Marvel Contest of Champions continues to evolve with each update, introducing new mechanics, balance shifts, and champions that redefine the meta. Whether you’re a veteran Summoner tackling endgame content or a newcomer forging your first roster, understanding which heroes hold the most power right now can save you time, effort, and resources. This tier list synthesizes data from the latest community rankings and expert analyses to present the definitive Best Heroes for May 2025.
Criteria for Ranking Champions
Not all champions are created equal. To determine which heroes deserve top billing, we evaluated each contender based on multiple performance metrics:
Key Metrics
- Utility Breadth: Immunities, buff control, power manipulation, healing, and purify potential;
- Damage Scalability: Burst damage potential, DOT stacking, and effectiveness over both short and prolonged encounters;
- Versatility: Ability to excel across content types—Alliance War, Battlegrounds, Story Quests, and Incursions;
- Reliability: Dependence on AI behavior vs. skill execution, consistency in offense and defense;
- Synergy & Relic Synergy: Team synergies, masteries, and relic setups that unlock hidden potential.
Best Mystic Champions
Mystic champions are the ultimate counter to buff-heavy and cosmic-heavy rosters. Their power control, stagger mechanics, and debuff spread make them indispensable in high-level play.
- S tier: Dr. Doom; Juggernaut; Rintrah; America Chavez; Enchantress;
- A tier: Absorbing Man; Destroyer; Kindred; Kushala; Mordo; Purgatory; Spider-Man Supreme; Wiccan; Sigil Scarlet Witch; Sasquatch; Shathra; Tigra; The Hood; Werewolf By Night; White Tiger;
- B tier: Black Widow CV; Diablo; Dragon Man; Ebony Maw; Longshot; Magik; Man Thing;
- C tier: Deathless Guillotine; Guillotine; Mangog; Mojo; Mephisto; Scarlet Witch OG; Sorcerer Supreme; Symbiote Supreme; Wong;
- D tier: Doctor Strange; Loki; Unstoppable Colossus; Dr. Voodoo; Immortal Iron Fist; Thor Jane Foster; Morning Star; Iron Fist; Ghost Rider; Dormammu.
Best Mutant Champions
Mutants blend regen, prowess stacking, and unique debuffs, making them deadly in the right hands—especially in modes where sustain and counterplay matter most.
- S tier: Archangel; Domino; Mr. Sinister; Onslaught;
- A tier: Bishop; Kitty Pryde; Dust; Sunspot; Wolverine (Weapon X);
- B tier: Apocalypse; Iceman; Namor; Magneto; Omega Red; Dani Moonstar; Storm; Negasonic Teenage Warhead;
- C tier: Cable; Colossus; Emma Frost; Gambit; White Magneto; Havok; Nightcrawler; Northstar; Platinum Pool; Professor X; Sauron; Storm (Pyramid X); Stryfe; Toad; Wolverine; Rogue; Jubilee; Deadpool Weapon X; Captain Britain;
- D tier: Beast; Cyclops; Cyclops (’90s); Goldpool; Deadpool; Wolverine X-23; Sabretooth; Psylocke.
Best Science Champions
Science champions excel at DOTs, power control, and utility, often combining poison, shock, or bleed with sustain mechanics to outlast opponents.
- S tier: Count Nefaria; Hulk; Human Torch; Luke Cage; Photon; Silk;
- A tier: Immortal Abomination; Joe Fix-It; Overseer; Jessica Jones; Scorpion; Quicksilver; Morbius; Spider-Man 2099; Captain America (Infinity War); Spider-Ham; Spider-Punk; Thing; Spot; Titania; Leader; Void;
- B tier: Red Hulk; She-Hulk; Spider-Gwen; Spider-Man OG; Sandman; Mr. Negative; Red Guardian; Mr. Fantastic; Quake; Casey Lang; Ant-Man; Miles Morales; Incredible Hulk;
- C tier: Anti-Venom; Invisible Woman; M.O.D.O.K.; Wasp; Gladiator Hulk; Electro;
- D tier: Captain America OG; Abomination; Rhino; Captain America (WW II); Sentry; Yellowjacket.
Best Tech Champions
The Tech class stands out by blending high-damage potential with essential utility like armor break, power drain, and debuff immunity. According to MCocGuideBlog’s tier summaries, these champions excel in both offensive and defensive scenarios.
- S tier: Ant-Man (Future);
- A tier: Guillotine 2099; Darkhawk; Mysterio; Peni Parker; Shuri; Viv Vision; Omega Sentinel; Arnim Zola;
- B tier: Yondu; Warlock; Sentinel; Punisher 2099; Ultron (Both); Nimrod; Shocker; Hulkbuster; Infamous Iron Man; Iron Man (IW); Prowler; Arcade;
- C tier: Doctor Octopus; Red Skull; Silver Centurion; Guardian; Psycho-Man; Vulture; Howard the Duck; Ironheart; Green Goblin;
- D tier: Stark Spidey; Nebula; OG Vision; Iron Man; War Machine; Kang; Captain America (Sam Wilson); Ghost; Civil Warrior; Star-Lord; Rocket Raccoon; Iron Patriot; Vision AOU; Lady Deathstrike.
Champions like Ant-Man (Future) boast unparalleled burst with meta-defining 1-2 punch combos, while Omega Sentinel and Shuri disrupt enemy strategies through combined immobilize and armor-break kits.
Best Cosmic Champions
Cosmic champions continue to lead in sheer offense – dominating with devastating specials, rage-driven damage, and unique cosmic buffs. MCocGuideBlog ranks Hercules, Cosmic Ghost Rider, and Hulkling as the unbeatable cosmic trifecta.
- S+ tier: Hercules; Cosmic Ghost Rider; Hulkling;
- S tier: Adam Warlock; Corvus Glaive; Hyperion; Beta Ray Bill; Scream; Galan; Gladiator; The Serpent;
- A tier: Venom; Medusa; Captain Marvel (Movie); Knull; Angela; Gamora; Proxima Midnight; Hela; Venompool; Thor; Gorr; King Groot; Superior Iron Man;
- B tier: Vision (Aarkus); Silver Surfer; Vox; Carnage; Red Goblin; Venom the Duck; Ikaris; Odin; Cull Obsidian; Sersi;
- C tier: Super Skrull; Heimdall; Terrax; Annihilus; Spider-Man Symbiote; Captain Marvel; Ms. Marvel; The Champion; Nova;
- D tier: Phoenix; Ronan; Black Bolt; Kamala Khan; Air Walker;
- E tier: Groot; Thanos; Drax.
Hercules remains a solo-run favorite thanks to his indestructible buff and easy-to-execute combo, while Adam Warlock’s unmatched buff control secures his high placement.
Best Skill Champions
Skill champions specialize in bleed output, critical-chance manipulation, and crowd control – making them essential for countering high-damage or evade-centric enemies. MCocGuideBlog’s offensive list places Nick Fury, Kate Bishop, and Kingpin atop the skill hierarchy.
- S+ tier: Nick Fury; Kate Bishop; Kingpin;
- S tier: Shang-Chi; Aegon; Valkyrie; Crossbones; Chee’ilth; Bullseye; Mole Man; Falcon; Mantis;
- A tier: Masacre; Hit Monkey; Baron Zemo; Black Cat; Spider-Man (Stealth Suit); Black Panther (Civil War);
- B tier: Elsa Bloodstone; Blade; Attuma; Jabari Panther; Black Panther (Classic); Gwenpool; Black Widow (Deadly Origin); Hawkeye; Moondragon; Thor (Ragnarok); Okoye;
- C tier: Ronin; Night Thrasher; Squirrel Girl; Daredevil (HK); Korg; Karnak; Killmonger; Patriot; Silver Sable; Misty Knight;
- D tier: Agent Venom; Winter Soldier; Taskmaster; Kraven; Black Widow (OG);
- E tier: Punisher; Elektra; Moon Knight; Daredevil (Classic).
With unmatched defensive utility and unpredictable bleed rotations, champions like Nick Fury remain cornerstone assets in high-level Battlegrounds and Alliance War defenses.
Mode-Specific Powerhouses
Different game modes demand different strengths. The following champions consistently top the charts for offense, defense, and solo play, according to community consensus and expert breakdowns.
Alliance War Offense
When spearheading offensive lanes, you need champions who can obliterate bosses quickly and handle risky node mechanics.
- Hercules – Indestructible buff and easy combos make him ideal for heavy-hitting boss lanes;
- Ant-Man (Future) – Insane stagger and burst potential to punish power-gain defenders;
- Adam Warlock – Buff control and burst in one package, excels in stagger-heavy nodes;
- Archangel – Efficient poison/bleed rotations shred long-form bosses;
- Dr. Doom – Power lock and consistent DOT output handle both ramp and sustain;
Alliance War Defense
Building an unbreakable defense requires champs that punish evades, stun hackers, or exploit revives. Reddit’s latest defense tier lists highlight these guardians.
- Nick Fury – Relentless bleed output frustrates even the best attackers;
- Kingpin – High tankiness and debuff shrug-off punish overly aggressive playstyles;
- Omega Sentinel – Armor break and immobilize keep attackers in check;
- Juggernaut – Unbreakable phases and stun immunity lock down combos;
- Kate Bishop – Trick arrow utility and poison stagger make her a BG terror;
Battlegrounds
RNG and random node effects define Battlegrounds. Reliable, self-sufficient champions reign supreme. Sportskeeda’s May overview names these as must-haves.
- Cosmic Ghost Rider – Vigilance and power burn counter many node effects;
- Scarlet Witch Sigil – Unsurpassed buff control and power burn synergy;
- Enchanters like Rintrah – Stun and power lock devastate shielded defenders;
- Mr. Sinister – Passive lifesteal and trap zone manipulation;
- Shang-Chi – Combo resets and stun allow safe play under chaos;
Solo Content
For Story Quest and Labyrinth pushes, sustainability and dodge mechanics make solo clears efficient. Kabam’s own challenge reports emphasize these choices.
- Angela – Auto-revive and heal make her nearly unkillable;
- Void – Debuff spread and passive power gain cruise through long fights;
- Absorbing Man – Form-shifting regen smooths out chip damage;
- Ghost – Phasing negates most punishing specials;
- Dr. Strange – Ward stacking and power control tank brutal hits;
Honorable Mentions
These champions may not top every list, but excel in niche roles or shine under specific relic setups. Experimenting with them can yield surprising wins.
- Wiccan – Exceptional buff control and stagger for mystery nodes;
- Sauron – Unblockable special and bleed trap synergy;
- Bishop – Versatile counter-attacker with power control;
- Sasquatch – Adds mystic dispersion utility to any tech roster;
- Kitty Pryde – Phase tank and incinerate DPS combine for solo prowess;
Relic & Mastery Highlights
Relics and masteries can dramatically shift a champion’s viability. In May’s meta:
- Immortal Mastery – Game-changer for solo nukers like Archangel and Void;
- Mystic Dispersion – Critical for converting stagger mechanics into bonus damage;
- Gloating Impunity – Keeps bleed-heavy champs like Nick Fury ticking;
- Enduring Affliction – Extends DOTs on champions like Dr. Doom and Sinister;
- Juggernaut’s Might – Ensures unstoppable progress in high-difficulty labs;
Team Synergies and Roster Strategies
Even the strongest champions shine brightest when paired strategically. Building a roster that balances offense, defense, utility, and sustain ensures you can tackle any content combination. Here are core synergy principles to keep in mind:
- Buff & Debuff Stacking: Pair champions that amplify each other’s strengths. For example pairing Dr. Doom’s power lock with Scarlet Witch Sigil’s buff control creates an unbreakable chain of power denial;
- Class Diversity: Maintain at least one top-tier champion in each class. This ensures you can counter any defender-based node or class-restricted quest;
- Role Distribution: A well-rounded team needs a dedicated power controller (e.g. Juggernaut), an armor breaker (e.g. Hulkbuster), a bleed specialist (e.g. Nick Fury), and a sustain tank (e.g. Angela);
- Relic Synergies: Invest in relics that complement your core champions. Immortal for nukers like Archangel, Juggernaut’s Might for tanks, and Mystic Dispersion for stagger-based attackers;
- Mastery Alignment: Tailor your mastery paths to your main roster. Offense masteries like Enduring Affliction boost DOT champions, while defense masteries such as Unstoppable provide essential survival for defenders.
By rotating champions based on lane requirements and node mechanics, you maximize your odds of success while conserving resources for crucial matchups.
Patch Watch & Meta Trends
Keeping an eye on upcoming balance changes can save you from investing heavily in a champion before a rework or nerf. Recent and rumored updates to watch:
- Enchantress: Expected nerf to her passive DOT spread, reducing AOE bleed effectiveness;
- Beta Ray Bill: Preview patch suggests a buff to his heavy stun duration, boosting his utility in control-heavy modes;
- Spider-Man Supreme: Leaked notes indicate an increase to incinerate damage and power gain on special hits;
- Mordo & Wiccan Synergy: Both mystics may receive improved stagger interactions, enhancing stagger-based team comps;
- New Champion Releases: Ghost-Spider and Cable will arrive mid-May. Their kits promise new mechanics around stealth and time manipulation—plan shards accordingly.
Waiting for official patch notes before committing large shard counts or maxing out 6-star rank-ups can prevent wasted resources.
Resource Management for Roster Growth
With 7-star champions taking more resources than ever, effective shard and catalyst management is vital:
- Featured Crystals: Prioritize class-specific featured crystals for champions on your short list;
- Catalyst Allocation: Use tier-4 basic and class catalysts for utility and defense champions, saving tier-5 for offense nukers;
- Gold & XP: Run alliance quests and gold quests daily to stockpile resources for rank-ups and level-ups;
- Event Timing: Hold off on using awakening gems until clear drop rates are announced. Early-May events often feature higher rates for mystic and mutant gems;
- Resource Forecasting: Chart upcoming champion releases and buffs to decide when to hoard or spend shards.
Strategic resource management ensures you’re ready for sudden meta shifts without scrambling for materials.
Conclusion
In May’s ever-shifting meta, adaptability remains the key to domination. While tier lists provide a reliable roadmap, the true power of your roster comes from strategic synergy, careful resource management, and foresight into upcoming balance changes. Champions like Hercules, Dr. Doom, and Nick Fury continue to anchor the strongest team compositions, but niche picks—such as Wiccan or Sasquatch—can turn the tide in specialized scenarios.
Building an elite roster means more than simply ranking up S-tier heroes. It involves:
- Balancing offense, defense, and utility roles to tackle any node mechanics;
- Aligning masteries and relics to amplify your champions’ core strengths;
- Monitoring patch notes and community feedback before investing heavily in new releases;
- Rotating champions based on lane requirements to maximize efficiency and resource use;
- Hoarding resources for premier 7-star champions and high-value awakening gems during featured events.
By leveraging the insights shared here—rooted in data from top-tier guides and community analyses—you’ll be well-equipped to forge a roster that excels in Alliance War, Battlegrounds, and solo content alike. Remember: meta supremacy isn’t static. Stay informed, experiment with honorable mentions, and adjust your strategy as the next set of champions and balance updates arrive. With a dynamic approach and a champion-focused mindset, you’ll maintain the edge needed to conquer the Contest of Champions.
