Namor, the formidable King of Atlantis, stands as one of Marvel Rivals’ most potent Duelists. His high burst damage, resilient turrets, and uncanny ability to dominate chaotic, close-range skirmishes make him a terror on the battlefield.
However, even this underwater monarch has his weaknesses. Savvy players know that with the right hero choices and tactical approaches, Namor can be effectively countered, turning the tide of battle against him.
Here’s an expert look at the heroes and strategies that can dismantle Namor’s reign and secure victory in your next Marvel Rivals match.
Top Hero Counters to Namor: Picking Your Fighters
When facing a dominant Namor, certain heroes possess the kits necessary to exploit his vulnerabilities:
- Hela: Widely considered Namor’s premier counter, Hela thrives in long-range engagements, allowing her to whittle down the Sub-Mariner before he can close the distance. Her precise hitscan weapon and the harassing power of her Astral Flock ability enable her to deal consistent heavy damage from a safe range. Crucially, her inherent mobility allows her to quickly escape if Namor attempts to engage in his preferred close-quarters combat.
- Moon Knight: The Fist of Khonshu’s unique bouncing blades are remarkably effective at dismantling Namor’s troublesome turrets (Monstro Spawns) and chipping away at his health from a safe distance. Moon Knight’s agility and sustained damage output make him a constant thorn in Namor’s side, disrupting his setup and forcing him on the defensive.
- Doctor Strange: With his potent ranged attacks and protective barrier abilities, Doctor Strange excels at keeping Namor at bay. His Maelstrom of Madness can punish Namor’s often predictable movement patterns, while his various shields provide crucial protection to allies against Namor’s relentless projectiles.
- Iron Man: The armored Avenger’s superior aerial mobility makes him an incredibly elusive target for Namor, who struggles to hit vertically. From above, Iron Man can leverage his ranged firepower to pressure Namor relentlessly and, perhaps most importantly, swiftly destroy his ground-based turrets. Staying airborne is key to avoiding Namor’s primary threats.
- Black Widow:Black Widow’s sniper-like precision and high mobility allow her to relentlessly harass Namor from afar. Her Red Room Rifle enables accurate headshots, while her array of escape tools ensures she can constantly reposition and remain out of Namor’s effective range, making her a nightmare for the Atlantean.
- Winter Soldier: With strong mid-to-long-range damage capabilities, Winter Soldier can consistently chip away at Namor’s health while strategically avoiding his turrets and close-range assaults. His slowing abilities are also vital in maintaining distance and preventing Namor from closing in.
- Mantis: As a support, Mantis’s ranged attacks and her disruptive Spore Slumber ability can effectively neutralize Namor, rendering him vulnerable to focused fire from her teammates. This crowd control is invaluable for shutting down a diving Namor.
- Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Girl can stun Namor with her Squirrel Blockade, leaving him open to follow-up damage from her team. Her exceptional mobility and natural ability to dodge projectiles also grant her strong survivability against Namor’s onslaught.
- Magneto: As a Vanguard, Magneto’s powerful shields can absorb incoming projectiles from Namor, effectively protecting himself and his teammates. Furthermore, his abilities allow him to reflect damage, turning Namor’s own offense into a liability.
Key Strategies to Counter Namor: Tactical Disarmament
Beyond specific hero picks, employing smart team strategies is crucial to dismantling Namor’s effectiveness:
- Destroy His Turrets: Namor’s Monstro Spawns (turrets) are fundamental to his kit, providing significant sustained damage and area control. However, they possess relatively low health. Prioritize destroying these turrets immediately to drastically reduce his overall damage output and deny him map presence.
- Maintain Distance: Namor thrives in close-range, chaotic brawls. Counter this by utilizing long-range heroes and attacks to whittle down his health from afar, denying him the opportunity to engage on his terms.
- Exploit His Cooldowns: Namor is most vulnerable when his personal shield is on cooldown. Learn to recognize these windows and time your aggressive pushes and attacks to pressure him during his moments of weakness.
- Utilize Shields and Barriers: Heroes equipped with shielding abilities (such as Doctor Strange, Magneto, or Groot) can effectively block Namor’s incoming projectiles, safeguarding the team from his ranged attacks.
- Maintain Map Awareness and Spacing: Avoid grouping up tightly, as this makes your team highly susceptible to Namor’s area-of-effect abilities and ultimate. Spreading out limits the impact of his attacks and forces him to commit to single targets.
The Bottom Line
While Namor is undoubtedly a powerhouse in the right hands, he is far from invincible. A well-coordinated team, armed with the right hero picks and strategic insights, can effectively counter his dominance. Hela, Moon Knight, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Black Widow, Winter Soldier, Mantis, Squirrel Girl, and Magneto stand out as strong hero choices.
The most effective counter-strategies revolve around maintaining range, systematically destroying his turrets, exploiting his cooldowns, and utilizing protective barriers. With these tactics in your arsenal, you can confidently send the King of Atlantis back to the depths.
Written by:
Christian