If you want a hero that does it all in Marvel Rivals, Black Widow excels with a mix of sharpshooting precision and agile close-quarters combat.
You don’t want to mess with her, whether sniping enemies from a distance or using her batons in close combat.
If you want to up your game and make the most of her skills, this article has you covered.
How To Play as Black Widow
If you're looking for a character who excels at long-range sniping and close combat, Black Widow in Marvel Rivals is a solid pick.
She can take out enemies from a distance with her Red Room Rifle, but she’s just as quick and nimble enough to stand her ground in close quarters with her Widow’s Bite Batons.
Mastering Black Widow might take some time, but she's unstoppable once you’ve got her down.
Here’s how you can play as Black Widow and get the best out of her sniping and quick attacks:
1. Make Every Long Shot Count with the Red Room Rifle
Her ability to dish out serious damage from afar makes Black Widow so strong.
The Red Room Rifle is your go-to for long-distance combat.
Thanks to her Straight Shooter ability, it shoots high-energy rounds that deal major damage.
If you want to make this ability count, focus on precise shots, especially headshots, since they do the most damage.
Black Widow performs best when on high spots (like rooftops) where she can discreetly scope things out and take enemies down. It’s all about finding the right vantage point.
The Fleet Foot ability also lets Black Widow dash and jump to high spots quickly, so use this ability to reach elevated areas and maintain control over the battlefield.
Once you're in place, target enemy Duelists and Strategists susceptible to sniper shots.
However, when you fire, the Red Room Rifle will leave a red tracer behind, so enemies will know where you are.
Reposition often to avoid being locked in as a target.
2. When They Get Close, Give It Your All
While Black Widow is best suited for long-range combat, her versatility shines when she engages up close.
She uses her Widow’s Bite Batons to send fast electric jolts that keep enemies at bay.
These batons are particularly useful when enemies close the gap or if you’re trapped in a tight space.
Besides the batons, Edge Dancer works well for offense and defense.
This ability allows Black Widow to execute a spinning kick that sends enemies flying.
When it lands, the ability triggers a second grappling hook that zips her to the target for one more strike.
Even up close, Black Widow doesn’t back down, thanks to her close-range skills.
You can use the Edge Dancer kick to shove enemies back or make an escape, but if that doesn’t work, Fleet Foot helps you get away and reload.
3. How to Make the Plasma Blast Work for You
If you play it smart, Black Widow's Electro-Plasma Explosion ultimate can flip the game.
This ability turns her Red Room Rifle into a potent electro-plasma cannon. It blasts enemies nearby and leaves a plasma field that slows them down by 80%.
Positioning is everything if you want to get the most out of this ultimate. Use it when enemies are clustered or when they are already in combat.
The blast inflicts heavy damage, and the plasma slows enemies down, making them sitting ducks for follow-up hits. Make sure you charge this ability at the right time.
A fully charged shot causes the most damage and plasma globules, but its charge time exposes Black Widow.
When under pressure, a quick and lighter shot might prevent the pressure from building up too much.
During team fights, Electro-Plasma Explosion can break up enemy lines, giving your team an opening to advance or finish off weakened foes.
4. Make It a Team with Hawkeye
Black Widow works exceptionally well with Hawkeye, especially when using the Supersensory Hunt ability.
This team-up skill enables Black Widow to identify and damage enemy afterimages, making her an even deadlier sniper.
This synergy makes sure you can take down targets sneaking around or trying to flank.
The 20% damage boost from Supersensory Hunt makes her already lethal shots even stronger, especially when you stack it with her other abilities.
When you play as Hawkeye, make sure you both position yourselves well to maximize your sniper skills.
You can use this combo to hit enemies from far away and stay hidden, frustrating the opposing team, as they will have to deal with constant long-range attacks.
5. Use the Batons to Handle Close Calls
In situations where Black Widow’s sniper shots won’t cut it or when you’re caught in close-range combat, the Widow’s Bite Batons come in clutch.
This ability works well when enemies are up close, allowing you to defend yourself while repositioning or waiting for backup.
Since Black Widow is not designed to take much damage, using your batons for quick strikes or to finish off weak enemies in such scenarios is crucial.
Using the batons with Edge Dancer lets you control the flow of combat, whether you're dealing damage or keeping your distance to stay alive.