Marvel Rivals: Age of Ultron looks simple on Common, but Hard mode punishes weak card choices and poor target priority. To unlock the free Ultron costume, you must survive stronger Sentries, defend F.R.I.D.A.Y., and defeat Ultron in the final fight.
This guide explains how the event works, which upgrades to buy, the best build for every hero, and how to complete both Common and Hard before the event ends.

Marvel Rivals Age of Ultron Event Overview
Path to Doomsday: Avengers – Age of Ultron is a limited-time cooperative PvE mode in Marvel Rivals. Instead of fighting other players, your team must defeat waves of Ultron Sentries, protect key objectives, and fight Ultron himself.
The event has two difficulty levels:
Common and
Hard. Some players may refer to Common as Normal difficulty.
You must clear Common before you can access every part of the event. Hard mode is where you unlock the main reward, the free Avengers: Age of Ultron costume for Ultron.
| Event Detail |
Information |
| Event period |
July 30 to August 27, 2026 |
| Difficulties |
Common and Hard |
| Playable heroes |
Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Iron Man, and Scarlet Witch |
| Main boss |
Ultron |
| Main reward |
Free Avengers: Age of Ultron Ultron Costume |
| PS4 support |
The PvE mode is not available on PlayStation 4 |
How to Start the Age of Ultron PvE Mode
The Age of Ultron event is accessed through the limited-time event playlists. You do not need to enter Ranked or complete normal multiplayer matches first.
- Open the Marvel Rivals playlist menu.
- Enter the Rivalry section.
- Select Path to Doomsday: Avengers – Age of Ultron.
- Choose Common difficulty for your first run.
- Complete Common to unlock the next stage of the event.
- Return to the event menu and select Hard difficulty.
Scarlet Witch is not available during your first Common attempt. She becomes playable after you complete Common difficulty.
How the Age of Ultron Event Works
Age of Ultron is closer to the Zombies PvE event than
Blood Hunt. There is no gear system, permanent skill tree, or large selection of loot to manage before the match.
Instead, your power increases through enhancement cards. You choose upgrades between waves and slowly turn your hero into a stronger version built for the event.
Waves and Objectives
A full Age of Ultron run follows a clear structure:
- Defeat the opening waves of Ultron Sentries.
- Purchase upgrades between waves.
- Fight Ultron for the first time.
- Clear stronger waves and elite enemies.
- Defend F.R.I.D.A.Y. from incoming Sentries.
- Fight Ultron again in the final stage.
The objectives are simple, but Hard mode increases enemy damage by a large amount. A build that feels strong on Common can struggle quickly once elite Sentries begin appearing.
How Enhancement Cards Work
At the start of each upgrade phase, you are shown enhancement cards. These cards are divided into three main colors.
- Red cards: Increase damage, attack speed, critical chance, range bonuses, and damage against elites or bosses.
- Blue cards: Increase maximum health, healing, temporary health, and general survivability.
- Yellow cards: Improve abilities that are unique to the hero you are playing.
Red and blue card choices contain more randomness. Yellow hero upgrades continue to appear until you have completed the available upgrade paths for that ability.
Many cards can also stack. For example, taking Full Auto more than once can provide a much larger attack-speed bonus than taking it only once.
All Age of Ultron Challenges and Rewards
The free Ultron costume only requires one successful Hard completion. You do not need to clear Hard with every hero unless you also want all seven hero titles.
| Challenge |
Reward |
| Clear Common difficulty for the first time |
200 Units and Avengers: Age of Ultron Gallery Card |
| Clear Hard difficulty for the first time |
Avengers: Age of Ultron Ultron Costume and Path to Peace Ultron MVP |
| Defeat 3,000 enemies |
Avengers: Age of Ultron Spray |
| Clear 10 waves |
Breaking the Strings Ultron Emote |
| Purchase 15 upgrades |
Avengers: Age of Ultron Nameplate |
| Clear Hard as Hulk |
Steel Smasher Title |
| Clear Hard as Captain America |
Proof of Humanity Title |
| Clear Hard as Thor |
Spark of Life Title |
| Clear Hard as Hawkeye |
Unerring Aim Title |
| Clear Hard as Black Widow |
Lethal Shadow Title |
| Clear Hard as Iron Man |
Unmaker of Ultron Title |
| Clear Hard as Scarlet Witch |
Core Crusher Title |
Important: One Hard clear with any hero is enough to unlock the free Ultron costume and Path to Peace MVP animation. Hero-specific Hard clears are only needed for the seven titles.
Fastest Way to Unlock the Free Ultron Skin
Players who only want the main cosmetic rewards do not need to complete every challenge. The fastest route requires one Common run and one successful Hard run.
- Clear Common difficulty once.
- Use the Common run to learn the wave order and upgrade system.
- Unlock Scarlet Witch and Hard difficulty.
- Choose a strong hero you already understand.
- Build around one main hero ability.
- Clear Hard once to receive the Ultron costume and MVP animation.
Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Black Widow are strong choices for a first Hard clear. Thor and Hulk provide more room for mistakes, while Hawkeye and Black Widow can remove dangerous enemies quickly.
Best General Upgrades for Hard Mode
Yellow ability cards define your hero build, but red and blue cards often decide whether that build survives. The strongest option can change depending on whether your hero fights from close range or far away.
Full Auto
Full Auto increases attack speed and can stack several times. It is one of the best red upgrades for Hawkeye and Black Widow because both heroes depend on repeated ranged attacks.
It is less important for heroes whose main damage comes from ability cycles, such as Thor’s Hammer Throw and ultimate combination.
Nano Repair
Nano Repair restores health whenever you defeat an enemy. This is one of the safest upgrades for Hard mode because smaller Sentries can become a constant source of healing.
It is especially valuable for:
- Hulk
- Thor
- Captain America
- Black Widow builds that frequently use Edge Dancer in close range
Maximum Health and Size Advantage
Some blue cards increase your maximum health or provide a large amount of temporary health at the start of a round. These upgrades become much stronger when combined with Size Advantage.
Size Advantage increases your damage based on your maximum health. A high-health Hulk or Thor can therefore become harder to kill while also dealing more damage.
Cooldown Reduction
Cooldown reduction is useful when your build depends on one ability. It allows Hulk to use Thunderclap more often, helps Thor cycle Hammer Throw, and gives Black Widow more access to her strongest tools.
Elite and Boss Damage
Hard mode contains enemies with large health bars and very high damage. Prioritize cards that provide percentage-based boss damage, bonus elite damage, or a chance to instantly eliminate normal enemies.
A card that gives a major damage bonus to your next attack every few seconds is also strong for heroes with powerful single hits.
Age of Ultron Hard Mode Tips
Hard difficulty is not only a version of Common with more enemy health. Sentries deal far more damage, dangerous enemy types appear in larger groups, and a weak build can fall behind before the first Ultron fight.
Use these rules during every Hard attempt:
- Choose your build early. Do not buy random ability upgrades that do not support the same plan.
- Match cards to your range. Hulk wants close-range damage, while Hawkeye wants long-range damage.
- Add healing before the defense stage. Nano Repair becomes more valuable as enemy groups become larger.
- Save major abilities for elites. Standard Sentries are easier to remove with basic attacks.
- Keep moving. Standing still makes Ultron beams and Eye of Ultron attacks much harder to avoid.
- Watch F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s health. The defense objective can fail while players chase enemies away from the center.
- Use cover in the final fight. Do not chase Ultron into open areas while his drones are attacking.
- Use smaller enemies as healing targets. Nano Repair can keep you alive while you damage elites.
Which Enemies Should You Kill First?
Target priority is one of the biggest differences between Common and Hard. Shooting the closest enemy is not always the correct choice.
1. Eye of Ultron and Laser Sentries
Eye of Ultron enemies can scan large parts of the arena and deal heavy ranged damage. They are especially dangerous for Iron Man and other heroes who remain exposed while attacking.
Remove them as soon as they appear. Allowing several Eye of Ultron enemies to remain active can quickly destroy the team.
2. Giant and Elite Sentries
Giant Sentries deal extreme close-range damage. They can remove most of Hulk’s health quickly, even when he is in Monster Hulk form.
Use ultimates, vulnerability effects, and elite-damage cards against them. Do not allow several giant enemies to reach F.R.I.D.A.Y. at the same time.
3. Flying Sentries
Flying enemies are difficult for melee heroes to reach. Hawkeye, Black Widow, Iron Man, and Scarlet Witch should focus them while the frontline controls enemies on the ground.
Hulk can still damage flying targets with Monster Hulk projectiles and Thunderclap, especially after taking cooldown upgrades.
4. Standard Sentries
Normal Sentries are the lowest priority when dangerous enemies are active. However, they are useful for triggering healing, ultimate generation, and elimination-based effects.
Clear them quickly once the Eye of Ultron and giant enemies are under control.
Best Age of Ultron Build for Every Hero
Each hero has special ability upgrades designed for the Age of Ultron event. Standard PvP habits can help with movement and aiming, but your enhancement choices are more important than your normal multiplayer build.
Best Hulk Build
Main upgrade path: Monster Hulk
Hulk is one of the safest heroes for Common and a strong choice for Hard. His best build focuses on staying in Monster Hulk form for as long as possible.
Look for the upgrade that extends Monster Hulk’s duration whenever you eliminate an enemy. With enough enemies and damage, Hulk can remain transformed for most of the round.
Recommended Hulk upgrades:
- Monster Hulk duration after eliminations
- Cooldown reduction
- Nano Repair
- Maximum-health upgrades
- Size Advantage
- Close-range damage bonuses
- Monster Hulk ranged damage
- Leap damage after the core Monster Hulk build is complete
Hold the jump button, release it, and continue leaping between groups. Mix your normal melee attacks with Thunderclap and Monster Hulk’s ranged projectiles.
Leap upgrades are useful, but they should not replace the Monster Hulk duration build. Staying transformed provides more consistent damage and survivability.
Best Thor Build
Main upgrade path: Hammer Throw and God of Thunder
Thor’s Hammer Throw is stronger than it may first appear. After the correct upgrades, the hammer can spin through groups, strike enemies several times, create lightning, and help charge Thor’s ultimate.
Recommended Thor upgrades:
- Hammer Throw damage and repeated hits
- Lightning generation from the hammer
- Ultimate charge from Hammer Throw
- Maximum health
- Size Advantage
- Nano Repair
- Cooldown reduction
- Close-range damage
Charge and throw the hammer into the largest enemy group. Follow it with Thor’s ultimate, land inside the group, and then repeat the cycle.
Thor can reach very high health before the final fight. This makes him a strong frontline hero for teams that need more room for mistakes.
Best Black Widow Build
Main upgrade path: Assassin’s Focus and Edge Dancer
Black Widow can clear waves extremely quickly, but she is easier to kill than Hulk or Thor. Her build should combine high attack speed with enough healing to survive when enemies reach her.
Recommended Black Widow upgrades:
- Full Auto
- Critical-hit chance
- Cooldown reduction
- Headshot and ultimate upgrades
- Elite and boss damage
- Edge Dancer overhealth
- Nano Repair
- Close-range damage when using Edge Dancer often
Use Assassin’s Focus whenever it becomes available. Critical eliminations during the ability permanently increase its base damage, which makes early headshots very important.
During the first waves, target smaller Sentries that you can eliminate with clean headshots. By the later rounds, your improved ability can deal much more damage to elites.
Upgrade Edge Dancer as well. It provides overhealth and helps Widow survive when she becomes surrounded.
Best Hawkeye Build
Main upgrade path: Piercing Arrow and Hypersonic Arrow
Hawkeye is one of the most complete ranged heroes in the event. He has strong wave clear, high elite damage, useful crowd control, and a vulnerability effect for boss fights.
Recommended Hawkeye upgrades:
- Exploding Piercing Arrows
- Additional arrows
- Rapid Fire
- Full Auto
- Long-range damage
- Hypersonic Arrow vulnerability
- Projectile-blocking veil
- Nano Repair
- Critical-hit and elite damage
Rapid Fire removes the need to charge every arrow. After unlocking it, you can hold the attack button and fire continuously.
Use Hypersonic Arrow against giant Sentries and Ultron. Direct hits can apply stacking vulnerability, causing the target to take more damage from the entire team.
Keep your distance whenever possible. Hawkeye benefits more from long-range damage cards than close-range bonuses.
Best Captain America Build
Main upgrade path: Sentinel Strike and Shield Throw
Captain America is a reliable frontline hero. His job is to control groups, absorb pressure, and keep dangerous enemies away from the ranged damage dealers.
Recommended Captain America upgrades:
- Sentinel Strike damage
- Shield Throw damage
- Additional shield ricochets
- Close-range damage
- Nano Repair
- Maximum health
- Size Advantage
- Cooldown reduction
Hold your primary attack while moving through groups and throw the shield whenever it becomes available. Ricochet upgrades allow the shield to damage several enemies with one use.
Captain America does not remove elites as quickly as Hawkeye or Black Widow, but he can create the space they need to attack safely.
Best Iron Man Build
Main upgrade path: Micro Missile Barrage
Iron Man plays more like his normal PvP version than most of the available heroes. His special event ability locks onto targets and launches a large group of missiles.
Recommended Iron Man upgrades:
- Missile target-lock improvements
- Additional missiles
- Missile damage
- Area damage
- Long-range damage
- Cooldown reduction
- Nano Repair
- Maximum health
Use the missile barrage against grouped Sentries and flying enemies. Stay mobile and avoid hovering in one position while Eye of Ultron enemies are active.
Iron Man is useful for finding and damaging targets that melee heroes cannot easily reach. However, he needs support when several ranged enemies focus him at once.
Best Scarlet Witch Build
Main upgrade path: Chaos Control and Multitasking
Scarlet Witch becomes available after you clear Common. Her best build focuses on hitting several enemies at once and using both primary and alternate fire together.
Recommended Scarlet Witch upgrades:
- Chaos Control multi-target upgrades
- Multitasking
- Bubble expansion
- Additional bubble targets
- Damage over time
- Cooldown reduction
- Nano Repair
- Maximum health
Multitasking is the key upgrade. Once it is active, hold both your primary and alternate fire buttons at the same time to use both attacks together.
Your bubble upgrades can stun several nearby enemies and control large groups. Scarlet Witch is strongest when Sentries are packed together during the defense waves.
Common Difficulty Walkthrough
Common is designed to teach you the event structure. Enemy damage is lower, so you have more freedom to test upgrades and learn how each hero works.
Opening Waves
Use the first waves to begin one clear hero build. Do not spread your yellow upgrades across several abilities unless they directly support each other.
Take at least one damage option and one survival option before the first boss. Nano Repair is useful even on Common because it reduces the need to use your manual healing ability.
First Ultron Fight
Ultron’s first appearance is straightforward. Keep moving around the arena, avoid his beams, and attack whenever he stops moving.
Ranged heroes should keep their distance. Melee heroes can jump around Ultron and use short attack windows rather than remaining in front of him.
F.R.I.D.A.Y. Defense
After the first Ultron fight, you must clear more waves and protect F.R.I.D.A.Y. The bar at the top of the screen shows how much health the objective has left.
Stay close enough to react when enemies reach the middle. Focus Eye of Ultron and giant Sentries before clearing weaker enemies around the edges.
Final Ultron Fight
Ultron becomes more dangerous during the final battle, but the basic strategy remains the same. Keep moving, use cover, and avoid fighting in the open while drones are active.
If you fall from the main platform, use the jump pad to return. Damaging some of Ultron’s drones can also damage Ultron, so area attacks remain useful during the boss phase.
Completing Common unlocks Scarlet Witch as a playable hero and gives you access to Hard difficulty.
Hard Difficulty Walkthrough
Hard mode has the same basic structure, but the damage increase changes how you must play. One poor upgrade choice can make the later waves much harder than necessary.
Hard Mode Opening Waves
Decide on your main ability during the first card choices. Yellow cards should support that ability, while red and blue cards should improve the same playstyle.
For example, a Hawkeye build should combine Rapid Fire, Full Auto, long-range damage, and Nano Repair. A Hulk build should combine Monster Hulk duration, close-range damage, maximum health, and elimination healing.
Avoid buying cards only because they are rare. A lower-rarity card that supports your build is often better than a powerful card with no synergy.
First Ultron Boss Fight on Hard
Spread out enough that one attack does not hit the full team. Use vulnerability effects and boss-damage cards as soon as Ultron becomes targetable.
Hawkeye should apply vulnerability with Hypersonic Arrow. Black Widow should use her improved Assassin’s Focus, while Thor and Hulk attack during safe openings.
Keep moving when Ultron begins using beams. Do not trade damage unless your hero has enough healing to recover quickly.
F.R.I.D.A.Y. Defense on Hard
This is one of the most dangerous parts of the run. Several elite enemies can enter the arena while standard Sentries continue damaging the objective.
Use the following priority:
- Eye of Ultron enemies
- Giant Sentries near F.R.I.D.A.Y.
- Flying enemies attacking from range
- Standard Sentries
Use ultimates when giant Sentries arrive in groups. Do not save every ability for the final boss if the defense objective is close to failing.
Heroes with Nano Repair should continue clearing smaller enemies while attacking elites. This provides healing without forcing you to leave the fight.
Final Ultron Boss Strategy
Do not chase Ultron into the open when he moves to the top of the structure. This can be a trap that leaves you exposed to his drones.
Attack him from range until there is a safe opening. Melee heroes should rush in for short damage bursts and return to cover before the next drone attack.
Hawkeye can use his veil to block incoming attacks while applying vulnerability. Thor can cycle Hammer Throw and his ultimate, while Hulk uses ranged Monster Hulk attacks when Ultron is out of melee range.
Black Widow should attack from a safe position and use her ultimate whenever possible. Scarlet Witch and Iron Man can damage Ultron and nearby drones at the same time.
Once Ultron is defeated, the Hard completion rewards are added to your account.
Best Team Comp for Hard Mode
You can clear Hard with many team combinations, but a balanced squad makes the run more consistent. The safest setup includes frontline control, ranged elite damage, and strong wave clear.
- Frontline: Hulk, Thor, or Captain America
- Elite killer: Hawkeye or Black Widow
- Wave clear: Scarlet Witch or Iron Man
- Flexible fourth pick: Another frontline or ranged damage hero
At least one durable hero should control giant Sentries during the defense stage. At least one ranged hero should be able to damage flying enemies and Ultron when he moves away from the team.
A team with only melee heroes may struggle during the boss fights. A team with only ranged heroes may be overwhelmed when giant Sentries reach the objective.
How to Clear Hard With Every Hero
Each hero has a separate title challenge. To unlock every title, you must complete Hard at least once with each of the seven heroes.
Start with the hero you understand best. Your first successful clear teaches you the full wave order, important enemy spawns, and Ultron’s final attack patterns.
A practical completion order is:
- Hulk or Thor for a durable first clear
- Hawkeye
- Black Widow
- Captain America
- Iron Man
- Scarlet Witch
- Whichever hero you did not use for the first clear
This order is only a suggestion. A hero you already play regularly may be easier than a hero that is considered stronger by other players.
You do not need to complete all seven Hard runs in one session. Card luck, team composition, and player experience can make some attempts much more difficult than others.
Marvel Rivals Age of Ultron Event Boosting
Hard mode can become frustrating when random upgrade choices, weak team compositions, or repeated objective failures block your rewards. It becomes even more time-consuming when you need a Hard clear with a specific hero for one of the exclusive titles.
Boosting Factory can complete Common or Hard difficulty with any available hero. You can order only the main Ultron costume unlock or select several hero-specific clears for additional titles.
- Common difficulty completion
- Hard difficulty completion
- Free Ultron costume unlock
- Path to Peace MVP unlock
- Hard clear with any selected hero
- Multiple hero-title completions
- Full Age of Ultron event completion
LIMITED-TIME EVENT
Clear the Age of Ultron Event Before It Ends
Get a Common or Hard completion with any available hero and unlock the event rewards without failed runs or repeated grinding.
Extra Free Age of Ultron Rewards in Times Square
The PvE challenges are not the only limited-time activities connected to Age of Ultron. You can also collect additional rewards from the Times Square social area.
Age of Ultron Photo Reward
Find the Age of Ultron photo area and interact with one of the holograms. After entering the photo mode, take a picture before the timer ends.
Completing the activity allows you to claim
100 free Units.
Age of Ultron Screening Reward
Find the event screening area in Times Square and interact with an available seat. Remain seated and watch the screening for the required period.
After completing the activity, you can claim a separate event Spray reward.
These activities are easy to miss because they are outside the main PvE menu. Complete them before the event ends if you want every available reward.
Marvel Rivals Age of Ultron FAQ
When does the Marvel Rivals Age of Ultron event end?
The Age of Ultron event is scheduled to end on August 27, 2026. Complete the PvE challenges and Times Square activities before the deadline.
How do you unlock Hard difficulty?
Complete Common difficulty once. Hard becomes available after your first successful Common run.
How do you unlock Scarlet Witch?
Scarlet Witch becomes playable in the Age of Ultron mode after you clear Common difficulty.
How do you get the free Ultron skin?
Clear Hard difficulty once with any available hero. The first Hard completion rewards the Avengers: Age of Ultron Ultron Costume and Path to Peace MVP animation.
Do you need to complete Hard with every hero?
No. One Hard clear is enough for the Ultron costume. You only need to clear Hard with every hero if you want all seven hero-specific titles.
What is the easiest hero for Hard mode?
Hulk and Thor are strong choices because their health, healing, and area damage provide more room for mistakes. Hawkeye and Black Widow can also make the run easier by quickly eliminating elites and damaging Ultron from range.
Can you clear Age of Ultron without a premade team?
Yes, it is possible to complete the event without entering with a premade squad. However, Hard mode is more consistent when the team has at least one durable frontline hero and one strong ranged damage hero.
Is Age of Ultron available on PlayStation 4?
The Age of Ultron PvE mode is available on supported Marvel Rivals platforms except PlayStation 4.
How many times do you fight Ultron?
You fight Ultron twice during a full run. The first fight happens after the opening waves, and the final fight takes place after the F.R.I.D.A.Y. defense stage.
Can Boosting Factory clear Hard with a specific hero?
Yes. You can choose any available event hero when ordering a Hard completion, including heroes required for the exclusive title challenges.
Final Age of Ultron Event Tips
Common difficulty is mainly about learning the event. Hard mode requires a focused build, good enemy priority, and enough healing to survive the later defense waves.
Choose one main hero ability, support it with matching red and blue cards, and eliminate Eye of Ultron and giant Sentries before they overwhelm the team. During the final boss fight, use cover and avoid chasing Ultron into open drone fire.
You only need one Hard clear to unlock the free Ultron costume. Players who want every reward can continue completing Hard with all seven heroes before the event ends on August 27, 2026.