Characters that should be added to Marvel Rivals

Key things

• Marvel Rivals is set to launch on December 6, 2024.
• NetEase Games announced the addition of Captain America and Winter Soldier.
• Roster additions like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool would bring a unique gameplay dynamic.

Marvel Rivals is just around the corner, with a release date of December 6, 2024. The Marvel-licensed hero shooter promises to bring fun and allow players to team up and fight with their favorite Marvel characters. Earlier this year, NetEase Games launched a beta version that was well received by gamers, so fans are sure to be in for a treat this December.

After a successful beta, NetEase announced at Gamescom that two Marvel heroes will be added to the roster. This included Captain America and the Winter Soldier. Marvel Rivals is a game that is all about perfect team composition, so the roster of characters in this game needs to be extensive for fans to enjoy for years to come. The launch day list is already impressive, but there are more Marvel characters that fans would like to see Marvel Rivals.

8 Ms. Marvel

Closing Distances With Its Morphogenetics

• Powers and abilities: Inhuman physiology, Morphogenetics, Size change, Shape change, Healing
• Weaknesses: Weakness to EMP, Overhealing weakens her elasticity
• Affiliation: The Marvels, Champions, X-Men

In hero shooters, space and distance are important factors when it comes to team fights. Objectives are won and lost depending on how players use the space and abilities they are given. Because of this, Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) would be an interesting addition to the roster, as her superhuman flexibility would give her a unique edge in ranged combat.

The Ms. Marvel build makes her a perfectly adaptable Marvel hero for any style of play. He has the ability to change his size and appearance, which could lead to some interesting ultimate abilities where he either tricks opponents into thinking he's another hero or overpowers them by getting bigger.

7 Cyclops

Reflective optical bursts

• Powers and abilities: Optic Blast, Spatial Awareness, Energy Resistance
• Weaknesses: Losing control of his optic blasts, a genetic weakness to his brother Vulcan's energy manipulation
• Affiliation: X-Men

Cyclops has long been a controversial member of the X-Men, but he's also a fan favorite. His optic blasts would fit right in Marvel Rivalswhich is a good counter for characters who like to get close.

Cyclops has a high level of spatial awareness. This is something that allows him to find ways to deflect his optic blasts. This would make for a fun passive that forces players to pay attention to where they can deflect their blasts. Perhaps Cyclops players could also notice which parts of the environment are destructible and use them to their advantage. Potential for a Cyclops kit Marvel Rivals is wide.

6 Deadpool

The fourth wall has been broken by Merc, who can communicate with players

• Powers and abilities: Self-Awareness, Advanced Healing, Regeneration, Superhuman Strength
• Weaknesses: Mental instability, irritates allies
• Affiliation: X-Force, SHIELD, Heroes For Hire

With success Deadpool and Wolverine early this year, it's clear that the skinny merc is a fan favorite in the Marvel Universe. Deadpool appeared in Fortnite and his own video game before, so it wouldn't be far-fetched for him to appear in it Marvel Rivals at some point.

With Deadpool's ability to break the fourth wall, players would probably get a kick out of the character speaking to them while commanding him. He might even criticize the player's actions. Additionally, his expert level combat skills would make him a threat at short and medium range. His advanced self healing would also mean a fine passive ability.

5 Nightcrawler

A glass Canon with powerful teleportation abilities

• Powers and abilities: Teleportation, beacon teleportation, camouflage
• Weaknesses: Physical vulnerability, disease susceptibility, certain healing doesn't work on him
• Affiliation: X-Men

Nightcrawler is a character that could offer strong tactical support to team play Marvel Rivals. Nightcrawler would probably be a glass cannon that would be easy to take down with stronger heroes. However, his ability to stick to walls and crawl vertically could help him avoid some of these dangers.

He would make up for his physical weakness by having the useful ability to teleport himself and teammates away from danger. His team teleportation could be reserved for his maximum ability to keep the game balanced. Marvel Rivals also has Team mechanics which allow characters of the same affiliation to perform unique team moves. This would allow Nightcrawler to coordinate with the other X-Men in setting up his teleportations. All things considered, perhaps opponents would find Nightcrawler a nightmare to play against.

4 Silver Surfer

A powerful cosmic entity that could become a game changer

• Powers and abilities: Superhuman speed and agility, Gravity manipulation, Healing
• Weaknesses: Emotion, holds back (doesn't fight to kill)
• Affiliation: The Annihilators

Silver Surfer is a Marvel heavyweight that has the potential to become a must-have Marvel Rivals. His surfboard would give him good mobility, which is important in hero shooters. However, his ability list makes it difficult to slot him into a specific role as he fits neatly into tank, damage and support. Perhaps the damage category is the safest bet for balance.

A suitable finishing ability for the Silver Surfer would be one where he hovers over piles of opponents and uses his gravity manipulation to lift them into the air before knocking them back down. This would give teammates the perfect opportunity to mount an attack of their own.

3 The Invisible Woman (Susan Storm)

A founding member of the Fantastic Four who can use invisibility

• Powers and abilities: Invisibility, Light Manipulation, Force Fields
• Weaknesses: Concentration (force fields require intense concentration), weak to sound constructions
• Affiliation: Fantastic Four, Avengers, SHIELD

One of the strengths of the hero shooter genre is that it offers a wide variety of game types. Unlike other arena shooters, hero shooters aren't entirely focused on run-and-gun gameplay. This makes characters like Invisible Woman from The Fantastic Four ideal for Marvel Rivals.

Sue Storm has the ability to make herself invisible to the human eye, which can give players the opportunity to sneak up on opponents and surprise them. It would be similar to the Sombra game Overwatch 2. Another ability that NetEase could use is her force fields, which give her the ability to shield allies from a critical attack.

2 Doctor Doom

Doctor Doom Is The Perfect Tank

• Powers and abilities: Magic, Technology, Mystic Blasts, Teleportation, Healing, Time Manipulation
• Weaknesses: Ego (his arrogance can be his downfall) and his magnetic armor is weak against Magneto
• Affiliation: Galactic Council, Parliament of Doom

Marvel Rivals already features a roster of powerful tank characters such as Thor, Hulk, Magneto and Peni Parker. Doctor Doom would no doubt be a formidable addition to the tank/vanguard role. His armor makes him highly durable and allows him to absorb massive amounts of damage. His expertise in science and magic gives developers the freedom to come up with a devastating set that could consist of mystical blasts, spellcasting, and summoning.

Doctor Doom is also a key part of the story Marvel Rivalsso it's almost a foregone conclusion that fans will see him in the game. NetEase is likely to save Doom for the next installment in the game cycle.

1 Wolverine

A mutant savage with animal instincts

• Powers and abilities: Aggression, Regeneration, Hot Claws, Animal Instincts
• Weaknesses: Sensory overload (his hypersenses can be used), Weak against Magneto due to his adamantium skeleton
• Affiliation: X-Men, Avengers, X-Force

It's impossible to think of the Marvel Universe without thinking of Wolverine. Data miners combed through Marvel Rivals files and discovered that Wolverine may already be on the horizon, but until NetEase announces it, it's never official. This is why players continue to pray for Wolverine to make the roster.

With his adamantium claws, Wolverine has tremendous melee potential. His keen senses would also allow him to be hyper-aware of nearby enemy abilities aimed at the player, similar to Spider-Man's spider-senses. His ultimate could put him into a temporary insane rage, buffing his attack and allowing players to go to town with his claws.