Marvel Rivals has quickly captured the attention of hero shooter enthusiasts, throwing players into explosive 6v6 battles featuring an iconic lineup of Marvel characters. Whether you’re eager to dive headfirst into the action, test your skills in competitive play, or set up a private match with friends, starting a game is designed to be intuitive and quick.
For newcomers and seasoned players alike, knowing your options is key to getting into the fight fast. Here’s a breakdown of how to start a game in Marvel Rivals, along with essential tips to help you hit the ground running.
Navigating the Main Menu
Upon launching Marvel Rivals, you’ll be greeted by the main menu – your central hub for all game activities.
From here, accessing different game modes is straightforward:
- Quick Match: This is your fastest route to action. Selecting Quick Match instantly queues you for a casual game with random players, cycling through various maps and modes. It’s the ideal option for experiencing the core gameplay loop without any fuss.
- Competitive Mode: If you’re looking to test your mettle against similarly skilled opponents and climb the ranks, Competitive mode is where you’ll land. Note that this mode typically unlocks after you reach a certain player level (often level 10), ensuring players have a basic understanding of the game mechanics before entering ranked play. You’ll usually find this option clearly labeled on the main menu or within a “Play” sub-menu.
- Other Modes: Marvel Rivals offers a variety of game types beyond Quick Match and Competitive. These objective-based or arena-style modes can usually be accessed through a dedicated game mode selection menu, often located towards the bottom right of the main “Play” screen or within a “More Modes” sub-section, sometimes nested under a “Rivalry” tab.
Setting Up a Custom Game
For players who want full control over their match – perhaps to practice with teammates, experiment with compositions, or just have fun with friends – Custom Games are the way to go.
To create a private match:
- Navigate to the “Custom Games” menu, accessible from the main menu, usually via a path like “Play” -> “More Modes” -> “Custom Game” (under the “Rivalry” tab).
- Click the “Create” button to set up a new lobby.
- Here, you can customize nearly every aspect of the game: choose your preferred map, select the specific game mode, and adjust settings like adding spectator slots or incorporating bots for practice.
- Invite your friends to the lobby using the designated “Plus” icon, or manage access by setting the lobby to public or private as needed.
- Once all participants are ready and the settings are to your liking, simply click “Start” to launch your customized match.
Choosing Your Hero
Before each match begins, you’ll enter the hero selection phase. Marvel Rivals boasts a diverse roster of over 30 heroes, each falling into distinct roles (Vanguard, Duelist, Strategist) with unique abilities. Your choice here is crucial and can significantly impact the game’s outcome.
Understanding the Game Modes
Marvel Rivals features several core game modes, each presenting different objectives and challenges. Familiarizing yourself with these modes will help you understand what’s expected in each match type:
| Mode | Objective |
| Quick Match | Fast, casual matches with rotating objectives and maps. |
| Conquest | Arena-style deathmatch; collect “kronovi” from defeated enemies. |
| Competitive | Ranked play; climb the ladder by winning matches. |
| Convoy | Escort or defend a moving payload across the map. |
| Domination | Capture and hold a central point to fill a progress bar. |
| Convergence | Hybrid of point capture and payload escort. |
| Custom Game | Fully customizable matches with friends or bots. |
Tips for a Smooth Start
For players new to Marvel Rivals or the hero shooter genre, a little preparation can go a long way:
- Practice First: Spend time in the Practice Range. This allows you to test out different heroes, learn their abilities, understand movement mechanics, and get a feel for shooting without the pressure of a live match.
- Team Composition: Especially in objective-based modes or competitive play, consider your team’s composition. A balanced mix of roles (Vanguard for frontline, Duelist for damage, Strategist for support/utility) is often key to success.
- Be Ready to Switch: Don’t be afraid to change your hero mid-match. Adapting to the enemy team’s composition or your team’s needs is a mark of a versatile player.
- Focus on Objectives: While getting KOs is fun, winning in most modes depends on completing the primary objective (capturing points, escorting payloads). Coordinate with your team to prioritize these goals.
- Communicate: Utilize voice or text chat to coordinate strategies, call out enemy positions, or plan pushes, especially in objective modes or ranked play.
- Experiment: Try out different heroes and team compositions. Discovering unique synergies and what works best for your playstyle and team is part of the fun.
Summary
Starting a game in Marvel Rivals is a simple process of selecting your desired mode, choosing your hero from the diverse roster, and jumping into the fray. Whether you prefer the quick action of Quick Match, the challenge of Competitive, or a personalized Custom Game, the options are readily available.
For newcomers, dedicating time to the Practice Range and experimenting with different heroes and modes is the most effective way to build confidence and set yourself up for success in the thrilling battles that await.
Written by:
Christian