Marvel Rivals Thor: How to Play, Counter & Abilities
Thor stands as one of the strongest Vanguards in Marvel Rivals right now. His mix of mobility, damage output, and survivability makes him a solid pick for both new and experienced players.
While he might not be the most durable Vanguard compared to heroes like Hulk or Venom, his ability to dive in and out of combat while dealing consistent damage makes up for it.
Thor Stats in Marvel Rivals
Thor excels at initiating fights and creating opportunities for his team. Here are his base stats:
 | Thor |
| Role | Vanguard |
| Health | 500 HP |
| Difficulty | ★★★☆☆ |
How to Play Thor in Marvel Rivals
Playing Thor effectively requires understanding when to engage and when to back off. Your main job is to create space for your team and pressure enemy backline heroes. Here’s how to make the most of Thor’s abilities:
Start fights by using Storm Surge to close the gap, followed by Lightning Realm to slow enemies and restore your Thorforce. Once you’re in position, use Mjolnir Bash to build up more Thorforce and deal consistent damage. Save Awakening Rune for when you need extra survivability or want to chase down low-health targets.
The key to success with Thor is managing your Thorforce. Each ability that consumes Thorforce grants you bonus health – 100 HP for single-charge abilities and 200 HP for Awakening Rune. Try to always have at least one charge available for emergency escapes with Storm Surge.
Some effective ability combinations:
- Storm Surge > Lightning Realm > Mjolnir Bash (basic initiation)
- Hammer Throw > Storm Surge > Lightning Realm (gap closer with extra damage)
- Storm Surge > Lightning Realm > God of Thunder (team fight initiator)
God of Thunder works best when enemies are grouped up or distracted. You can also use it from high ground to surprise enemies, but be careful as you’re vulnerable while charging.
How to Counter Thor in Marvel Rivals
Thor’s main weakness is his relatively low defense compared to other Vanguards. He relies heavily on bonus health from Thorforce abilities to stay alive. Without these resources, he becomes very vulnerable. The key to countering Thor is smart resource management – bait out his Storm Surge before committing major cooldowns, then focus him down when his Thorforce is depleted.
When you see him activate Awakening Rune, that’s your chance to apply crowd control abilities since he can’t use other defensive skills. Always keep track of his God of Thunder cooldown and make sure your team spreads out when it’s available to minimize its impact.
Strong counter picks for Thor in Marvel Riavls include:
- Hawkeye – Can keep Thor at range and punish his engages with precise arrow shots
- Punisher – High sustained damage output forces Thor to retreat before getting value
- Winter Soldier – Strong burst damage and mobility to kite Thor effectively
- Star-Lord – Maintains safe distance while dealing consistent damage
- Jeff the Land Shark – Interrupts Thor’s abilities and displaces him from good positions
- Scarlet Witch – Probably the strongest counter to Thor.
All Thor Abilities
| Ability | Description | Detailed Stats |
 Mjolnir Bash | Wield Mjolnir to strike enemies. When Awakened, Thor can launch lightning arc waves to deal damage | – Cast Type: Single-cast Spell Field – Range: 4m – Attack Interval: 0.6s – Damage: 45 |
 Hammer Throw | Throw Mjolnir forward which then returns, dealing damage on both passes | – Cast Type: Single-target Projectile – Max Distance: 24m – Projectile Speed: 60 m/s outward, 80 m/s return – Damage: 70 outward, 30 return – Thorforce Cost: 1 |
 Lightning Realm | Summon lightning that creates an electric field, restoring Thorforce based on enemies hit | – Cast Type: Persistent Spell Field – Range: 5m spherical radius – Duration: 4s maximum – Damage: 40 when crossing boundaries – Cooldown: 12s – Effect: Restores 1 Thorforce per enemy hit – Slow: 30% on boundary cross |
 Storm Surge | Hold to spin Mjolnir before dashing forward and knocking back enemies | – Cast Type: Charged Dash – Max Charge Time: 2s – No Charge Distance: 10m (6m with enemy) – Full Charge Distance: 20m (13m with enemy) – Damage: 40 no charge, 60 full charge – Thorforce Cost: 1 |
 Awakening Rune | Consume Thorforce to enter the Awakened state, gaining Bonus Health and enhanced attacks | – Cast Type: Ability Enhancement – Range: 3m spherical radius – Duration: 5s – Projectile Speed: 60 m/s – Attack Interval: 0.4s (first 3 stages), 0.8s (4th stage) – Damage: 70 projectile, 30/s field damage – Shield Duration: 2.5s max – Thorforce Cost: 3 |
 God of Thunder | Soar upwards and smite the ground after charging, creating a damaging field followed by a powerful impact | – Cast Type: Persistent + One-time Spell Field – Range: 8m radius cylinder, 20m height – Impact: 8m spherical radius – Height: 9m – Channel Duration: 1.5s – Field Duration: 0.5s – Damage: 40 (sustained field), 220 (impact) – Energy Cost: 3100 |
 Thorforce | Passive ability that grants Bonus Health when consumed. Mjolnir Bash hits restore Thorforce | – Maximum Stacks: 3 – Recovery Speed: 5s per Thorforce – Bonus Health: 100 per point, 200 for 3-point abilities – Maximum Bonus Health: 200 – Consumption Cooldown: 1.5s |
 Odinson Reborn | When Hela defeats an enemy, she can resurrect Loki and Thor or grant them bonus health if alive | – Respawn Health: 80% – Bonus Health (if alive): 50 – Respawn Delay: 1.5s |
 Thunderous Deity | Thor empowers Storm and Captain America with electric enhancements, boosting their abilities | – Team-up Bonus: +100 Max Health – Storm: Gains lightning barrage – Captain America: Movement boost and electric shield damage |
Thor excels at creating chaos in enemy lines and setting up plays for his team. While he requires some practice to master his ability timing and Thorforce management, his straightforward kit and strong impact make him a solid choice for players looking to master the Vanguard role.
