Mantis, the kindhearted, hope-filled and slightly weird alien girl, inspires her allies inMarvel Rivalswith her unwavering optimism. Using her impressive mental manipulation abilities, she becomes an asset that provides much needed strength to her friends in battle.

Although Mantis may be a Strategist, she’s no pushover and can heavily punish careless foes who don’t take her seriously. This guide will provide a deeper understanding of her abilities as well as what to expect when facing her. More importantly, it will also suggest which heroes can effectively counter her to prevent you from being put under her telepathic control.

Mantis in the character select screen in Marvel Rivals.

How To Counter Mantis

Whilst Mantis is a Strategist, her healing isn’t the strongest in her kit. Her main strength comes from herability to lock a single target in placeusing her Spore Slumberand the ability toprovide a damage buff to her alliesusing Allied Inspiration, making them more dangerous.

Fortunately, she hasno mobilityand is a relatively easy target for Duelists and Vanguards. Be cautious, however, her damage and crowd control (CC) abilities can and will put you in a bad spot. Be sure tobait out her abilitiesbefore engaging her, orpick heroes with anti-CC.

Cloak blinding Mantis with Terror Cape in Marvel Rivals.

How To Counter Mantis as a Strategist

There aren’t many situations where you’ll need to engage a Mantis. In most cases, it’s better tohelp your allied VanguardsandDuelistsbyproviding healsandpreventing them from being CC’dby Mantis' Spore Slumber.

Cloak and Daggerare perfect for countering Mantis or, more specifically, Cloak. His abilitiesDark TeleportationandTerror Capeboth work to protect and disrupt enemy CC and damage.Dark Teleportationshrouds allies in darkness,preventing them from receiving damageandcountering CCs, whilstTerror Capeblinds enemies, causing them to not be able to effectively use their abilities.

Winter Soldier grabbing Mantis with Bionic Hook in Marvel Rivals.

How To Counter Mantis as a Duelist

As a Duelist, your main priority is to eliminate Mantis to prevent her from buffing her team. As stated previously, the best strategy is tobait out her abilitiesbefore engaging her. Picking heroes withhigh mobilitycan be extremely useful to avoid said abilities.

Black Pantheris an exceptional flanker and can easily avoid Mantis' Spore Slumber thanks to hisquick movement abilities.Spinning KickandSpirit Rendboth propel Black Panther forward with the added benefit of providingoverhealthwhen theyconnect to targetsmarked with Vibranium Mark.

Magneto applying his Metal Bulwark to himself in Marvel Rivals.

Spinning Kick can be steered in a different direction mid-animation to confuse and hit more than one target.

Winter Soldieris also a great pick against Mantis. Though instead of going into the backline and attacking the Mantis head on, you canpull her towards youand your team usingBionic Hook. Should she attempt to use Spore Slumber, she can only stun one of your allies and won’t be of much use.

How To Counter Mantis as a Vanguard

Vanguards have a much easier time dealing with Mantis due to their high health pools and defensive abilities.Heroes with barriersare a must as they can negate her ability to stun and flee to safety.

Magnetohas the most effective counters to Mantis as he has access to multiple barrier abilities in the forms ofMetallic CurtainandMetal Bulwark.Metallic Curtainis a simplerectangular shield wallthat protects anything behind it, including abilities.Metal Bulwarkis a more powerful version of the prior, as it willprotect from any angleandcan beapplied to allies.

Hulkcan also be used against Mantis as he too has a barrier ability.Indestructible Guardworks similarly to Metal Bulwark andprovides a barrierto bothhimselfandother nearby allies. Pair that with his ability todive in and outof the backline using hisIncredible Leapand Mantis will be unable to do anything.