Exciting times are ahead for *Marvel Rivals* players, as the developers have unveiled plans to keep the game dynamic and engaging with major updates rolling out regularly. NetEase has confirmed that starting from Season 3, new heroes will be added every month—marking a significant shift from their initial schedule of two heroes per season. This change is part of a broader strategy aimed at keeping the game as vibrant and fresh as it was at launch.
New Heroes Every Month Starting Season 3
In Dev Vision Vol. 05 released on April 4, Creative Director Guangguang and Lead Combat Designer Zhiyong shared details about this shift in development strategy. As part of these changes, each season will now last just two months instead of three. With this shorter timeline, players can expect a new hero to drop every 30 days starting with Season 3.
“After extensive internal discussions and thorough evaluation, we’ve decided that starting from Season 3, the seasons will shift to a two-month format, with a new hero debuting each month.” – Guangguang
This approach not only accelerates content delivery but also aims to maintain player engagement through consistent updates. The team is also exploring the addition of new game modes in the future to complement the frequent character releases. If fully implemented, this could mean up to 12 new heroes joining the roster annually.
Balancing such a rapid influx of characters is no small task. However, Guangguang noted in a March 14 interview with PC Gamer that the team relies heavily on key performance metrics like pick rates, win rates, ability usage, and other gameplay statistics to guide their balancing decisions. This data-driven approach ensures each hero remains both fun and fair within the competitive ecosystem.
Season 2 and Beyond
The latest update also gave fans a glimpse into Season 2, themed around the Hellfire Gala—a luxurious event hosted by the upcoming hero Emma Frost. Known for her telepathic abilities and diamond-hard transformation powers, Emma will serve as a Vanguard class character. She invites players to the Mutant sanctuary of Krakoa in what promises to be an extravagant celebration filled with mystery and high stakes.
The Hellfire Gala draws inspiration from Marvel’s elite secret society, the Hellfire Club—an influential group of elites who manipulate global events behind closed doors. The cinematic trailer teased stylish new skins for Luna Snow, Magneto, Cloak and Dagger, Black Panther, and more—all dressed to impress for the gala.
Following Season 2, the villainous Ultron is set to appear in Season 2.5. His arrival will bring chaos as seen in the trailer, where waves of Ultron drones crash the party, kicking off the “Age of Ultron” storyline. Further details about his gameplay mechanics and release date are still under wraps.
New Skins Now Live!
On April 4, *Marvel Rivals* announced via Twitter (X) the launch of two brand-new legendary skin lines:
- Thor – Lord of Asgard: Inspired by his revival by Odin in the comics, this skin includes the Rune King costume, spray, nameplate, The Omniscient MVP animation, and the Well of Mimir emote.
- Hawkeye – Ronin: Based on Clint Barton’s vigilante samurai phase, this bundle features the Ronin skin, spray, nameplate, Deadly Rain MVP animation, and the Hone to Perfection emote.
These cosmetic sets not only enhance your hero’s appearance but also add flair to your victories and in-game presence.
All these updates highlight NetEase’s long-term commitment to *Marvel Rivals*, promising years of continuous support and expansion beyond its initial decade plan. With a steady stream of new heroes, seasonal themes, and immersive storylines, the game continues to evolve and captivate Marvel fans worldwide.
*Marvel Rivals* is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates, and get ready to suit up with new heroes and skins coming soon!
