Summary

• Marvel Rivals will likely add 15 post-launch characters leaked in May, expanding its impressive hero roster.
• Characters are split into Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist roles based on abilities and fit well within the game.
• The game's possible post-launch characters include popular figures like Ghost Rider, Deadpool, Thanos, and more for diverse gameplay.

Marvel Rivals boasts an impressive roster of heroes, but there are some that still must be added post-launch. Along with the 25 characters confirmed for launch, another 15 were leaked back in May. These 15 are likely to be added as well due to the list containing characters who made the initial roster. However, with a franchise as rich with superheroes and villains as Marvel, there is still plenty left to include.

Marvel Rivals characters are split into the roles of Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist. Characters are placed into these roles based on where their abilities and build will fit best. Some tend to stretch the lore a bit, but overall, it fits well enough to avoid any major complaints. Marvel Rivals is also avoiding a major annoyance by making all characters free to unlock through natural progression.

10 Ghost Rider, The Fiery Devil

Role: Duelist

Ghost Rider is a character who has gained more popularity in recent years, and was one of the strongest characters in Marvels Midnight Suns. His inclusion, in any of his iterations, would be an exciting addition to the hero shooter. Another benefit is how easily his powers could translate into the game. These powers are what slot him into the DPS Duelist role.

One is a temporary mode that buffs all his abilities and attacks, or the other is him riding his signature motorcycle in a line and dealing massive damage.

His main weapon/basic attack would be one of the chains that he can hit from a slightly spaced close range. One ability could even be a long-range hook similar to what Spider-Man has. His ive could inflict a light-damaging burn over time effect on anyone hit with his abilities. For an ultimate, two likely options exist. One is a temporary mode that buffs all his abilities and attacks, or the other is him riding his signature motorcycle in a line and dealing massive damage.

9 Deadpool, The Comical Merc With A Mouth

Role: Duelist

Even toned down from his usual R-Rated self, Deadpool is too popular an option not to be included in Marvel Rivals. His general popularity and excitement from recent movies would make him a large draw. Gameplay for him might be simple, but there are creative and comical ways to make him stand out.

Grenades and a damage reflection ability would also work and take inspiration from the movies.

Deadpool's basic attack would be from his signature pistols, with perhaps an option to use his sword for extra damage at close range. Grenades and a damage reflection ability would also work and take inspiration from the movies. The ultimate would likely be the trickiest part, but if the rest of his kit is damaged, focused, an ultimate that plays around his healing factor to provide him with some self-sustain would make him feel unique in his role.

8 Thanos, The Mad Titan

Role: Vanguard

Another popular movie addition, Thanos, would fit perfectly as a Vanguard in Marvel Rivals. Thanos has the natural bulk to play the Tank role and would synergize well with the other roles. His kit would also be incredibly easy to make when basing it around his infinity gauntlet. The gauntlet could be his basic attack or replaced with his twin blade sword for a cooler effect.

A sustain ability Thanos could have is rewinding time with the Time Stone, similar to Tracer from Overwatch, to restore missing health or cleanse debuffs. The Reality Stone could be a ive ability where Thanos can interact with the game's destructive environment from a distance. Meanwhile, the Power Stone could give him a temporary buff to cover his damage. Creating a balanced ultimate around the stones would be tricky, but something global that would either damage or debuff enemies would fit best thematically.

7 Mysterio, The Scientific Illusionist

Role: Strategist

Mysterio is another villain who has seen a resurgence since he appeared in the movies, with a recent crossover in Fortnite. His abilities, though created by technology, make him a perfect fit for a Strategist. The important part for him would be making his abilities feel different from Loki's, so the role doesn't have two illusionists that feel similar.

The easiest way for Mysterio to heal would be sending out drones that attach to allies and heal them for a set amount of time. This would likely be best with multiple drones rather than one. To make him feel different from Loki, his illusion ability would be cast on allies rather than himself, giving his team more opportunities to engage or escape as needed. A tactical ultimate this trickster could have is creating a large monster illusion that would crowd control, either fear or slow effect, enemies near it for a period.

6 Captain Marvel, Explosively Powerful

Role: Duelist

Captain Marvel has become a crucial part of the Marvel franchise and would be an explosive addition to the hero shooter. Though she could work as a Vanguard, her powers fit the Duelist role more. She would also have a myriad of options for synergy abilities, with the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers being the most obvious.

Captain Marvel's kit could play well into her binary powers by giving her two forms in the place of an ultimate. Her standard form would build up binary power, and at any point players can switch to her binary mode to enhance her abilities. An example of this is her standard form basic attack being a regular punch, while her enhanced would be a binary blast of explosive power. This kind of kit would make Captain Marvel a Duelist with a high skill ceiling and creativity.

5 Doctor Octopus, Sinister & Scientific

Role: Vanguard

One of the most popular Spider-Man villains, Doc Ock would fit splendidly into this new title. His size, largely due to his mechanical arms, and abilities perfectly suit the Vanguard role. Another bonus is that characters like Venom, Spider-Man or future Sinister Six additions would make for great team-up abilities.

Doc Ock's basic attack is simple to create by using his mechanical arms. A sustain ability would be spinning his arms rapidly to delete any damage in its radius. A second ability could be a large jump that deals little damage but stuns/pins any enemies he lands on. Finally, a fun and powerful ultimate would play off his occasional ability to shoot lasers from his tentacles, pointing all four in a wide line to fire a powerful beam that turns slightly.

4 The Resurgent X-Men Gambit

Role: Duelist

Though not as well known as others, the recent popularity of X-Men 97 and Deadpool & Wolverine makes this a perfect time to bring in this mutant. Gambit plays perfectly in the DPS role and has the potential to mesh with his fellow X-Men teammates. His basic attack would also be the easiest part of his kit, allowing him to deal ranged damage with his explosive cards.

One possibility is a broad fan of cards that doesn't have much range but does more damage the more cards impact. Another is an enhancement ability that increases the rate of fire of Gambit's basic attack.

The rest of Gambit's abilities would be tricky creations but have the potential to be great fun. One possibility is a broad fan of cards that doesn't have much range but does more damage the more cards impact. Another is an enhancement ability that increases the rate of fire of Gambit's basic attack. For his ultimate, a small buildup with his staff that then slams into the ground for wide area-of-effect damage could be a helpful addition for a character that is largely single-target focused.

3 The Bewitching Sorceress Enchantress

Role: Strategist

Enchantress, while not being as well known as the other Asgardians like Thor in Marvel Rivals, would be a fun addition to the Strategists. Her abilities play perfectly into the role, and she would already have multiple characters to synergize with. A kit for her would be best, with only one healing ability and the rest focused on confusing the enemy.

A way to make Enchantress feel different from the other Strategists would be to utilize her shield powers. She could give her teammates shields that do heal a slight amount but provide some extra temporary health. This would make her more of a flex than a main healer, but this fits a game like Marvel Rivals, where s don't feel built to just heal. A good ultimate for her would be some kind of area animation that crowd controls any enemies near her and makes them walk towards her.

2 The Flexible And Destructive Sandman

Role: Vanguard

Another popular Spider-Man villain in Sandman would be a unique take on the tank role. His sand powers give him a way to not only soak up alot of damage, but create cover for his team, like Groot. However, the way Sandman could work would make him a versatile bruiser that stands out from the rest of the characters at his role.

To go along with his range, Sandman's walls should be able to move slightly to provide mobile cover for his team. This not only helps his allies but gives him an avenue to take space, which is a crucial job in the role. A second ability could be a short-to-mid-range attack of sand that would root enemies in place for a short time. Sandman's ultimate would enlarge him to his giant sandform, increasing his health, damage and slowing any enemies in close range of him.

1 The Living Arsenal War Machine

Role: Duelist

Though he made a recent appearance in Fortnite, War Machine is a great option for another aerial Duelist. The important part with his kit would be making it more realistic than what Iron Man can do. However, this does not take away the combos he could have with his best friend and other Avengers.

War Machine's basic attack could either be a stream of bullets from his gloves or slow-moving but high-impact rockets. In either case, one ability would utilize his rockets for a high burst lock-on attack. Mobility would also be a crucial part of this kit, possibly making War Machine into a high-mobility aerial assassin.

Overall, the list of possible characters that could be added to this highly anticipated hero shooter is immense. It also seems like the development team is willing to add characters that aren't as popular as the ones that usually come to mind. With these factors in mind, these are 10 must-include post-launch characters for Marvel Rivals.