Leaks in Marvel Rivals aren’t just a coincidence anymore, you know, but a tradition. Almost all the heroes currently in the game were leaked long before their official reveal. Sure, there were surprises like Black Cat, but we knew about Cyclops and Deadpool in advance thanks to datamined lines from their files. And it looks like history is repeating itself. Information about the next seven characters has leaked online—and among them are some real Marvel monsters, including the plot’s main villain.
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Announcements and confirmations: a list of all characters by season
Season 9 (Hood and Jubilee). The first pair of heroes is almost confirmed. The final gallery card for Season 8.5 contains a description that perfectly describes them: “The man behind the cloak of Oblivion… a witty foe turned ally, desperately searching for a cure for his son’s unique illness.” Rumor has it that Hood will take the role of Vanguard, and Jubilee will be the Strategist. However, the latter will allegedly appear in her comic book vampire form—a development that fans have already received with mixed reactions.
Season 10 (Nightcrawler and Gorr the Godslayer). The X-Men’s ranks continue to swell: Nightcrawler is next in line. But the big surprise is Gorr. The community has long complained about the lack of playable villains, and the developers seem to have listened. Both are believed to be appearing in this season.
Season 11 (Doctor Doom). A significant event: the game will reportedly finally add the main villain of the current plot, Doctor Doom. Leaks suggest this will happen around the same time as the release of Avengers: Doomsday. Doom’s partner for the season is still unknown, but previously leaked files have already mentioned Captain Marvel, Professor X, and even Thanos.
Where are the others? Besides these five, Blue Marvel and Crescent are constantly appearing in leaks, but they’re not yet tied to any specific season. Dataminers have already accumulated over 20 characters whose appearances are still to come. So, take any release date with a healthy dose of skepticism.
How New Characters Will Change the Current Marvel Rivals Meta (Seasons 9-11 Prediction)
The Marvel Rivals meta has been, frankly, a bit stagnant over the past couple of seasons, especially for tanks and supports. But the upcoming newcomers could shake things up. Let’s take a look at each one and figure out what to expect.
️ Hood (Vanguard, Season 9) – New Tier of Mobile Tanks
Hood is a character who, in the comics, relies on a magical cloak and dual pistols. Data leaks from X0X_LEAK portray him as a Vanguard with a demonic transformation: in his basic form, he dual-wields pistols (requiring cooling when overheated), and in his ultimate, he transforms into a demon, gaining a shield and attack boost.
How he’ll change the meta: Right now, Vanguards either lane or aggressively dive into the backline. Hood could become a hybrid—a mobile, shooting tank with the ability to “switch” to close-quarters combat. He’ll likely be picked alongside shield tanks like Captain America or Magneto—Hood will play the role of an off-tank, pushing flanks.
Jubilee (Strategist, Season 9) — a support with crowd control
Leaks suggest she’s a Strategist, and with a very interesting kit. The names of her abilities have already surfaced in the game files—”Atomic Bomb” and its enhanced version. Yes, that very bomb—in the comics, Jubilee could concentrate her pyrotechnic energy into devastating explosions. Her basic attacks will likely blind and disorient enemies—classic crowd control, which some supports sorely lack.
How she’ll change the meta: Jubilee will likely become a new choice for top support. She won’t be a pure healer, but will focus on crowd control and weakening enemies. This could lead to the emergence of “no-heal” picks—strategies that emphasize pressure and slowing rather than constant health regeneration.
Nightcrawler (Duelist, Season 10) – Ultra-Mobile Assassin
Nightcrawler is expected to be a Duelist, which makes sense. His main feature is teleportation. Datamining suggests he could be one of the most agile characters in the game, capable of instantly appearing in a given spot and disappearing just as quickly. Essentially, he’s a close-range version of Moon Knight, but with an emphasis on evasion and pinpoint damage.
How it will change the meta: The introduction of such a mobile assassin could weaken the position of slower supports (like Adam Warlock or Loki). Nightcrawler players will specialize in clearing enemy backlines. In response, the meta could shift toward more self-sufficient and agile Strategists.
️ Gorr the Godslayer (Duelist?, Season 10) – Overwhelming melee control
Thor’s most dangerous enemy. His official role hasn’t been revealed yet, but given his lore, he’s unlikely to use a bow. His sword, the Necrosword, is a key detail. We’ve already seen his anime-styled abilities in Blade’s ultimate, but Gorr can actually use the sword for real: huge, space-splitting AoE attacks and the ability to transform his limbs into sharp tentacles. He’ll be a dangerous melee hero with immense crowd control.
How he’ll change the meta: He could be an ideal counter against team-heavy units (like the X-Men or Guardians of the Galaxy). His appearance will likely encourage players to play more disorganized, prolonging teamfights to prevent Gorr from dealing devastating AoE damage to everyone at once.
Doctor Doom (Season 11) – a potential overpowered hybrid
This is the main card up NetEase’s sleeve. If Doom is made a Vanguard (like Magneto), he’ll gain an incredible set of tools: magical shields, teleportation, nano-missiles, and the ability to summon robotic droids. But a Strategist role is equally likely – his magic and artifacts could provide powerful buffs and heals.
How he’ll change the meta: Regardless of his role, he’ll be a central figure in the lineup. Doom’s addition will likely reshape the entire hero hierarchy, creating a new “event horizon” for tier lists. His multi-tasking abilities (shield, mobility, damage) could make him a standalone hero for solo players.
Comparison Chart – Who will influence the meta and how?
As for Blue Marvel and Crescent, there is too little information about them yet to make any predictions. But if the leaks are to be believed, they will also appear someday.
