Shaking Up The Meta: Triple Strategist Compositions

The competitive scene of Marvel Rivals has recently been abuzz with discussions surrounding the viability of running three strategists (supports) in ranked matches. Traditionally, the standard team composition follows a 2-2-2 structure — two duelists, two vanguards, and two strategists. However, the emergence of the "triple strategist" strategy has sparked debate, particularly in high Elo matches (Grandmaster and above). Here's an in-depth look at how this unconventional approach is shaping gameplay.

In a 6v6 hero shooter like Marvel Rivals, strategists are pivotal for healing, utility, and team sustainability. The triple strategist composition replaces one vanguard or duelist with an additional support hero, creating a lineup focused on survivability and sustained engagements. Key heroes like Mantis, Luna Snow, and Adam Warlock are often featured due to their powerful healing abilities and utility options such as crowd control or resurrection.

This composition is reminiscent of the infamous "GOATS" meta from Overwatch, which relied on high sustain and coordination to overwhelm opponents. In Marvel Rivals, the synergy between strategists can amplify healing output while also providing buffs and debuffs that control the battlefield.

Strengths of Running Three Strategists

Unmatched Survivability: With three supports on the team, healing throughput becomes nearly unmanageable for opponents to counter. Heroes like Adam Warlock can even revive fallen teammates, allowing teams to recover from near-defeat scenarios.

Sustained Team Fights: The composition excels in prolonged engagements where attrition wears down opponents. Strategists like Luna Snow and Mantis can deal heavy damage while healing allies, making them dual threats.

Utility Overload: Many strategists bring more than just healing to the table. For instance, Loki's illusions can be used to stack regeneration domains in a wide area, while Invisible Woman provides constant AoE healing and displacement. This utility can disrupt enemy strategies and create openings for counterattacks.

Adaptability: The flexibility of having multiple supports allows teams to adjust their tactics mid-match. For example, Rocket Raccoon's sustained healing pairs well with aggressive duelists like Punisher or Winter Soldier.

Weaknesses of Triple Strategist Teams

Lack of Burst Damage: By sacrificing a duelist or vanguard slot, these teams often struggle with securing quick eliminations. Opponents who play cautiously can exploit this by focusing fire on key targets.

Reliance on Coordination: High sustain compositions require impeccable teamwork and communication. Without synchronized efforts, the strategy can fall apart against well-coordinated enemy dives or flanking maneuvers.

Susceptibility to Counters: Teams with strong crowd control or burst damage can dismantle triple strategist setups by isolating and eliminating supports before they can recover.

Hero Bans at High Ranks: Starting at Diamond III, hero bans become a factor in ranked matches. Popular strategists like Luna Snow and Mantis are frequently banned due to their dominance, which can limit the effectiveness of this strategy.

Is Triple Strategist Dominating High Elo?

The triple strategist meta has gained traction in Diamond lobbies and above but remains polarizing among top players. Some Grandmaster-level players report success with this setup, citing its ability to outlast opponents in drawn-out fights. However, others argue that its effectiveness diminishes against coordinated teams that exploit its lack of burst damage or mobility.

A recent Reddit post highlighted how over half of Diamond-level matches now feature triple strategist compositions, leading some players to voice concerns about balance issues. Despite this prevalence, there is no consensus that it is outright dominating high Elo gameplay. Instead, it appears to be one of several viable strategies in a meta that is still evolving.

The triple strategist composition in Marvel Rivals offers a unique approach to team-building that emphasizes survivability and utility over raw damage output. While it has clear strengths in sustaining team fights and adapting to various scenarios, it also comes with notable weaknesses that skilled opponents can exploit.

For players looking to climb the ranked ladder, experimenting with this strategy could yield surprising results — especially when paired with strong communication and tactical synergy. However, as the meta continues to develop and balance changes loom on the horizon, its long-term viability remains uncertain.

Whether you're a fan of unconventional tactics or prefer sticking to traditional compositions, one thing is clear: Marvel Rivals continues to offer a dynamic competitive environment where creativity thrives.