Exciting news for Marvel Rivals fans! Season 2.5 is set to debut with the introduction of Ultron as a new playable hero and a range of new features. Let's dive into what you can expect from this thrilling update.

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Updates

The Rise of Ultron

Marvel Rivals is gearing up for an exciting update with Season 2.5, introducing Ultron as a new playable hero. Announced via a Twitter (X) post on May 23 by NetEase Games, Ultron will be available starting May 30 following the Season 2.5 maintenance.

According to Marvel Rivals’ Dev Vision Vol. 06, Ultron is categorized as a Strategist, capable of providing consistent healing to his allies. His unique primary weapon and ability to fly make him a versatile addition to aerial lineups. Ultron's basic attacks deliver three low-damage bursts followed by a high-damage attack with near-infinite range.

His healing mechanism involves attaching a drone to allies, which can also overheal the attached hero and nearby allies. Ultron's Ultimate ability simultaneously deals damage to enemies and heals allies within a targeted area.

This update will also feature Ultron’s new X-Tron skin, inspired by him taking over Cerebro and gaining enhanced power, alongside Groot’s Norse Mythology-themed Yggroot skin. Both skins will be available post-maintenance, though NetEase has yet to disclose their pricing or whether they'll be part of a bundle.

Season 2.5 Coming on May 30

Season 2.5 of Marvel Rivals is scheduled to launch on May 30, following a maintenance update expected to last 2-3 hours, starting at 2 AM PDT / 9 AM UTC. Check the timetable below to see when the update begins in your region:

The update will include balancing adjustments for several heroes, such as reduced health for Captain America, a slight damage increase for Doctor Strange, and an extended range for Emma Frost. These changes aim to address the current "dive meta," where players utilize aggressive heroes like Iron Fist and Psylocke to swiftly close distances and target key enemy roles like Strategists and Duelists.

In addition to Ultron, Season 2.5 will introduce the new Arrako map, a sister-island to Krakoa. Following Ultron’s attack during the Hellfire Gala, he has retreated to his stronghold in Arrako, prompting heroes to regroup and collaborate with the living island Krakoa to rescue it.

Players can also look forward to another Cerebro Database season event, starting on May 30 at 9:00 AM UTC and running until June 27. During this event, players can earn the free Hawkeye – Binary Arrow costume by completing various missions and receiving different rewards.

Team-Up Adjustments, New Experimental Mode, and More!

Season 2.5 will bring 6 new team-ups to Marvel Rivals, while removing 4 and making other adjustments. Notable additions include Rocket Network by Rocket Raccoon and Peni Parker, Stark Protocol by Iron Man and Ultron, and the fan-favorite return of Jeff-Nado by Jeff and Storm.

Creative Director Guangguang noted that over 50% of Team-Up abilities have been updated since Season 0, and he encourages community feedback for further improvements.

A new limited-time experimental mode, "Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol," is set to launch on June 6. Guangguang described this mode as a "streamlined, strategic, numerical-based solo tactical play," where six players can select their hero lineups, craft unique builds, and enhance their heroes’ traits to compete against others. This mode shares similarities with auto-chess game modes like Teamfight Tactics and Hearthstone Battlegrounds.

Starting from Season 3, NetEase plans to shorten the duration of each season from 3 months to 2, as announced in their Dev. Vision Vol. 05 on April 4. This change will also see the introduction of new heroes on a monthly basis, rather than the original plan of two heroes per season.

Marvel Rivals continues to evolve with the addition of Ultron and a host of balance adjustments, while also expanding its reach with the new experimental mode.

Marvel Rivals is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on Marvel Rivals by checking out our dedicated article below!