Marvel Rivals was leaked, teased, and revealed in the span of days and it hasn’t been coy about what its gameplay will look like, nor what characters it will have available at launch. It’s leaning into its Overwatch influence entirely while adorned in Marvel’s larger-than-life IP and as a result one of its biggest allures will be waiting in suspense for the next iconic character to be announced following its launch. Marvel Rivals’ base roster is nothing to sneeze at either, though.
Marvel Rivals appears to have 18 characters in its base roster. Blending Marvel’s most recognizable mascots like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Hulk with relatively obscure characters like Luna Snow, Peni Parker, and Magik is the only sensical choice concerning brand familiarity, but what’ll be more important is how NetEase ends up shuffling new characters into the fold once certain kits, compositions, and thematic roles are already occupied by someone else. This could determine who makes it in and who doesn’t, for instance, and for that reason it doesn’t look like there’s a high likelihood the X-Men’s Bobby Drake, otherwise known as Iceman, will make the cut.
Marvel Rivals' Entire Roster Explained
Just announced, Marvel Rivals is an upcoming 6v6 hero shooter in the vein of Overwatch, and it's got quite a packed roster right out of the gate.
Iceman is in Dire Need of Marvel Rivals’ Representation
As another X-Men affiliate on the team, it would be excellent to see Iceman join Storm, Magneto, Magik, Namor, and technically Scarlet Witch—but not really—as Marvel Rivals’ diverse mutant roster grows. Iceman is indeed elementary in terms of how inventive his powers are on paper, but as an elemental he’s actually an Omega-level mutant, even if he’s not often depicted to be that powerful.
The street-level, ‘boy next door’ archetype seems to suit Iceman better, and yet his abilities are still creative enough that he’d be a valuable asset to Marvel Rivals.
Iceman hasn’t been in as many Marvel games as a lot of current roster members have, so seeing him receive his due would be terrific—it also wouldn’t hurt to see him illustrated in Marvel Rivals’ art style, which is already a huge draw to the game itself. Marvel Rivals would likely hold off from adding Iceman until it’s added more characters who can satiate a rare niche or ability the game doesn’t possess yet, but doubling down on ice powers will hopefully be agreeable considering how cool Iceman is as one of the original X-Men.
Luna Snow Already Fills the Role of Ice Abilities in Marvel Rivals
Depending on how unique NetEase wishes for each character to be there may be no need for Iceman in the roster with Luna Snow already covering ice powers in her Marvel Rivals kit. That said, there could be enough room for Iceman as a damage or tank character, perhaps with him mounting a gargantuan ice construct to charge into opponents or forming walls of ice that stall opponents behind them.
Whatever ice abilities Luna doesn’t utilize might be free rein for Iceman to employ, making him worthwhile still as a possible addition to Marvel Rivals down the line. Of course, if Marvel Rivals is adding other X-Men it will probably want to make a priority out of Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, Rogue, Jean Grey, and others who have far more unique abilities and can offer something new to the hero shooter’s meta before dipping into a pool of similar abilities with Iceman.
X-Men ’97’s recent success has shone a renewed limelight on these characters—Cyclops more than anyone, following decades of him being underutilized and misrepresented—and Marvel Rivals would miss a huge opportunity by not finding a way to introduce Scott Summers sooner rather than later. Nonetheless, Iceman deserves a spot on the roster so long as NetEase could make him and Luna two sides of the same coin with enough meaningful differences between them.
Marvel Rivals
- Released
- December 6, 2024
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!
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
