5 Marvel Characters Who Could Shake Up Marvel Rivals

Since its release, Marvel Rivals has quickly become one of the most exciting hero shooters on the market. With a roster that has grown from 33 to 46 characters and counting, NetEase has proven they understand what makes the Marvel universe so compelling. But with an entire multiverse of possibilities at their fingertips, there are still plenty of fan-favorite characters waiting in the wings.

While characters like Cyclops and Doctor Doom seem inevitable additions, let's explore five Marvel heroes who might fly under the radar but could bring genuinely unique gameplay mechanics to the battlefield.

Gwenpool: The Meta-Breaking Merc

If you thought Deadpool was the pinnacle of fourth-wall-breaking chaos, Gwenpool exists to prove you wrong. Unlike her predecessor, Gwen Poole isn't a mutant or a super-soldier—she's an ordinary girl who somehow found herself transported into the Marvel Universe. What makes her truly special is her awareness that she's in a comic book.

This meta-knowledge could translate into some fascinating gameplay mechanics in Marvel Rivals. Imagine a character who can literally break the game's reality:

• Reality-warping abilities that temporarily alter the game's physics
• Meta-commentary that affects enemy accuracy or movement speed
• Comic book awareness that lets her predict enemy ultimates

There's actually precedent for Gwenpool in NetEase's portfolio—she was a main character in Marvel Duel. While there's been no official indication of her joining Rivals, her unique abilities could make her the most distinctive character in the entire roster.

Ant-Man: Size Matters

Ant-Man presents one of the most interesting design challenges for Marvel Rivals. How do you balance a character who can shrink to the size of an ant and grow into a literal giant? It sounds like a developer's nightmare, but also an incredible opportunity.

Picture this: Ant-Man could have a dynamic size-shifting mechanic that changes his entire playstyle:

• Micro mode: Enhanced stealth, ability to crawl through small spaces, and surprise attacks from unexpected angles
• Macro mode: Devastating melee attacks, area control, and the ability to reach high ground easily
• Hybrid abilities: Riding his ant companion for aerial mobility, using Pym Particles for tactical positioning

The challenge would be balancing these abilities so Ant-Man isn't either useless or completely broken. But if NetEase can nail the implementation, Ant-Man could offer one of the most versatile and creative playstyles in the game.

Hyperion: Marvel's Superman

Every comic universe needs its powerhouse, and Marvel has Hyperion. Often compared to Superman, Hyperion possesses flight, super strength, super speed, and laser vision. But reducing him to just "Marvel's Superman" does a disservice to his complex character history.

In Marvel Rivals, Hyperion could serve as the ultimate tank/damage hybrid:

• Flight mechanics that allow for three-dimensional combat
• Heat vision as a long-range damage option
• Super strength for devastating melee combos
• Invulnerability as a temporary shield ability

The character's inclusion could also open up interesting narrative possibilities, especially given his connections to various alternate realities and the Squadron Supreme.

Silver Surfer: Cosmic Coolness

I'll admit my bias here—the Silver Surfer is objectively one of the coolest-looking characters in all of comics. A silver-skinned cosmic being riding a surfboard through space? It's pure comic book magic. But beyond the aesthetics, Silver Surfer could bring genuinely unique gameplay to Marvel Rivals.

His abilities could center around cosmic energy manipulation:

• Surfboard mobility for fast, fluid movement across the map
• Cosmic blasts as both offensive and defensive tools
• Energy absorption to temporarily gain power from enemy attacks
• Interstellar travel for quick repositioning

The best part? NetEase has already laid the groundwork for characters like Silver Surfer. They have flying characters (Iron Man, Storm, Human Torch) and hybrid characters (Angela). Adding a surfboard-riding cosmic entity isn't as far-fetched as it might seem.

Quicksilver: The Speedster Problem

Quicksilver might be the most challenging character to implement well. As Marvel's most famous speedster, his entire identity revolves around moving faster than anyone else. But in a competitive game, "too fast" can quickly become "unfair."

The key would be finding the right balance between speed and playability:

• Controlled bursts of speed rather than constant acceleration
• Time manipulation abilities that affect only Quicksilver or create temporary zones
• Momentum-based movement that rewards skillful play
• Speed-dependent damage that scales with movement velocity

Overwatch's Tracer provides a blueprint for how speedsters can work in hero shooters. Her dash ability is limited and strategic rather than overwhelming. Quicksilver would need similar constraints while still feeling true to his character.

The Bigger Picture

What makes these five characters so compelling isn't just their individual abilities—it's how they could expand what's possible in Marvel Rivals. Each one represents a different approach to hero design:

• Gwenpool challenges the game's fundamental reality
• Ant-Man plays with scale and perspective
• Hyperion embodies raw power and versatility
• Silver Surfer brings cosmic spectacle and fluid movement
• Quicksilver tests the limits of speed and balance

As Marvel Rivals continues to evolve, the characters NetEase chooses to add will shape the game's identity. Will they play it safe with obvious choices, or will they take risks on characters who could fundamentally change how the game is played?

The beauty of the Marvel Universe is that it contains infinite possibilities. From street-level heroes to cosmic entities, from reality-warpers to speedsters, there's no shortage of characters who could bring something fresh and exciting to the battlefield.

Whether any of these five make it into the game remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the future of Marvel Rivals is looking faster, bigger, and more cosmic than ever.