Season 2.5 Brings New Map, New Strategist Ultron, New Team-ups, and New Mode

Marvel Rivals is gearing up for a transformative update with the launch of Season 2.5, with an Arrako map, new flying strategist Ultron, team-up adjustments, and a Teamfight Tactics-esque limited time mode.

Ultron

The aftermath of Ultron's surprise attack at the Hellfire Gala has left the mutants of Krakoa reeling. Now, Ultron has stolen Cerebro and transformed Arakko, once a vibrant stronghold, into a cold, mechanical world. But hope is not lost: Marvel's heroes are regrouping, joining forces with Krakoa to reclaim Arakko from Ultron's grip.

Ultron arrives as a playable hero, bringing a unique blend of strategic support and offensive firepower. He offers consistent healing to allies and can unleash devastating energy beams on enemies. As a flying strategist, Ultron introduces fresh aerial tactics and a new shooting experience, expanding possibilities for team compositions.

Team-ups

Season 2.5 marks the most significant rework yet to Marvel Rivals' signature team-up ability system. The update introduces six new team-up abilities, removes four, and adjusts the members of another, resulting in over half of all team-up abilities being changed since Season Zero.

Venom now gives Jeff symbiote tendrils that heal allies.

The Punisher upgrades Black Widow's Red Room Rifle with piercing shots.

Luna Snow crafts a specialized ice arrow for Hawkeye, which penetrates terrain and stuns distant foes.

Rocket gives Peni Parker a second spider nest which can coexist with her original and drops armor packs, while Penny boosts Rocket's ultimate to drop cyber webs, drones, and mines just like her spider nests.

Iron Man grants Ultron access to a uni-beam which heals teammates and damage enemies.

Storm and Jeff can combine their ultimates, similar to Storm and Human Torch, to unleash the Jeffnado — a swirling attack that deals high sustained damage before swallowing enemies.

Chilling Charisma, Allied Agents, Ammo Overload, and Symbiote Bond are being removed. Iron Man is being removed from Gamma Charge.

New Limited time Mode

Launching June 6, "Ultron's Battle Matrix Protocol" is a limited-time experimental mode where players can select their own hero lineups, craft unique builds, and enhance hero traits.

This mode, similar to autobattler games like Teamfight Tactics and DOTA Overlords, offers a break from standard team battles, focusing on streamlined, solo tactical play and allowing players to amplify their favorite heroes' abilities in new ways.

Importantly, this mode will not include the controversial leaderboard designs from previous events, letting players enjoy the experience at their own pace.

Miscellaneous updates

Two new personalization systems — mood and emojis — are being added for more expressive gameplay.

Starting with Season 3, Marvel Rivals seasons will be shortened to two months, promising a faster cadence of new content and updates. The Ignite tournament series will also launch its first stage in June, inviting players to compete in a new era of Marvel Rivals esports.

The update brings a host of balance changes. Iron Fist, Human Torch, and Psylocke will see reductions in power, while The Punisher, Squirrel Girl, and Storm are receiving enhancements.

Luna Snow's ultimate will require more energy but her standard abilities get a boost; Jeff the Landshark will be tweaked for a fresher feel.

Dominant team-up abilities — like those involving the Fantastic Four, Hulk/Namor, and Emma Frost/Magneto/Psylocke — are being dialed back to ensure a more balanced meta. The developers are also addressing concerns about high-mobility lineups and the dominance of certain defensive tactics, aiming to create a more strategic and varied battlefield.