Marvel Rivals DLSS, FSR, and Frame Generation Best Settings
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Marvel Rivals leans on upscaling to stay smooth because UE5’s Lumen lighting is heavy. The right DLSS, FSR, or XeSS setup can get you a big FPS jump with almost no clarity loss — but frame generation is a different trade. This guide breaks down what to use for competitive play versus raw smoothness.
More FPS only helps if the image stays readable and the game still feels responsive.
Best Marvel Rivals upscaling settings
| Option | Competitive recommendation |
|---|---|
| DLSS (NVIDIA) | Quality first; Balanced if you still need FPS |
| FSR (AMD) | Quality first; Balanced if needed |
| XeSS (Intel) | Quality first |
| Frame Generation | Off for competitive play |
| NVIDIA Reflex | On (or On + Boost) |
| Render / Resolution Scale | Native or 100% before upscaling further |
For ranked play, treat clarity and latency as more important than an inflated FPS counter.
When DLSS makes sense
DLSS is usually the best starting point for NVIDIA users because it preserves image quality better than aggressive scaling.
- Use DLSS Quality first — it’s a large FPS gain with minimal softness.
- Move to Balanced only if Quality still isn’t enough.
- Avoid Performance unless your hardware is genuinely struggling.
DLSS Quality is the safest competitive default when native is too heavy in Marvel Rivals.
When to use FSR or XeSS
FSR (AMD) and XeSS (Intel/cross-vendor) are the fallbacks where DLSS isn’t available.
- start with Quality
- use Balanced if your FPS target still isn’t met
- avoid the most aggressive presets — they make distant heroes harder to read in busy fights
Should you use frame generation?
For competitive Marvel Rivals, no. Frame generation makes the game look smoother but adds latency and can make fast hero tracking feel less direct.
Why keep it off for ranked
- it adds input latency
- camera and aim can feel less immediate
- the extra smoothness can hide that your real responsiveness is worse
If you’re playing casually or just want the prettiest possible experience on a high-refresh display, frame generation is easier to justify — but improve your base FPS first.
Upscaling vs lowering settings
Don’t reach for aggressive upscaling before cutting the expensive options. Lower these first:
- Global Illumination (Lumen)
- Reflections
- Shadows
- Post Processing
That keeps the image cleaner while still gaining performance. See Best Marvel Rivals Settings for FPS and Performance for the full pass.
Reflex and frame pacing
On NVIDIA, keep Reflex On (or On + Boost) — it’s one of the simplest latency reductions available. Also:
- cap FPS slightly below refresh if uncapped feels unstable
- use Fullscreen
- keep V-Sync off
If the image looks too soft
- move from Balanced back to Quality
- apply in-game sharpening if available, lightly
- lower shadows/effects instead of pushing a more aggressive upscale mode
- return to native if your system can hold the target FPS
If your problem is hitching rather than low FPS, go to Marvel Rivals Stuttering Fix.
Related guides
- Best Marvel Rivals Settings for FPS and Performance
- Marvel Rivals Stuttering Fix
- How to Minimize Input Delay for Competitive Gaming
- The Ultimate Guide to Timer Resolution for Gaming + Tier1Timer
The best Marvel Rivals upscaling setup for competitive play is DLSS/FSR/XeSS on Quality, frame generation off, and Reflex on. Use the lightest upscale that helps, and lower Lumen-heavy settings before chasing fake smoothness.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use DLSS Quality, Balanced, or Performance in Marvel Rivals?
Start with DLSS Quality for the best balance of FPS and clarity. Move to Balanced only if Quality still doesn't meet your FPS target. Avoid Performance unless your hardware is struggling—aggressive upscaling hurts readability.
Why should I avoid frame generation in competitive Marvel Rivals?
Frame generation adds input latency and makes camera/aim feel less immediate. The extra smoothness can hide that your real responsiveness is worse. For ranked play, improve your base FPS instead.
What should I lower before enabling aggressive upscaling?
Lower Global Illumination (Lumen), Reflections, Shadows, and Post Processing first. This keeps the image cleaner while gaining performance. Only move to aggressive upscaling if native/Quality still isn't enough.
Should I enable NVIDIA Reflex in Marvel Rivals?
Yes. Keep Reflex On or On + Boost—it's one of the simplest latency reductions. Also cap FPS slightly below refresh, use Fullscreen, and keep V-Sync off for optimal response.
When does upscaling make sense versus native resolution?
Use DLSS/FSR Quality if native FPS is below your target (usually 144+ Hz). Native + Quality upscaling is usually the safest balance. Never reach for Performance upscaling before lowering expensive settings.