23 Dec 2024 10:06 AM +00:00 UTC

Marvel Rivals: How To Play as Doctor Strange

If you're after a hero in Marvel Rivals capable of defending your team and crushing your enemies, Doctor Strange is the one you need.

He has various magical abilities to turn the battle in your favor, like shields, portals, or Dark Magic to blast enemies.

This article will walk you through Doctor Strange’s powers and how to use them to crush your enemies and protect your team.

How To Play as Doctor Strange

The Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, is one of Marvel Rivals' most flexible and cunning heroes.

As a Vanguard, he has the perfect mix of attack and defense, making him a force to be reckoned with in battle.

Unlike regular tanks that take hits, Doctor Strange mixes ranged magic, team shields, and mobility to flip the script in any fight.

He can steer the battle with spells like Pentagram of Farallah and Eye of Agamotto, but it needs smart moves and quick thinking.

Here’s how to play Doctor Strange and dominate the battlefield:

1. Don’t Let Your Dark Energy Get Too High

One of the main things that makes Doctor Strange work is his passive ability, Price of Magic.

Whenever you land an attack using his primary skill (Daggers of Denak), the Dark Energy bar fills up.

The Dark Energy makes his Maelstrom of Madness way stronger with massive AoE damage, but it’s not without risks.

If the Dark Energy bar fills up and isn't triggered in time, Doctor Strange enters Anti-Heal mode and can't receive healing from anyone.

To avoid this, try using Maelstrom of Madness regularly, even if no enemies are nearby.

This power wipes your Dark Energy and deals AoE damage to enemies in range.

The more Dark Energy you accumulate before releasing it, the more damage you’ll inflict, but always be cautious not to reach the tipping point where Anti-Heal activates.

2. Block Those Shots with the Shield of the Seraphim

One of the signature defensive tricks Doctor Strange uses is the Shield of the Seraphim.

This shield can block all incoming projectile attacks, protecting Doctor Strange and his teammates.

The shield absorbs up to 800 damage, making it especially useful for protecting squishy allies like damage dealers and healers when it counts.

This works best if you time it right and position yourself well. Don't waste it right at the start.

Save it for when the action kicks off, or you're being hit with heavy fire.

Once it breaks, the shield cools down, so it’s essential to be smart when using it.

You can even use the shield to keep your teammates safe while repositioning with Cloak of Levitation, ensuring they’re protected as you take control of the battlefield.

3. Use the Cloak to Get the Edge

Unlike most Vanguard heroes, Doctor Strange has better mobility thanks to his Cloak of Levitation.

This ability lets him rise and glide around, helping him dodge attacks and get to the best spots on the battlefield.

Use this ability to fly over the enemies and get yourself to safety or throw down a Maelstrom of Madness or Pentagram of Farallah when they least expect it.

The Cloak of Levitation gives Doctor Strange great movement, but he should be careful not to overdo it.

Taking off suddenly can leave your teammates vulnerable, especially the ones who depend on you for cover.

Ideally, you should coordinate your movements to ensure you’re not putting your team in a position where they end up exposed.

4. Set Up Sneaky Attacks with Pentagram

One of Doctor Strange’s most impressive powers is the Pentagram of Farallah.

This skill creates portals between two spots on the map, so you and your allies can zip around or hit from unexpected angles.

It's especially effective for flanking enemies, particularly when combined with ranged damage dealers such as Hawkeye or Iron Man.

They can throw attacks through the portals, keeping themselves safe while dealing damage.

However, the Pentagram of Farallah needs to be placed just right.

Don’t get too close to the enemy; they might use the portal to turn things around on your team.

If you push it too far, your team may be unable to maximize the position's potential.

Think about the battlefield and your team's needs before setting up a portal.

You can use it to move fast after respawning or to help your teammates get the jump on enemies.

Remember, the portals are two-way, so always plan for the enemy's potential use.

5. Stun Your Enemies with the Eye of Agamotto

The Eye of Agamotto, Doctor Strange’s ultimate move, can lock down enemies and turn the fight around quickly.

Once triggered, it rips the souls from nearby enemies, leaving them open to more hits.

This ability works great on high-priority targets like enemy tanks or damage dealers.

The trick with the Eye of Agamotto is knowing when to turn it on.

It's best to target multiple enemies simultaneously, though focusing on one or two high-value targets works just as well.

Since Eye of Agamotto has a long wind-up time and limited range, you need to position yourself well.

Use it when you’re sure that you can land the stun and allow your team to capitalize on the vulnerability of stunned enemies.

The Eye of Agamotto works exceptionally well when paired with AoE abilities like Maelstrom of Madness or Gamma Maelstrom (when paired with Hulk), as these can quickly wipe out the enemies exposed by the stun.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Marvel Rivals page.