Updated December 3, 2025
Article Summary TL:DR
- Cosmic Ghost Rider is arguably the best character in the game
- We've ranked all Marvel Cosmic Invasion superheroes
- Every character is analyzed so you know how to play
- We've covered the best team ups so you know how to pair them
After spending (too) much time with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Absolum, I was ready to jump into Marvelverse and face some of the most infamous villains from comics. As with every other classic arcade beat 'em up, here you can choose between multiple fighters with different styles. To make it easier to choose the best ones, we've created the Marvel Cosmic Invasion character tier list.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion Tier List
Character ranking is based on how hard it is to play with them, their ability to face multiple enemies, the effectiveness of their skills, and their all-around power. It's fair to say that every character is more or less fun to play with, but some require a really good partner to minimize their flaws. Personal preference was also important, as I tend to value more characters that are easy to handle and provide instant offense.
S Tier - Best Ranked Superheroes
Superheroes from this list can be used against all types of enemies, as they're fully capable of taking them down. You won't switch between characters often, as S-tier heroes give you everything you need to complete the stage. That said, not all characters are available from the start, as you must first unlock Phyla-Vell and Silver Surfer.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
 Cosmic Ghost Rider | + Cosmic Ghost Rider is the best all-round fighter with strong short and long-range attacks + Best long-range attack - can fire 10 missiles + Can hit both ground and air enemies with his basic attack + Can pull enemies in "Cover over here!" Scorpion-style |
 Phyla-Vell | + Teleport Slash attack is incredibly effective + Very effective Downward Slash attack + Awesome mobility + Very effective special attack that covers almost the whole screen |
 Silver Surfer | + Fastest character in the game + Dominant air combat + Excellent melee range + Very effective special that covers large part of the screen - It takes time to unlock Silver Surfer |
 Venom | + Symbiote Wrecking Ball attack demolishes flying enemies + Symbiote Shark attack damages both ground and flying units + Can grab and slam enemies - A bit slower than other fighters |
A Tier - Fantastic Fighters, But Need a Good Teammate
In A-tier, you'll find some of the best fighters in the game that do require a good teammate. They all lack something, forcing you to switch between characters depending on the situation. For example, Wolverine is my favorite character because he's fast and deadly, but when enemies start shooting or attacking from the air, I tend to switch to a ranged-focused character.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
 Black Panther | + Quick attacks + Very fast movement + Can throw poison daggers at enemies - Can throw only three poison daggers before recharging - Punch has a short range |
 Phoenix | + Phoenix has the best special in the game + Great crowd control character thanks to mutliple moves + Can grab and throw enemies from afar... - ...but this move must be recharged |
 Captain America | + Homing shield is the only range attack that doesn't require a recharge + Excellent movement speed + Good melee range - Average special, doesn't attack flying enemies |
 Wolverine | + Best close-combat fighter, capable of executing powerful combos + Fantastic close-combat range + Can grab and throw enemies - Lacks ranged options - Struggles against flying enemies |
B Tier - Secondary Team Options
Superheroes from a B-tier are great as "plan B" options when you need them to finish the job your main fighter can't do well (deal with flying enemies, shoot them from afar, or simply crush them with the brutal force of She-Hulk).
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
 She-Hulk | + She-Hulk is the strongest fighter in the game, dealing massive damage + Can grab and throw enemies - Very slow movement speed - Limited range capabilities |
 Storm | + Special attack covers the entire screen, making it one of the best in the game + Excellent movement + Deals shock damage - Lacks good close-range options - Arctic Wind ranged attack has only three charges |
 Nova | + Solid ranged attacks + Great option if you need to control the air - Average fighter, doesn't excel in any category - Special takes time to activate |
 Iron Man | + Dive punch AoE damage is great for crowd control + Repulsor blast is an efficient ranged option... - ...but it must be charged often - Basic melee attack has a limited range |
C Tier - Special Task Fighters
Fighters from C-tier can be fun to play with, depending on which stage you play and who you choose as a main fighter in a tag team.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
 Rocket Raccon | + Solid ranged offensive moves + Special has a good range - Weak in close-ranged combat - Has difficulty dealing with flying enemies |
 Spider-Man | + Fast movement + Webbings slow down enemies - Lacks awesome moves. Other characters have better offensive options. - Swings are mostly useless offensively (unlike Venom's deadly swings) NOTE: I really expected more from Spider-Man as he's arguably the most popular Marvel character in the world. |
 Beta Ray Bill | + Very strong attacks + Hammer acts as a homing missile and can rotate in one place - Hammer must be recharged (only three uses per charge) - Very slow fighter - Dependable on the hammer to be efficient |
Best Tag Teams in Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Choosing the right tag team combination is crucial for success in Marvel Cosmic Invasion. The best teams cover each other's weaknesses while maximizing their combined strengths. Here are the optimal two-fighter combinations:
| Team | Why It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmic Ghost Rider + Silver Surfer | The ultimate versatility team. CGR dominates ground combat with his missile barrage and pulling ability, while Silver Surfer controls the air with unmatched speed. Together, they handle every situation effortlessly. | Players who want complete battlefield control |
| Cosmic Ghost Rider + Phyla-Vell | Maximum offensive pressure. CGR provides ranged superiority while Phyla-Vell teleports around the battlefield with devastating slashes. Both have screen-covering specials. | Aggressive players who want to end fights quickly |
| Venom + Phoenix | Excellent crowd control duo. Venom excels at close-range combat and handles flying enemies with Symbiote Wrecking Ball, while Phoenix controls groups with her powerful special and ranged grab. | Managing large enemy groups |
| Silver Surfer + Wolverine | Speed and aggression combined. Wolverine shreds through ground enemies while Silver Surfer handles everything airborne. Their combined speed keeps pressure constant. | Fast-paced, aggressive gameplay |
| Wolverine + Captain America | Wolverine provides devastating melee damage while Cap’s unlimited homing shield covers ranged needs. Cap can also handle situations that strain Wolverine. | Players who love melee combat but need ranged backup |
| Phyla-Vell + Captain America | Mobility meets consistency. Phyla-Vell’s teleport abilities pair perfectly with Cap’s reliable shield attacks that never need recharging. | Balanced offense with high mobility |
| Cosmic Ghost Rider + Storm | CGR handles most situations while Storm provides elemental crowd control for overwhelming enemy waves. | Players who want one dominant character with situational support |
| Black Panther + Phoenix | Speed and control. Black Panther’s quick attacks and poison daggers, combined with Phoenix’s crowd control special, make a well-rounded team. | Hit-and-run tactical gameplay |
| She-Hulk + Storm | Brute force meets elemental power. She-Hulk devastates with raw strength while Storm controls positioning with weather effects. | Players who want to dominate through overwhelming force |
| Iron Man + Rocket Raccoon | Double ranged specialists. They keep enemies at a distance with constant projectile attacks. | Players who prefer staying at range |
| Venom + She-Hulk | Raw power combination. Both excel at close-range devastation, each with a unique approach | Specialized for close combat |
| Nova + Black Panther | Balanced aerial and ground coverage with good mobility on both characters. | Raw power combination. Both excel at close-range devastation, each with a unique approach. |
What Are The Best Starting Characters?
If you're new to Marvel Cosmic Invasion, start with these characters:
- Captain America - Reliable and balanced with unlimited ranged attacks
- Venom - Powerful and forgiving, great for learning combat mechanics
- Black Panther - Fast and fun, teaches you mobility-focused gameplay
Avoid starting with Wolverine, Beta Ray Bill, or Rocket Raccoon, as they require an understanding of their specific weaknesses.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion Character Tier List FAQ
Q: Who is the absolute best character in Marvel Cosmic Invasion?
A: Cosmic Ghost Rider is the best all-around character due to his versatility, range, and ability to handle both ground and air enemies effectively. However, Silver Surfer and Phyla-Vell are equally viable for experienced players.
Q: Can I play solo with just one character?
A: Yes, but it's not recommended. The game is designed around tag team mechanics. S-tier characters can solo most content, but you'll have an easier time with a balanced team.
Q: How do I unlock Silver Surfer?
A: Complete Story Mode on Normal difficulty. Silver Surfer is worth the effort as he's one of the best characters in the game.
Q: Is Spider-Man really that weak?
A: Spider-Man isn't terrible, but compared to other characters, he lacks standout abilities. His webbing is useful for crowd control, but his damage output and offensive options are underwhelming. He works better as a support character in tag teams.
Q: What's the best team for beginners?
A: Captain America + Venom. Both are available from the start, forgiving to play, and cover each other's weaknesses well. Cap handles range, Venom dominates close combat.
Q: Should I focus on unlocking characters first or completing story mode?
A: Focus on story mode first. You'll unlock Silver Surfer naturally, and the experience will help you understand which characters suit your playstyle before grinding for other unlocks.
Q: Do character stats increase with leveling?
A: Yes, characters gain minor stat improvements as you play with them, but base abilities remain the same. Tier rankings still apply regardless of level.
Q: Can I change characters mid-combo?
A: Yes! Tag switching mid-combo can extend your damage strings and is a key advanced technique for maximizing DPS.
Q: Which character is fastest?
A: Silver Surfer has the fastest movement speed in the game, followed by Black Panther and Wolverine.
Q: Are there any characters getting buffed or nerfed?
A: As of December 2025, no balance patches have been announced. The tier list reflects the current game state.
Q: What's the difference between Normal and Hard mode?
A: Hard mode increases enemy health, damage, and aggression. Some enemy patterns also change. It's recommended to master Normal mode first with S or A tier characters.
Q: Can I replay missions with different characters?
A: Yes, you can replay any completed mission with any unlocked characters to practice or earn better scores.
Nebojša Prijić is a Managing Editor at Pro Game Guides with over 25 years of experience in journalism, screenwriting, and copywriting. He previously worked as Editor-in-Chief of Maxim Serbia magazine and the IGN Adria website. Nebojša is an old-school gamer who loves real-time strategies, shooters, and RPGs, but most of all, he plays Roblox and mobile games with his son. He remembers the first Diablo, PC games on a single floppy disk, and playing Mortal Kombat on the keyboard.
