It feels like we've been waiting forever for a proper look at Blade in Marvel Rivals, and let me assure you that the wait is now over. After what felt like an eternity, 162 days to be exact, the Daywalker has come, and players are already figuring out his devastating moves. This isn't just about a new hero; Season 3.5 brings a slew of upgrades, new modes, and significant changes to how we play and interact.
I knew this mid-season update was going to be large, but the amount of stuff hitting the battlefield is insane. There is a lot to unpack, from hero changes that might completely alter the meta to a new game mode that will put our teamwork to the test. In addition, a new audio chat feature has gotten everyone talking, and not just in-game.
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5: Release Date and Overview
The Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 Update is almost here, and it will include Blade as a new playable Hero, as well as several changes and repairs. This update, titled "The Abyss Awaken," will begin on August 8th, and it appears to be one of the most thrilling mid-season drops yet. We're receiving new characters, maps, modes, and mechanisms that will keep things exciting.
Blade: Abilities, Playstyle, and Team-Ups.
Blade, the renowned Daywalker, has finally entered the lineup as a Duelist hero. I've been quite excited for him, and his gear does not disappoint. He has a shotgun for some significant mid-range pressure, but it's his Ancestral Sword that allows him to channel his Dhampir ancestry and thrive right in the thick of the fight.
Blade's primary and secondary abilities.
Blade's character reveal teaser demonstrates how terrifying this Duelist will be. Blade may use his titanium sword to deflect incoming projectile damage and even some abilities, such as Mantis' sleep dart, before performing a quick'slice and dice' attack on adversaries once he has closed the distance. This implies he's not only about offense; he also has great defensive talents, which is a significant asset for a Duelist. I can already envision him as a nightmare for projectile-based heroes.
Blade's Ultimate Ability: A Thousand Cuts.
When it comes to his ultimate, "A Thousand Cuts," players have quickly connected the dots. Blade appears to be able to leap into the air or run across the ground, creating a trail of red cuts that will quickly sever any enemy in its path. It reminds me of Vergil from Devil May Cry, which I take as a compliment. The visual impact alone is intimidating, yet the ability to eliminate numerous adversaries makes it extremely strong. I'm eagerly anticipating the highlight reels.
Blade's Team Up Synergies
Blade is more than just a lone wolf; he is also introducing new Team-Up powers to the game. He's joining the "Lunar Force" team-up alongside Cloak & Dagger and Moon Knight, which sounds like it'll give the squad even more bite. New team-ups include "Duality Dance" for Adam Warlock and Luna Snow, and "Vibrant Vitality" for Mantis and Groot/Loki. These new synergies will undoubtedly shake up current hero combos and challenge us to reconsider our meta strategies, which is always a good thing in a game like this.
Comprehensive Hero Balance Changes (Buffs and Nerfs)
Of course, with a new hero and modes, balance adjustments are necessary. The Marvel Rivals team is implementing numerous changes, including buffs and nerfs, to ensure a level playing field. These subtleties are simple to overlook, yet they can have a significant impact on how a hero feels about playing and their position in the current meta. While I don't have specific statistics for each change, I can give you an idea of what's coming and what it means.
Duelist Hero Adjustments
Duelists are seeing some changes to ensure Blade doesn't utterly dominate everyone. For example, maybe Phoenix's ultimate charge rate will be reduced by 5% to allow other Duelists to shine. Alternatively, Iron Man's Repulsor Cannon damage might be increased by 3% to give him a little more punch. These minor changes can make a significant difference in who we select to play.
Vanguard Hero Adjustments
Vanguard heroes are frequently the foundation of a team, and certain changes here could be critical. Imagine if Hulk's "Gamma Slam" cooldown was raised by one second, forcing players to think more tactically about its use. Or perhaps Groot's "Branch Out" healing was increased by 7%, making him an even more dependable tank. These adjustments are intended to refine their role and impact on the team fight.
Strategist Hero Changes
Strategists are all about control and support, and their tweaks are frequently about improving their utility. What if Doctor Strange's "Eye of Agamotto" duration was decreased by 0.5 seconds to allow for greater counterplay? Or possibly Scarlet Witch's "Chaos Magic" damage was raised by 4% to give her a stronger offensive presence. These types of adjustments keep the Strategist class seeming new and relevant.
New Game Mode: Resource Rumble and Throne of Knull Map.
Season 3.5 introduces a thrilling new mode called "Resource Rumble" and a brand-new map named "Throne of Knull." This is when things become really interesting in competitive play. The new format will debut in Quick Match on August 22nd, before expanding to Competitive.
Understanding the Resource Rumble Objectives
"Resource Rumble" is defined as a dynamic, team-based match type. According to what I've gathered, it will most likely include teams fighting over certain resources or map control spots. The goal will not merely be to eliminate opponents, but also to manage and secure these resources. This means that collaboration and coordinated efforts will be more crucial than ever. I anticipate a lot of back-and-forth conflicts and strategic decisions about when to push for resources and when to engage the enemy.
Strategies for the Throne of Knull Map.
The "Throne of Knull" map appears to be falling headfirst into cosmic dread, with the Phoenix Force fractured and the King in Black rising. I think this map will have different lanes and choke spots, as seen in hero shooters, but with environmental hazards or unique verticality based on the Knull theme. Strategies will most likely focus upon controlling critical sightlines and gaining an advantage from the map's distinctive features. Given the moniker, I wouldn't be surprised if there are key regions that become intense battlegrounds for resource control, requiring teams to excel at both offensive and defense.
AI Voice Chat Monitoring: 'Operation: Shield the Players' Explained
This is undoubtedly the most talked-about section of the update, and with good cause. Marvel Rivals is putting in place an AI voice chat monitoring system called 'Operation: Shield the Players.' As of July 24th, automatic voice chat screening with human moderation is available to help identify toxicity. Every communication you have in Marvel Rivals will be recorded in order to remove players that are harmful to one another.
How AI Voice Chat Monitoring Works:
The system is intended to monitor what you say in voice chat and, with human intervention, "penalize" participants for using "inappropriate language." The goal is to help developers "catch toxic behavior," which sounds wonderful on paper. Players can even create their own text chat filters by muting key words to suit their in-game experience.
However, the timeline is somewhat weird. According to Rivals' Creative Director Guangguang in the most recent Dev Vision Vol. 08 update breakdown, the system was introduced on July 24 - a week ago - which is surprising given that he described it as a forthcoming feature in a video released on July 30. This type of contradicting information should undoubtedly make players suspicious.
Player Concerns & NetEase's Position
Naturally, this arrangement has caused some privacy issues. The language used to define what constitutes "inappropriate" behavior and the consequences has proven ambiguous. It raises the age-old question of whether it's worth allowing a large corporation to listen in on everything you say only to prevent trash-talking. While the claimed goal is to eliminate toxicity, the concept of constant monitoring might be intrusive for players who simply want to have fun without feeling like they are being monitored.
Additional Season 3.5 Content: Events, Skins, and Roadmap.
Aside from the big-ticket items, Season 3.5 is jam-packed with additional goodies and a clear path for what's to come. This is fantastic for keeping gamers interested and providing them something to look forward to.
Queen's Codex Event Details
We are getting a new "Queen's Codex" event. While precise information on how to achieve everything (free vs. premium) are not yet available, these events often include a combination of challenges and rewards. I'm hoping for some interesting freebies along with any premium cosmetic packs.
New Cosmetic Bundles: How to Get Them
Of course, new heroes require new skins! We might expect a variety of new cosmetic packs. Typically, these are obtained through in-game currency earned while playing or through direct purchase. I'm always curious to see what fresh looks they create for our favorite characters.
Season 3.5: Content Roadmap
The Season 3.5 roadmap appears to be quite firm. Blade will be available on August 8th, followed by the "Resource Rumble" mode on August 22nd, both in Quick Match. Aside from that, we may expect more events, cosmetic drops, and perhaps even teasers for Season 4. This precise timeline allows us to plan our playtime and know what to expect in the future weeks.
Competitive Play and Quality of Life Improvements
For those of us who enjoy climbing the ranks, there will be some significant changes to competitive gaming. These adjustments aim to make the ranked experience more fair and entertaining.
Ranked Play Changes
The new season will most likely see changes to how rankings are computed and how players progress. This could imply recalibrations, or even new tiers to strive for. The goal is always to provide a more realistic representation of competence, and I'm interested to see how these adjustments affect the rise.
Matchmaking Updates
Matchmaking is also gaining popularity. The goal is to make matches more balanced and fair, minimizing frustrating one-sided games. This could mean stricter skill-based matching or changes to how teams are formed. Furthermore, abandoning Competitive matches has become more serious, with harsher quitting penalties, longer bans, and point deductions for those that leave. On the other hand, when you're down a player, surrender votes will be easier to activate, which is a good touch.
Addressing Marvel Rivals Controversies: Chat Censorship, Bot Lobbies
It's impossible to discuss Marvel Rivals without bringing up some of the game's continuing conflicts. The new AI voice chat monitoring technology seamlessly integrates into this wider discourse.
Previous Chat Censorship Issues.
Prior to the new voice chat system, Marvel Rivals had already been chastised for chat censorship, with allegations of terms such as "Winnie the Pooh" and other CCP-related phrases being blacklisted. This type of censoring has long been a source of controversy in gaming, and it raises questions about the level of control over communication. While the new voice monitoring technology is intended to reduce toxicity, some players may perceive it as an extension of these previous difficulties.
The Bot Lobby Debate.
Another recurring debate has been the reported presence of "bot lobbies," in which gamers believe they are matched against AI-controlled opponents, particularly in lower levels or less crowded areas. While not directly tied to the Season 3.5 content, it contributes to the community's general view of the game's integrity. The developers are continuously striving to improve the player experience, and resolving these issues is an important element of establishing trust.
Overall, Marvel Rivals Season 3.5: The Abyss Awaken appears to be a very exciting update. Blade is finally here; the balancing tweaks will keep us on our toes, while the new mode and map provide new challenges. While the voice chat monitoring system is certainly worth keeping an eye on, the sheer volume of new content makes it an excellent time to return if you've been looking for an excuse. I know I'm ready to plunge in and watch how Blade dominates the competition!