In Marvel Rivals, one of the standout Vanguard characters is Doctor Strange, the master of the mystic arts. His magical prowess makes him a formidable force on the battlefield. As the Sorcerer Supreme, he comes with a range of abilities that not only enhance his team’s performance but also help him overcome adversaries. With an emphasis on unconventional movement and strong defense, Doctor Strange draws upon the magic of Kamar-Taj to guide his allies to victory.
Unlike the Duelists and Specialists in the game, who play the roles of damage per second (DPS) and support characters respectively, Doctor Strange embodies the Vanguard role. Vanguards have significantly greater health compared to other characters, making them more resilient in combat. While they are not primarily focused on dealing damage or healing, Vanguards excel at safeguarding allies and equipping themselves with the tools to remain in combat longer.
Doctor Strange’s Abilities
Harness Dark Magic and Control the Battlefield
Doctor Strange possesses a diverse skill set that allows him to soar through the air, conjure magical shields, and even teleport allies across the map. Among the Vanguards, including characters like Magneto and Thor in Marvel Rivals, Doctor Strange is renowned for his versatility. However, due to a unique passive ability, players must be particularly mindful of their choices when playing as Doctor Strange compared to other heroes and villains in the game.
Here’s a breakdown of Doctor Strange’s abilities, along with their cooldown times:
|
Ability |
Type |
Cooldown |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daggers of Denak |
Primary Attack |
6 Daggers (Reload) |
Launch a series of mystical dagger projectiles that deal damage to multiple enemies in a straight line. |
|
Cloak of Levitation |
Basic Ability |
9 seconds |
Ascend and maintain flight for up to seven seconds. |
|
Maelstrom of Madness |
Basic Ability |
8 seconds |
Unleash Dark Magic to inflict AoE damage on nearby enemies. |
|
Pentagram of Farallah |
Basic Ability |
174 seconds |
Create portals between two points on the map for friendly and enemy units to traverse. |
|
Shield of the Seraphim |
Basic Ability |
Varies |
Generate a damage-absorbing barrier with a limited lifespan that takes longer to recharge if destroyed. |
|
Price of Magic |
Passive |
N/A |
Enemies hit accumulate Dark Magic. If not used, it triggers Anti-Heal, making it harder to recover. |
|
Eye of Agamotto |
Ultimate |
N/A |
Separate enemies’ souls from their bodies. Damage to the souls reflects upon their physical forms. |
Doctor Strange’s Price of Magic ability may not be immediately obvious. It visualizes as you toss the Daggers of Denak. This meter rises from 0 to 100, indicating when he reaches a state of Dark Magic corruption. If players let this meter fill completely, they can no longer receive healing from allies, complicating survival during tough encounters.
One of Doctor Strange’s most impactful powers, the Pentagram of Farallah, has the longest cooldown in Marvel Rivals. Consequently, you may only have the chance to activate it once or twice per spawn in a match.
Using Maelstrom of Madness allows players to release stored Dark Magic and reset their meter relatively quickly. Even if this ability doesn’t hit anyone, it still serves the purpose of refreshing Dark Magic at different moments during gameplay.
How to Effectively Utilize Doctor Strange’s Ultimate
Focus on the Souls of Hit Enemies
The Eye of Agamotto Ultimate should be deployed strategically, especially to isolate one or two key opponents on the opposing team. This skill stuns the target, detaching their Astral spirit from their physical form for a brief duration. At this point, Doctor Strange and his teammates can attack these spirits to inflict damage on their actual bodies and secure easy kills.
Aiming to hit two to three characters with Doctor Strange’s Ultimate is ideal. Striking too many targets may complicate which enemy to take down, while hitting too few allows other opponents to remain active and assist their stunned teammate.
This Ultimate ability shares similarities with Hawkeye’s, which allows the archer to focus on enemy after-images. However, Doctor Strange’s technique is more effective when aimed at the enemy Vanguard presenting the biggest challenge, as it incapacitating foes from retaliating due to their immobility. This opportunity gives your team a chance to utterly deplete that character’s health pool.
Optimal Team Composition for Doctor Strange
Identify the Best Allies to Bolster the Sorcerer
Doctor Strange possesses a Team-Up ability that complements specific characters on his squad, enhancing the overall synergy of their skills and offering additional techniques.
One notable Team-Up ability occurs when Doctor Strange pairs with the Hulk, as they share the “Gamma Charge” synergy. With Hulk’s help, Doctor Strange’s Maelstrom of Madness gains added potency. When activated while under the influence of gamma radiation, this ability deals greater damage across a wider AoE.
Maximizing the damage potential of Maelstrom of Madness is achievable with a high Dark Magic build-up. A smart approach involves using Hulk to empower Doctor Strange when his Dark Magic levels are elevated, ensuring maximum effectiveness of the ability.
Additional characters that synergize well with Doctor Strange include:
- Iron Man
- Spider-Man
- Wolverine
- Jeff the Land Shark
- Venom
In Marvel Rivals, Iron Man can also access the Gamma Charge passive from Hulk, provided he’s on the same team. This not only empowers Doctor Strange but also boosts Iron Man’s abilities, escalating your team’s damage output significantly.
Wolverine shares a unique Team-Up ability with Hulk, allowing for multiple synergistic options within the team. Spider-Man and Jeff the Land Shark are also effective due to their abilities to stun and reposition enemies, facilitating smoother execution of Doctor Strange’s Ultimate. Venom, another Vanguard, augments Doctor Strange’s mobility issues and contributes significantly to the team dynamic.
Top Tips, Tricks & Strategies for Success
Protect Your Team and Secure Strategic Positions
Doctor Strange’s primary role revolves around shielding teammates and guiding them towards advantageous battle positions. Unlike some other characters, Doctor Strange cannot heal or arm his fellow fighters but has various methods to redirect allies to optimal locations, either by directly shielding them or through portal creation.
The effectiveness of Doctor Strange’s Pentagram of Farallah is contingent on the strategic placement of its portals. Both friendly units and foes can utilize these portals, so it’s essential to consider their position carefully. For instance, while a portal may help reach a critical area faster, it could also let enemies close in on your team if not placed prudently.
Flight capabilities in Marvel Rivals allow Doctor Strange to navigate the battlefield with relative ease and offer limited aerial dynamics. Importantly, he can deploy his shield while airborne, providing a dual-purpose approach to movement and defense. Balancing offense and defense will naturally depend on the unfolding circumstances of the battle.
It’s advisable to stay close to your team as much as possible to maximize your support. While keeping pace with speedy characters like Spider-Man or Moon Knight may be difficult, protecting your healers is a role you can fill more frequently. The success of Doctor Strange’s abilities in Marvel Rivals hinges on effective cooperation with teammates, especially during heated conflicts.
