Marvel Rivals is gearing up to start its Season 2.5 next week, and it looks like it may be bringing some interesting changes that could spice up the game. I played a bit of Marvel Rivals when it first came out, and although I've checked in on the game from time to time, I haven't actually played a match in a while. However, some of the new additions to the game have piqued my interest, and I may give this new update a try.

I initially got burned out on Marvel Rivals because of its similarities to Overwatch. I played a ton of Overwatch, so hopping into a new game with essentially the same gameplay loop wasn't all that exciting, even though I have a strong affinity for Marvel's characters. However, as the game continues to evolve, I am interested in seeing what changes Marvel Rivals makes, and I have been waiting for a time to give the game a second chance. Right now, it looks like Season 2.5 might be a good time for it.

What To Expect From Marvel Rivals Season 2.5

Marvel Rivals Is Adding Ultron, A New Mode, And More Team-Ups

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5, which begins on May 30, 2025, is bringing several changes to the game. One of these changes is the addition of a new Strategist hero, the supervillain Ultron. Ultron has several ways to heal allies, neither of which require constant targeting. This frees Ultron up to attack enemies with powerful energy beams while still ing his allies. Ultron's ultimate ability summons several drones, and unleashes a powerful barrage of aerial attacks.

Aside from Ultron, Marvel Rivals is also adding six new team-up abilities. This includes new team-ups for Jeff and Venom, Jeff and Storm, Punisher and Black Widow, Luna Snow and Hawkeye, Peni Parker and Rocket Raccoon, and Iron Man and Ultron. New team-ups mean new synergies to build around, potentially reshaping how teams are structured. It's also nice that Ultron will start with one, possibly incentivizing players to check out the new character.

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 is also adding a new single-player limited-time mode: Ultron's Battle Matrix Protocol. This is an auto-battler mode where you put together a team of six heroes and place them in strategic positions on a grid. Your team then faces off against other players' teams to see whose composition and positioning comes out on top.

Why Marvel Rivals' Player Count Has Dropped

Marvel Rivals Players Have Expressed Frustration About Several Aspects Of Multiplayer

Marvel Rivals has been losing players since its initial launch. This isn't entirely surprising, as a lot of players probably came to give the game a chance then, like me, decided it wasn't for them. However, checking the numbers on SteamDB for the past few months shows that Marvel Rivals players are still steadily leaving the game, even if there are a few spikes now and then. So why the steady decline?

Though I haven't played Marvel Rivals in a while, a lot of what I hear about the game as an observer is about the frustrations involved with playing it. Whether it's players quitting mid-game, teams struggling to maintain good composition, or complaints about matchmaking, there seem to be plenty of reasons why players are getting tired of the game. It's honestly a lot of the same issues I experiencing in Overwatch early on, and it's another reason why I have been reluctant to revisit Marvel Rivals.

Season 2.5 Has Me Excited For Marvel Rivals Again

I'm Interested In Trying Out Marvel Rivals' New Mode

Honestly, the main aspect of Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 that might get me to come back is the Ultron's Battle Matrix Protocol mode. I enjoy auto-battlers, like the League of Legends spin-off, Teamfight Tactics. A single-player mode also means avoiding a lot of the conflicts that seem to be happening in Marvel Rivals' main multiplayer modes. As a fan of Marvel characters, I'm always interested in trying out a new game featuring them, even if it's just a limited-time mode.

It's not good news for Marvel Rivals that one of the most interesting aspects of its update is a limited-time mode. Maybe Ultron's Battle Matrix Protocol could become a permanent fixture if it's popular enough, though I'm not going to hold my breath. Still, it is getting me to reinstall the game, and I'll probably try out a few multiplayer matches while I'm there anyway.

Source: SteamDB