Power Overlap Shouldn’t Disqualify These Characters From Appearing in Marvel Rivals

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Marvel Rivals’ current roster of characters includes some of the heaviest hitters in Marvel Comics canon. Plenty of the company’s most popular superheroes have made the jump to the shooter, though a few stand-out heroes have yet to have their own time to shine. As NetEase considers which games to add next and players create their own character wishlists, both parties need to be considerate of the superpowers already present in Marvel Rivals.

The world of Marvel Comics is vast, with hundreds of villains, heroes, and minor characters with powers filling up its canon. Because of this, there are many characters that have the same, or similar, powers as others. Despite this, these characters should not be disqualified from joining Marvel Rivals’ character roster, but NetEase should still be considerate of how these characters are implemented in game. A key way to avoid any player frustration would be to classify these new characters into different roles from others with the same or similar powers. Additionally, modifying these characters so that other aspects of their kit see more focus could lead to more variety across Marvel Rivals’ roster.

These Overlapping Characters Would Be Perfect Duelists

Iceman

Iceman may be the most obvious case of a character that should be added to Marvel Rivals who was preceded by a character with the same powers. Aspects of Luna Snow’s kit will undoubtedly overlap with Iceman’s, like her Smooth Skate passive. But as an Omega Level mutant, Bobby Drake simply has to be a Duelist. Rather than focusing on freezing opponents, NetEase could lean into the ice generation and manipulation aspects of Iceman’s powers, allowing him to generate walls of ice like the Human Torch’s fire. Iceman can also freeze his body entirely, which could be a great way to give him “Armor.”

Mr. Negative

Like Cloak and Dagger, Mr. Negative was exposed to the drug D-Lite, which gave all three of them their superpowers. While light and dark force were split between Cloak and Dagger, Mr. Negative possesses both sets. Though Marvel Rivals makes gamers play Cloak and Dagger as one individual character, letting players use both sets of abilities, Mr. Negative could diverge from the duo by having both kinds of forces interact in his kit at the same time. Unlike the superduo, Mr. Negative’s powers have a tie to electrical energy, which NetEase could lean into to differentiate the character. NetEase could also lean into the zanier aspects of Mr. Negative’s abilities like his transformation between his civilian identity as Martin Li and Mr. Negative and his corrupting touch.

Taskmaster

Taskmaster faces an interesting issue, as his main gimmick is mimicking the powers and moves of the enemies he faces. Loki’s ultimate literally steals the ultimate of another player on the board, which would have been a great move for Taskmaster. Instead, Marvel Rivals needs to scale down Taskmaster’s kit if he’s ever added to the character roster. For example, Taskmaster could steal the last “E,” “Shift,” or “Right-Click” ability of an opponent that used it against him for the same duration of time. His normal attack would simply be his bow and arrow.

Eros

Eros’ emotional abilities are a tad different from Mantis’ skills. Though both characters are Empaths, Eros’ powers can bridge the minds and hearts of two people together, like his Greek mythology namesake. While his kit would likely focus on the more dynamic and damaging aspects of Eros’ powers, his nature as an Empath could be great for an expendable Damage Boost ability for teammates.

These Overlapping Characters Would Defend as Vanguards

Pyro

Pyro is another obvious example of a character that shares powers with a Marvel Rivals hero. Like the Human Torch, Pyro can control fire. Reviewing the ways that Pyro uses his abilities in fiction, there are key differences NetEase can implement between the two fire-based heroes. Unlike Human Torch, Pyro cannot generate his own fire, rather he can control fires that have already started. Due to this weakness, Pyro’s costume includes a flamethrower. Any fire that Pyro controls can also have a level of “solidity” that can grasp enemies. The strength of his fire, and his grounded nature, may make Pyro a good candidate for the Vanguard role. Additionally, a Team-Up with the Human Torch could give Pyro’s fire a Damage Boost or the Human Torch’s flames could expand with a Pyro ability.

Hydro-Man

Like Namor, Hydro-Man can control water, but his powers extend to himself. Hydro-Man’s body can physically become water, allowing him to turn liquid when hit by an enemy or slide into hard-to-reach places. When turning his entire body into a solid pillar of water, hitting Hydro-Man feels like a ton of bricks. This aspect of his abilities makes him suited to Vanguard over other roles.

Weather Witch

Weather Witch has only been featured in a few Marvel Comics storylines, but her weather powers are essentially the same as Storm’s mutant powers. Though the mutant goddess is classified as Omega Level, making her far more powerful than Weather Witch, there are aspects of both characters’ powers that could be suited to a Vanguard role. Adding Weather Witch would essentially give NetEase an excuse to make a weather-oriented Vanguard however they see fit.

One Overlapping Character that Could Be a Strategist

Mirage

Yet another mutant, Mirage, better known by her civilian name Danielle Moonstar, has similar abilities as Psylocke as she can psionically create weapons. This is most notable with her Neural Arrows, one of her main forms of combat. Since this is a small part of Mirage’s abilities, she would still be suited to Marvel Rivals without too much comparison between the two characters, especially if her bow and arrow were used for her Normal Attack. By using mental connections with enemies and teammates, Mirage can generate images to attack and defend. Considering her affinity towards animals, an aspect of Mirage’s kit in Marvel Rivals could include psionically generated creatures, similar to Skye from Valorant. Mirage is only one of many characters that could diversify Marvel Rivals’ character roster, despite holding similarities to the game’s current heroes.

“}]] Several Marvel Comics characters have the same, or similar powers, to Marvel Rivals’ current roster, but they should still have their shot regardless  Read More