Just finished my latest Marvel Rivals grind session, and I can't help but feel both excited and frustrated about what's coming in Season 3. The game's been evolving nicely since its launch, but I'm noticing a pattern that's starting to worry me as we head into 2025.
For those who might not be following the story (and honestly, Marvel Rivals deserves credit for actually making its narrative matter), the game revolves around this massive Timestream Entanglement caused by Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart. This cosmic mess has fused together various Marvel timelines, creating the perfect excuse for our diverse hero roster to duke it out across these merged realities. It's pretty clever worldbuilding for a hero shooter!
Knull Enters the Battlefield... Sort Of
The biggest news right now is that Season 3 will introduce Knull as the spotlight villain. If you're not familiar with him, Knull is basically the god of the symbiotes in Marvel lore—yes, the creator of Venom, Carnage, and all those other gooey alien parasites. According to the teasers, his storyline will involve targeting Groot to somehow enhance new symbiotes. That's a pretty epic setup!
But here's where I'm frustrated: despite being the main antagonist of the entire season, with power levels that rival Doctor Doom himself, Knull apparently won't be playable. At least not during Season 3, when it would make the most sense.
I've been studying the leaked character roadmaps (take these with a grain of salt, of course), and Knull is nowhere to be found. Instead, rumors suggest we'll be getting Jean Grey and Captain Marvel next. Don't get me wrong—I'm always down for more X-Men representation, but... seriously? The big bad of the season doesn't get to join the roster?
History Repeating Itself
This feels like déjà vu for anyone who's been playing since Season 1. Remember the vampire-themed launch season? Dracula was the main villain, and Blade got name-dropped constantly. Everyone expected Marvel's premier vampire hunter to join the roster—it made perfect sense! Yet here we are in 2025, two full seasons later, and still no Blade.
Sure, there are rumors he's in development, but by the time he arrives, his moment will have passed. The narrative spotlight has moved on, making his eventual addition feel disconnected from the story that originally teased him.
Now it looks like Knull might suffer the same fate. If he does eventually become playable (perhaps as that unannounced tank character in development?), it'll be after his season has ended and the storyline has shifted elsewhere.
People Also Ask:
Why does Marvel Rivals focus so much on its story compared to other hero shooters?
Unlike games like Overwatch that keep their lore mostly in external media, Marvel Rivals uses its seasons to actively advance its narrative. This creates a more cohesive experience where gameplay and story complement each other.
How powerful is Knull in Marvel comics?
Knull is incredibly powerful—he's an ancient deity who created the symbiotes and has gone toe-to-toe with gods and cosmic entities. He's considered one of the more formidable threats in the Marvel universe.
Will Marvel Rivals add more villains to its roster?
While the game currently features more heroes than villains, the developers have hinted at balancing this out. Doctor Doom is already playable, so there's precedent for major antagonists joining the roster.
The Villain Problem
This reluctance to add major villains during their relevant seasons points to a larger issue. Marvel Rivals has this amazing roster of characters from across the multiverse, but it's still heavily hero-focused. Villains add so much depth and variety to gameplay! They often bring unique playstyles and abilities that heroes don't typically have.
The June 12th update did bring us some great content—a new game mode and free character skins are always welcome. NetEase Games is clearly committed to keeping the game fresh. But I can't help feeling they're missing golden opportunities to capitalize on their seasonal narratives by not making these major antagonists playable when they're most relevant.
As a live service game, Marvel Rivals is constantly evolving. There's still time for the developers to surprise us. Maybe they're holding back Knull as a mid-season addition? Or perhaps they have other plans for integrating him that haven't been revealed yet?
Whatever happens, I'll be grinding through Season 3 like everyone else, enjoying the cosmic symbiote chaos. But I'll also be wondering: in a multiverse of endless possibilities, why is Marvel Rivals limiting itself when it comes to its villains?
What do you think—should seasonal villains be prioritized as playable characters, or does it make more sense to focus on fan-favorite heroes instead? 🎮