Marvel Rivals: How to Get Assists?

Karan |  Published: January 17, 2025
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Getting assists in Marvel Rivals works differently than most team-based games, and at first glance, it might seem confusing when the handshake icon pops up on your screen. This guide breaks down exactly what counts as an assist in Marvel Rivals, the most reliable ways to earn them, and which characters naturally rack up assist points through their abilities.

What Are Assists in Marvel Rivals?

The assist system in Marvel Rivals focuses on rewarding supportive plays rather than just tagging enemies with damage. You’ll notice this right away in matches – dealing a bit of damage to an enemy before they die doesn’t automatically give you an assist. Instead, the game tracks how you help your teammates secure kills through utility abilities, healing, and crowd control.

handshake assist icon in marvel rivals during a game
Image Credit: Marvel Rivals (via NetEase, screenshot by GameTechAnime)

When you successfully earn an assist, a handshake icon appears on screen alongside your teammate’s username. This might seem like a small detail, but it helps you understand exactly when your supportive actions are being recognized by the game.

How to Get Assists in Marvel Rivals

Getting assists boils down to enabling your teammates rather than focusing on damage. Timing your support abilities right before a teammate secures a kill is crucial – throwing out random heals or shields won’t cut it. Start by staying close to your damage dealers and watching their engagement patterns. When they dive in for a kill, that’s your cue to use abilities that make their job easier.

checking assists on results page in marvel rivals
Image Credit: Marvel Rivals (via NetEase, screenshot by GameTechAnime)

Take Mantis as an example – her Spore Slumber puts enemies to sleep, creating perfect windows for teammates to land their damage. The same goes for Jeff’s healing abilities – keeping a damage dealer alive during a close fight often leads to an assist when they secure the kill. Even simple plays like using Storm’s weather effects to boost teammate movement speed can earn assists if they catch and eliminate the target.

If you see your Spider-Man getting ready to dive the enemy backline, having your shield or heal ready to support their play often leads to assists. Pay attention to ultimate charge as well – supporting a teammate during their ultimate ability usually results in assists since they’re likely to secure kills during that window.

Best Characters for Getting Assists in Marvel Rivals

playing mantis in marvel rivals
Image Credit: Marvel Rivals (via NetEase, screenshot by GameTechAnime)

Strategists in Marvel Rivals are naturally better at earning assists due to their supportive abilities. Here are the top picks:

Strategists:

  • Mantis: Her Healing Flower and Spore Slumber make her an assist machine
  • Jeff: Healing Bubble and Joyful Splash provide consistent team support
  • Luna Snow: Light & Dark Ice abilities both heal and control enemies
  • Adam Warlock: Soul Bond passive ability automatically generates assists

Vanguards:

  • Peni Parker: Cyber-Web Snare immobilizes enemies for easy teammate kills
  • Magneto: Metal Bulwark protects allies while they secure eliminations

Duelists:

  • Storm: Weather Control buffs teammates’ damage and movement speed

Playing for assists might not look as flashy as racking up eliminations, but it’s often the difference between winning and losing tight matches. Stick close to your damage dealers – watching a Scarlet Witch delete the enemy team after you’ve kept them alive through a tough fight is satisfying in its own way.

Good assist plays aren’t always obvious in the kill feed, but they show up where it counts. The best part about focusing on assists is how it changes your gameplay perspective.

Sure, you might not get Play of the Game for a perfectly timed heal or shield, but when your team is steamrolling the enemy because you’re keeping everyone alive and setting up kills? That’s the real victory. Keep at it, and you’ll see your assist numbers climb while your win rate follows right along with them.

Related Topics

Marvel Rivals

About Author

Kanu is a veteran gaming journalist and industry insider whose work has appeared in prominent outlets including Dexerto and PCInvasion. Drawing from his experience across multiple gaming genres, he brings deep, firsthand knowledge to his coverage of the gaming and entertainment landscape.