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