutant with a healing factor warrants a shift to the Vanguard (tank) role.

Let’s see what NetEase thinks of him and if there are any changes planned soon. What do you think of Wolverine? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Daniel Royte

Articles Published: 639

Daniel is a gamer through and through with a passion for gaming in his veins. His current adventures have taken him into the world of Elden Ring, Wuthering Waves, and Genshin Impact, amongst others.