NetEase has revealed everything that fans can expect from Marvel Rivals Season 6: Night at the Museum, which begins on January 16th.
According to the latest developer vision, the upcoming season will bring new heroes, balance changes, and updates to the esports scene, which will impact both casual and professional players.
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Deadpool Arrives as the First Multi-Class Hero
Deadpool will be the latest addition to the game’s roster, launching in the first half of the season. Unlike previously released characters, Deadpool can become a Duelist, Vanguard, or Strategist.
As a result, he gains unique abilities depending on which role players choose. From throwing swords and dealing damage as a Duelist to hurling plushies that project barriers and boasting 500 health as a Vanguard, or providing AOE heals as a Strategist, Deadpool can do it all.
Additionally, Deadpool introduces a unique XP mechanic, allowing players to augment his abilities through upgrades. As a Duelist, some of these upgrades can increase pistols and katana damage, gaining headshot capabilities, creating an explosion after throwing his katana and more.
The second hero coming to the game has been confirmed to be Elsa Bloodstone, who will arrive in Season 6.5 update. However, her role, kit and potential team-ups have yet to be revealed.
Marvel Rivals Season 6 Balance Changes and Team-up Rotations
The latest balance patch notes were also published ahead of the dev vision, which detail buffs and nerfs to the most popular characters in the game.
Vanguards Hulk, Captain America, Doctor Strange, and Emma Frost will be buffed, while Angela will be nerfed.
For Duelists, Black Panther and Iron Fist will receive overall buffs, while Daredevil will be nerfed. Namor’s Team-Up with Hela will be toned down, but his base abilities will see an increase in power. Finally, Blade will see new effects to his abilities. Daywalker Dash now applies a 40% slow on enemies when using the shotgun, and using the sword instead applies 8% healing reduction per strike for up to 32%.
Strategists Gambit, Rocket Raccoon, and Invisible Woman will be nerfed. On the other hand, Cloak & Dagger will receive notable buffs. While Dagger Storm’s initial healing will be reduced, it will also provide an instant 60 health to allies. Additionally, Veil of Lightforce and Terror Cape will now share charges, capped at two with a 12-second recharge.
Team-Up Changes
With every new season comes a shake-up to the Team-Up pool, which will see old ones retire while introducing new abilities to shake up the meta.
Here are all of the Team-Up changes for Season 6:
- New Team-Ups
- Mr. Pool’s Interdimensional Toy Box (Deadpool – Jeff the Landshark): Jeff can deploy a plushie that heals nearby allies and obscures enemy visuals.
- Parker Power-Up (Peni Parker – Spider-Man): Spider-Man can either throw a bomb to deal AOE damage and apply Spider-Traces, or hold it to gain bonus health and a Web Cluster charge.
- Removed Team-Ups
- Ever Burning Bond (Human Torch – Spider-Man): Spider-man could fire a flaming web that applied a burning tracer, dealing damage over time before detonation.
- Adjusted Team-Ups
- Rocket Network (Rocket Raccoon – Peni Parker, Star-Lord): Peni Parker has been removed, no longer able to summon a second Spider-Nest.
- Deep Wrath (Hela – Namor): Tidal Dirge cooldown increased from 20 to 30 seconds. Reduced Undead Monstro damage from 12 to 10, and Berserk state damage from 7 to 6.
- Vibrant Vitality (Mantis – Groot, Loki): Reduce Deific Blessing ally damage boost effect from 25% to 15%.
Updates to the Marvel Rivals Championship
The Marvel Rivals Championship (MRC) is a seasonal community tournament where in-game factions can compete for cash prizes. However, Season 6 will bring richer rewards to the open-bracket competition.
The top four teams will still earn cash for their efforts, with first place earning $7000 (~£5,203) to be split amongst all players. However, every other team below will earn the in-game currency Units for participating in the event, from 50,000 Units awarded to teams that reach the top eight to 2,000 Units for playing in the open qualifiers.
Additionally, all teams will acquire redesigned nameplates and sprays depending on where they placed in the MRC.
Season 6 Roadmap
Marvel Rivals also revealed the content roadmap for Season 6: Night at the Museum, from upcoming skins, in-game events, feature updates and more.
January 16th will see the launch of Season 6, bringing Deadpool and the new battle pass to the hero shooter. Additionally, new costumes will be available for Deadpool (Captain Pool), Spider-Man and Venom (Marvel Cosmic Invasion).
The first day of the season will also see the release of the new Whac-A-Jeff event, where players can earn rewards such as an 8-Bit Jeff the Landshark costume. It will also see the implementation of new accessories and the revamped proficiency reward system.
January 23rd will bring two new Disco Revolution skins for Luna Snow and Thor, while also hosting Disco Night in the Time Square community hub.
January 30th will bring a new convoy map, Museum of Contemplation, to the game. Additionally, The Clobberin’ Club will be a new 1v1 feature in Time Square, where players can spend units to broadcast matches. The day will also bring new costumes for Angela and Emma Frost, on top of a new Flight Mode event.
February 2nd, 2026 will bring two new cosmetics to the hero shooter. The Mecha Flora costume for Groot, and Quiet Council of Krakoa for Magneto. This will be the last update before Season 6.5 kicks off on February 13th.
How Will Season 6 Impact Esports?
Deadpool may have the most versatile kit introduced to Marvel Rivals so far, but his viability remains to be seen in Season 6. We have seen new additions, like Daredevil in Season 4.5 and Gambit in Season 5, dominate the meta after their debut, but only time will tell whether Deadpool will see a similar development.
Moreover, Gambit getting nerfed is arguably the most drastic change coming with the balance patch. He has been the go-to Strategist for many players in Season 5, as revealed in the recent Hero Hot List, so his nerf should allow for other support heroes to shine in the new season.
Marvel Rivals Ignite, the game’s official esports scene, will return for a 2026 circuit, where teams will compete across multiple stages for a place in the two LANs this year. Many of the changes introduced in Season 6 will still be in effect, in addition to the Season 6.5 update, come the Pre-Season in March, shaping the strategies used by the best players in the scene.
Additionally, the changes to MRC will make it more enticing for players to participate in, as everyone will be rewarded for at least competing in the Open Qualifiers. As MRC plays a more significant role in the Ignite esports circuit due to the promotion and relegation system, there are greater incentives for new talent to emerge.
Source: https://esportsinsider.com/2026/01/how-marvel-rivals-season-6-affect-esports
