On April 11, 2025, NetEase Games launched Season 2 of Marvel Rivals, titled Hellfire Gala, introducing new characters, gameplay features, and notable visual adjustments that have sparked discussions within the gaming community.
New Characters and Gameplay Enhancements
Season 2 adds two new playable characters:
Emma Frost: Available at launch, she serves as a Vanguard with abilities that include diamond skin for damage mitigation and psychic powers that synergize with characters like Magneto and Psylocke. citeturn0news3
Ultron: Set to join the roster in the midseason update, Ultron brings a mobile Strategist role to the game. citeturn0news3
The season also introduces new teamup abilities, such as Mental Projection Emma Frost with Magneto and Psylocke, Stars Aligned Winter Soldier and Captain America, and Arcane Order Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange, enhancing cooperative gameplay dynamics. citeturn0news3
Visual Adjustments to Male Character Models
A subtle yet widely noticed change in Season 2 is the enhancement of male character models physiques, particularly the buttocks and groin areas. Characters like Wolverine, Mr. Fantastic, StarLord, Moon Knight, and The Winter Soldier exhibit these adjustments, aligning their appearances more closely with their comic book counterparts and addressing previous disparities in character design. citeturn0news0
Community reactions have been largely positive, with players appreciating the increased attention to anatomical detail and realism. Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight the communitys engagement with these visual updates. citeturn0news0
Ranked Mode and Progression System Updates
Season 2 implements several changes to the ranked mode and progression systems:
Ranked Mode Adjustments: The ranked playlist now features a rotation of maps, and a pickban phase has been introduced for players in the gold rank, adding strategic depth to competitive play. citeturn0news4
Battle Pass Progression: Weekly missions have been added alongside daily ones, providing players with more opportunities to earn rewards and progress through the battle pass. citeturn0news3
Future Content and Release Schedule
Looking ahead, NetEase Games plans to accelerate content releases by shortening seasons from three months to two, starting with Season 3 in early July 2025. This change aims to introduce a new hero at both the start and midpoint of each season, effectively adding two new characters every two months. citeturn0news1
This strategy positions Marvel Rivals to offer a more dynamic and frequently updated gaming experience, distinguishing it from competitors with longer content release cycles.
Season 2 of Marvel Rivals brings significant updates that enhance gameplay, character diversity, and visual fidelity, reflecting NetEase Games commitment to evolving the game in response to player feedback and industry trends.