The clock ticked down, my squad a motley crew of heroes and villains, all waiting for the Season 5 reset in *Marvel Rivals*. Talk was that the meta was about to get flipped on its head. Little did we know, a certain Merc with a Mouth was about to crash the party, rewriting every strategy we thought we knew.
Deadpool’s Chaotic Entrance
Ever notice how some people can’t help but stir the pot? Well, Deadpool is that guy in *Marvel Rivals*. Forget everything you thought you knew about team composition. This triple-role character is about to redefine how matches play out.
Arriving on January 16th, Deadpool isn’t just another hero; he’s three rolled into one. Players can swap between Strategist, Duelist, and Vanguard styles at the spawn point. Think of it like this: he’s a Swiss Army knife, ready for any situation.
His abilities? Katanas, twin pistols, and role-specific skills. As a Duelist, he’s all about damage. Vanguard? He’s got a Unicorn Plushie shield. Strategist? He converts enemy damage into health. It’s a kit designed for maximum adaptability.
And there’s more: Deadpool levels up during matches. Earn XP, upgrade skills via a comic book menu. Even his Ultimate has a combat grade. Fight fancy, get a more powerful Ult. It is a system that rewards skilled play.
The potential is clear. Deadpool is a game-changer. Will he be overpowered? Maybe. Will he be fun? Almost certainly.
Will Deadpool Be Free in *Marvel Rivals*?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? While the specifics around Deadpool’s accessibility haven’t been fully clarified, expect Netease to follow a similar model to previous hero releases. This will likely involve challenges, battle pass progression, or direct purchase options. The specifics may vary, but it’s unlikely Deadpool will be handed out freely.
Museum Mayhem: The New Convoy Map
I visited the Louvre once. It was filled with priceless artifacts, but a little stuffy. The Collector’s Museum, on the other hand? Looks like it’s about to become ground zero for some serious superhero brawls in the new Convoy map.
The “Museum of Contemplation,” dropping January 29th, is more than just a pretty backdrop. It’s a Convoy map packed with easter eggs. Spotted Cosmo the Spacedog yet? The devs are teasing “monsters” lurking within. Get ready for some chaotic encounters.
Balance Changes: Who’s Getting Buffed, Who’s Getting Nerfed?
Remember the playground rule about fairness? The *Marvel Rivals* devs do. Season 6 brings a wave of balance adjustments, shifting power dynamics across the roster.
Strategists are getting toned down to encourage teamwork. Aggressive heroes like Blade are getting a boost. Namor is receiving a rework, trading Team-Up power for a stronger base kit.
Here’s who’s getting buffed:
- Doctor Strange
- Blade
- Hulk
- Captain America
- Iron Fist
- Cloak & Dagger
And brace yourselves, these heroes are facing nerfs:
- Angela
- Daredevil
- Gambit
- Invisible Woman
Team-Up Tweaks: New Synergies Emerge
I once saw two strangers solve a Rubik’s Cube together. The right combination can create something amazing. *Marvel Rivals* is betting on that with new Team-Ups and adjustments to existing ones.
Here are the new abilities joining the fray:
- Parker Power Up: Spider-Man and Peni Parker combine for a Web Bomb, dealing damage and applying Spider-Tracers. Or, if you hold onto it, Spider-Man gets a Web Cluster charge and bonus health.
- Mr. Pool’s Interdimensional Toy Box: Deadpool anchors, and Jeff the Land Shark gets a throwable toy that creates visual interference.
The Ever Burning Bond is being temporarily retired. Peni Parker exits the Rocket Network.
Cosmetic Overload: New Battle Pass Skins
I collect vinyl records. There’s something special about owning a rare edition. The *Marvel Rivals* Season 6 Battle Pass is aiming for that feeling with a slew of new skins.
Get ready for:
- ‘Prism Parade’ Invisible Woman
- ‘Space Corsair’ Venom
- ‘Queen of Wakanda’ Storm
- ‘King of Wakanda’ Black Panther
- ‘Galactic Gladiator’ Mantis
- ‘King of Clubs’ Moon Knight
- ‘Winter Soldier’ Wolverine
- ‘Vampire Slayer’ Blade
- ‘Bucky’ Winter Soldier
- ‘Luminous Legend’ Star-Lord
Jeff’s Mini-Pass Adventure
Jeff’s back. This time, he’s headlining the Whac-A-Jeff event, starting January 16th. Participate, and you can earn the ‘8-Bit Bash’ Jeff costume and cosmetics.
Times Square Duel Arena and Photo Mode
The Times Square map is expanding with the Clobberin’ Club, a 1v1 duel arena. Fights can even be broadcast on the big screen for a fee.
Plus, a proper photo mode is arriving, limited to non-combat areas of the Times Square map.
What is the Best Map in *Marvel Rivals*?
Defining the “best” map depends on your play style and team composition. Tighter maps often favor close-quarters combatants like Blade, while maps with longer sightlines benefit ranged heroes such as Star-Lord. Experiment with different heroes across various maps to find your personal favorites and which maps suit your team’s overall strategy.
Hero Progression and Rewards
Individual Hero progression is expanding with extra reward pages. The Hero Proficiency level cap is increasing, unlocking animated icons, Units (€1 = $1.08), nameplates, and more.
Mode Adjustments: What’s In, What’s Out
The 18v18 Resource Rumble mode is temporarily shelved. Marvel Zombies is being removed permanently, with a new PvE mode planned for the first half of 2026.
Cosmetic Galore: Accessories and College Perks
New cosmetic accessories are arriving for various heroes. The College Perks program is refreshed with 10 trial costumes and MVPs for verified students.
Are There Controller Aim Assist Settings in *Marvel Rivals*?
Yes, *Marvel Rivals* includes aim assist settings for controller users. Experiment with these settings to find what works best for you. Some players prefer a stronger aim assist for tracking fast-moving targets, while others find a lighter touch more natural. Fine-tuning these settings can significantly improve your accuracy and overall performance with a controller.
Season 6 is shaping up to be a major shakeup for *Marvel Rivals*. With Deadpool’s arrival, map expansions, balance changes, and cosmetic additions, the game is poised for a wild ride. The question is, will these changes be enough to draw in new players and reignite the passion of veterans, or will the complexities overwhelm the existing player base?