Marvel Rivals’ Vanguard roster needs reinforcements, and a certain crimson powerhouse might be the perfect addition to the team.

With Marvel Rivals taking the hero shooter genre by storm, NetEase Games has proven they know how to make superheroes feel powerful and unique. From Storm’s weather manipulation to Iron Man’s high-tech arsenal, each hero brings something special to the battlefield.

So many heroes, so few who actually enjoy taking damage. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

But there’s one glaring issue that’s becoming harder to ignore: the severe shortage of Vanguard heroes. While Duelists are practically falling over each other to deal damage (18 and counting!), the tank roster is looking thinner than Bruce Banner before his morning coffee. And with The Thing’s upcoming arrival barely moving the needle, it’s time to look elsewhere for beefy additions.

Speaking of which, Captain America: Brave New World has now introduced a certain crimson-colored powerhouse who could be exactly what Marvel Rivals needs. Sure, the early reviews might be mixed, but there’s one element everyone seems to agree on: Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk is a force to be reckoned with.

A tank shortage that even the Hulk can’t fill

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The current roster of Vanguards in Marvel Rivals reads like a “who’s who” of Marvel’s heaviest hitters. You’ve got your Hulk, your Venom, even good ol’ Groot. But eight tanks versus eighteen damage dealers? That’s more unbalanced than Thanos’ jewelry collection.

The Thing’s upcoming addition with the mid-season update will help, but let’s be honest—we need more than just a rock-hard exterior and “It’s clobbering time!” voice lines to fix this disparity. The game desperately needs tanks that bring unique mechanics to the table, not just different flavors of “hit things really hard.”

And that’s where our crimson friend comes in. Red Hulk isn’t just another gamma-powered bruiser. His heat-based abilities and tactical military mind could bring something entirely new to the Vanguard roster. Imagine a tank who could not only soak up damage but also turn that absorbed energy into devastating area-denial attacks.

Bringing the heat to Marvel Rivals

Ross’s idea of a heated argument is a bit more literal. | Image Credit: Marvel Entertainment/YouTube

Here’s where things get spicy—literally. Unlike his green counterpart who just gets stronger with rage, Red Hulk gets hotter. We’re talking “melt-Spider-Man’s-webbing” hot. And this unique characteristic could translate into a fascinating kit for Marvel Rivals.

Picture this: A primary attack called “Superheated Punch” that generates extreme heat with each hit. Stack enough of these on a single target, and they’ll feel the true meaning of “managed anger management.” Follow that up with a diving charge attack that spreads these heat stacks to multiple targets, and suddenly you’ve got yourself a tank that can control both single targets and crowds.

That’s not all! Thanks to his military background, Ross could have a “Tactical Charge” ability that lets him climb walls and make mid-air course corrections—perfect for positioning and battlefield control. And don’t get us started on his passive “Thermal Absorption” that stores heat for one massive gamma-powered release.

The cherry on top? An ultimate ability called “Gamma Furnace” that overheats his body, drastically increasing attack power and requiring fewer heat stacks for bonus damage. Plus, it could buff nearby allies’ damage output, making Red Hulk a true team player.

NetEase Games already has a template with Bruce Banner’s Hulk, meaning they could focus on making Ross feel distinct while still maintaining that satisfying (but balanced) “unstoppable force” feeling that makes playing tanks so enjoyable (and challenging). And with his unique heat mechanics and tactical options, he’d bring something entirely new to the Vanguard roster.

What do you think about Red Hulk potentially joining the Marvel Rivals roster? How would you tweak his abilities? Share your ideas in the comments below!