The Hulk is an iconic tank character in Marvel Rivals, known for his menacing presence, incredible strength, and distinctive green color. The transformation of Bruce Banner into the Hulk is a formidable sight that instills fear even in seasoned heroes and villains alike.
As one of the game’s strongest tanks, playing Hulk effectively requires strategic thinking and practice. Players soon discover that mindlessly smashing through the map won’t yield success. This guide aims to provide insight into the techniques and strategies essential for mastering the Hulk.
Overview of Hulk’s Abilities
Hulk is unique within Marvel Rivals, having three distinct forms throughout a match. Initially, players control Bruce Banner, with the ability to transform into the Hulk, and later into the Monster Hulk once the ultimate charge is attained. If Hulk is defeated, he reverts back to Bruce Banner.
Each form boasts different abilities: Bruce Banner has unique skills, whereas Hulk and Monster Hulk share most of their abilities, with the exception of the Indestructible Guard and the Ultimate. Notably, Monster Hulk does not utilize the Indestructible Guard, and his ultimate ability differs significantly.
Abilities of Bruce Banner
| Abilities | Description |
|---|---|
| Gamma Ray Gun | Primary fire using a pistol enhanced by gamma radiation. |
| Puny Banner | Ability to transform into the Hulk. |
| Gamma Grenade | A grenade that inflicts damage and launches enemies upward. |
Abilities of The Hulk
| Abilities | Description |
|---|---|
| Incredible Leap | Charge a jump by holding the Space key; release to leap and knock down enemies. |
| Indestructible Guard | Provide a gamma shield to yourself and nearby allies, absorbing damage for 5 seconds while charging your ultimate. |
| Radioactive Lockdown | Stun enemies by throwing gamma energy, which neutralizes their abilities, ideal for interrupting healers and other heroes’ ultimates. |
| Gamma Burst | Release a burst of energy by clapping hands together, dealing damage at range. |
| Hulk Smash! (Ultimate) | Transform into Monster Hulk, gaining enhanced health and damage while receiving buffs to abilities. Indestructible Guard cannot be used in this form. |
Abilities of Monster Hulk
Monster Hulk shares the core abilities of The Hulk, but they are significantly amplified.
| Abilities | Description |
|---|---|
| World Breaker (Ultimate) | Grab and smash an enemy, reminiscent of Loki’s treatment in *The First Avenger*. |
Offensive Strategies for The Hulk
Initially, players might find the Hulk to be an “acquired taste”. You may perceive him as sluggish, his hits weak, and his style monotonous. However, gaining proficiency with this character leads to an understanding of his true potential. Once mastered, few tanks can rival the enjoyment and strength Hulk offers. Here are some tips for being more aggressive with Hulk:
- Chain Your Abilities: The Hulk thrives on melee combinations. Weaving his abilities into combos amplifies his damage potential. For newcomers, try integrating Gamma Burst and Radioactive Lockdown with basic punches. As you improve, develop intricate combos with precise timing.
- Combo Example: A reliable combo could be Punch, Punch, Punch, Indestructible Guard, Punch, Gamma Burst, Punch. Although challenging at first, practice will lead to consistency in execution.
- Avoid Kill Hungry Behavior: Remember, as a tank, your role is not to collect kills but to weaken enemy heroes for your DPS allies to finish off. Focus on absorbing damage and getting attention, supplemented by a capable healer.
- Be Ready with Incredible Leap: Charge your jump while using other abilities; it allows for quicker impact. Utilize Incredible Leap to pin down enemies or cancel ultimates effectively.
- Avoid Immediate Transformation: After dying, prioritize regaining entry into the fight as Bruce Banner before transforming. The increased speed of Bruce allows for quicker re-engagement.
Moreover, although not prominently noted, Hulk can cling to walls with Incredible Leap, providing vertical mobility to counter airborne foes like Storm and Iron Man.
Utilizing Hulk’s Ultimate Effectively
While the focus remains on damage absorption as a tank, during your Ultimate, it’s time to turn that mindset on its head. This ability is crucial for altering the game’s momentum.
- In Monster Hulk form, unleash extraordinary damage; your abilities experience significant boosts. This is the moment to aggressively engage the enemy.
- Be relentless in your pursuit of enemies; your combos will reach new heights of effectiveness.
- Press Q near an enemy to grab them and smash them to the ground, guaranteeing a kill, but keep in mind that this action comes with an animation that consumes Ultimate time.
- Save your grab ability for an enemy just as your Ultimate begins to expire.
- This ultimate ability also serves as a formidable defensive measure; transforming into Monster Hulk replenishes your health considerably.
Defensive Strategies for The Hulk
A strong healer is integral to Hulk’s defense, as they can make a tank nearly invulnerable. However, finding a dependable healer when playing solo can be difficult. Here are strategies to enhance your survivability with the Hulk:
- Establish Communication with Your Healer: Keep your healer informed about your intended engagements. Alert them before jumping into fights, so they are prepared to support you, rather than relying on last-minute calls for help.
- Utilize Indestructible Guard Wisely: Although your Indestructible Guard only lasts a brief duration, if timed correctly, it can shield you and your teammates from significant harm. For example, it can absorb Scarlet Witch’s ultimate damage, safeguarding your team.
- Use Incredible Leap for Evasion: The leap serves a dual purpose: entering combat and escape. If you sense imminent danger, retreat using your jump and let your team create space.
Team-Up Abilities with The Hulk
The Hulk possesses two passive team-up abilities: Gamma Boost and Gamma Fastball. While these abilities don’t directly enhance Hulk, they significantly benefit allies like Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Wolverine.
| Abilities | Hero Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gamma Boost (Passive) | Iron Man and Doctor Strange | Enhances their attacks with gamma radiation, granting a minor damage boost. |
| Gamma Fastball | Wolverine | Allows Hulk to throw Wolverine with great force. |
Optimal Team Compositions Featuring Hulk
For an effective team composition involving Hulk, consider pairing him with either Iron Man or Doctor Strange, as both can benefit substantially from Hulk’s gamma damage boost.
Iron Man offers aerial DPS support, while Doctor Strange provides ranged tanking capabilities, giving you a balance of melee and ranged defense. Moreover, Doctor Strange’s teleportation abilities can enhance Hulk’s mobility features.
For support roles, look to Luna Snow and Adam Warlock. Both characters provide effective long-range healing, vital for supporting Hulk’s aggressive playstyle.
Regarding DPS, selections can vary widely; however, a melee fighter such as Iron Fist synergizes well with Hulk’s playstyle. Alternatively, ranged assassins like Hawkeye or Black Widow can effectively finish off weakened enemies.
Countering The Hulk: Identifying Weaknesses
Characters with mobility and ranged attacks pose significant challenges for Hulk, especially tanks like Thor and Doctor Strange. Ironically, Doctor Strange serves both as a counter and a complementary fighter.
For DPS, watch out for heroes like Moon Knight, Iron Man, and Punisher—these ranged attackers can be troublesome. Snipers also present a notable challenge, although Hulk’s sizable health pool allows him to soak some of their damage.
Furthermore, crowd control abilities are particularly dangerous, with heroes like Squirrel Girl, Winter Soldier, and Peni Parker being considerable threats. Timing Indestructible Guard and Incredible Leap can mitigate substantial damage from these encounters, making them essential for Hulk’s survival.
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