Season 2 of Marvel Rivals is here, and we’re finally stepping onto the sentient island of Krakoa with Emma Frost on our side. Amid the chaos of the Hellfire Gala disrupted by Ultron, this new season doesn’t just bring playable characters but also fresh story elements to the game.
It’s also the perfect time for NetEase to roll out a slew of hero buffs and nerfs in a detailed balance update. But one of the biggest changes this season is the introduction of hero bans starting at Gold III Rank. This is a significant step for budding players who’ve just hit Gold and want to experience what it’s like to execute target bans or shake up the meta by removing a dominant pick (like Magneto or the newly added Emma Frost) from the lobby.
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+ 2In Season 1.5 and earlier, bans were only available from Diamond Rank and above, which is six tiers higher from Gold III. Players had to grind through both Gold and Platinum ranks just to reach that level. It was a long and often discouraging journey, one that not everyone could commit to. So, it's refreshing to see banning phases now starting at Gold III.
As mentioned, this could shift how Gold-level matches play out. Common bans usually target heroes like Spider-Man, with his frustrating swing-and-dip mobility, Bucky with his endless “Again!”s, or precise threats like Hela and Hawkeye. With bans now in play at Gold III, players have more tools at their disposal to build strategies before the match even begins.
This is another substantial update from NetEase, which continues to push toward making Marvel Rivals more player-friendly. In addition to the ban changes, Season 2 introduces a new competitive feature: individualized rank points. That means players who perform well can be rewarded—even if their team loses the match. There's also a new experimental graphics setting aimed at reducing RAM usage and improving overall performance.
click to enlarge+ 2Season 2 is just getting started. With Ultron joining the roster in May, and the game's steady one-hero-per-month model, things are moving fast. But the question remains—can that pace last? Hear our thoughts here.
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