As a regular player who has faced the relentless aerial assault of Ultron since his introduction in Season 2.5, I know firsthand the unique challenge he presents. Dealing with fliers in Marvel Rivals has always demanded a specific tactical approach, and Ultron, the first flying strategist, takes this to a new level. With his high-damage beam and annoying self-sustaining drones, he can dominate backlines and wreak havoc if left unchecked. This isn't just about picking any hero; it's about understanding his weaknesses and exploiting them with precision. My experience has taught me that while he feels oppressive at first glance, he is, in fact, a squishy character who can be brought down quickly with the right counters. This guide is the culmination of my battles against him, detailing how to neutralize his aerial advantage across every role.

The core of the problem with Ultron is his kit, which combines mobility, sustain, and burst damage. He's a flying character, which immediately invalidates many ground-based abilities. His self-healing is tied to his AOE drone, which can be a significant source of sustain when controlled by an ally, making prolonged trades risky. Most terrifying is his high-damage, long-range beam that can melt squishy targets from off-angles. However, this power comes at a cost: Ultron himself is incredibly squishy, with only 250 health. This creates a clear dichotomy β he is a glass cannon in the sky. The key to beating him is to deny his value by blocking his damage, contesting his aerial space, or simply landing precise shots to burst him down before he can retreat. It's a battle of positioning and target priority.
How To Counter Ultron As A Vanguard π€

As a Vanguard main, I initially felt helpless. Let's be honest: we do not have any flying vanguards yet, which makes directly challenging Ultron in his airspace impossible. My role had to shift from traditional space-taking to being a protector and disruptor. The primary goal isn't to hunt Ultron down but to block Ultron's vision and absorb or nullify his damage output for my team. Characters with large, deployable shields are the cornerstone of this strategy.
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Emma Frost has been my most reliable pick. Sending out her Diamond Shield not only blocks all his beam attacks but also forces him to waste time repositioning. A well-placed shield can completely cut off his sightlines to your backline, rendering him ineffective.
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Doctor Strange serves a similar, though more stationary, purpose. His Shield of the Seraphim can block his attacks for a duration, creating a safe zone for teammates. The key is anticipation β placing the shield where Ultron wants to shoot.
While not hard counters, these vanguards excel at mitigation. The strategy is less about killing Ultron and more about making his life frustrating and his value minimal, buying time for your Duelists and Strategists to handle him.
How To Counter Ultron As A Duelist π«

This is where the fight gets personal. As a Duelist, you have the tools to directly answer Ultron's threat, but it requires skill. The universal truth is that any hitscan weapon is a great counter to Ultron. His predictable flight patterns (hovering, slow strafing) make him a prime target, but the player needs to have decent aim to hit him. With his tiny 250-health pool, landing just a few shots is often enough to send him back to spawn.
Hereβs my tier list of effective Duelist counters based on my 2026 matches:
| Hero | Why They Counter Ultron | Key Ability/Style |
|---|---|---|
| Hela πΉ | Dominates all fliers with incredibly high burst damage from her projectiles. | Spamming Necroswords at his flight path is often a guaranteed kill. |
| Hawkeye ποΈ | Can potentially one-shot him with a fully charged Recon Arrow headshot. | Precision hitscan from long range. |
| Winter Soldier π₯ | Reliable hitscan rifle can consistently poke him down from range. | Steady damage output, good at breaking drones too. |
| Punisher π« | His minigun offers suppressing fire that can pressure Ultron out of position. | High volume of hitscan bullets. |
There's also a unique counter-pick: Iron Man. Since he is also flying, he can directly contest Ultron's airspace. Using his Repulsors to chip away and then closing in for a Unibeam while overriding his drones can be a decisive duel. However, I've found heroes like Storm and Human Torch, whose primary damage is often projectile-based or requires close range, struggle immensely unless they catch him completely by surprise.
How To Counter Ultron As A Strategist βοΈ

From the backline, a Strategist's job is to provide utility and consistent damage. Against Ultron, two heroes stand out as phenomenal counters, and both have been meta picks in the 2026 season for this very reason.
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Luna Snow is arguably the hardest counter in the game. Not only is she a hitscan character, but her Snowball ability can freeze Ultron mid-air. A frozen Ultron is a dead Ultron, as it sets up easy headshots for you or your team. Her mobility also helps her evade his beam.
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Adam Warlock is equally terrifying for Ultron. He can use both his Cosmic Cluster (hitscan) and Quantum Magic attacks to reliably hit the flying menace. The tracking on these abilities makes them very forgiving to land.
The problem with other strategists is a lack of range, damage, or reliable hit registration. For instance:
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Mantis struggles because her sleep dart is a slow projectile, unlike Luna's instant snowball, and her basic attacks are also projectiles which can be tough to land on him.
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Rocket Raccoon simply doesn't have the raw damage output to threaten Ultron before being beamed down.
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Invisible Woman has a niche use. While her primary fire may not reach, she can use her Force Physics ability to pull him down to the ground. A grounded Ultron is a vulnerable Ultron, and a single pull can signal your team to focus and eliminate him instantly.
In conclusion, countering Ultron in 2026 is about coordinated effort and smart picks. Vanguards protect, Duelists pressure and assassinate, and specific Strategists control and burst him down. Remember his fragility; he's an imposing threat only when unanswered. By applying the right pressure from the right heroes, you can clip his wings and secure the victory. π―