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Natasha Romanoff, akaBlack Widow, is a highly skilled assassin in theMarvel Rivals. Capable of eliminating targets with her precise and deadly sniper rifle from any range before quickly relocating with her agile abilities.
Whether she is on your team, picking off enemies one by one or on the opposing team, learning about both her strengths and weaknesses is extremely crucial to achieving victory. This guide will go over how to effectively counter/hinder her using each of the roles in the game; how to select the best heroes that effectively counter her whilst also providing some helpful tips along the way.
How To Counter Black Widow
Black Widow’s biggest strength is her ability todeal massive amounts of damageover a very safe long distance.
Should you get close to her, she has access toa sweeping kickwhichwill stun you, giving her ample time to finish you off with a deadly headshot. Additionally, she has asprint and jump abilitysimilar to Captain America, which allows her to relocate should she need to.
To effectively counter her, considerpicking heroes with high health pools/sustainability and mobility. Heroes that canget in closeandeffectively chase hershould she try to run make excellent choices.
Some roles may be unable to adhere to the prior conditions, but that does not mean they are unable to hinder Black Widow. Here are some more role-specific characters that can help deal with her:
How To Counter Black Widow As A Strategist
Starting off with the role that struggles the most against Black Widow, a Strategist’s main focus is to keep their team alive. This puts them at risk of being picked off if they aren’t careful.Positioning yourself behind wallsto avoid Black Widow’s line of sight is crucial to staying alive.
Invisible Womanexcels at being able to both heal and support her team thanks to herGuardian Shield ability, whichcreates a barrier that blocks enemy attacks.Sticking close to an allyandactivating Guardian Shieldwill allow her tostay in the open for a short timeuntil the barrier expires or is destroyed. Additionally, Invisible Womanpassivelygoes invisible, which is extremely useful to avoid being targeted entirely.
Rocket Raccoonis also a viable pick due to hissmall stature, making him a tougher target to hit. Should he be targeted by Black Widow, he can use hisJetpack Dash abilityto quickly dash forwardstowards his team or behind cover.
How To Counter Black Widow As A Duelist
Whilst Duelists have a slightly easier time dealing with Black Widow, not all of them can deal with her effectively. Rushing directly at her will almost always end with you face down on the ground. Instead, pick heroes that cansafely sneak up behind herand catch her off guard.
Black Pantherhas the ability not only to close the gap on Black Widow but can alsosustain himself by using his abilities.Throwing a spear from his Spear Tossability, thenimmediately activating his Spirit Rendwillreset the abilityanddeal massive amounts of damagewhilst alsogiving him some extra health. Quickly follow up with eitheranother Spear Toss or Spinning Kickfollowed up by yet anotherSpirit Rend to finish her off.
Iron Fistalso has a kit which allows him toget in close and sustain himselfwhilstdealing a good amount of damage. Make use of hisDragon’s Defense parryability toprevent her from stunning him,granting additional healthas well asboosting his damage output.
Avoid picking flying characters such as Storm or Iron Man as they are easy targets for Black Widow.
How To Counter Black Widow As A Vanguard
There are two methods to counter Black Widow when playing a Vanguard. The first method isplaying defensively, preventing her from dealing fatal damage to you and your team. The second method isplaying offensivelyby forcing her out of her position.
For method one, Vanguards with barriers such asMagneto, Doctor Strange and Grootare all viable picks.Playing close to your teamandalternating between dealing damageto the enemies in front of you andplacing/raising your barrierswill reduce her overall effectiveness at range, forcing her to either relocate or move in closer to the action.
Method two brings the fight right to Black Widow.Venom, Hulk and Captain Americaall work well as they all have the great mobility and abilities that prevent her from instantly killing them.Work together with your Dueliststodive right onto her position, forcing her to flee or risk being killed.
