Building a strong roster in Marvel Rivals can be exciting, but some heroes are definitely more demanding than others. Whether it is because of rare materials, heavy upgrade requirements, or a skill set that needs a complete build to shine, certain characters require more investment to reach their full potential. For new and returning players, knowing which heroes will cost the most time and resources can help you plan ahead, avoid wasting materials, and make smarter upgrade decisions before diving in.

Below is a breakdown of some of the heroes generally considered the most resource-intensive to build, based on how much investment they need to become strong in competitive matches.

Heroes That Require Major Investment

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is one of the strongest utility and support characters in the game, but he is also one of the most expensive to complete. His upgrades don’t just boost numbers; they unlock core performance improvements that affect cooldowns, shield values, and overall combat flexibility. You can technically play him early, but he only reaches real competitive strength after multiple upgrade levels. His gear trees and skill enhancements also scale differently, making him more of an all-or-nothing investment.

Iron Man

Iron Man can dish out impressive ranged damage, but he becomes resource-hungry fast. His playstyle benefits heavily from upgraded modules and equipment bonuses that increase weapon performance, survivability, and tracking accuracy. Because of how armor and tech enhancements stack, players often end up wanting the full build before he feels comfortable in higher-tier matches. Many players choose to buy rivals lattice at this stage to speed up the crafting and upgrading process, especially if they want to push competitive progression more efficiently.

Loki

Loki is one of the trickiest heroes in the game, as he relies on positioning, advanced combos, and timing to unlock his true power. On top of that, he requires multiple upgraded skills to function at peak reliability in fights. Without enough upgrades, he lacks the control and burst needed to secure kills, which makes him feel weaker in early progression. Although not mechanically impossible to start with, he is definitely a long-term investment.

Scarlet Witch

Scarlet Witch is a late bloomer in Marvel Rivals. Her early game damage output can feel inconsistent until her spells are enhanced and cooldown upgrades are unlocked. She is also a hero who benefits greatly from full-build setups, including equipment bonuses that increase empowerment effects and spell control. Players who want to speed up upgrades sometimes look at a marvel rivals lattice purchase to push her progression faster, especially since she is a hero who dramatically transforms once fully upgraded.

Hulk

Hulk is strong early, but his real value becomes noticeable after several key upgrades. His tanking ability scales with progression better than most frontline characters, and even his offensive abilities improve dramatically with later enhancements. He is easier to use in early matches, but expensive if you want to maximize his long-term potential. Many players find him worth the investment, especially if they enjoy leading the charge in team fights or defending objectives.

Why Some Heroes Cost More Than Others

Different heroes in Marvel Rivals scale differently depending on their role. Damage dealers often need detailed gear builds, tanks rely on health and immunity upgrades, and support heroes improve through cooldown and utility enhancements. Because of this, some characters simply need more resources to reach the same level of combat reliability as others.

Another important factor is how strictly certain skills are tied to late-game progression. If a hero’s key damage boost or defensive ability unlocks only at high ranks, players are naturally pushed to chase upgrades more aggressively.

For players who don’t want the slow grind, third-party stores like U4GM are popular among the community for faster progression. But whether you grind naturally or invest for faster upgrades, planning ahead is the real key to saving time and resources.

Tips to Build Expensive Heroes More Efficiently

Even if a hero is costly to develop, a little planning can save huge amounts of time and materials. Here are some simple tips most experienced players follow:

Focus on core upgrades first

Many heroes have one or two upgrades that offer the biggest power spike. Always unlock those before spreading your materials into minor upgrades.

Don’t upgrade every hero at once

Trying to build five characters at the same time usually leads to slow progress and weaker performance in matches. Pick one or two and stick with them.

Play modes that reward materials efficiently

Some modes and events drop more crafting materials, meaning faster progression overall. These can change over time, so it’s worth checking in regularly.

Use starter heroes wisely

Some heroes perform well even with small upgrades. Using them while you save materials can help you progress without feeling underpowered.

Marvel Rivals has a deep progression system, which makes upgrading satisfying but also demanding. Some heroes become strong quickly, while others need heavy investment to feel competitive. If you know which characters require more effort from the start, you can plan better and avoid wasting valuable resources. The most costly builds, such as Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, Loki, Iron Man, and Hulk, are powerful once complete, but definitely reward players who take the time to finish them properly.

If you enjoy building long-term project heroes and seeing them evolve into top-tier performers, these characters will likely be some of your favorite picks.

FAQ

Which heroes cost the most to upgrade? Typically characters like Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, Loki, Iron Man, and Hulk require the most materials due to how much they gain from late-game upgrades.

Is it better to build one hero first or several together? Most players get better results focusing on one or two heroes at a time instead of spreading resources across many characters.

Are expensive heroes stronger than others? Not always at the start, but they usually scale better and offer bigger improvements once fully upgraded.

Do upgrades affect gameplay significantly? Yes. Some heroes unlock shorter cooldowns, stronger damage, or stronger shields only at higher upgrade levels.

Can progression materials be traded between players? No, materials are tied to your own account and cannot be traded with others.

Do all heroes require rare materials? Every hero needs materials, but some require more or depend on later upgrades for major power gains.

How can I progress upgrades faster? Play high-reward modes, focus on core upgrades, and take advantage of time-limited events that drop more crafting materials.

Do materials expire or disappear? No, once earned, they remain on your account until you choose to use them.

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