As players brainstorm iconic superheroes that should join Marvel Rivals’ character roster, fans have cried out to NetEase and Marvel for more members of the X-Men to join the game. However, one member of the mutant superhero team may never make it into Marvel Rivals.
Dozens of mutants have become X-Men since the team was first published in 1963. Though some of these supers are more well-loved than others, even the most niche members of the X-Men have their devoted fans. Such is the case with this superhero, who likely won’t be added to Marvel Rivals’ character roster any time soon.
The MCU's Long Game Could Change Marvel Rivals Character Roster
The MCU is known for its long plans and cross film story lines. One team it's planned since Phase Two could be great for Marvel Rivals
Marvel's Dancing Queen Dazzler
Alison Blaire, known by most as Dazzler, debuted in The Uncanny X-Men in 1980. Her mutant abilities allow her to transform sound into different forms of light, such as a shield, a beam, and projections. This light energy has even been used to make her fly, go invisible, and produce holograms.
Dazzler hasn’t appeared in pop culture very frequently, with her only cinematic appearance being a brief scene in Dark Phoenix. However, the character got some attention this year as fans speculated on which celebrities would be making cameos in Deadpool and Wolverine. Since Dazzler has a career as a pop star, some fans speculated that Ryan Reynolds would call in his friend Taylor Swift for the role. This cameo obviously did not happen, but it brought Dazzler back to the popular consciousness for the first time in a while.
The pop-star superhero also received a new solo run of comics in 2024. In honor of Dazzler’s solo run, twenty-one other Marvel comic series featured variant covers of superheroes strutting on the dance floor, including the Hulk, Scarlet Witch, and Deadpool.
The Taylor Swift rumors, her recent comic solo run, and the twenty-one incredible variant covers have all culminated in a great year for Dazzler. But despite Dazzler’s success this year, it’s unlikely that she’ll get to join Marvel Rivals any time soon.
Marvel Rivals Already Has a Mutant Pop Star
As players are well aware, Marvel Rivals already has its own pop star. While she hasn’t necessarily become a mascot for Marvel Rivals the same way Galacta has, Luna Snow has found herself intrinsically tied to the shooter.
Luna Snow made her Marvel debut in a mobile game back in 2018, though she would eventually join the world of print comics in the Agents of Atlas reboot. This makes her a fresh face in the world of comics and, therefore, not even as recognizable as Dazzler. Because of this lack of public knowledge outside comic fans, Marvel Rivals is the first place many gamers have heard of Luna Snow.
This makes Luna Snow invaluable to Marvel Rivals. While she isn’t an original character in the game, her lack of pop culture appearances ties her more closely to the shooter. With Luna Snow’s pop culture background so prominent in her voice lines and abilities, including Dazzler would feel redundant.
Luna Snow's Powers are Less Complex than Dazzler's
Additionally, Luna Snow’s powers are easier to visualize in a video game than Dazzler’s. Luna Snow’s ice abilities are very tangible, whereas light energy is a bit more abstract. Considering that Dazzler specifically changes sound waves into light, figuring out how to animate the light beams and explain these abilities to players is a tad more difficult than simply “ice.”
While it wouldn’t be impossible for Dazzler to be added to Marvel Rivals, with the number of characters fans are requesting, she’s probably closer to the end of NetEase and Marvel’s list. It’s true that Marvel Rivals has made sure to give love to older and niche characters, but Dazzler will just have to keep strutting on a different dance floor until the shooter sends her an invitation.
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
