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Black Widow Usage Guide: All Skills, Heroics, and Skins

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Black Widow Bio.pngEnlarge

This is a guide to using Black Widow, a playable character in the Marvel's Avengers game. Read more to find out about Black Widow's backstory, in-game abilities and skills, skins, and how to play as Black Widow!

Black Widow - Related Articles
Best Black Widow Build Black Widow Usage Guid

List of Contents

Black Widow General Info

Black Widow Profile

Black Widow
Black Widow Bio
Real Name Natasha Romanoff
Occupation Black Market Facilitator, Assassin, Spy
Place of Birth Stalingrad, Russia
Abilities Biochemical conditioning for increased strength and dexterity, enhanced immune system.
Voice Actor Laura Bailey

Black Widow Special Properties

Wall Smash Panel Hack Flight Grapple
Ｘ ◯ Ｘ ◯
Wall Run Wall Jump Vault Grab
Ｘ Ｘ ◯ Ｘ

Black Widow Heroics

Support Heroic Ability (L1)
Veil of Shadows
Cloaks Widow and nearby allies in an invisibility field making targeting them impossible.
Assault Heroic Ability (R1)
Widow's Bite
Fires an electrical sphere that explodes on impact and continuously electrocutes nearby enemies
Ultimate Heroic Ability (L1 + R1)
Power Surge
Combines Widow's batons into a staff for more range and charges it with electricity for more damage.

Black Widow Skills

Primary Skill Trees

Light Attack

Martial Art Press □ to lash out with various hand-to-hand attacks. Rapidly press □ □ □ □ □ to combo a series of Light Attacks that inflict increasing damage.
The last hit of the combo is a Light Combo Finisher that inflicts significant damage.
Spider Sweep Hold □ to execute a dexterous sweeping kick that knocks down enemies, making them vulnerable to additional attacks.
Splinter Kick Press □ while sprinting to perform a swift kick that spins enemies, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Pounce Press □ while in midair to execute a diving kick attack. Rapidly press □ □ □ while airborne to combo a series of rapid kicks that ends in an overhead flip attack.
Cyclone Kick Press □ quickly after Dodging to execute a whirling kick.

Heavy Attack

Nightstick Press △ to perform a Heavy Attack. Rapidly press △ (x3) to execute a combo of Heavy Attacks that inflict increasingly more Stun damage.
The last hit of the combo is a Heavy Combo Finisher that inflicts significant damage.
Impact Grenade Hold △ while on the ground to toss an instantly-detonating concussion grenade that can launch nearby enemies into the air.
Spinning Fury Press △ in midair to perform a spinning baton attack that knocks enemies to the ground.
Night Watch While in midair, hold △ to perform a heavy baton slam.
Madripoor Special Press △ while sprinting to perform a powerful kick that sends enemies reeling.
Back Alley Gambit Press △ after Dodging to perform a baton slam with long-range reach.
Baton Strike Rapidly press □ □ □ □ △ to chain the Light Attack combo into a Heavy Combo Finisher that slams into the ground and sends targets flying.

Ranged Attack

Pistol Shot Hold L2 to Aim and press R2 to fire dual pistols. Press □ while aiming to reload.
Bullet Storm Hold L2+R2 to charge up a Ranged Power Attack. Release R2 once charged to fire a high damage burst of bullets.
Full-Auto Shot Extended magazines and a full-auto trigger system allow for pistols to be fired at extremely high rate. Hold to Aim the hold R2 to fire a continuous stream of bullets that decrease in accuracy the longer R2 is held.
Switch to FULL-AUTO SHOTS with left and right directional buttons.
Rain Maker Increases magazine size for FULL-AUTO SHOT pistols by 20 rounds.
Stun Rounds Increases Stun damage dealt by FULL-AUTO SHOT rounds by 15%
Ammo Overload Increases ammo capacity of the pistol magazines by 4 rounds.
High-Caliber Shot Dual pistols are swapped out for a single, high-caliber pistol that has considerable stopping power. Hold to Aim then press R2 to fire.
Switch to HIGH-CALIBER SHOT with left and right directional buttons.
Perforator When using HIGH-CALIBER SHOT, hold R2 to charge up an ionized projectile that pierces through targets, allowing for multiple enemies to be hit with a single shot.
Extended Clip Increases the maximum ammo capacity of the HIGH-CALIBER SHOT pistol by 2 shots.
Polygonal Rifling Increase Critical Attack damage dealt by a HIGH-CALIBER SHOT by 10%.

Defense

Widow's Line Press X while in midair to fire a grappling hook towards nearby ledges or poles. Pole connections trigger a swing while connecting to ledges will cause Widow to quickly zip towards them.
Valid connection points are indicated with a HUD marker.
Widow's Line (Defensive Ability) Press R2 to fire the WIDOW'S LINE and quickly zip towards targets. Automatically executes an explosive strike that hits nearby combatants at the end of the attack. Can be performed at close range to Counter melee attacks.
Power Line Hold X while using WIDOW'S LINE to launch off ledges and poles with increased force, quickly traveling greater distances.
Widow's Sting Press R2 just before an incoming attack lands to fire WIDOW'S LINE and successfully Parry the incoming attack, avoiding damage and sending out a forceful explosion that hits enemies in a large radius.
Enemies who have been parried will have their impact resistance temporarily reduced, making them easier to interrupt.
Whiplash After pressing R2 to Parry an incoming attack with WIDOW'S LINE, quickly press △ to execute an acrobatic chokehold maneuver that devastates all nearby enemies.
Dodge Press O to Dodge an incoming attack. Dodging just before an incoming attack lands will execute a Perfect Dodge.
Quickly press O again while Dodging to perform a longer distance Evade.
Operative's Feint Hold O when near an enemy to Vault over the target, leaving them momentarily unable to attack. Hold L towards a desired combatant to Vault over a specific enemy.

Specialty Skill Trees

Support Heroic Ability

Veil of Shadows Press L1 to turn invisible by throwing down a short-range cloaking device that also temporarily makes all team members in proximity invisible. Invisible players can’t be tracked and lose all agro.
Veil of Shadows Specialization I Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between three choices at any time
Dark Thorn 20% increased damage to nearby enemies when activating VEIL OF SHADOWS.
Night Terror Increases the duration of Veil of Shadows by 3 seconds and increases Critical Attack Chance by 25%.
Shadow Gifts Enemies Defeated while Veil of Shadows is active have a 35% chance to drop Heroic Orbs.
Veil of Shadows Specialization II Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time
Eclipse Increases range of Veil of Shadows by 30%.
Visus Obscuram Increases the duration that teammates remain invisible after being cloaked by Veil of Shadows by 5 seconds.
Mortal Cloak Increases Critical Attack Chance for teammates cloaked by Veil of Shadows by 30
Unseen Fate Enemies with low health that are affected by Veil of Shadows are instantly susceptible to Takedowns.
Shadow Walker Defeating enemies while in Veil of Shadows is active will extend the duration of the ability by 1.2 seconds

Assault Heroic Ability

Widow's Bite Press R1 to fire an electrostatic dart that inflicts repeated bursts of Shock damage and immobilizes enemies near the impact point.
Second Sting Hold an additional Widow’s Bite dart. Extra charge of the ability are shown as dots next to the Heroic meter.
Wrist of Stingers Hold a second additional Widow’s Bite dart. Extra charges of the ability are shown as dots next to the Heroic meter. Second Sting is required.
Superstatic Dart Increases the range of the electric field generated by Widow’s Bite by 35%
Taser Dart Widow’s Bite projectile attaches to the target instead of exploding and deals Shock damage.
Lightning Fist Channels Widow’s Bite energy back into the gauntlet and turns the Heroic ability into a lightning fast melee attack that sends nearby enemies flying. Increases the charge of the Assault Heroic meter.
Widow's Bite Specialization I Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Widow's Bite Specialization II Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Paralyzing Bite Widow’s Bite inflicts 40% more Stun damage increasing the chance to Stun enemies
Invigorating Bite Defeating at least one enemy with Widow’s Bite will recharge 20% of the Heroic energy for that ability
Lethal Bite Hold an additional Widow’s Bite charge. Extra charges appear as small circles near the Assault heroic ability meter.

Ultimate Heroic Ability

Power Surge Press L1 +R1 to enter a specialized attack stance that deploys an energized baton staff for assaulting multiple enemies with special Light and Heavy attacks that deal Shock damage. Power Surge also provides a 15% reduction to incoming damage
Pistol Surge Pistol damage and reload speed is increased 20%. Additionally, the Ranged Power Attack charge time is slightly reduced.
Maelstrom Hold □ while Power Surge is active to perform a sweeping staff attack that interrupts most attacks.
Power Surge Specialization I Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Galvanic Bite Increases damage of Widow’s Bite while Power Surge is active by 20%.
Power Staff 35% increased damage for staff attacks while Overcharged while Power Surge ability is active.
Vanquishing Surge Defeating enemies while Power Surge is active has a 15% chance to drop Regen Packs for all team members
Power Surge Specialization II Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Kilowatt Increases Stun damage while Power Surge is active by 30%.
Power Grid Extends the duration of Power Surge by 4 seconds.
Indomitable Force Increase the damage resistance to 30%, and reduce the severity of hit reactions for some enemy attacks when Power Surge is active.
Light Storm Hold □ while in midair to perform to perform a spinning staff attack that sends enemies flying

Intrinsic Ability

Shadow Ops Attacking enemies without taking damage boosts the energy of an intrinsic Shadow Ops meter. Filling this intrinsic meter triggers an Overcharge state, increasing all damage by 20%.
Espionage Increases the amount of intrinsic Shadow Ops energy granted from attacking by 15%.
Deception Perfect Evading incoming attacks grants 15 points intrinsic Shadow Ops energy.
Subversion Critical Attacks grant 15% more intrinsic Shadow Ops energy.
Femme Fatale Increases critical Attack Chance when intrinsic ability is Overcharged by 15%.
Smoke Grenade While Overcharged, hold triangle to toss modified Impact Grenades that trigger a burst of cloaking nanites, instantly activting invisibility. Drains all intrinsic energy when used.
Escape Artist Increases the duration of Invisibility caused by the Smoke Grenade ability by 2 seconds.

Mastery Skill Trees

Intrinsic Ability

Intrinsic Charge Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Intrinsic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Intrinsic Charge All attacks increase the charge rate of the intrinsic Shadow Ops meter by 15%
Headshot Charge Headshot boost intrinsic Shadow Ops energy by 25 points
Takedown Charge Takedowns boost an increased amount of intrinsic Shadow Ops energy by 20 points
Overcharge Damage Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Intrinsic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Overcharge Damage Increases all damage while Overcharged by 5%
Overcharge Ranged Increases Ranged Attack damage while Overcharged by 10%
Overcharge Critical Increases Critical Attack damage while Overcharged by 15%
Overcharge Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Willpower Overcharge Recover 1 point of Willpower when dealing damage when Overcharged.
Efficient Overcharge Increases the delay by 1 second before intrinsic Shadow Ops energy begins to deplete when not attacking enemies.
Heroic Overcharge Increases the rate at which Heroic energy recharges while Overcharged by 15%.

Ranged

Grenade Type Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Heroic abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Hazard Grenade All grenades leave a lingering hazard zone around their detonation location that inflict increased Status damage.
Proximity Grenade Grenades have a delayed detonation, exploding when enemies are nearby.
Cluster Grenade Throws a spread of three grenades that inflict damage over a wider area.
Grenade Status Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Ranged abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Thermite Grenade Adds significant Plasma damage to grenades.
Flash Freeze Grenade Adds significant Cryo damage to grenades.
Voltaic Grenade Adds significant Shock damage to grenades.
Pistol Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Ranged abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Fast Reload Increases reload speed by 15%
Recoil Compensator Reduces shot recoil by 15%, allowing for a steadier aim.
Extended Magazine Increases the magazine size of all pistol variants decreasing reload frequency.

Invisibility

Stealth Attack Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Defensive abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Invisible Stun Increases Stun damage while invisible 15%.
Invisible Ranged Increases Ranged Attack damage while invisible by 12%.
Invisible Status Increases all Status damage while invisible by 20%.
Invisibility Specializtion Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Defensive abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Extended Invisibility Extends Invisibility granted from Veil of Shadows by 2 seconds.
Invisible Recharge Heroic energy recharges 15% faster while invisible.
Invisible Willpower Willpower regenerates at 1% per second while invisible.
Stealth Tactics Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Defensive abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Critical Damage Increases Critical Attack damage while invisible by 15%.
Critical Ranged Increases Critical Attack Chance 7% for Ranged Attacks while invisible.
Critical Melee Increases Critical Attack Chance by 20% for Melee Attacks while invisible.

Utility

Takedown Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Takedown abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Intrinsic Takedown Mastery Performing a Takedown spawns and Intrinsic Orb
Heroic Takedown Mastery Performing a Takedown spawns a Heroic Orb
Willpower Takedown Mastery Performing a Takedown spawns a Regen Pack.
Ranged Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Ranged abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Critical Headshots Increases Critical attack damage from headshots by 20%.
Stun Damage Increases Stun damage by 15%
Ranged Damage Increases Ranged Attack damage by 10%
Melee Specialization Once unlocked, choose one of three specialization options to modify Melee abilities. Swap between the three choices at any time.
Combo Finishers Increases damage from Light Combo Finishers or Heavy Combo Finishers by 25%
Critical Juggler Increases Critical Attack damage while air juggling enemies by 15%
Melee Charge Light and heavy Attacks boost the energy of all heroic meters by 5%

How To Unlock Black Widow

Black Widow is automatically playable in the Avengers Initiative multiplayer mode.

In the campaign, Black Widow is unlocked during the mission To Stand Alone.

For our guide on the To Stand Alone mission, check out the link down below!
To Stand Alone Walkthrough: All Chest and Collectible Locations

Black Widow Build and Usage Guide

Black Widow Build

Best Black Widow Build guide.jpg

Attributes ・Might
・Valor
・Proficiency
・Intensity
Gear Perks ・Tactical Impulse
・Heavyweight Quake
・Heroic Assistance
Early Skills Primary
・Perforator
Specialty
・Unseen Fate
・Night Terror
・Lightning Fist
・Paralyzing Bite
・Kilowatt
・Subversion
Mastery
・Heroic Takedown Mastery
・Invisible Stun
・Intrinsic Charge
Major Artifacts ・Ring of the Nibelung
・Darkhold

Learn more about the gear that you should look for and which skills you should unlock first by reading our Black Widow Build below!

Best Black Widow Build

Attack And Dodge. Repeat.

Avengers Widow Dodge.png
Black Widow's expertise is quick combos and ranged attacks. Even her abilities and Heroics focus on dealing more damage. Defense is not her forte - luckily enough, she can dodge fast and resume attacking as fast.

Use Her Ranged Attacks Whenever Possible

Avengers Widow Ranged.png
Like Iron Man, she has a wide-range of ranged attacks. Pistol Shot can be useful for basic stationary enemies that can be easily disposed off. Full-Auto Shot can be used to thin out the crowd. High-Caliber Shot can be used to deal with armored enemies.

Use Heroics For Crowd Control

Avengers Widow Veil.png
Use Veil of Shadows and Power Surge whenever there are large crowds of enemies. Veil of Shadows allows Black Widow to attack enemies without being targeted by ranged attacks. Power Surge will allow her to strike multiple enemies with higher damage.

Veil of Shadows also cloaks nearby allies, so you can support them, and if you are low on HP, run to safety to recover!

Black Widow Skins

The following list shows all of the skins (costumes) that have currently been released for Black Widow.

Rare Outfits

Tactical
Black Widow TacticalEnlarge
Obtained by default. 		Obsidian
Black Widow ObsidianEnlarge
Bonus for purchasing the Marvel's Avengers Deluxe Edition. 		Dawn
Black Widow DawnEnlarge
Acquired by deciphering Patterns at the Fabrication Machine.
Sunset
Black Widow SunsetEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card. 		Midnight
Black Widow MidnightEnlarge
Acquired by deciphering Patterns at the Fabrication Machine. 		Twilight
Black Widow TwilightEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card.
Iconic
Black Widow IconicEnlarge
Acquired by completing this Hero's Iconic Mission Chain. 		Deadly
Black Widow DeadlyEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card. 		Lethal
Black Widow LethalEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card.
Fatal
Black Widow FatalEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card. 		Dark Fang
Black Widow Dark FangEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace. 		Shade Strike
Black Widow Shade StrikeEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace.
Silver Strike
Black Widow Silver StrikeEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace. 		Blood Moon
Black Widow Blood MoonEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace.

Epic Outfits

Classic Stealth
Black Widow Classic StealthEnlarge
Bonus for pre-ordering Marvel's Avengers. 		Security
Black Widow SecurityEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card. 		Ranger
Black Widow RangerEnlarge
Acquired from the Cosmetic Vendor aboard the Helicarrier.
Patrol
Black Widow PatrolEnlarge
Acquired by deciphering Patterns at the Fabrication Machine. 		Stark Tech
Black Widow Stark TechEnlarge
Acquired by making progress in a story campaign. 		Sleeper
Black Widow SleeperEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace.
Fear Itself
Black Widow Fear ItselfEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace.

Legendary Outfits

Codename: Tsarina
Black Widow Codename: TsarinaEnlarge
Acquired by unlocking rewards in the Hero Challenge Card. 		Codename: Mary
Black Widow Codename: MaryEnlarge
Acquired from the Cosmetic Vendor aboard the Helicarrier. 		Codename: Laura
Black Widow Codename: LauraEnlarge
Acquired by deciphering Patterns at the Fabrication Machine.
Codename: Oktober
Black Widow Codename: OktoberEnlarge
Acquired by reaching hero level 50. 		Saboteur
Black Widow SaboteurEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace. 		Dustwalker
Black Widow DustwalkerEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace.
Dawnbreaker
Black Widow DawnbreakerEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace. 		Nightwatcher
Black Widow NightwatcherEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace. 		Infiltrator
Black Widow InfiltratorEnlarge
Acquired through the online Marketplace.

Black Widow Challenge Card

Level Unlockable
1 Black Widow 020 - Uncommon Nameplate
2 Rare Resource Bundle
3 100 Credits
4 125 Units
5 Watch For Jumping Spiders - Epic Takedown
6 Deadly - Rare Outfit
7 Black Widow 019 - Uncommon Nameplate
8 125 Units
9 Lethal - Rare Outfit
10 Upgrade Module Bundle
11 200 Credits
12 Sunset - Rare Outfit
13 No Nonsense - Rare Emote
14 Team 001 - Rare Nameplate
15 Fatal - Rare Outfit
16 250 Units
17 Fast Draw - Epic Emote
18 Rare Resource Bundle
19 Black Widow 025 - Uncommon Nameplate
20 Upgrade Module Bundle
21 200 Credits
22 2 Rare Resource Bundle
23 Twilight - Rare Outfit
24 250 Units
25 300 Credits
26 Black Widow 026 - Uncommon Nameplate
27 Cover Girl - Rare Emote
28 Black Widow 034 - Uncommon Namplate
29 250 Units
30 Flip Stick - Epic Emote
31 2 Upgrade Module Bundle
32 Black Widow 036 - Uncommon Nameplate
33 500 Units
34 Team 002 - Rare Nameplate
35 Short Circuit - Epic Emote
36 500 Credits
37 Exotic Resource Bundle
38 Memories - Legendary Emote
39 Security - Epic Outfit
40 Codename: Tsarina - Legendary Outfit

Marvel's Avengers Related Links

Hero List and All Playable Characters

All Heroes

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Ms Marvel IconMs. Marvel Hulk Picture IconHulk Iron Man IconIron Man
Thor IconThor Captain America IconCaptain America Black Widow IconBlack Widow
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(Kate Bishop)		 Spider-ManSpider-Man

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