Hela Guide: Abilities, Counters & Tips | Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals Invisible Woman – Complete Guide

Hela’s Abilities (Images via Marvel Rivals Wiki)

Last Updated: January 10, 2025
Author: Darren Buser

Hela is Marvel Rivals’ deadliest long-range Duelist and one of the most skill-intensive heroes in the game. The Goddess of Death dominates with devastating hitscan accuracy, requiring exceptional aim but rewarding precision with unmatched elimination potential. Ranked as S Tier in our comprehensive tier list, her Nightsword Thorn primary fire can eliminate most squishy targets with just two headshots at any range. With recent Season 4.5 buffs adding 25 bonus health to her Astral Flock escape, Hela has become even more resilient while maintaining her incredible damage output.

Role: Duelist (High-DPS)
Difficulty: 5/5 (Highly Aim-Dependent)
Health Pool: 250 HP
Best For: Long-range poke compositions, backline elimination, shutting down airborne heroes

Key Strengths

• Two-headshot elimination potential on 275 HP heroes and below (instant kill pressure)
• Hitscan primary fire with no damage falloff at any range
• Astral Flock provides complete damage immunity during flight (Season 4.5: now grants 25 bonus HP)
• Goddess of Death ultimate grants 1,000 HP shield and aerial first-person perspective
• Piercing Night projectiles and Soul Drainer provide secondary crowd control options
• Passive Nastrond Crowstorm creates AOE explosions on final blows
• Hel’s Descent (slow fall) provides vertical mobility and evasive options
• Team-up with Namor (Tidal Dirge) and synergy with Thor/Loki (Queen of Hel passive)

Looking for teammates who can protect backline DPS? Hela thrives with coordinated Vanguards who create space while she delivers ranged pressure. GameTree’s Discord LFG bot helps you find Marvel Rivals players who understand proper positioning and peel priority. Just type /lfg Marvel Rivals in any Discord server with GameTree installed.

Quick Overview: Hela’s Playstyle

Hela functions as a precision damage specialist who excels at controlling sightlines and eliminating priority targets from safe distances. Unlike flankers who dive deep or brawlers who contest frontlines, Hela positions 20-30 meters behind her team’s frontline, using her hitscan primary fire to pressure enemy backlines and punish positional mistakes.

The key to mastering Hela is understanding when to commit versus when to reposition. Her 250 HP health pool makes her vulnerable to dive assassins (Spider-Man, Psylocke), meaning Astral Flock must be saved for genuine escape windows rather than aggressive plays. Her slow fire rate (roughly half-second delay between shots) rewards patience and precision over spray-and-pray tactics.

Hela’s win condition is simple: eliminate enemy supports and DPS faster than they can heal or trade damage. Two headshots delete 275 HP heroes in one second. Goddess of Death ultimate provides 10 full seconds of aerial bombardment with 1,000 HP shield, turning defensive holds into offensive team wipes. Against coordinated teams, she becomes the priority target that must be dove or zoned, forcing enemies to commit resources that your team can capitalize on.

Abilities Breakdown

Primary Fire: Nightsword Thorn (Left Click)

Hela’s Primary Fire in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Description: Throw Nightsword thorns as high-damage hitscan projectiles. Slower fire rate than most hitscan heroes, but devastating damage per shot compensates.

Statistics (As of December 2025):

• Headshot damage: ~137 HP per shot (exact value varies by target)
• Bodyshot damage: ~68 HP per shot
• Fire rate: Approximately 0.5 second delay between shots
• Magazine size: 12 rounds
• Reload time: ~2 seconds
• Type: Hitscan (instant hit, no projectile travel time)
• Damage falloff: None (full damage at all ranges)

Tactical Tips:

• Jiggle peeking—The half-second fire rate allows you to peek corners, fire one shot, immediately return to cover, then peek again. This minimizes exposure while maintaining pressure.
• Target priority system—(1) Enemy supports healing critical targets, (2) Low-HP Duelists trying to escape, (3) Airborne heroes (you counter all flying characters), (4) Vanguards when no other targets available. Never waste shots on full-HP tanks when squishy targets are accessible.
• Crosshair placement—Pre-aim at head-height where enemies will appear. Against mobile heroes (Daredevil, Magik), track their movement pattern rather than reacting to current position.
• Reload discipline—Never reload with 8+ rounds unless you’re certain you have 3+ seconds of safety. Mid-fight reloads get you killed by divers.
• Airborne dominance—Hela is the best counter to Iron Man, Storm, and Human Torch. Flying heroes make easy targets for hitscan—prioritize them over ground targets when they’re airborne.

Advanced Aim Fundamentals: Hela’s success depends entirely on mechanical skill. Practice tracking moving targets in training mode before jumping into ranked. The 0.5-second delay between shots means you need predictive aim more than reactive flicks. Learn to anticipate enemy movement patterns—Strategists tend to strafe predictably while healing, Duelists often double-jump when taking damage.

Secondary Fire: Piercing Night (Right Click)

Hela’s Secondary Fire in Marvel Rivals (Images via NetEase Games)

Description: Fire four Nightsword projectiles that latch onto enemies or terrain and detonate after a brief delay, dealing AOE damage.

Statistics:

• Projectiles per cast: 4 blades
• Individual blade damage: ~20-25 HP (pre-explosion)
• Explosion damage per blade: ~40-50 HP
• Total potential damage (all 4 blades hit + explosions): ~260-300 HP
• Detonation delay: ~2 seconds after latching
• Cooldown: ~8 seconds
• Type: Projectile (requires leading targets)

Tactical Tips:

• Tank pressure—Spam Piercing Night on Vanguards whenever off cooldown. The explosion damage chunks their HP pool significantly, especially when multiple blades hit.
• Ammo conservation—When your primary fire magazine is empty, and enemies are low HP, Piercing Night provides immediate damage while you reload Nightsword Thorn.
• Area denial—Throw blades at choke points before team fights. The explosion radius forces enemies to path around them or take damage entering.
• Combo finish—After landing one Nightsword Thorn headshot (~137 HP), immediately follow with Piercing Night on weakened targets. The projectile nature means skillful leading secures kills that would otherwise escape.
• Season 2 buff synergy—Recent patches increased spell field damage, allowing all 4 blades + one body shot to eliminate 250 HP heroes. This combo is faster than landing two headshots against evasive targets.

Common Mistake: Players waste Piercing Night trying to secure eliminations on full-HP Duelists at long range. The projectile travel time makes hitting mobile targets unreliable. Instead, use it for guaranteed damage on tanks or combo finishes on wounded enemies.

Crowd Control: Soul Drainer (E Key)

Hela’s Soul Drainer in Marvel Rivals (Images via NetEase Games)

Description: Project an explosive Hel sphere that stun nearby enemies and pull them toward the center of the explosion upon detonation.

Statistics:

• Stun duration: ~1 second
• Pull strength: Medium (draws enemies toward center)
• Explosion radius: ~4-5 meters
• Damage: Minimal (approximately 30-40 HP total)
• Cooldown: ~10 seconds
• Range: ~15-20 meters (lobbed projectile)

Tactical Tips:

• Anti-dive primary use—When Spider-Man, Psylocke, or other flankers engage you, immediately cast Soul Drainer at your feet. The 1-second stun creates enough window to land a headshot + bodyshot combo for elimination or force their retreat.
• Tank zoning—Against advancing Vanguards (Thor, Hulk, Venom), use Soul Drainer defensively. Cast it between you and them while backpedaling—the pull effect + stun stops their forward momentum long enough to reposition.
• Ultimate interrupt—Soul Drainer can interrupt certain channeled ultimates (Doctor Strange’s Eye of Agamotto, Scarlet Witch mid-cast). Time it precisely when you see ultimate animations begin.
• Combo setup—Against grouped enemies, Soul Drainer pulls them together for easy multi-target Piercing Night value. This combo is devastating on control points during overtime.
• Cooldown awareness—The 10-second cooldown means you get approximately 6 uses per minute. Save it for high-value moments (stopping dives, interrupting ultimates) rather than spam on cooldown.

Pro Tip: Call out Soul Drainer usage in voice chat. Teammates can capitalize on stunned enemies for easy focus-fire eliminations. Coordinate with Duelists who have burst damage (Punisher, Hawkeye) to delete stunned targets before they recover.

Mobility: Astral Flock (Shift) + Hel’s Descent (Passive)

Astral Flock (Escape Tool)

Hela’s Astral Flock in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Description: Transform into a high-speed crow and fly in any direction. Completely immune to all damage and crowd control during flight. Season 4.5 buff: Now grants 25 bonus HP upon activation.

Statistics:

• Duration: ~2-3 seconds of flight (manually controlled)
• Flight speed: High mobility in any direction
• Cooldown: ~15 seconds (long cooldown—use wisely!)
• Bonus health on activation: 25 HP (added in Season 4.5 patch)
• Invulnerability: Complete damage immunity and CC immunity during flight
• Cannot be healed during flight by teammates

Hel’s Descent (Slow Fall Passive)

Hela’s Passive in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Description: Hold space while airborne to fall slowly, providing vertical mobility and evasive options.

Statistics:

• Fall speed reduction: Significantly slower than normal fall
• Activation: Manual (hold space while falling)
• No cooldown—can be used repeatedly

Tactical Tips:

• Primary defensive tool—Astral Flock’s 15-second cooldown means you get 4 uses per minute. Save it exclusively for: (1) Escaping dive threats when Soul Drainer is on cooldown, (2) Dodging enemy ultimates (Luna Snow freeze, Scarlet Witch rifts), (3) Repositioning when caught out of position.
• High ground retreats—Fly to elevated positions that divers can’t easily access. This forces enemies to commit additional cooldowns to reach you or abandon the dive entirely.
• Retreat to allies—When dove, use Astral Flock to fly toward your Vanguards. They can peel divers off you when you land, creating 2v1 situations in your favor.
• Never use offensively—Don’t waste Astral Flock to chase low-HP enemies or take aggressive angles. Your job is surviving long enough to output consistent damage—trading your escape for one elimination loses fights.
• Positioning when on cooldown—After using Astral Flock, play significantly safer for 15 seconds. Stay near health packs, allies, or cover. Without your escape, you’re extremely vulnerable.
• Hel’s Descent dodge mechanics—Use slow fall to dodge air-based AOE abilities (Storm’s lightning, Scarlet Witch’s projectiles). The unpredictable vertical movement makes you harder to track.

Critical Reminder: Enemies will track your Astral Flock cooldown. Competent divers (Daredevil, Magik) wait for you to use it, then commit their engage 10 seconds later when you’re vulnerable. Vary your escape timing and positioning to avoid predictable patterns.

Passive: Nastrond Crowstorm

Hela’s Nastrond Crowstorm in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Description: Defeating an enemy generates a Nastrond Crow that flies to the elimination location and explodes after a short duration, dealing AOE damage to nearby enemies.

Statistics:

• Explosion damage: ~50-70 HP (moderate AOE damage)
• Explosion radius: ~3-4 meters
• Detonation delay: ~1-2 seconds after crow arrives
• Triggers on: Final blows only (Hela must land killing shot)

Tactical Tips: This passive provides free chip damage when enemies cluster near elimination points. Most valuable during control point overtime where teams group tightly. Each nastrond crow explosion can soften multiple targets for teammates to finish. Note that this is a bonus damage source rather than something you actively play around—focus on securing eliminations, and the passive will generate value naturally.

Ultimate: Goddess of Death (Q Key)

Hela’s Ultimate in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)

Description: Hela ascends high into the air, gaining a separate 1,000 HP shield and transitioning to first-person aerial perspective. Unleash nastrond crows that rain devastating damage on the battlefield for 10 full seconds. If the shield is depleted, Hela returns to normal form with her pre-ultimate health intact.

Statistics:

• Ultimate shield: 1,000 HP (separate from Hela’s base 250 HP)
• Duration: 10 seconds
• Crow projectile damage: ~100-150 HP per direct hit + AOE explosion
• Fire rate during ultimate: Rapid (can launch multiple crows per second)
• Explosion radius per crow: ~4-5 meters
• Hela’s position: Stationary in air above activation point
• Returns to: Original activation position when ultimate ends
• Ultimate charge rate: Approximately 90-120 seconds with average performance

Tactical Tips:

• Positioning BEFORE activation—Goddess of Death returns you to your activation point. Cast from: (1) Safe backline positions where enemies can’t collapse on you when you land, (2) High ground with escape routes, (3) Behind your tank line. NEVER activate deep in enemy territory or you’ll land surrounded and die instantly.
• Defensive ultimate usage—Cast Goddess of Death just before dying when you’re at critical HP. The 1,000 HP shield activates immediately, saving your life while dealing massive damage. This transforms losing fights into momentum swings.
• Offensive timing—Best used when: (1) Enemy team is grouped on the objective, (2) Your team just wiped 2-3 enemies, and you need to finish the fight, (3) Payload overtime requires massive AOE pressure.
• Target priority during ultimate—Focus crows on: (1) Enemy supports first (delete healers to prevent sustain), (2) Low-mobility Duelists second (Punisher, Hawkeye can’t dodge easily), (3) Vanguards last (high HP pool reduces each nastrond crow’s effectiveness).
• What counters Goddess of Death—Doctor Strange can fly up and block crows with shields. Mantis and Luna Snow ultimates can outheal the damage. Teams with good cover awareness can simply hide for 10 seconds. Don’t waste ultimate when enemies have easy escape routes.
• Communication—Call out “Ulting in 3, 2, 1” so teammates know to engage simultaneously. Goddess of Death creates chaos that enables your team’s dive or push.

Advanced Strategy: Goddess of Death is one of the few ultimates that can stall objective progress for 10 full seconds. On payload final push or control point overtime, casting it forces enemies off the objective entirely, or they die. This alone can swing matches, even if you secure only 1-2 eliminations.

Team Synergies

Hela thrives in poke compositions where her long-range pressure synergizes with heroes who create space and peel divers. She struggles in pure dive comps that abandon backline protection. Here are her best teammates across all roles:

Best Vanguard Partners

Doctor Strange (A Tier) – Portal Master

The single best tank pairing for Hela. Doctor Strange’s portals enable instant repositioning when Hela is dove or caught out of position. His shields block incoming damage while Hela focuses on landing shots. Most importantly, Strange can fly up and block Hela’s ultimate with shield placement, protecting her from enemy focus fire during Goddess of Death.

Why It Works: Both heroes excel at long-range engagements. Strange creates space with portals and shields while Hela delivers pressure from safety. Against dive threats, Strange’s portal escape + Hela’s Astral Flock create double escape options.

Magneto (S+ Tier) – Bubble Protection

Magneto’s separated Metal Bulwark and Iron Bulwark cooldowns (Season 5 buff) mean he can bubble Hela when she’s being dove while simultaneously protecting himself. His Metallic Curtain blocks unlimited projectile damage, creating windows where Hela can freely deal damage without incoming pressure. Check our Magneto guide for optimal bubble timing strategies.

Peni Parker (B Tier) – Zone Control

Peni’s Cyber-Webs now provide allies with 25% movement speed and 15 HP/second healing (Season 5 buff). When Hela positions near Peni’s web zones, she gains passive sustain and mobility boosts while maintaining a safe distance from divers. Peni’s Spider-Drones also deter flankers from engaging Hela.

Best Duelist Partners

Hawkeye (S Tier) – Double Sniper

The ultimate backline duo. Both heroes dominate long sightlines and force enemy positioning mistakes. Hawkeye’s trick arrows provide additional crowd control, making it easier to land Hela headshots. When one is dove, the other can provide covering fire for escape.

Why It Works: Double sniper comps force enemies to either: (1) Commit heavy dive resources to eliminate backline (leaving frontline vulnerable), or (2) Accept constant poke damage and die slowly.

Punisher (S Tier) – Sustained Fire

Punisher’s Turret Mode deals massive sustained damage that synergizes perfectly with Hela’s burst elimination potential. He provides additional backline DPS while Hela focuses on priority targets. His suppressive fire also makes enemies hesitant to dive, protecting Hela indirectly.

Moon Knight (A Tier) – Adaptive Pressure

Moon Knight’s versatility between melee and ranged modes complements Hela’s long-range specialization. When enemies dive Hela, Moon Knight can peel with his crowd control while she repositions. His self-sustain also means he doesn’t constantly require healing, allowing Strategists to focus on keeping Hela alive.

Best Strategist Partners

Mantis (A Tier) – Sleep Setup

Mantis’s Spore Slumber (sleep ability) creates guaranteed headshot opportunities for Hela. Sleeping targets can’t dodge or retaliate, enabling easy two-tap eliminations. Mantis’s healing also keeps Hela topped off during poke phases. The damage boost from her abilities further amplifies Hela’s already devastating damage output.

Why It Works: Hela + Mantis creates instant-elimination combos. Sleep dart → two Hela headshots = dead enemy support/DPS. This pairing excels at deleting priority targets before fights even begin.

Invisible Woman (S+ Tier) – Shield Protection

Invisible Woman’s Guardian Shield provides 250 HP barrier that absorbs dive damage targeting Hela. Her Force Physics knockback peels flankers off Hela’s position. Her Invisible Boundary ultimate makes Hela completely invisible while still able to attack, creating unwinnable fights for enemies. For complete Invisible Woman synergy strategies, see our Invisible Woman guide.

Luna Snow (A Tier) – Freeze Combo

Luna’s freeze mechanics set up easy Hela eliminations. Frozen targets can’t move or use abilities, making them free headshots. Luna’s team-wide healing ultimate also sustains Hela through poke damage that would otherwise force her to retreat for health packs.

Adam Warlock (A Tier) – Resurrection Security

Adam’s revive ultimate provides insurance for Hela’s aggressive positioning mistakes. If Hela gets caught out and eliminated, Adam can instantly resurrect her with invulnerability, preventing the 20-second respawn + walk back. This lets Hela play slightly more aggressive angles knowing resurrection is available.

Team-Up Abilities

Queen of Hel (Hela + Thor + Loki)

Activation: Automatically triggers when Hela, Thor, and Loki are on same team
Effect: When Hela lands a final blow on an enemy, she can instantly resurrect Thor or Loki if they’re in respawn phase. If Thor or Loki is alive when Hela secures an elimination, a Nastrond Crow flies to them and grants bonus armor.
Tactical Usage: This team-up rewards Hela for securing eliminations by buffing her teammates. The instant resurrection mechanic can swing fights when Thor/Loki die early, but Hela immediately brings them back via elimination. The bonus armor effect makes Thor and Loki significantly tankier during extended brawls.

Tidal Dirge (Hela + Namor)

Activation: Automatically triggers when both heroes are on same team
Effect: Namor gains the Tidal Dirge ability through his team-up with Hela (added in Season 4.5 patch as of October 10, 2025)
Tactical Usage: While the full details of Tidal Dirge’s mechanics are still being discovered by the community, the team-up provides Namor with additional utility that synergizes with Hela’s backline pressure playstyle.

For a complete breakdown of all team-up abilities and their strategic applications, see our Marvel Rivals team-ups guide.

Counters & Matchups

Characters That Counter Hela

Spider-Man (C Tier but Hela-Specific Threat) – Mobility Nightmare

Spider-Man’s web swings and wall-climbing create unpredictable movement patterns that Hela’s hitscan struggles to track. His Web Cluster ability deals burst damage during dives that often forces Hela’s Astral Flock even without securing the kill. Worse, experienced Spider-Man players bait Astral Flock, wait for the 15-second cooldown, then re-engage when Hela is vulnerable.

Counterplay: Save Soul Drainer specifically for Spider-Man dives. When he web-slings onto you, immediately cast Soul Drainer at your feet to stun him mid-combo. The 1-second stun gives you time to land headshot + bodyshot for elimination. Never waste Astral Flock to chase him—he’ll just web away and re-engage later.

Venom (A Tier) – Dive Tank Pressure

Venom’s Symbiotic Surge allows him to swing directly onto Hela’s position with massive burst damage. His high HP pool (600+) means Hela needs 4-5 headshots to kill him, but he only needs 2-3 hits to kill her. Worse, his self-sustain makes poke damage ineffective—he heals faster than Hela damages him at range.

Counterplay: Shoot Venom as much as possible BEFORE he reaches you. Call for peel from your Strategist when he dives. Use Soul Drainer to stun him mid-swing, then Astral Flock toward your tank line. Never try to 1v1 him—you will lose.

Daredevil (S+ Tier) – Chain Combo Threat

Daredevil’s teleportation-like mobility via Billy Club Ricochet makes him nearly impossible to track with Hela’s hitscan. His chain combos deal 250+ HP in under 2 seconds if he lands his full rotation. Hela’s 250 HP pool means one successful Daredevil engage equals instant death.

Counterplay: Play grouped with your team—Daredevil hesitates diving into 3+ enemies. When he does engage you, Soul Drainer immediately interrupts his combo, then dashes toward allies for peel. Save Astral Flock for his second dive attempt after Soul Drainer cooldown expires.

Psylocke (C Tier but Hela-Specific Threat) – Teleport Assassin

Psylocke’s psychic blades teleportation allows her to appear directly on Hela’s position with zero warning. Her burst damage combo (teleport → melee strikes → Psi-Blade) deletes Hela in 1.5 seconds. Worse, Psylocke excels at tracking Hela’s cooldowns and only engages when both Soul Drainer and Astral Flock are unavailable.

Counterplay: Request your off-tank (Venom, Magik) to pressure Psylocke specifically. When she teleports onto you, Soul Drainer at your feet (she’s melee range), then immediately Astral Flock backward. Never play isolated—Psylocke only engages when you’re alone.

Black Widow (B Tier) – Stealth Threat

Black Widow’s stealth allows her to sneak behind Hela’s team and eliminate her before Soul Drainer or Astral Flock come off cooldown. Her grappling hook provides escape options that Hela’s slow fire rate can’t punish. Widow’s debuff application (poison, stuns) also makes Hela easier for her team to collapse on.

Counterplay: Request Daredevil on your team (his Radar Sense reveals stealth). Until then, constantly check flanks. Use Hel’s Descent slow fall to create unpredictable movement when you suspect Widow is aiming at you. Play near second support for peel.

Characters Hela Counters

Iron Man (S+ Tier) – Airborne Deletion

Iron Man’s flight makes him a stationary target for Hela’s hitscan. His large hitbox and predictable flight patterns mean experienced Hela players land 60-70% headshots on him. Worse, his Unibeam ultimate requires him to stand still—easy headshot opportunity.

Why You Win: Iron Man needs to be airborne to deal damage effectively. Hela’s hitscan has no damage falloff and instant hit registration, meaning she hits him at any range with full damage. Two headshots eliminate him before he can retreat.

Storm (B Tier) – Ultimate Counter

Storm’s Goddess of Thunder ultimate pulls enemies toward center while she hovers. However, Hela’s Goddess of Death provides complete immunity while dealing massive AOE damage that counters Storm’s sustained damage ultimate. Storm’s flight mobility also makes her an easy hitscan target.

Human Torch (Seasonal Meta Dependent) – Flying Target

Similar to Iron Man and Storm, Human Torch’s airborne mobility makes him vulnerable to Hela’s hitscan precision. His Fire Cluster projectiles have travel time that Hela can sidestep, while her instant-hit Nightsword Thorn requires no leading.

Mantis (A Tier) – Low Mobility Support

Mantis has limited escape options and 200 HP, making her an ideal target for Hela’s two-headshot elimination. Her Spore Slumber sleep requires close range, meaning she can’t threaten Hela without massively overextending. Hela dominates this matchup by simply maintaining distance.

Hawkeye (S Tier) – Mirror Matchup (Skill-Dependent)

The Hela vs Hawkeye matchup is purely mechanical skill. Both heroes can two-shot each other with headshots. Hela has slight advantage because her fire rate is faster (0.5s vs Hawkeye’s charge time). However, Hawkeye’s explosive arrows provide zoning that Hela lacks. This matchup goes to whichever player has better aim and positioning.

Pro Tips & Advanced Strategies

Positioning Mastery

The 20-Meter Rule

Hela’s optimal engagement range is 20-30 meters from enemy frontline. Closer than 20 meters and you’re vulnerable to dive threats (Spider-Man, Venom). Farther than 30 meters and your team can’t peel for you effectively. This sweet spot allows you to deal full damage while maintaining escape routes to your Vanguards.

High Ground Advantage

Always contest high ground when available. Elevated positions provide: (1) Better sightlines to enemy backline, (2) Easier escape routes via Astral Flock, (3) Harder dive paths for enemies, (4) Superior Goddess of Death angles. On maps like Midtown and Tokyo 2099, controlling rooftops is non-negotiable.

Off-Angle Dominance

Don’t stand directly behind your tank. Position at 45-degree angles from your frontline. This creates crossfire that forces enemies to choose: face your tank OR face you. They can’t effectively fight both simultaneously. Off-angles also make you harder to dive since flankers must commit deeper to reach you.

Cooldown Management

Soul Drainer Priority System

With 10-second cooldown, you get 6 Soul Drainer uses per minute. Prioritize:

1. Immediate dive threats (Spider-Man on your face = instant Soul Drainer)
2. Ultimate interrupts (Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch channeling)
3. Tank zoning (Advancing Vanguards pushing your position)
4. NEVER waste on poke (Don’t throw Soul Drainer at full-HP enemies for chip damage)

Astral Flock Conservation

15-second cooldown = your most valuable cooldown. Use ONLY for: (1) Escaping guaranteed death, (2) Dodging enemy ultimates (Luna freeze, Scarlet Witch rift), (3) Repositioning after elimination when enemies collapse. Track when you use it mentally: “Astral Flock on cooldown for 15 seconds, play safer.” Aggressive Hela players who waste Astral Flock die 3-4 times per match unnecessarily.

Map-Specific Tactics

Midtown (City Streets)

Control the Bifrost elevator high ground. This central position provides 360-degree sightlines down all streets while offering vertical escape via Astral Flock. Use Goddess of Death from elevator top during payload final push—the aerial angle covers the entire objective.

Tokyo 2099 (Rooftop Battlefield)

Abuse rooftop high ground near central tower. The multi-level design creates natural cover from enemy snipers while providing clear shots to their backline. Goddess of Death from rooftops creates unavoidable AOE pressure since enemies can’t easily escape the explosion radius.

Klyntar (Symbiote Jungle)

The narrow pathways funnel enemies into predictable positions. Use Soul Drainer at chokepoints to guarantee stuns. Goddess of Death becomes incredibly powerful here—enemies have limited escape routes from crow AOE. Position near environmental kill zones and use Astral Flock knockback to force enemies off ledges.

Wakanda (Throne Room)

The wide-open objective area is dangerous for Hela. Play behind pillars using them as line-of-sight blockers. Peek only to fire shots, immediately return to cover. On payload defense, constantly reposition—standing still for 3+ seconds gets you deleted by enemy Hawkeye/Punisher.

Competitive Callouts & Communication

Essential Callouts

• “Ulting in 3, 2, 1” (Goddess of Death timing so team engages simultaneously)
• “Astral Flock on cooldown 15 seconds” (Tanks know to peel harder when you’re vulnerable)
• “[Enemy] one-shot” (After landing one headshot, team focuses for easy elimination)
• “Being dove [flanker name]” (Requests immediate peel from off-tank or support)
• “Iron Man/Storm airborne, free kill” (Team focuses flying targets for guaranteed elimination)

Ranked Ladder Strategy

In solo queue (no voice comms), type at match start: “Hela – will pressure backline and focus flying targets, need peel against dives.” This sets expectations and reduces tilt when you can’t carry 1v5. Ask for specific counters in draft: “Can someone run Daredevil? They have Black Widow stealth.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Positioning Errors

Mistake: Playing alone in isolated positions away from team
Fix: Stay within 20-30 meters of your frontline. You need peel when dove. Isolated Hela = dead Hela.

Mistake: Face-tanking damage to maintain sightlines
Fix: Use cover constantly. Peek → shoot → return to cover. Dead snipers deal 0 DPS. Staying alive matters more than landing one extra shot.

Cooldown Management Errors

Mistake: Using Astral Flock to chase low-HP enemies
Fix: Astral Flock is defensive only. Chasing kills with your escape = feeding enemy ult charge when they collapse on you.

Mistake: Wasting Soul Drainer on poke damage
Fix: Save it for dives or ultimate interrupts. The 10-second cooldown means you only get 6 uses per minute—make them count.

Ultimate Usage Errors

Mistake: Activating Goddess of Death deep in enemy territory
Fix: Always cast from safe backline. You return to activation point—landing surrounded = instant death.

Mistake: Using ultimate when enemies have easy cover
Fix: Goddess of Death is most effective on open objectives (control points, payload final push). Against good teams with nearby cover, they just hide for 10 seconds and you wasted ult.

Target Priority Errors

Mistake: Shooting tanks when enemy DPS/supports are accessible
Fix: Prioritize: Supports > Low-HP DPS > Flying heroes > Tanks. Tanks have 500-700 HP—you need 5-7 headshots to kill them. Supports have 200-250 HP and die in 2 shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hela good for beginners?

No. Hela has a 5/5 difficulty rating because her effectiveness depends entirely on mechanical aim skill. If you can’t consistently land headshots, Hela contributes nothing to your team. New players should start with Luna Snow, Mantis, or Rocket Raccoon (supports with lower mechanical requirements) or Star-Lord (Duelist with more forgiving aim). Once you have 20+ hours in Marvel Rivals and understand positioning fundamentals, then transition to Hela for her higher skill ceiling.

What sensitivity should I use for Hela?

Hela requires precise aim, so mid-range sensitivity works best. Recommended: 800 DPI with 4-6 in-game sensitivity. This allows smooth tracking for moving targets while maintaining flick potential for airborne heroes. Lower sensitivity (2-4) works if you prefer arm aiming. Higher sensitivity (7-10) only if you’re experienced with wrist aiming. Test in training mode until you can consistently track moving dummies.

How do I improve my Hela aim?

Training routine (15 minutes daily):

• 5 minutes: Headshot-only practice on stationary training bots
• 5 minutes: Track moving bots while strafing yourself (simulates real fights)
• 5 minutes: Quick Play focusing ONLY on landing first shot of each engagement

Focus on crosshair placement (pre-aim at head height) more than flick shots. 70% of good aim is positioning your crosshair where enemies’ heads will be before they appear.

When should I use Goddess of Death?

Optimal times:

• Payload final 10 meters (offense or defense)
• Control point overtime when enemies are grouped
• Just before dying at critical HP (1,000 HP shield saves your life)
• When your team just won a fight 5v3, and you need to finish stragglers

Suboptimal times:

• Early fight poke phase (enemies just hide for 10 seconds, wasted ult)
• When you’re deep in enemy territory (you return to activation point surrounded)
• Against Doctor Strange, who can fly up and block all your crows with shields

Aim to use Goddess of Death 5-7 times per 10-minute match. Holding it too long wastes value, but using it poorly wastes the ultimate.

How do I climb ranked with Hela?

Bronze to Gold:
Focus on aim fundamentals. Land 40%+ headshot accuracy and you’ll win games purely through mechanical superiority. At these ranks, positioning matters less than raw damage output.

Platinum to Diamond:
Learn to track enemy dive cooldowns. If Spider-Man just used Web Cluster, you have 8 seconds to play aggressive before he can dive again. Communicate peel needs in voice: “Need help backline, Venom diving.”

Diamond to Celestial:
Master off-angle positioning and crossfire creation. Coordinate Goddess of Death timing with your team’s ultimate combos. At high ranks, Hela becomes a macro-game hero—your positioning dictates enemy movement and ultimate usage. For a complete ranked system breakdown, including rank distribution and what ranks can queue together, read our Marvel Rivals ranks guide.

Pro Tip for Ranked: Duo queue with a Doctor Strange or Magneto main who understands how to protect backline DPS. Solo queue Hela depends on random tanks who might not peel—coordinated duo queue guarantees at least your tank knows to protect you from dives.

Conclusion

Goddess of Death Hela is Marvel Rivals’ ultimate skill expression hero and the deadliest Duelist for players willing to invest in mastering precision aim. Her combination of instant-hit hitscan damage, complete aerial immunity via Astral Flock, and game-changing Goddess of Death ultimate makes her an S-tier pick at all skill levels—provided you can consistently land headshots. Unlike forgiving heroes that generate value through sustain or crowd control, Hela lives and dies by mechanical execution.

Key Takeaways:

• Two-headshot elimination on 275 HP heroes demands exceptional aim but rewards precision with unmatched kill pressure
• Position 20-30 meters from frontline for optimal safety while maintaining damage output
• Save Astral Flock exclusively for escapes—never waste on aggressive plays or chases
• Goddess of Death from safe backline positions—returning to activation point surrounded equals instant death
• Pair with Doctor Strange, Magneto, or Mantis for maximum protection and setup potential
• Dominate airborne heroes (Iron Man, Storm, Human Torch) with hitscan advantage

Learning Curve: Expect 20-30 hours to develop consistent headshot accuracy and positioning awareness. By 50+ hours, you’ll predict enemy movement patterns instinctively and land 50-60% headshots. At 100+ hours, Hela becomes an extension of your aim—you’ll rank among the most feared DPS players in any match, capable of solo-carrying games through pure mechanical dominance.

Finding Your Squad

Ready to team up with Vanguards who actually peel for backline DPS? Finding tanks who understand that protecting Hela = winning fights makes all the difference between solo queue frustration and coordinated ranked success. Marvel Rivals supports full crossplay functionality across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, so you can squad up with anyone regardless of platform.

Use GameTree’s Discord LFG bot for instant teammate matching—just type /lfg Marvel Rivals in any server with GameTree installed for basic matchmaking. Want personality-based matching that pairs you with players who share your communication style and won’t rage quit when you miss shots? Download the GameTree app for deeper teammate compatibility.

Continue Learning

Mastering Hela is just the beginning. Explore our other Marvel Rivals resources:

• Marvel Rivals Tier List – Updated rankings for all 44 heroes across all roles
• Team Compositions Guide – Master the 2-2-1 meta, poke comps, and counter-strategies
• Marvel Rivals Ranks – Complete ranked system breakdown, rewards, and climb strategies
• Marvel Rivals LFG Hub – Find teammates instantly through our Discord bot

Sources

• Marvel Rivals Wiki (Fandom) – Hela abilities and statistics (December 2024)
• Marvel Rivals Version 20251010 Season 4.5 Balance Patch Notes (October 10, 2025)
• Mobalytics.gg Hela Guide (Updated August 2025)
• Dexerto Marvel Rivals Hela Guide (Updated January 2025)
• RivalsHeroes.com – Hela Hero Statistics
• Community consensus from competitive play and high-level Hela players
• Official Marvel Rivals social media announcements (@MarvelRivals)