With two very successful test phases now under its belt, it feels safe to say thatMarvel Rivalsis likely going to be a pretty big hit when it releases towards the end of the year. One of the biggest reasons behindMarvel Rivals' success so far has been its extensive and relatively well-balanced roster, containing a total of 23 playable characters, each equipped with a handful of unique special abilities and a powerful Ultimate that’s capable of changing the tide of battle in an instant.
ButMarvel Rivals' roster is far from complete. Though its 23-character roster already offers a great deal of variety,Marvel Rivalsdeveloper, NetEase, has already teased that this is only the beginning forMarvel Rivals' cast. While only a few upcoming characters have been officially announced, a leaked roster forMarvel Rivalsdid drop a while ago, containing staples like Wolverine and lesser-known heroes like Cloak and Dagger and Squirrel Girl. Leaks should always be taken with a pinch of salt, but if this datamined roster does end up coming to fruition, then it could leaveMarvel Rivals' roster with one pretty obvious gap.
Marvel Rivals Could Have a Villain Problem
Marvel Rivals' Leaked Roster Has Just One Villain
Out ofMarvel Rivals' 23 currently playable characters, just three of them are considered true Marvel villains, at least inthe canon ofMarvel Rivals' multiverse-spanning story. According toMarvel Rivals' in-game character bios, Loki and Hela have teamed up to betray Thor and have thrown him into an alternate timeline, taking over Asgard while Odin sleeps. Magneto also remains a villain inMarvel Rivals, with his bio confirming that he still comes to blows with other Mutants. While Venom is on the roster, he’s technically an anti-hero inMarvel Rivals, embracing the ‘Lethal Protector’ moniker and setting his sights not on Spider-Man, but the dark god Knull.
Namor’s in-game bio states he’s begun a war on the human world, which would paint him as a villain, though his allegiances are a bit more complicated in the usual Marvel canon.
At Gamescom Opening Night Live, NetEase confirmed that the Winter Soldier is coming toMarvel Rivalsupon its December launch. It seems as thoughMarvel Rivals' version of Winter Soldier is leaning into his more villainous comic roots. But if the recentMarvel Rivalsleaks can be believed, then Ultron is the only other villainous character set to hitMarvel Rivalsin the months following its release.
This means that whenallMarvel Rivals' leaked charactershit the game, there could be just five proper Marvel villains on the roster, which would pale in comparison to the 32 heroes that could be present. It would be a shame to have so few villains inMarvel Rivals, with there being so many great picks just waiting in the wings.
Villains Who Deserve to be on Marvel Rivals' Roster
Countless villains deserve a spot onMarvel Rivals' roster. The iconic Mad Titan, Thanos, would be an obvious pick, with his large stature and powerful ability set making him an ideal choice for a villainous Vanguard. There are a ton ofSpider-Man villainswho would also thrive inMarvel Rivals, with Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, and even Mr. Negative all having intriguing niches that would set them apart from the rest of the current roster. There could even be room for more X-Men villains, such as Mr. Sinister, Apocalypse, Juggernaut, and Mystique.
