One of the most consistent strengths of Marvel Rivals has been its content flow. The game is constantly getting new cosmetics, maps, game modes and heroes, while also working in some fun surprises like the popular Marvel Zombies PvE mode. Its events are a cut above many other live service titles due to the quality of the free rewards, and the seasonal storyline has been fun to keep up with for those obsessed with Marvel lore. But despite all this strong content, it feels like one role is consistently neglected: strategists.
Marvel Rivals' last “true” supporting character was Season 1's Invisible Woman
Although it is true that Ultron came to be Marvel Rivals in the mid season update for season 2 (155 days ago) he is not the powerful healer that many strategists gravitate towards. While a Luna Snow or Cloak and Dagger provide extreme value through their ultimates and constant healing, Ultron is best used as a third strategist. Getting players to agree to run three Strategist comps at lower levels is easier said than done, and with Ultron's recent healing nerf confusing players, he's basically an extra flying DPS with the occasional heal via his drones. For players who just want to heal, it's been almost a year since there's been something that fits their playstyle.
Invisible Woman releasing 295 days ago would be rough enough on its own, but the problem only gets worse when you look at how the other casts are treated. Both a new Vanguard and Duelist have been added Marvel Rivals Season 4, while two Duelists came in Season 3. Essentially, Vanguards get an acceptable amount of content, while Duelists are spoiled for choice at every turn. Unfortunately based on Marvel Rivals' recent teases and leaks, this unfortunate strategist trend is unlikely to end in Season 5.
It is worth mentioning Marvel Rivals Developer NetEase acknowledged the Strategist drought before Season 4 was released. However, its response was essentially a message to players that, while they've been heard, a lot of content is already set in stone – meaning more strategy-free seasons are likely.
Marvel Rivals Season 5 characters have major duelist vibes
Marvel Rivals has all but confirmed that Rogue and Gambit will be next season's big additions, and while many X-Men fans will be excited to see the 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 suggestions, such as giving him a healing deck and a damage deck with playing cards, but realistically he feels like a natural Duelist due to his size and his main superpower being a damage deck. Rogue is another likely Duelist, though she could perhaps be a Vanguard, who gets a larger than expected character model like Emma Frost did. Anyway, her power-leeching just wouldn't fit the strategist role when another character in that category – Loki – is already copying ultimates.
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 weapons. 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 this doesn't happen, support could be looking at another four months without a strategist strong enough to work on a two-healer team. Given that the support strike was also a thing at one point, strategists have regularly been given reasons to switch to another game, which can't be healthy for Marvel Rivals.
Unless Rogue or Gambit surprise fans by being a strategist… Marvel Rivals will have gone a whole year without a real supporting character.
Although the Duelist role is the most popular in Marvel Rivalsthere is no reason there should be more duelists than vanguards and strategists combined. Currently there have been 5 Duelists since launch compared to 3 additional Vanguards and only 2 new Strategists. Unless Rogue or Gambit surprise fans by being a strategist – a decision that would risk feeling forced and their kits not feeling like they should – Marvel Rivals will have gone a whole year without a real supporting character. And even looking at the time since Ultron, that gap would be over 230 days. As well as Marvel Rivals perhaps doing with LTMs like Marvel Zombies and its seasonal stories, it's impossible to deny that the lack of love for strategists is hugely disappointing.
- Released
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December 6, 2024
- ESRB
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T for Teens // Violence
- Developer
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NetEase Games
- Publisher
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NetEase Games
