Marvel Rivals has just introduced Gambit in its latest Season 5 update, adding a thrilling new dynamic to the game. As one of the prominent X-Men, Gambit arrives just in time for a season centered around his and Rogue’s honeymoon, which is now threatened by the formidable Grandmaster.
In this new update, Gambit takes on the role of a Strategist but cleverly serves as a DPS character as well. The buzz around this charming hero, who “is about to make a name for himself here,” makes him likely to become a favored choice this season. If you’re set on mastering Gambit, you’re in the right place; our comprehensive guide has you covered.
Gambit’s Kit and Abilities in Marvel Rivals
As a Strategist hero in Marvel Rivals, Gambit is ideally designed to support his team as a healer. However, depending on your team composition, he can also play a Duelist role, utilizing his kinetic-charged cards to inflict significant damage on opponents.
Gambit’s abilities are centered around his unique cards, which can either deal damage to enemies or heal allies depending on their type. Pulling an Ace delivers devastating damage or purifies allies, while a Heart card heals the entire team in one swift move.
Playing as Gambit is like orchestrating a finely-tuned symphony; mastering his abilities allows you to sync perfectly with your team, knowing exactly when to heal and when to deal damage. With a health pool of 275, he might seem fragile, but his impressive damage output and health regeneration more than compensate for it. And with Season Bonuses bestowing Gambit a 5% Healing Bonus, you’re sure to find those extra healing boosts quite useful.
Here’s a comprehensive look at each of Gambit’s abilities and what his kit offers in Season 5:
| Ability Name | Ability Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Cards | Left Click (Primary Attack) | Launches three kinetic-charged cards in an arc, causing each card to explode on impact and deal damage to enemies while healing allies. |
| Ragin’ Royal Flush | Q (Ultimate) | Targets an ally in sight and unleashes Aces that heal and purify, granting a Kinetic Transfer state with improved movement and single-target explosive damage. |
| Cajun Charge | Shift | Dash forward with your bo staff, covering a short distance. |
| Healing Hearts | E | Conjures a Heart card to heal allies while switching to the Healing Hearts deck. |
| Breaking Spades | F | Creates a Spade card, granting a Damage Boost while switching to the Breaking Spades deck. |
| Bayou Bash | Right Click (Melee) | Channels kinetic energy into your staff to create a shockwave that damages enemies and heals allies; can be followed by Cajun Charge for added impact. |
| Ace of Aces | Passive (Team-Up) | Charges Magneto’s greatsword; activating this ability detonates on impact, leaving an explosive energy charge in targets. |
| Bridge Boost | Healing Hearts Sub-Ability (E+E) | In the Healing Hearts deck, trigger Flush Empowerment to send cards bouncing between allies, healing and boosting their health. |
| Purifying Pick-Up | Healing Hearts Sub-Ability (E+F) | In the Healing Hearts deck, triggers an arc of cards that heal and purify allies from status effects. |
| Explosive Trick | Breaking Spades Sub-Ability (F+F) | In the Breaking Spades deck, sends out cards that explode on impact, inflicting damage while reducing healing on enemies. |
| Bidding Barrage | Breaking Spades Sub-Ability (F+E) | Launches cards that explode upon impact, dealing area damage and hindering enemy healing. |
Optimal Strategies for Playing Gambit
As a healer, Gambit works best in a team that includes tanks and divers. Despite the updates to the meta, he still thrives when paired with a solid team. His card abilities allow for healing to allies from up to 40 meters away and come with a speedy reload, maintaining a stack of 21 cards while firing three at a time.
While his cards serve as his primary attack and healing method, his Bo Staff can be a game-changer in close combat or to fend off incoming attackers. Here are some key strategies to elevate your gameplay with Gambit:
First and foremost, prioritize healing your allies with Kinetic Cards. Damage becomes secondary, especially when your teammates need health. For more offensive plays, pivot to the Breaking Spades deck, which provides a more potent damage output.
If your allies are positioned far away, use Cajun Charge followed by Bayou Bash to move swiftly and create a damaging impact on incoming enemies. Gambit’s deck of cards can charge over time, allowing you to unleash special abilities from either the Healing Hearts or Breaking Spades decks when fully charged.
When allies are lined up and in peril, activate the Healing Hearts deck and utilize Bridge Boost to fire a deck of cards in a zig-zag pattern. This will heal all your teammates in one go. If your allies encounter crowd-control effects, use Purifying Pick-Up to heal and cleanse them simultaneously.
You might be asking, what does Purify actually do? It allows you to restore allies from a stunned state, getting them back into the fray quickly. This ability can be a lifesaver during crucial moments.
Turning to Gambit’s Breaking Spades deck transforms him into a dangerous DPS character. It’s your best bet to take down enemy healers, aerial threats, or heavily armored tanks. His Explosive Trick ability launches cards that explode upon impact, inflicting damage over time and reducing enemy healing. On the other hand, Bidding Barrage is perfect for dealing area damage, ideal during point capture missions.
Finally, Gambit’s ultimate ability, Ragin’ Royal Flush, provides a significant boost to allies by purifying them and enhancing their mobility and damage. As they enter a Kinetic Transfer state, they’ll find their attacks dealing explosive damage while their ultimates charge faster. Plus, Gambit can regenerate his card charges, allowing for higher damage output with the Breaking Spades deck.
Top Counter Picks Against Gambit
While Gambit can dominate when played effectively, certain heroes in Marvel Rivals can make his gameplay much more challenging. If you encounter any of the following characters, it may be wise to reconsider your choice of Gambit:
| Character | Counter Explanation |
|---|---|
| Magneto | His shields can easily deflect Gambit’s cards while his blades pose a significant threat. |
| Hulk | Hulk can stun Gambit, making it difficult for him to retaliate effectively. |
| Emma Frost | Her shields and crystals can neutralize Gambit’s kinetic cards. |
| Daredevil | Daredevil’s agility and tracking capabilities can be troublesome for Gambit. |
| Psylocke | Her rapid strikes can overwhelm Gambit in close encounters. |
| Wolverine | Wolverine’s regenerative abilities paired with close-range damage make him a proficient counter against Gambit. |
Have you started playing as Gambit in Season 5 of Marvel Rivals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!