Alright squad, let’s talk Marvel Rivals. Season 3 just dropped on July 11, and the update packs a punch. Whether you’re here for the new hero, the revamped UI, or just hoping to finally shut down smurf accounts (seriously, go touch grass), this patch has a bit of everything.
Let’s get into the highlights—and yeah, we’ve got some opinions.
Jean Grey (aka Phoenix) Enters the Arena
First off, Jean Grey is finally here—and she’s rocking that Duelist role as Phoenix. If you’ve been asking for more X-Men love, this is a big win. Her debut has lit up the fanbase, and honestly, she’s a blast to play. Mind control chaos? Yes, please.
But here’s the thing: A lot of players are pointing out the huge class imbalance right now. Duelists are dominating the roster, while Vanguards and Strategists are kinda getting the short end of the stick. Sure, Phoenix is awesome, but we’d love to see more tanks and tacticians in the mix—especially for players who like to support or frontline.
📝 Hot take: If NetEase wants more strategic team comp diversity, Season 4 and 5 need to bring the heat with new Vanguards and Strategists.
Related read: Asus Unveils ProArt P16 Laptops with Ryzen AI and Creator-Focused Features
UI Got a Much-Needed Makeover
Now for something everyone seems to agree on—the new end-of-match UI is actually super helpful. After each match, you’ll now see exactly how far you’ve progressed on seasonal missions and event objectives (like the Milano Repair Logs).
Even better? The game clearly shows which rewards you can claim now and what’s coming up next. No more guessing or flipping through menus to figure out if you finished that challenge.
This one might seem small, but it really makes grinding missions feel more satisfying. Big W, NetEase.
The new UI changed to the end screen are amazing
byu/_GhosHawk_ inmarvelrivals
Smurfing Detection System Is Here
In an unexpected but very welcome move, NetEase has rolled out a smurf detection system. If the game thinks you’re tanking matches or playing in low-level lobbies with a fresh account, you’ll get an immediate warning.
While the devs haven’t said exactly what the punishments are, players are speculating bans or suspensions could follow. And honestly? Good. Smurfing wrecks the balance of online games and ruins the experience for newer players.
This new system shows NetEase is serious about keeping the game fair, and we’re here for it.
Read: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Now Available — And It’s a Performance Beast
What’s Coming in Season 3.5?
Mark your calendars: August 8 is the launch of Season 3.5, and it’s bringing in none other than Blade. He’s been MIA since Dracula captured him in Season 1 (seriously, that plot was wild), and fans have been waiting for his return ever since.
This update could shake things up in a big way, especially if Blade fills one of those underrepresented roles (please not another Duelist 🙏).
Clutch Champ Thoughts
Season 3 is shaping up to be one of the best updates yet for Marvel Rivals. You’ve got:
- A legendary X-Men hero
- Smarter mission tracking
- Anti-smurfing enforcement
- And a huge update with Blade on the horizon
Still, the roster needs some love in the Vanguard and Strategist departments. Here’s hoping future seasons fix that imbalance and continue building on what’s already a really promising foundation.
If you haven’t logged in recently, now’s the perfect time to squad up, try the new features, and prepare for Blade’s arrival.
Also read: NVIDIA’s RTX 5050 and the Future of AI: My Experience at the New Delhi Showcase