How to Get Free Groot Ironwood Serpent Skin in Marvel Rivals
You open the game mid-evening and spot the new banner — Groot, coiled in green and gold. Your pulse quickens because free event skins are rare and this one looks worth the grind. I’ve chased dozens of seasonal drops; this one is straightforward and worth your playtime.
I’ll walk you through exactly what to do in plain terms: where the event lives, how progression works, and the minimum play habits that get you the Groot Ironwood Serpent costume without spending real money. You don’t need to buy the event pass — you need match XP and smart play.
At a coffee shop I overheard players arguing about event passes — here’s what matters
The Shenloong Tournament is an event (not a paid pass). NetEase Games added it as part of Marvel Rivals Season 8.5 and the free path leads to the Groot Ironwood Serpent costume at the final milestone.
How it works: play matches, earn XP toward tiers, reach Tier 12 to claim the Groot bundle and several other cosmetic items. The event is integrated into the Season 8.5 roadmap alongside the new 18v18 mode announced by NetEase and Marvel — no shelling out real-world cash required if you push for the free track.
Is the Shenloong Tournament an event or an event pass?
It’s a free event. Unlike premium battle passes, this one hands out the listed rewards for free if you hit the tier thresholds by playing. Think of it as a match-driven progression ladder rather than a locked premium shop on Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation.
Are there any free skins in the Marvel Rivals Shenloong Tournament?
Yes. The Groot Ironwood Serpent costume is on the free track at the final tier. Expect accompanying cosmetics — sprays, emotes, nameplates — all bundled with that final milestone.
I saw a Reddit thread where players posted screenshots of Season 8.5 rewards — the list is practical and limited
NetEase lists a 12-tier reward track for Shenloong Tournament. The free rewards are compact and focused: one full costume (Groot Ironwood Serpent) plus a set of related cosmetics. Because the design prioritizes match-based XP, you’ll get steady progress by playing any mode that grants event XP — solo queue, squad, or the new 18v18 skirmishes.
If you follow creators on YouTube or clips on Twitter, you’ll spot the easiest XP loops: quick matches, objective completions, and match-win bonuses. Play smart rather than long; a handful of wins every session accelerates progress more than idle time in lobbies.
Are there any free rewards in Marvel Rivals Shenloong Tournament?
All 12 listed rewards are free on the event ladder. You’ll claim sprays, emotes, gallery cards, nameplates, and the Groot costume by reaching the event’s tiers through earned XP.
I watched the event pass image on a YouTube livestream and logged each reward — here’s the inventory
Below is the event reward table as shared by in-game screenshots and community posts. I’ve kept this list faithful to what NetEase published for Season 8.5.
| Reward Name | Reward Type |
|---|---|
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” Nameplate | Free |
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” Animated Spray | Free |
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” Emote | Free |
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” Emoji Bundle | Free |
| Cyclops Spray | Free |
| Gallery Card | Free |
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” Mood Bundle | Free |
| Gallery Card | Free |
| Galacta Spray | Free |
| Apocalypse Gallery Card | Free |
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” MVP | Free |
| Groot “Ironwood Serpent” Costume | Free |
Use the table as your checklist. If you track progress on the event screen and prioritize modes that yield higher XP (watch for bonus objectives listed in-match), Tier 12 is a reasonable target within a week or two of steady play.
A friend messaged me a screenshot of his final-tier reward — here’s the grind plan that actually works
Want a practical routine? Play 4–6 matches per session, aim for objective completions and match wins, and clear any daily or weekly event tasks. Cross-reference event XP totals on the in-game panel and follow creators on YouTube or clips on Twitter for short-cut tips specific to 18v18 rotations.
If you’re time-limited, prioritize matches that finish faster but still give victory XP — quick skirmishes, objective runs, and matches with plenty of assists or MVP potential. That consistency compounds: small wins add up until Tier 12 is within reach.
NetEase designed Shenloong Tournament to reward regular play without forcing purchases; the simplest move is to play intentionally and follow the event tracker until the Groot Ironwood Serpent pieces appear. The progression feels steady, like a tide pulling shells to shore.
Will you grind to Tier 12 and claim Groot before the event timer runs out?