10 Best Heroes To Counter Phoenix In Marvel Rivals

Phoenix might be one of the strongest duelists in Marvel Rivals, but she’s far from unstoppable—especially if you know who to pick against her. With her high burst damage and mobility, Phoenix thrives when left unchecked, so the key to shutting her down is applying pressure, forcing her out of position, and denying her the chance to stack Spark effects. Whether you’re looking for tanks that can absorb her combos or disruptors that can stop her from taking flight, this list covers the 10 best heroes to counter Phoenix in Marvel Rivals and turn the heat back on her.

#10: Mantis

Mantis is surprisingly effective against Phoenix thanks to her crowd control abilities. Her sleep and stun skills can interrupt Phoenix’s flight or ultimate, giving your team a critical window to burst her down before she can reposition or heal. While Mantis isn’t a direct damage dealer, her utility makes her a solid pick if your goal is to shut Phoenix down with smart timing and crowd control.

#9: Magneto

Magneto is a great counter to Phoenix because of his ability to manipulate the battlefield with crowd control and environmental disruption. His magnetic pulls can cancel Phoenix’s attempts to fly or escape with her mobility skills, while his shields can absorb some of her burst damage. Plus, his sustained damage output makes it hard for Phoenix to stick around long enough to stack Sparks or trigger her healing explosion.

#8: Hela

Hela counters Phoenix by thriving in chaotic teamfights where Phoenix usually excels. Her high durability and healing from fallen enemies let her survive Phoenix’s burst combos, while her summons can distract and absorb Sparks before Phoenix can detonate them. If Phoenix tries to use her Ultimate, Hela’s Goddess of Death form can keep her alive long enough to turn the tide—unless Phoenix times it perfectly, making this a skill-heavy matchup.

#7: Peni Parker

Peni Parker is a solid counter to Phoenix thanks to her strong mobility and sustained ranged damage. While Phoenix relies on burst combos and quick repositioning, Peni can maintain pressure from a distance using her high fire rate and agility. Her mech’s durability also helps her survive the initial Spark explosion, giving her time to retaliate. Plus, her ability to constantly reposition makes it hard for Phoenix to line up clean detonations or land her Telekinesis Burst reliably.

#6: Namor

Namor counters Phoenix by using his high durability and disruption tools to shut her down before she can pop off. While Phoenix excels at mid-range poke and burst combos, Namor can dive right into her space with powerful mobility and soak her hits without flinching. His water-based crowd control also forces Phoenix out of her ideal positioning, cutting off her flight path and making it harder for her to safely trigger Spark. In team fights, Namor’s ability to dominate the frontline directly pressures squishier DPS like Phoenix and keeps her from snowballing.

#5: Emma Frost

Emma Frost is a strong counter to Phoenix thanks to her high survivability and crowd control. While Phoenix relies on quick burst damage and repositioning to stay alive, Emma can tank through her attacks using Diamond Form and punish her with psychic abilities. Her telepathic disruption makes it hard for Phoenix to chain abilities, especially when she’s trying to detonate Spark. Emma can also catch Phoenix mid-flight or during her dash, locking her down before she escapes. In a duel, Emma’s durability and control easily tip the scales in her favor.

#4: Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is a powerful counter to Phoenix because of his ability to control space and disrupt enemy movement. While Phoenix excels at burst damage and quick repositioning, Strange can force her out of her comfort zone using his portals and area-denial spells. His Eye of Agamotto can interrupt her combos, while his crowd control tools make it hard for her to safely fly or dash away. If Phoenix tries to dive in, Strange can counter with defensive shields or teleport to safety, turning her aggression against her. His versatility makes him a strong answer to her high-risk, high-reward playstyle.

#3: Cloak & Dagger

Cloak & Dagger are a strong counter to Phoenix in Marvel Rivals because they excel at punishing overextended enemies. Phoenix thrives on mobility and burst damage, but Cloak can shut that down with well-timed teleports and crowd control. Once she dives in, Cloak & Dagger can quickly isolate her using their AoE abilities and burst her down before she escapes. Their ability to reposition and confuse the enemy team makes it difficult for Phoenix to safely chain her Spark combos or escape after engaging. Against a coordinated Cloak & Dagger duo, Phoenix can struggle to stay alive long enough to make an impact.

#2: Star-Lord

Star-Lord is a great counter to Phoenix thanks to his sustained damage and disruption tools. While Phoenix relies on stacking Spark effects and diving in for explosive combos, Star-Lord can keep his distance and chip away at her with consistent firepower. His mobility allows him to avoid her AoE abilities, and his gadgets can interrupt her combos or force her out of position. Since Phoenix performs best when left unchecked, Star-Lord’s pressure makes it harder for her to find those safe openings to engage. His balanced kit and ranged dominance make him a tough matchup for any Phoenix player.

#1: Punisher

Punisher is the hardest counter to Phoenix in Marvel Rivals because of his raw power, precision, and ability to punish overcommitments. Phoenix depends on mobility and quick burst damage to delete squishier targets, but Punisher thrives when enemies dive into his line of sight. His high-damage hitscan weapons can melt through her health before she even finishes stacking Sparks. Plus, his traps and gadgets make it harder for her to escape after engaging. If Punisher holds high ground or positions well, he can shut her down before she ever becomes a threat. In a head-to-head, Punisher’s firepower completely overwhelms Phoenix’s kit.

Conclusion

Phoenix might be one of the most explosive DPS picks in Marvel Rivals, but she’s far from unstoppable. Whether it’s Punisher shutting her down from range, Mantis disrupting her combos, or Emma Frost outplaying her with crowd control, the right counter can make a huge difference. Knowing which heroes exploit her weaknesses—like predictable movement or reliance on Spark stacking—can help you stay one step ahead. If you’re struggling against Phoenix, building your team around any of these hard counters will give you the edge you need to survive her flames and turn the fight in your favor.