You're pushing the payload in Yggsgard, your health is dipping, and suddenly your Magneto teammate is staring at a wall while a Spider-Man circles them like a caffeinated fly. We’ve all been there. If you’re a PC purist, the first thing you probably thought was, "Is this a controller player?" It’s a valid frustration. In a hero shooter as fast-paced as this one, the divide between mouse-and-keyboard precision and controller aim assist is a constant point of contention. Knowing how to avoid console players Marvel Rivals becomes a priority when you want a competitive environment that feels consistent.
Crossplay is the industry standard now. NetEase followed the trend, much like Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends before it. But here’s the thing: it’s not always as simple as flipping a switch in the menu and calling it a day.
The Marvel Rivals Crossplay Situation
Let's get real for a second. The way Marvel Rivals handles cross-platform play is a bit of a mixed bag. Currently, the game is designed to keep the player pool as large as possible. This means by default, you’re rubbing shoulders with people on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. If you're on PC, you might feel like aim assist gives console users an "unfair" sticky aim in close quarters. If you're on console, you might feel like PC players are flicking 180-degrees in a millisecond, making it impossible to stay alive as a flanker.
Everyone is annoyed. It's a universal gaming experience.
NetEase has implemented a "pool-based" matchmaking system, or at least that's the intent. In theory, if you are a solo PC player, you should primarily face other PC players. However, the moment a console player invites their PC friend to a group, they get dragged into the "PC Pool." This is where the lines get blurry. You aren't just fighting other Steam users; you’re fighting squads that are mixing and matching inputs.
How to avoid console players Marvel Rivals on PC
Honestly? If you are playing on PC through Steam or the Epic Games Store, your options are surprisingly limited. Unlike some older titles, Marvel Rivals doesn't currently offer a "Disable Crossplay" toggle directly in the PC version's settings menu. I know, it's frustrating.
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Why? Because developers want short queue times.
If they let every PC player opt-out, the console-only pool would thrive, but the mixed-party ecosystem would fall apart. However, there is a nuance to how you can minimize these encounters. First, stick to Competitive Mode. While Quick Match is a free-for-all where the matchmaker prioritizes speed over platform parity, the Competitive (Ranked) ladder has stricter protocols.
In higher elo ranks—think Diamond and above—the presence of console players diminishes significantly. Why? Because the skill ceiling of a mouse and keyboard generally outpaces what a controller can do in a game with this much verticality. Iron Man and Storm are nightmare matchups for someone aiming with a thumbstick. If you want to avoid console players, your best bet is actually to get better at the game and climb the ranks where the hardware limitations of a controller act as a natural filter.
The Console Side: Turning it Off
If you are a console player and you're tired of being "diffed" by a PC Hela who hasn't missed a headshot in three matches, you actually have it a bit easier. Both PlayStation and Xbox have internal ways to handle this.
For PlayStation 5 Users
Sony is usually pretty good about giving you the choice. Inside the Marvel Rivals settings menu on PS5, check the "Account" or "Gameplay" tabs. There is often a toggle specifically labeled "Crossplay." By turning this off, you ensure that you only match with other PS5 players.
Keep in mind, your queue times will jump. You might go from a 30-second wait to a 5-minute wait. That’s the tax you pay for platform purity.
For Xbox Series X/S Users
Xbox is trickier. Sometimes the game menu doesn't show the option. If that's the case, you have to go into the actual console's system settings.
- Open your Xbox Settings.
- Go to "Account" and then "Privacy & online safety."
- Select "Xbox privacy" and then "View details & customize."
- Click on "Communication & multiplayer."
- Look for the option that says "You can join cross-network play" and set it to Block.
This is a "nuclear" option. It doesn't just work for Marvel Rivals; it blocks crossplay for every game on your Xbox. Just remember to turn it back on if you want to play Sea of Thieves or Halo with friends on other platforms later.
Why Does Crossplay Matter in a Hero Shooter?
Precision. That's the word of the day.
In a game like Marvel Rivals, movement is erratic. You have Spider-Man swinging at 80 miles per hour, Black Panther dashing through your hitbox, and Magik teleporting behind you. For a PC player, tracking these movements is a matter of physical dexterity and mousepad space. For a console player, they rely on "Aim Assist" to bridge the gap.
The friction occurs when aim assist feels "too sticky." If a console player can track a soaring Iron Man perfectly because the game's software is helping them stay on target, PC players feel cheated. Conversely, if a PC player can do a "flick shot" that is physically impossible on a controller, the console player feels like they're playing a different game.
By learning how to avoid console players Marvel Rivals, you're essentially trying to normalize the playing field. You want to know that when you lose a duel, it was because the other person was better, not because they had a different peripheral.
The Mixed Group Loophole
Here is something many people overlook: The "Mixed Party" effect.
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If you are on PC and you’re seeing an unusual amount of console players, check your own friends list. Are you duo-queuing with someone on Xbox? If you are, you have effectively opened the floodgates. The matchmaker will now look for other "Mixed" teams to put you against.
To keep your matches as "PC-only" as possible:
- Only queue with other PC players.
- Avoid inviting "Cross-platform" friends to your competitive sessions.
- Check the icons next to names in the loading screen. A little tower or mouse icon usually indicates PC, while a controller or console silhouette indicates... well, you know.
Future Updates and NetEase’s Stance
NetEase has been somewhat vocal about player feedback during the Alpha and Beta phases. They know that the "Crossplay Toggle" is one of the most requested features for the PC version. In many modern shooters, developers eventually add an "Input-Based Matchmaking" (IBMM) setting.
IBMM is the holy grail. It doesn't care if you're on a NASA supercomputer or a PS5; it only cares if you're using a controller or a mouse. If Marvel Rivals implements this in the future, the "how to avoid console players" question becomes much easier to answer. You'd just select "Mouse & Keyboard Only" in the settings. For now, we have to use the workarounds mentioned above.
Actionable Steps to Improve Your Matchmaking
If you want the most consistent experience in Marvel Rivals right now, follow these steps:
- Play Ranked: The higher the rank, the fewer controller players you'll encounter due to the high mechanical demands of the game.
- Solo Queue or PC-Only Groups: Do not invite friends from other platforms if you want to stay in the PC-only matchmaking pool.
- Check Peak Hours: Playing during peak hours in your region (usually 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM) ensures a larger pool of local PC players, making it less likely the matchmaker will need to "pull" from other platforms to fill a lobby.
- System Settings (Console Only): If you're on Xbox or PS5, use the hardware-level privacy settings to opt-out of cross-network play entirely.
- Voice Your Opinion: Use the in-game feedback tool. NetEase actually reads the data from these. If enough people demand an input-based toggle for PC, it moves up the development roadmap.
There isn't a "magic button" for PC players yet, but by understanding how the "pools" work, you can significantly reduce the number of times you see a console icon in your kill feed. Stick to the competitive grind, keep your party "pure," and wait for the developers to catch up with the community's needs regarding input-based matchmaking.