Deadpool is one of the most unusual characters in Marvel Rivals. He is the only hero in the game who can fully switch between three roles during a match: Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist. Instead of locking into a single playstyle, Deadpool is designed around flexibility. He fills gaps in team composition, adapts between fights, and scales over time through a unique progression system.
This guide breaks down how Deadpool works, how his abilities change by role, and how to approach each role effectively.
What Makes Deadpool Different From Other Heroes?
Deadpool is the only hero in Marvel Rivals who can fully change roles mid-match. Role swaps can only be done while standing in spawn, but each role completely alters his secondary abilities, health pool, and battlefield function.
His base kit stays consistent across all roles: Dual Desert Eagles for ranged pressure, Kick@$$ Katana for melee burst, weapon swapping with Shift, and passive Healing Factor that regenerates health out of combat. Where things get wild is his secondary abilities, which transform completely based on your selected role.
Important
Deadpool's ultimates don't charge passively. You build a Style Meter through damage and ability usage, with a 45-second cooldown after each ultimate before you can generate style again.
The progression system adds another layer. During matches, you earn XP to upgrade individual abilities through the Progression Book (F). Upgraded skills gain buffed effects, faster style generation, and gold visual effects that make enemies regret targeting you.
Marvel Rivals Ultimate Deadpool Guide: Abilities, Roles, and How to Play
Deadpool’s Core Mechanics and Utility
Deadpool’s mobility and survivability are consistent across all roles. His double jump gives him vertical movement options that many heroes lack, making it easier to contest high ground or disengage without committing major cooldowns.
Photo Shoot, activated on fallen enemies, grants brief invulnerability. While it looks comedic, it is a strong defensive tool that can completely negate enemy burst damage or waste ultimates if timed correctly.
Weapon swapping is central to Deadpool’s flow. Pistols allow safe poke and pressure, while katanas excel at close-range damage and mobility. Effective Deadpool play comes from switching weapons based on spacing rather than sticking to one option.
Marvel Rivals Ultimate Deadpool Guide: Abilities, Roles, and How to Play
Vanguard Deadpool (Tank)
Vanguard Deadpool focuses on disruption and space control rather than traditional damage soaking. In this role, Deadpool has higher health pool, making him durable when combined with Healing Factor.
Vanguard Abilities and Playstyle
Magical Unicorn Shield (RMB – Guns)
Throws a plush unicorn that creates a projectile-blocking bubble. This should be placed aggressively to claim space, not passively behind the team.
Hazardous Hijinks (RMB – Katanas)
A forward dash with three charges that refresh on enemy hits. In close quarters, this allows constant pressure and rapid style generation.
Deadpool in Your Area (E)
Taunts enemies, drains Deadpool’s HP, increases attack speed, and disrupts enemy vision with visual clutter. Swapping to guns after activation enables sustained pressure.
Bunny Bounce
Allows Deadpool to bounce off enemies, allies, or terrain. This is a core mobility tool for sticking to targets or escaping danger while resetting cooldowns
Ultimate Options
Gun Ultimate: Grants bonus HP and taunts enemies. Missed enemy abilities further empower Deadpool.
Sword Ultimate: Provides speed, healing, bonus HP, and combo challenges that amplify survivability.
Tip
Vanguard Deadpool excels when the team needs space control and disruption rather than pure shielding.
Marvel Rivals Ultimate Deadpool Guide: Abilities, Roles, and How to Play
Duelist Deadpool (DPS)
Duelist Deadpool trades durability for damage, dropping to 250 HP but gaining high burst potential and reset-based abilities. This role focuses on eliminating priority targets quickly.
Duelist Abilities and Playstyle
Headshot! (RMB – Guns)
Throws spinning katanas that return to Deadpool. Upgraded versions explode after multiple catches, dealing strong area damage.
Hazardous Hijinks (RMB – Katanas)
Starts with two charges and can refresh on hit. When upgraded, it enables near-constant chaining if abilities connect.
Taunt (E)
Forces enemy focus without attack speed bonuses. Upgrades add damage reduction and HP burn effects.
Boomerang
Damages enemies and heals allies. Upgraded versions explode after repeated catches, adding strong team fight value.
Duelist Ultimates
Final Exam (Sword): Massive team healing that scales with enemy hits and can reset Healing Factor.
Gun Ultimate: Heals and shields allies while punishing enemy misses.
Warning
Duelist Deadpool requires strong positioning. Mistakes are punished quickly due to low HP.
For more aggressive playstyles that complement Deadpool's chaos, check our Ultimate Blade Guide for similar hybrid combat strategies.
Strategist Deadpool
Strategist Deadpool offers sustained healing while remaining more durable than most supports, sitting at 350 HP. He functions as a hybrid support that stays close to the frontline.
Strategist Abilities and Playstyle
Guns: Shooting allies heals them directly
Katanas: Striking enemies heals nearby allies in an area
Sword Dash (RMB)
Provides dash-based AOE healing. Upgraded versions allow chaining movement between teammates.
Taunt + Heal Zone (E)
Creates a healing area for allies while disrupting enemies. Upgrades add damage boosts for teammates inside the zone.
Tip
Strategist Deadpool works best when a team needs healing without giving up frontline pressure.
Progression System and Power Spikes
Deadpool earns XP during matches to upgrade abilities using the Progression Book (F). Upgraded abilities gain improved effects, faster style generation, and visual indicators.
Upgrade Priorities
Vanguard: Shield duration, Bunny Bounce resets
Duelist: Dash charges, Boomerang explosions
Strategist: Healing output, zone radius
Tip
Early game Deadpool feels weaker by design. His true power appears once key upgrades are unlocked.
Team Synergies and Composition
Deadpool fits into almost any composition due to his flexibility. He performs best alongside aggressive heroes that maintain momentum.
Strong synergies include:
Emma Frost
Magneto
Daredevil
Invisible Woman
Gambit
His team-up ability with Jeff the Land Shark provides healing and visual disruption, stacking well with Deadpool’s taunts.
Team-up activation effect
How to Counter Deadpool
Deadpool is hardest to deal with in late game, but coordinated teams can shut him down early.
Effective counters include:
Hawkeye: Long-range pressure limits style generation
Magneto: Crowd control disrupts ability chains
Black Panther: Burst damage kills Deadpool before sustain matters
Storm: Area denial prevents melee engagement
Scarlet Witch: Disrupts chaotic fights
Loki: Misdirection interferes with timing and reads
Focusing Deadpool early prevents him from reaching his strongest power spikes.
Playing Deadpool Effectively
Deadpool’s strength is not tied to one role. Strong players reassess the match between every respawn. If the frontline collapses, Vanguard can stabilize. If the team lacks damage, Duelist can punish mistakes. If sustain is the problem, Strategist keeps the team in fights longer.
Managing the Style Meter, timing ultimates, and prioritizing ability upgrades based on current needs are what separate effective Deadpool players from average ones. He rewards awareness and adaptability more than mechanical precision.
Deadpool is not about mastering a single playstyle. In Marvel Rivals, he rewards players who understand the state of the match and are willing to change roles to meet it.
For more help in Marvel Rivals, check out our guides on how to play Blade or learn how to use Angela effectively.