<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Close-quarters combat in <em data-start="86" data-end="101">Marvel Rivals isn't just about button mashing and hoping for the best. Whether you're maining a bruiser like The Hulk or diving in with finesse as Black Widow, the game demands awareness, precision, and strategic thinking. If you're struggling to land hits or constantly getting punished after a combo, it's time to rethink your approach. Here's a list of 21 tried-and-true strategies to help you dominate close-combat situations in <em data-start="521" data-end="536">Marvel Rivals.



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<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1. Know Your Fighter's Range</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Each character in <em data-start="600" data-end="615">Marvel Rivals has a unique melee range. Familiarize yourself with how far your basic attacks can reach, so you're not swinging at air while your opponent punishes your whiffed combo.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2. Time Your Dodges</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dodging isn&rsquo;t just an escape tool; it&rsquo;s a setup for counters. Proper dodge timing can bait out enemy abilities and leave them vulnerable.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3. Don't Spam Combos</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Overusing the same combo string makes you predictable. Vary your attacks and mix in throws or special moves to keep your opponent guessing.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">4. Use the Environment</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Maps in <em data-start="1165" data-end="1180">Marvel Rivals are full of objects and terrain that can be used strategically. Corners, platforms, and destructible cover all affect close-range engagements.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">5. Play the Cooldown Game</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Know when your abilities are ready&mdash;and when your opponent&rsquo;s aren&rsquo;t. Engage aggressively when your kit is online and theirs is not.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">6. Watch for Team Synergy</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Certain characters synergize well in close combat. For example, pairing a tank like Captain America with a follow-up striker like Wolverine can create devastating pressure.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">7. Master the Parry System</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If your hero has a parry mechanic, learn the timing. A well-placed parry can flip a fight instantly, especially in 1v1 scenarios.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">8. Use Verticality</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jumping or climbing to reposition can give you the edge in melee fights. Avoid becoming an easy target by constantly moving and varying your approach angle.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">9. Study Enemy Animations</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Top players read their opponents by watching animations. Recognizing when an enemy is about to launch a heavy or a grab helps you counter efficiently.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">10. Interrupt with Purpose</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Not all interruptions are worth the risk. Know which enemy skills are dangerous enough to warrant interrupting, and which are bait.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">11. Mix Up Your Approach</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Coming in from the front over and over again is suicide. Use flanks, elevations, and unexpected entries to catch your enemies off guard.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">12. Learn When to Disengage</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There&rsquo;s no shame in pulling back. If you&rsquo;ve burned key cooldowns and whiffed a combo, it&rsquo;s often smarter to retreat, regroup, and re-engage.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">13. Track Crowd Control Abilities</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nothing ends a close-quarters brawl faster than getting stunned. Keep mental tabs on enemy CC skills and their cooldowns.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">14. Balance Aggression and Defense</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rushing in constantly will get you punished. Maintain pressure without overextending, and always be ready to block or dodge incoming damage.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">15. Prioritize Targets Wisely</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In team fights, don't tunnel vision on tanks unless your kit is built for it. Focus on vulnerable damage dealers when you go in close.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">16. Use Training Mode Effectively</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Practice your combos, cancels, and movement in training mode. Knowing your character inside and out makes close combat second nature.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">17. Master One Close-Combat Specialist</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While versatility is great, deeply mastering one close-range character will teach you fundamentals you can apply across the board.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">18. Stay Updated with Patch Changes</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Balance tweaks can change the meta overnight. What worked yesterday might be nerfed today. Stay on top of changes that affect your melee fighter.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">19. Communicate with Your Team</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Coordinate melee dives with your teammates. A well-timed dive can disrupt the enemy backline and secure an easy win.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">20. Don&rsquo;t Underestimate Cheap Marvel Rivals Bundles</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you're looking to expand your roster or customize your favorite brawlers, cheap Marvel Rivals bundles can offer solid value without breaking the bank.



<h3 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">21. Experiment with Builds from Bundles</h3>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some players overlook the builds and loadouts available in the premium bundles. When you buy Marvel Rivals bundles, try out the loadouts they come with&mdash;you might find new synergy in your melee playstyle.



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<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Close combat in <em data-start="4487" data-end="4502">Marvel Rivals is a constant dance of offense, defense, and positioning. It's not just about who's got the bigger fists&mdash;it's about who knows how to use them smarter. Hopefully, these 21 strategies help you start winning more fights and making each melee encounter count.