How to Counter Iron Man in Marvel Rivals
Image Credit: Marvel Rivals
Iron Man can dominate long-range fights with his flight, lasers, and huge burst damage. He controls the skies and melts anyone who stays still for too long. But even the armored Avenger has weaknesses, and once you learn how to punish him, his power starts to fade fast.
How to Shut Down His Gameplan
Iron Man’s biggest strength is distance. He wants space to fly, aim, and charge his abilities safely. Don’t give him that luxury. Use heroes who can break his rhythm, interrupt his setup, and keep him grounded.
Best Heroes to Counter Iron Man
Doctor Strange
Strange’s magic directly challenges Iron Man’s entire playstyle. His shields block energy blasts, and his soul-separation spell hits through armor, stopping Iron Man’s momentum cold. When Strange times his abilities right, Iron Man has nowhere safe to go.
Captain America
Cap is perfect for closing the gap. His charge rushes straight into Iron Man’s comfort zone, and his shield throw can block or even reflect incoming fire. The trick is staying in Iron Man’s face and forcing him to panic.
Peni Parker
Her tech-based traps can lock Iron Man in place, cutting off his flight and escape routes. Her drone attacks also punish him for hovering near teammates, making her an excellent pick for controlling space.
Top Duelists Who Can Take Him Down
Hawkeye
The archer thrives in duels with ranged heroes. His blinding grenade messes up Iron Man’s aim, while his tracking shots keep steady pressure at a distance. Hawkeye wins the long game if he stays mobile and unpredictable.
Punisher
Punisher’s turret is Iron Man’s worst nightmare. It forces him to reposition constantly, ruining his damage output. Combined with Punisher’s grenade, it’s a reliable way to shut down Iron Man’s setup and force mistakes.
Winter Soldier
Bucky punishes Iron Man for hovering in predictable spots. His slam ability chunks health fast, and his electric rounds slow Iron Man’s escape, turning a high-flying hero into an easy target.
Strategist Picks That Outsmart Him
Adam Warlock
Iron Man depends on isolating targets, but Warlock flips that with his damage-sharing ability. By spreading damage across allies, he blunts Iron Man’s burst. His revival skill can also erase Iron Man’s biggest kills in team fights.
Loki
Illusions are Iron Man’s worst matchup. Loki’s clones soak up damage and bait out big abilities like Unibeam, leaving Iron Man wide open. His teleport lets him slip behind Tony’s defenses for free hits.
Luna Snow
Luna can freeze Iron Man mid-combo, canceling his charged attacks. Switching between damage and healing keeps her alive while wearing him down slowly—she’s a strong pick for both support and control.
What to Watch For
Unibeam – A straight-line laser that deals heavy damage. Sidestep or move unpredictably to avoid it.
Pulse Cannon – An area explosion that melts grouped enemies. Stay spread out.
Armor Overdrive – Temporarily boosts his attack and defense. Either use stuns or back off until it ends.
Tips to Win the Matchup
Don’t Play His Range Game: Always close in or flank him instead of trading fire.
Interrupt His Combos: Stuns, freezes, or pulls ruin his timing and stop his burst.
Focus Him First: Iron Man does too much damage if ignored. Take him out early in fights before he snowballs.
Final Blurb
Iron Man shines when the fight stays clean and distant—but the moment you break his rhythm, his armor starts to crack. Pick heroes who can rush, control, or confuse him, and the self-proclaimed genius won’t look so invincible anymore.
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