Marvel Rivals has entered Season 2, and it’s been over four months since its release, yet some players still find themselves struggling with a losing streak. If you feel like you’re constantly losing matches, there could be several reasons behind it. In this guide, we’ll go over some common reasons why you keep losing in Marvel Rivals, and I will share some easy tips to help you get back on track.
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Why Do You Keep Losing in Marvel Rivals?
Ever find yourself looking at your history, and the page is filled with red-colored defeated matches? Well, you are not alone. Many players have reported that they are getting constant losing matchups. This means that, while still unconfirmed, Marvel Rivals’ matchmaking is still unfair or unpolished. The algorithm is not perfect, making team-making unbalanced. Sometimes, you get a team with fewer than 10 kills, while the enemies have more than 20 kills per person.
Aside from this matchmaking issue, there are several other reasons why you keep losing in Marvel Rivals:
- Matched with teammates who only know how to play one role.
- Facing off against smurf accounts.
- Playing with a team that refuses to adapt.
- Being in a group with no communication or game plan.
If you are matched against smurfs, well, you can’t do anything about it. Because the game is free, there are many smurfing players, meaning they are actually high-ranked but playing in lower-ranked matches to be able to play with their friends or just to troll. But aside from that, there are many reasons that you can change and do something about.
While having a losing streak doesn’t sound that depressing in Quick Matches, having this issue in Competitive can really stress players out. Even the reasons above are why some people can’t get out of Bronze Rank, too.
What to Do to Stop Losing in Marvel Rivals
While there are no guaranteed ways to really avoid losing in Marvel Rivals, you can do these things to start minimizing the chances of losing and start getting wins in the game:
1. Learn to Adapt
This first tip is the most crucial to start getting wins: learn to adapt. Adapting to certain situations is very important in Marvel Rivals, as there are so many characters with different abilities and counters. If your team is getting wrecked, try to learn what went wrong, and most likely, it’s the team composition.
Get into the habit of learning every role so you can step up and be the steady teammate who helps hold the team together and boost overall performance.
- If you find your team constantly wrecked in the backline, switch to an anti-flanker like Namor or The Thing.
- If you find that your team has not done enough damage, switch to a burst DPS, such as Punisher or Winter Soldier.
- If your team is getting harassed by flying enemies, switch to their counters like Iron Fist, Hela, or Star-Lord, and so on.
If you have started to make adapting a habit, trust me, you will realize how important it is and you will get more victories.
2. Understand Your Objectives
It’s not all about killing in this game. Every game mode in Marvel Rivals has different objectives to score points, and you need to understand this. Knowing exactly what the objective is in the mode you’re playing is essential for victory.
| Mode | Objective |
|---|---|
| Domination | Fight to control a single area on the map, called the Mission Area. |
| Convoy | Escort a vehicle to the end of the map while your opponent’s team stops it from reaching the end. |
| Convergence | Similar to Convoy, but in this mode, you need to capture a Mission Area first. |
| Doom Match | Free-for-all deathmatch where players race to eliminate 16 opponents or top the scoreboard. |
| Conquest | Standard deathmatch mode where you need to kill opponents as many as possible and collect coins dropped by them. |
So, don’t focus only on getting kills. What matters most is playing the mode’s actual goal. A player with fewer kills but who helps with the objective can be more useful than someone who just chases eliminations and ignores the mission.
3. Use the Meta Character and Team-Ups
The latest Season 2 patch introduced several buffs and nerfs to the heroes and villains. Some of the characters have become much stronger, while others have taken a hit. Team-ups have also been adjusted, and experimenting with the current meta combinations can help improve your chances of winning.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Peni Parker | Thor | Moon Knight | Emma Frost | Scarlet Witch | Namor |
Buffed characters like Peni Parker, Thor, and Moon Knight are now top-tier picks for dominating matches. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange, Winter Soldier, and Cloak & Dagger have been nerfed and require well-built team compositions to stay effective. New Team-ups, especially those from Emma Frost, Scarlet Witch, and most notably Namor, are incredibly strong and worth mastering. Be sure to study these Team-ups and integrate them into your strategy.
4. Use Abilities and Ultimates Wisely
Every hero in Marvel Rivals has a unique set of abilities, including a powerful Ultimate. You need to use these resources effectively. Many players make common mistakes that reduce their impact, such as:
- Wasting abilities on weak targets: Don’t use strong abilities on enemies who are almost dead or not a real threat.
- Holding your ultimate too long: Waiting for the perfect moment to use your Ultimate can mean you never use it when it could’ve helped your team.
- Using ultimates in lost or won fights: Never waste your Ultimate when your team is clearly winning or losing the fight already.
To improve, understand your ability cooldowns and plan their use strategically.
5. Play in a Squad Of 2 or 3 Rather Than Going Solo
Try to find a teammate who works well with you, and preferably someone who is not toxic and is trying to get good. In Marvel Rivals, it’s usually better to play with one or two friends instead of going solo or teaming up with a full group of 6. Here’s why:
- You’ll have better teamwork and communication, which helps you win more games.
- Full 6-player teams often get matched against other full teams, and those opponents are usually more experienced and harder to beat. Why? Because these teams are often made up of high-level, coordinated players, sometimes even premade smurf teams, making the match much tougher.
So, playing in a small group gives you some teamwork without making the matches too tough, especially in lower ranks.
6. Use the 2/2/2 Team Comp Advantage
While team composition depends on the situation, the 2/2/2 setup (2 Vanguards, 2 DPS, and 2 Strategists) is usually the most reliable. It gives you a balanced team that’s easier to work with and helps everyone do their job well.
The 2/2/2 setup works even better when the team uses 3 team-ups and sticks together. Good synergy and teamwork make it stronger and more consistent. Other setups can work too, but they depend on specific heroes and playstyles:
- 1/3/2 setup can work if the solo Vanguard is someone tough like Groot or Magneto, and they’re paired with strong healers like Luna Snow, Rocket Raccoon, or Loki.
- 2/3/1 or 1/4/1 can be good against enemy teams with just one tank, especially if your DPS is strong in one-on-one fights, like Hela or Psylocke.
In the end, what matters most is picking heroes that work well together, countering the enemy’s composition, and being skilled with your chosen heroes.
7. Tweak Your Settings
Many players often overlook the importance of adjusting their settings. In shooting games, fine-tuning your settings can significantly improve your gameplay. Adjust graphic settings to achieve the highest possible FPS. Set your mouse acceleration and adjust the crosshair settings for the heroes that you usually play to have a better aim. You can check out our best crosshair codes guide so you can import them into the game.
These simple tweaks can enhance your performance and increase your chances of winning. Additionally, you can also learn some hidden mechanics in Marvel Rivals to improve your gameplay.
8. Take a Breather and Relax
The last tip is to keep your cool and try not to get tilted. When you’re tilted, your gameplay gets worse, which often leads to more losses and more frustration. Playing while stressed can mess with your focus and make things even harder.
Consider switching to more relaxed modes like Quick Matches or Conquest to reset your focus. In some cases, taking a short break from the game entirely can be the most effective approach. Return to Competitive only when you feel mentally ready and have reset your emotional state.
So if losses start piling up in Marvel Rivals, it’s important to stay calm and reflect. While facing smurfs or unbalanced opponents is sometimes unavoidable, improving your gameplay using the strategies outlined above can greatly reduce your chances of losing. Keep practicing, and the victories will come. Good luck!
