Summary
- Marvel Rivals fans want character bans at all ranks to improve competitive play.
- Marvel Rivals is gaining popularity due to its unique gameplay and large character roster.
- There is debate among fans whether hero bans should be expanded to lower ranks for balance.
Competition-minded Marvel Rivals fans are requesting that the game's character ban feature be extended to every rank in the game. Marvel Rivals character bans are currently only available in matches at Diamond rank and higher.
Marvel Rivals is easily the hottest multiplayer game around at the moment. Despite being surrounded by competitors thanks to the many hero shooters released in 2024, NetEase Games has managed to tap into the enthusiasm for seeing Marvel superheroes and villains duke it out in a competitive context. The game's large playable cast and vibrant, comic-inspired art style also endeared it to players looking for an antidote to the MCU-inspired realism seen in games like Marvel's Avengers and Marvel's Spider-Man. And now, with a few weeks to settle, players are rapidly building Marvel Rivals into a nexus of highly coordinated, competitive play.
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Unfortunately, some work might still need to be done to satisfy Marvel Rivals fans looking to get the most out of the game's competitive ranked play modes. A player who goes by Expert_Recover_7050 on Reddit aired a call for NetEase Games to make the Marvel Rivals Hero Ban system available at every rank. In character-based competitive games like Marvel Rivals, hero or character bans allow teams to vote to remove certain characters from selection, potentially blocking off a bad matchup or neutralizing a potent team combo.
Marvel Rivals Fans Think Hero Bans Should Be Available At All Ranks
Expert_Recover_7050 contextualized their complaint by showing an opponent's team comp consisting of some of the best Marvel Rivals characters: Bruce Banner/Hulk, Hawkeye, Hela, Iron Man, Mantis, and Luna Snow. They said that such a team in the Platinum ranks was incredibly common and seemingly unbeatable, making encountering them over and over very annoying. Unfortunately, with Hero Bans only available to players at Diamond rank and higher, Expert_Recover_7050 argued that only they are able to have fun, while lower-ranked players are left to struggle against overpowered team compositions with no recourse.
The complaint sparked detailed discussions among Marvel Rivals fans in the subreddit, with many on either side of the argument. Some players took issue with the tone and context of the complaint, arguing that the "overpowered" team cited by Expert_Recover_7050 isn't really that powerful, and that learning the advanced skills to beat it is part of the "journey" for many of the highest-ranked Marvel Rivals players. Others agreed that hero bans should be available to more players, since learning to deal with hero bans is a necessary "metagame" strategy players should learn. Others took issue with the very concept of character bans in the first place, saying that a properly balanced game wouldn't need such a system at all.
Whatever the eventual outcome of a call to expand the hero ban system to the lower ranks, it's clear that there's still a ways to go before the game becomes a true top-flight competitive title. Of course, it's still early in Marvel Rivals' lifetime, and there is still time to adjust things to suit the community.
Marvel Rivals
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.
Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot's back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man's armor for massive damage, and so much more!
Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!
Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Limited - console crossplay, no PC crossplay
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
