The Marvel Rivals Season 3 update is coming on July 11, The Abyss Awakens. This patch includes a fresh hero, a new map, balance changes, and a bunch of new systems and events that will keep battles spicy. It’s a pretty hefty download, especially for console players, so prepare!
Season 3 introduces Phoenix as the latest hero, ready to set the fights ablaze. Along with her arrival, the new Domination map called Klyntar: Celestial Husk will open up new battlegrounds for players to conquer. Plus, there’s a fresh event called Milano Repair Logs where you can help fix the Milano and snag a free Symbiote Storm costume. Nice, right?
New Features and Systems
- Accessories System: Earn Accessory Points by playing Quick Match or Competitive modes to unlock cute hero-themed items like the Deadpool Plush and Jeff Handbag. These can be redeemed in the shop for some sweet flair.
- Student Perks: College students who verify their school email will get free trial access to 10 costumes. That’s a neat bonus.
- Main Menu Update: A new Events tab helps you keep track of ongoing and upcoming events easily.
- Discord Integration: Reconnect your Discord account to earn 100 Units and chat with friends both in and out of game.
- Practice Option: Team captains can now queue all members into the same practice Doom Match session, which should make team coordination smoother.
Competitive Scene Changes
The rank reset shakes things up by demoting players by 7 divisions based on their Season 2.5 ending rank. For example, Diamond I players will start Season 3 at Gold II. New Rank Settlement Rewards offer some cool goodies like the Phoenix – Emerald Flames costume for Gold rank and fresh Crests of Honor for the top tiers. Also, Diamond and Platinum ranks unlock fiery new Nameplate Frames. That’s a cool touch!
Mission System Updates
- Daily missions are removed, with their rewards redistributed.
- Weekly missions now roll over until mid-season ends, giving more time to complete unfinished tasks.
- Season missions last the entire season and can be completed repeatedly for rewards.
- More mission types have been added, while some excessive hero-specific missions are gone.
New Content in Store
- Phoenix – Chaos Phoenix Bundle costume is now available.
- New Phoenix emoji in the Default Bundle.
- Fresh costume colors for Scarlet Witch, Jeff the Land Shark, Invisible Woman, and Rocket Raccoon.
- Updated Ultimate Ability visual effects for Scarlet Witch and Jeff the Land Shark.
Twitch Drops
Season 3 also brings a new Twitch Drops event running from July 11 to August 8 (UTC). Watch streams to earn the Hawkeye – Will of Galacta costume and related bundle content. Perfect for fans who love free swag!
Patch Fixes and Optimizations
- Match Summary now shows more detailed stats and has added functions.
- Gallery merged “Serials” and “Special Edition” tabs, plus added a new “Cinematics” tab for map cutscenes.
- Costume MVPs can now be used freely across any costume for more customization.
- Fixed terrain issues that caused characters to get stuck or clip through objects.
- Improved symbiote lift devices now require player presence to trigger attacks.
- Soundwave received new softer high-frequency hit sounds.
- The Thing’s Embattled Leap now properly targets Wolverine during Fastball Special.
- Various emote animation bugs patched across the roster.
- Console clients reorganized files for future smaller patches, so this update is bigger than usual.
Hero Adjustments and Balance Changes
Here’s a quick look at some hero tweaks that might disrupt your gameplay:
- Emma Frost: Slight damage and survivability reduction in Diamond Form; ultimate energy cost lowered.
- The Thing: New leap ability “Battle Blitz” with damage reduction; knockdown effect added to Stone Haymaker.
- Venom: Increased slow effect on Cellular Corrosion from 15% to 25%.
- Human Torch: Slight damage nerfs but gains a 5% Team-Up Anchor damage boost.
- Iron Man: Reduced damage on Repulsor Blasts; higher energy cost for ultimate.
- Scarlet Witch: Ultimate deals more damage but slows less during charge period.
- Spider-Man: Loses Team-Up Anchor bonus but gains a new Team-Up Ability and increased damage on some attacks.
- Wolverine: Longer cooldown but extended strike duration on Feral Leap.
- Invisible Woman: Orb Projection heals more on launch but less on return.
- Loki: Ultimate ability costs more energy.
- Mantis: Healing reduced but ultimate is stronger with increased energy cost.
- Ultron: Reduced acceleration effect time and decreased bonus health to self and allies.
New Team-Up Abilities
- Ever-Burning Bond (Human Torch – Spider-Man): Human Torch gets 5% damage boost; Spider-Man unlocks Inferno Blast.
- Primal Flame (Phoenix – Wolverine): Phoenix gains 10% damage boost; Wolverine unlocks Phoenix Warrior ability.
Team-Up Ability Changes
- Spider-Man loses the ESU Alumnus effect and ability with Squirrel Girl; Squirrel Girl loses Webbed Acorn.
- Squirrel Girl joins Stark Protocol Team-Up with Iron Man and gets Squirrel Missile ability.
- Storm and Human Torch lose some Team-Up abilities in Storming Ignition.
- Hela gains Hel Tendrils ability from Team-Up with Venom.
- Guardian Revival Team-Up cooldown increased for Adam Warlock and others.
- Jeff the Land Shark’s health and tendril link duration increased in Symbiote Shenanigans Team-Up.
Season 3 Content Rollout Schedule
- July 11: New hero & map, new battle pass, Milano Repair Logs event with free costume.
- July 18: Summer Party event including Swimsuit & Summer Special Event.
- July 25: Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps event featuring Human Torch & The Thing.
- August 1: Phoenix Demon and Phoenix Panther skins or events.
- August 8: Mid-season update (S3.5) expected with more content and fixes.
NetEase has shown solid support for the game, so expect some minor updates after this major drop to fix bugs and exploits. Curious how Phoenix will change the dynamics? Or what accessories you’re going to collect first? Hit up the comments and let’s chat!
