Which Heroes Benefit Most From Paid Upgrades in Marvel Rivals

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If you have been playing Marvel Rivals for a while, you probably noticed that some heroes grow much stronger with investment than others. Paying for upgrades is not mandatory to enjoy the game, but certain characters really take off once you improve their lattice nodes, gear, or stat boosts. This guide looks at which heroes gain the most noticeable combat advantages and why, based on real experience rather than just numbers on paper. The goal here is to help players decide where their upgrade resources are best spent, especially if you are trying to stretch your progression without wasting materials.

Different players have different spending habits. Some buy small upgrades here and there, while others focus on a few mains. No matter how you play, planning early will make a huge difference later. In one of my earlier push sessions I spent upgrades rather blindly and ended up regretting it, so hopefully this saves you the same trouble.

Tanks Who Become Frontline Monsters After Investment

Tanks are probably the easiest role to recommend spending on because their improvements are so direct. More HP, more defense, and stronger cooldowns immediately translate to more team value and fight presence.

Hulk is one of the biggest winners in this category. His usefulness in early game is often limited by long cooldowns and being easy to kite, but once upgraded he becomes a constant threat who can engage multiple fights without needing to hold back. His damage resistance upgrades especially make him hard to burst down, allowing your team to play more confidently around him.

Captain America is a similar case, although he scales more through utility rather than damage. With better shield durability and buffs to his defensive skills, he becomes an extremely reliable point holder and peel specialist. If you like consistent results from upgrades, he is a safe pick.

This is also where many players consider making a buy rivals lattice decision if they want faster progression. Tanks are simple: higher stats equal better performance with very little adjustment in your playstyle.

Burst Assassins With Sharper Power Spikes

On the opposite side of the spectrum are fast assassins and skirmishers who rely on burst damage. These heroes may feel a little underwhelming early on, especially if your enemy healers or tanks are already invested. But once upgraded, their damage suddenly reaches the point where they can actually delete targets before the fight snowballs out of control.

Black Panther is a standout example. He needs damage and ability cooldown improvement before he becomes the kind of hero who can safely dive the backline and perform quick resets. Once upgraded, his increased lethality improves not just his solo kill threat but also how efficiently he punishes overextensions.

Black Widow is similar. Without upgrades her burst sometimes lacks finishing power, but invest a little and she becomes one of the scariest picks for shutting down supports and squishy DPS early in the fight.

For assassin mains, upgrade priorities matter more than just raw progression. Once you tune your build correctly, even a small stat bump dramatically changes your match impact.

Supports Who Scale With Utility and Cooldowns

Support players often ask whether they should upgrade early, because their damage is low and they usually don’t go for flashy moves. The truth is that supports may benefit the team more than any other role when upgraded properly.

xxxx Strange is an amazing example. With shorter cooldowns and stronger shields, he can keep a team alive through fights they would otherwise lose. A few upgrades quickly turn him from a decent healer into a team-carrying lifeline. If you enjoy being the quiet backbone of the squad, he is worth focusing on.

Groot is another great investment. He gets better healing, stronger shields, and improved control to slow or stop enemy momentum. When upgraded, he becomes incredibly hard to remove from point fights, especially in coordinated teams.

This is also where players sometimes make a marvel rivals lattice purchase to speed up progression, because support upgrades offer a lot of team value even if you don’t top the scoreboard yourself.

Damage Dealers Who Love Scaling

Damage heroes often fall into two categories: those who do well with little investment, and those who truly explode once you give them better stats or lattice upgrades. Storm clearly belongs in the second group. Her area damage scales incredibly well, and with enough investment she becomes a game-changing teamfight anchor.

Iron Man also benefits a lot from upgrades because his damage and movement let him control long-range engagements. Once upgraded, he can tear down tanks and punish out-of-position targets quickly. He is especially strong in organized play where shielding and positioning matter.

Spider-Man sits somewhere in the middle. He’s already strong without upgrades, but investing in cooldown and damage helps him play more aggressively without risking early elimination.

When deciding where to put your upgrade resources, it helps to think about which heroes maintain high uptime and interact with enemies the most. Those heroes usually pay back investment better and faster.

The Value of Smart Spending

While some players jump into upgrades quickly, it’s worth thinking about your long-term investment. In many cases, focusing on 2–3 main heroes is more efficient than upgrading ten characters halfway. If you prefer spending through third-party marketplaces, some players discuss services like U4GM when talking about value-per-dollar efficiency, though spending is always optional and not required to enjoy the game.

If you want the best return on your effort, ask yourself:

Which heroes do I play the most
Which ones benefit the team more when improved
Which roles gain the most noticeable power per upgrade

Once you know the answers, your progression becomes much smoother and more satisfying.

Marvel Rivals gives players plenty of ways to improve characters, and while free grinding works, paying can speed things up. The important thing is understanding which heroes gain the most from upgrades so your spending or grinding is worthwhile. Tanks and supports often offer the highest guaranteed impact, while assassins and damage dealers can see massive personal performance spikes once properly built.

Whether you invest lightly or heavily, planning ahead is the key.

FAQ

Which heroes gain the most from upgrades overall
Tanks and supports generally offer the most consistent team benefits, while burst assassins and mages gain strong power spikes individually.

Is spending required to compete
No. You can progress fully through regular play, though spending helps speed up progression.

Are paid upgrades permanent
Yes. Once unlocked, they stay with your account.

Can upgrades be traded or gifted
No. All progression is account-bound and cannot be transferred to other players.

Are upgrades cheaper during events
Sometimes. Seasonal events and limited promotions can make progression slightly cheaper.

Do all heroes scale equally
No. Some see small increases while others gain major power boosts, depending on their kit.

Is it better to upgrade several heroes or focus on one
Focusing 2–3 mains usually gives the best performance return, especially for competitive play.

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