TL;DR
- Marvel Rivals Annihilation is a game mode that pits 36 players against each other in an 18 versus 18 deathmatch.
- Players can choose to try and find a game that is mostly populated by humans or one that has AI bots.
- Annihilation is an arcade, Conquest game mode, so there is no pressure to win.
- Players can easily farm achievements, earn Accessory Points, and grind to get Lord icons in Annihilation.
- Some of the best heroes to use to get plenty of kills include Storm, Jeff The Land Shark, and Hulk.
Marvel Rivals 18 vs 18 Annihilation Mode is one of the latest arcade game modes released in Marvel Rivals Season 5. 18 vs 18 is particularly fun, allowing players to enjoy a casual and somewhat chaotic game without the pressures that come with some of the other game modes.
We’re going to dive into everything you need to know about 18 v 18 Annihilation in Marvel Rivals, including some of the best characters to play as and how you can start levelling up heroes to earn a Lord icon sooner.
What is Marvel Rivals Annihilation Mode?
Annihilation Mode in Marvel Rivals is a casual yet high-octane game mode that puts players in huge teams of 18 to create a match that involves a whopping 36 players. There are no restrictions and no disabled abilities, as is sometimes the case with other Marvel Rivals modes.
Duplicate heroes are allowed, with no restrictions regarding how many of each hero can be used on one team. In theory, a team could be entirely made up of the same character (though it would be difficult to achieve this level of coordination). All abilities for all heroes can also be used freely, with no restrictions on any hero skills and the usual cooldowns in place.
How to play Marvel Rivals Annihilation
Annihilation is a Conquest arcade mode in Marvel Rivals. Although this is normally a 6v6 deathmatch, Conquest Annihilation Mode in Marvel Rivals is an even larger team brawl of 18v18, as mentioned. AI bots can be included to fill the team roster if there aren’t enough players, but there is a choice between games with more AI heroes than real players, so it’s up to you how you choose to play.
The game itself is simple. The first team to get 120 points within six minutes wins. Each final hit on the enemy is one point. Every time a player gets that last hit, they also receive 200 HP, making it so that everyone is a little less squishy than usual.
All you need to do is get as many kills as you can and have fun doing it. Even if you lose, Annihilation is an arcade game with no consequences, but plenty of benefits to reap. Not only is it entertaining, but players can use the mode to grind with certain characters and work towards their Lord icons. They can also collect Accessory Points and do some achievement farming, so there’s plenty to enjoy.
Tips for playing Marvel Rivals Annihilation Mode
As mentioned, Annihilation is an easy-going arcade mode that is purely for fun rather than competition. However, there are some tips for racking up kills if you feel so inclined. The most significant tip is to think carefully about what character you want to play as.
If you are achievement hunting, make sure to pick the correct hero for the corresponding achievement (there is a range of hero-specific Marvel Rivals achievements that require the player to complete certain tasks in battle with that particular hero). Here are 10 options for heroes whose achievements can easily be earned when playing Annihilation.
| Hero | Achievement | How to obtain achievement | Why this is easy in 18 vs 18 Annihilation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groot | Vicious Vines | Imprison four enemies with a single use of Strangling Prison. | Easy to group four or more enemies together due to the significant number of enemies in the match. |
| Iron Fist | Might of Fuxi | Land three KOs with a single use of Living Chi. | Can easily flit between multiple enemies while ulting. |
| Iron Man | Flawless Design | Hit four enemies with a single use of the Invincible Pulse Cannon. | Plenty of opportunities to target grouped up enemies. |
| Jeff The Land Shark | Snack Attack | Swallow four enemies with a single use of It’s Jeff. | Same as Iron Man, grouped enemies are prevalent. |
| Loki | God of Treachery | Land one KO by stabbing from behind. | The chaotic nature of Annihilation makes it easier for Loki players to go unnoticed and perform a backstab. |
| Peni Parker | Watch Your Step | Blast three enemies with a single use of Arachno-Mine. | Same as Iron Man and Jeff. Grouped enemies are common, so a well-placed Arachno-Mine can do wonders. |
| Phoenix | Wish Upon a Phoenix | Strike four enemies with a single Endsong Inferno landing. | Same as above. Be sure to target grouped enemies. |
| The Punisher | Smoke Screen | Land three KOs amidst the smoke of Scourge Grenade in a single game. | The chaos of Annihilation makes it easier for Punisher to confuse enemies with his smoke grenade before he picks them off. |
| The Thing | What Time Is It? | Launch up four enemies with a single use of Clobberin Time. | Same as Peni, Jeff, Phoenix and Iron Man. More enemies lead to numerous opportunities to use Thing’s ultimate on a group. |
| Thor | Divine Justice | Strike down four enemies with a single use of God of Thunder. | Same as above. 18 enemies means plenty of grouping and more opportunities for ults that work well on groups. |
These are just a few achievements that are easy to get in this game mode, but there are plenty more that players can start farming for, too.
If you are playing just to get as many kills as possible, then opt for a hero that is particularly good at team wipes, whether it’s with their ultimate ability or their regular attack set. Some of the best options for quick and efficient eliminations when playing Annihilation Mode include the following heroes:
- Scarlet Witch: Her ultimate is particularly strong, but her lock on regular attack can quickly pick off low-health enemies in the vicinity.
- Storm: Her tornado ultimate is unstoppable and can easily wipe out most of the enemy team if used correctly.
- Jeff The Land Shark: Jeff’s water beam can damage and pick off enemies while healing his allies. His ult is also very useful, as there are several edges on the Grand Garden map that he can spit enemies off of.
- Hulk: Hulk can jump in and out of enemy lines, and with more players – especially if they are Duelists or Strategists – he can rack up kills much quicker than usual.
- Moon Knight: The combination of Moon Knight’s bouncing Moon Blade and well-placed Ankh’s can be devastating in Annihilation, especially if left unchecked. His ult is also strong and can accumulate kills quickly.
- Star-Lord: His auto-lock ultimate is great to use in the chaos of Annihilation, as it can be even more difficult than usual to spot him as he begins his attack due to the sheer amount of players.
Conclusion
That’s everything you need to know about Marvel Rivals Annihilation Mode. Despite the hectic nature of this mode, it is incredibly fun and offers plenty of opportunities for players to get achievements and Accessory Points while also earning proficiency for heroes. You don’t even have to worry about dying every two seconds, thanks to the healing boost that is given after an elimination. For a game mode that is easy-going, enjoyable and engaging, be sure to give Annihilation a try.
FAQs
When did annihilation mode release in Marvel Rivals?
Annihilation Mode was released with the November 27 2025 game patch.
How to play annihilation mode Marvel Rivals?
Annihilation is an arcade game mode in Marvel Rivals, so there is no specific way to play. Just have fun!
Who are the best Marvel Rivals heroes for annihilation mode?
The heroes that we mentioned above are some of the best for getting multiple kills or getting particular achievements in Annihilation. Some other great choices include:
• Invisible Woman: Offence, defence and potential achievement farming.
• Human Torch: Aerial positioning makes him harder for certain heroes to target, Also works well with Invis to farm achievements that relate to The Fantastic Four.
• Namor: His ultimate can eliminate or stun plenty of enemies at once. His Monstro Spawn can also be tricky to dispose of during a chaotic match.
• Doctor Strange: Same as Namor, his ultimate has potential for stunning and eliminating.
How does scoring work in Marvel Rivals Annihilation mode?
In Annihilation, each point is awarded to the team whose player got the final kill on an enemy. The first team to reach 120 points wins the match.
Are tanks bad in Marvel Rivals annihilation mode?
Tanks can be very effective in Annihilation when played in a particular way. Peni’s mines can do plenty of damage, and tanks like Thor and Venom have ultimates that can damage or eliminate multiple players at once.
