One of the most consistent strengths Marvel Rivals was the flow of its content. The game is constantly getting new cosmetics, maps, game modes and heroes, while also working on some fun surprises like the popular Marvel Zombies PvE mode. Its events are a bit better than many other live-service titles thanks to the quality of the free rewards, and the seasonal storytelling has been fun to keep up with for those obsessed with Marvel lore. However, despite all this strong content, it feels like one role has been consistently neglected: Strategists.
The last 'real' Marvel Rivals support character was Season 1's Invisible Woman
Although it is true that Ultron has come Marvel Rivals in the mid-season update for season 2 (155 days ago), he is not a powerful healer that many strategists are drawn to. While Luna Snow or Cloak and Dagger provide extreme value due to their ultimates and their constant healing output, Ultron is best used as a third strategist. Getting players to agree to run three Strategist compasses at lower levels is easier said than done, and since Ultron's last healing nerf left players confused, it's basically another flying DPS with the occasional heal with his drones. For players who just want to heal, it's been almost a year since there's been something that suits their playstyle.
Invisible Woman released 295 days ago would be harsh enough on its own, but the problem only gets worse when we look at how the other roles are treated. A new Vanguard and Duelist have been added Marvel Rivals Season 4, while two Duelists came in Season 3. Vanguards basically get an acceptable amount of content while Duelists are spoiled at every turn. Unfortunately based on Marvel RivalsAccording to the latest teases and leaks, this unfortunate strategist trend is unlikely to end in Season 5.
This is worth noting Marvel Rivals developer NetEase acknowledged the Strategist drought prior to the release of Season 4. However, his response was essentially a warning to players that even if they were heard, a lot of the content is already carved out – meaning there will likely be more strategist-less seasons.
Marvel Rivals Season 5 characters have a major dueling vibe
Marvel Rivals has all but confirmed that Rogue and Gambit will be big additions next season, and while many X-Men fans will be excited to see these two lovebirds join the roster, they may be added at the wrong time. Players have tried their best to make Gambit a strategist through some fun designs like giving him a healing deck and a damage deck, but realistically he feels like a natural Duelist due to his size and his main damage dealing super. Rogue is another likely Duelist, though she could possibly be a Vanguard who would get a larger than expected character model like Emma Frost did. Either way, taking away her power just wouldn't fit the role of a strategist when another character in this category – Loki – is already copying the ultimate games.
Things only get worse when players realize that Elsa Bloodstone and Deadpool are expected to be Season 6 additions, as both of these leaked characters are borderline guaranteed to be Duelists or Vanguards due to their use of swords and guns. Maybe one of them will be pushed to a later season so that a strategist can be released in season 6, ending this long period of boredom for healers. But if that doesn't happen, supports could be looking at another four months without a Strategist strong enough to work in a two-healer team. Since support strike was also a thing at one point, strategists were regularly given reasons to switch to another play, which can't be healthy. Marvel Rivals.
Unless Rogue or Gambit surprise fans by being a strategist… Marvel Rivals will be without a true supporting character for an entire year.
Although the Duelist role is the most popular Marvel Rivalsthere is no reason to have more Duelists than Vanguards and Strategists combined. There are currently 5 Duelists at launch compared to 3 other Vanguards and only 2 new Strategists. Unless Rogue or Gambit surprise fans by being a strategist — a decision that would risk them feeling forced and their decks not feeling like they should — Marvel Rivals he will be without a real supporting character all year. And even if we look at the time since Ultron, that gap would be more than 230 days. As great as Marvel Rivals maybe doing with LTM like Marvel Zombies and its seasonal storytelling, there's no denying that the lack of love for strategists is a huge disappointment.
- Released
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December 6, 2024
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Violence
- Developers
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NetEase Games
- Publishers
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NetEase Games
