Miles Morales in Marvel Rivals: Skin, or Hero?

Marvel Rivals players on its official Discord server have been buzzing with opinions about Miles Morales joining the roster. Miles, known for his distinct bioelectric powers, could bring a totally different feel to the Spider-Man name. So here's the dilemma: should he be a unique character with his own abilities, or just a skin for Peter Parker?

Miles as a Skin for Spider-Man

Plenty of players argue that having Miles as a skin would keep the game's character roster more focused. With Spider-Man already in the game, adding Miles as a separate character might feel repetitive, especially for players who'd rather see fresh heroes from across the Marvel universe.

Magikca from the Marvel Rivals Discord is firmly in the "skin" camp, explaining:

View original Magikca If they are gonna add Miles, it should be a skin. We already have Venom and Spider-Gwen. All variations of a character like Miles and Spider-Man 2099 for Spider-Man or Captain Carter for Captain America should be skins.

Here, Magikca's touching on a real concern: balancing roster diversity in a way that keeps things exciting and prevents Marvel Rivals from becoming Spider-Man Rivals. Another user made a similar point:

View original Dopamine (NAs last hope) Don't want a hero shooter with 3 different variants of Spider-Man. Better to have more variety and bring in non-Spider-Man characters since we have so many already.

The idea is pretty clear — adding Miles as a skin, maybe with bioelectric-themed animations, while letting the team focus on expanding the roster in new directions.

Miles as a Unique Character

On the flip side, fans who want Miles as his own character feel like he deserves to be more than just a new look. Unlike Peter Parker, Miles has his own style and powers: he can turn invisible, use his venom powers (bioelectricity, not to be confused with that other Venom) to blast and stun opponents, and even create bioelectric weapons. These abilities open up gameplay options that Spider-Man just doesn't have, and many players think that a skin wouldn't capture everything Miles could bring to the game.

View original Leafy (Moon Knight Main) Miles has different abilities than Peter, so that's automatically a no to the debate that Miles should be a Peter skin. Plus, I doubt lots of new voice lines will be made just for a skin.

Leafy highlights something important here: the depth Miles could add, from his unique powers to his voice and personality. Apaulocreed, another fan, backed up this point:

View original apaulocreed I feel like Miles should be his own character because he can turn invisible and has electric powers.

Making Miles a separate character would open the door for him to play as a strategist (support) role, something Marvel Rivals doesn't have a ton of yet. His venom powers could help stun enemies and support teammates, and his invisibility could make him perfect for scouting ahead or making clutch plays to turn the tide of a fight. This would make him feel fresh and unique compared to duelist (DPS) Peter, who prefers flanking around to punish out of position enemies before quickly swinging back out.

Miles Morales elsewhere

To really understand why people feel so strongly, it helps to know more about Miles' roots in the comics. First introduced in 2011, Miles was created to be more than just "another Spider-Man." He's from an alternate universe where Peter Parker dies, and Miles steps up to take on the Spider-Man mantle. His venom powers and camouflage were added to show that he's his own hero, not just a Peter Parker clone. Those powers aren't just for show, either — they've allowed him to take on some of the most powerful villains around and handle situations Peter might struggle with.

Miles Morales using his bioelectric powers in Marvel's Spider-Man 2

In Marvel Rivals, these traits would make him a versatile strategist. Imagine Miles moving invisibly across the map, lining up the perfect stun or helping his team find the best openings. His bioelectric moves would add flavor to the battlefield, potentially letting him control the flow of a fight in a way Peter can't.

The question of visuals is another factor that keeps coming up. If he were just a skin, players would expect at least some unique animations, sound effects, and maybe even voice work to capture that signature Miles style. But adding all that could make him more of a premium skin, which could be excessively expensive — and even then, he still might not feel distinct enough.

With him as a standalone character, though, the developers could go all out. They'd have more freedom to bring his animations, powers, and personality to life. It wouldn't be just a visual change; Miles would have a true presence in Marvel Rivals.

Our Verdict: Miles should be a character

While adding Miles as a skin for Spider-Man could work, it seems like a missed opportunity considering his distinct powers and history. Miles' venom powers, invisibility, and enhanced spider-sense all make him ideal for a support role where he can disrupt enemies and help his team in ways Peter never could. And for players, having a fully realized Miles Morales in the game would let them experience a fresh style of gameplay and appreciate the character for all his unique traits.

Attacking while invisible in Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

So, while there are pros to both sides, giving Miles his own spot on the roster feels like the right call. He's earned his place as more than just an alternate Spider-Man, both in the comics and Spider-Verse movies and, hopefully very soon, in Marvel Rivals too.