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Throughout the years, Marvel has become one of the world’s largest brands, and its comic books, films and video games all make billions of dollars annually. Not every experience the company creates is a masterpiece, and in recent years, the company has been riddled with mediocre games like Marvel‘s Avengers. Still, the company’s gaming experiences are usually quite entertaining. Marvel’s most recent game, Marvel Rivals, was released on Dec. 6, 2024, and fans are thrilled with the title. The game features 33 Marvel characters facing off in battle, but some of the brand’s most legendary faces are still missing.
While the game does feature the expected characters like Spider-Man and Captain America, the game is rather light on villains, and could use a few more in the future. Some characters for the game have been leaked with full character models, while others have been datamined, so it is clear that NetEase Games and Marvel plan to support the experience for years to come, and fans hope that some of their favorite characters are eventually playable.
10
Mephisto is a Terrifying Demon in the Marvel Mythos
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Strategist
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Marvel is no stranger to utilizing religious, historical and mythological characters in its comics, and the demon overlord, Mephisto, is no exception. Mephisto is based on the demon, Mephistopheles, and he is one of the most terrifying characters in the Marvel mythos, as he has convinced humanity that he rules hell, despite not doing so. Mephisto deserves to be placed in Marvel Rivals because his personality and actions in the comics could give him some unique gameplay mechanics.
Character Name
First Appearance
Mephisto
Silver Surfer #3
Mephisto would make a great strategist in Marvel Rivals, as his penchant for making deals with heroes could translate well into a passive ability or a hero team-up ability that benefits his team but gives him his ulterior motives. Mephisto is a phenomenal deuteragonist in the Marvel comics and he would be a great inclusion in Marvel Rivals.
9
Gambit is the Most Stylish Member of the X-Men
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Duelist
With a limited character roster at launch, the developers of Marvel Rivals, Netease Games, had to make some tough choices about which characters would be included in the final roster. While many members of the X-Men did make the cut, a few of the group’s most iconic members are not in the game. This includes their most stylish member, Gambit, and he would make for a great duelist if he is ever added to Marvel Rivals.
Character Name
First Appearance
Gambit
Uncanny X-Men #266
Gambit, also known as the “Ragin’ Cajun”, is known for his slick trench coat, his magical playing cards and signature bo staff, and he could use these weapons to great effect in battle. The cards could make for an interesting gimmick in Marvel Rivals, as maybe one ability could increase a luck stat for Gambit and this would increase the damage the cards do when they are thrown. Gambit is an iconic member of the X-Men and would be a welcome addition to the Marvel Rivals roster.
8
Jean Grey Would Be a Tricky Balancing Act For Marvel Rivals
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Vanguard
When making a hero-shooter in which all the characters are iconic superheroes and villains, it can be difficult to balance a character, as some heroes are significantly stronger than others. For example, Doctor Strange is one of the strongest sorcerers in Marvel’s mythos, but Netease Games was able to put him on a level playing field with characters like Captain America and the Winter Soldier. However, one character, in particular, would be a great pick for Marvel Rivals despite her potential to be a balancing nightmare.
Character Name
First Appearance
Jean Grey
The X-Men #1
Jean Grey, aka Phoenix, would be a phenomenal pick to be a ranged Vanguard in Marvel Rivals, and her ability to revive herself using the Phoenix Force would translate well as an ultimate ability in the game. Overall, Jean Grey might be a nightmare for developers to balance, but her unique skillset would make her an intriguing inclusion in the game.
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Vanguard
Making every character unique in a hero shooter can be difficult, and when multiple heroes in Marvel have similar powers, this could be significantly more difficult. Ultron would present a similar difficulty, as he looks similar to Iron Man and also flies, so Netease Games would have to make a completely different kit. Fortunately, he could have many unique abilities that would translate well into Marvel Rivals if he was added to the game.
Character Name
First Appearance
Ultron
The Avengers #54
If Ultron is added to Marvel Rivals, he is likely to be a Vanguard, as the game already has a robotic duelist. Ultron would be likely to use his drones to fight for him and provide him with some protection from his enemies, making him a threat at every range. Overall, Ultron is a phenomenal antagonist that fans would love to see in Marvel Rivals.
6
Captain Marvel is a Powerful Space Being
Likely Role In Marvel Rivals: Duelist
With so many flying characters in the Marvel pantheon, it can be difficult to determine which ones would be a great fit for Marvel Rivals. One character in the game (Iron Man) is constantly flying, and that ability should belong to him alone, so other flight abilities will have to be a resource. Luckily, one character, in particular, could make use of this to be the perfect blend of ranged and close combat in Marvel Rivals.
Character Name
First Appearance
Captain Marvel
Marvel Super-Heroes #12
Captain Marvel has the potential to be a devastating duelist in Marvel Rivals, as her space powers give her the ability to easily take down enemies up close with her fists and from far away with powerful beam energy. Overall, Captain Marvel has gained a lot of popularity in recent years and would be a welcome addition to the game.
5
Doctor Octopus is an Amazing, Misunderstood Scientist
Most Likely Role In Marvel Rivals: Vanguard
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Marvel Rivals is surprisingly lacking villains right now, with Loki being the main antagonist in Marvel Rivals. Spider-Man arguably has the best rogues gallery in Marvel comics, and his antagonists would all be phenomenal choices to include in Marvel Rivals. However, perhaps the best choice for Marvel Rivals would be the sympathetic villain, Doctor Octopus.
Character Name
First Appearance
Doctor Octopus
The Amazing Spider-Man #3
Doctor Octopus is among the most visually striking Marvel characters, and his sheer size while wearing his robotic arms would make him an intimidating Vanguard. The game lacks a Vanguard with a hook ability at the moment, and Doctor Octopus can fit the bill by pulling the enemy in from a long distance with his claws. Overall, Doctor Octopus is a phenomenal Marvel character and would make a great addition to the Marvel Rivals roster as another villain.
4
Daredevil is an Intriguing Martial Artist
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals:Duelist
Unlike most hero-shooters, Marvel Rivals prides itself on including several melee range characters, and these characters are phenomenal at diving the enemy and taking down the healers. Many of these characters have abilities that allow them to heal themselves, but one Marvel character could do something far more unique with the mele character role.
Character Name
First Appearance
Daredevil
Daredevil #1
Daredevil is among the most well-written Marvel characters of all time, as his tragic backstory forms the foundation for an amazing hero. In Marvel Rivals, Daredevil’s powers could make him able to sense enemies long before they reach him, making him able to counteract the enemy’s actions. Overall, Daredevil might be a hard character to implement, but his inclusion would be a nice change of pace for the game.
3
Thanos is an Infamous Infinity Stone Wielder
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Vanguard
Because of the popularity of the MCU, the popularity of specific characters has grown specifically over the years and one of these iconic faces is Thanos. Because of an amazing portrayal by Josh Brolin, Thanos is now among the most beloved Marvel villains, and he would be an amazing inclusion in Marvel Rivals, with or without his amazing Infinity Stone gauntlet.
Character Name
First Appearance
Thanos
The Invincible Iron Man #55
If Thanos was added to Marvel Rivals, he would likely be a melee Vanguard with many defensive abilities that allow him to outlast his opponent. Thanos could have his Infinite Gauntlet and use multiple abilities corresponding to each stone, making him a unique character with a ton of skill expression. Overall, Thanos is a phenomenal antagonist, and his inclusion would be welcome in Marvel Rivals.
2
Cyclops is a Phenomenal Leader For The X-Men
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Duelist
Marvel Rivals is a bit odd for the hero shooter genre, as it has characters that use a variety of different weapons for the main attacks instead of all relying on firearms. This makes it likely that characters with beam powers would later be added to the game, and one of the most iconic beam wielders in the Marvel mythos is surprisingly missing from the launch roster.
Character Name
First Appearance
Cyclops
X-Men #1
Cyclops is the leader of the X-Men, and he could have a plethora of team-up abilities with other characters in the roster. Cyclops would likely use his iconic laser as his default attack, while some of his other abilities would likely be more melee-focused. Cyclops is an amazing leader in the Marvel comics and is almost guaranteed to be included in Marvel Rivals eventually.
1
Deadpool’s Fourth Wall-Breaking Wit is Needed in Marvel Rivals
Likely Role in Marvel Rivals: Duelist
Marvel Rivals roster is missing several amazing characters, but few of them are as intriguing or entertaining as “The Merc With A Mouth”, Deadpool. He has become more prominent in recent years because of the stellar Ryan Reynolds adaptation of the character, and he would be a phenomenal addition to the Marvel Rivals roster.
Character Name
First Appearance
Deadpool
The New Mutants #98
Because of the sheer size of Deadpool’s arsenal, the character would likely be a duelist, and he would use his wide assortment of weapons to take down his foes in unique ways. Furthermore, he would likely have a healing gimmick to his character to reflect his healing factor from the comics. Overall, Deadpool is a hilarious character, and his inclusion in Marvel Rivals could add many unique interactions with the game’s other heroes and villains.
“}]] Marvel has several iconic characters, many of which are still missing from its most recent game. Read More