Rival Banter: A Marvel Rivals Podcast

The "bounty hunting" drama has officially hit the devs' desks! In Episode 49 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth break down the official statement from NetEase regarding the "Vigilante Justice" throwing scandal and why some community-proposed solutions might actually make things worse. We start the episode with our personal week in Rivals and a round of Blind Ranking Marvel Rivals Controversies. From balancing blunders to community drama, we’re ranking the biggest "yikes" moments in the game's history. In the News: New Skins: Reactions to the legendary Fear Itself Thing skin and the highly anticipated Daredevil: Born Again suit. Vigilante Justice Follow-Up: NetEase has issued a zero-tolerance policy for "incentivized throwing," threatening permanent bans for anyone sabotaging matches for third-party bounties. Topic: Mid-Season Mailbag MCU Favorites: What are our favorite MCU films/TV shows, and which costumes do we want to see next? (Shoutout to that S1 Netflix Daredevil look!). Returning Game Modes: We discuss which game modes we want to see come back with changes. 

Was the Rivals Assemble event the grand reveal we were waiting for, or just a glorified movie trailer? In Episode 48 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth break down why NetEase’s big Hollywood showcase felt like a bit of a dud despite some exciting teases for the future. We start the show with our week in Rivals and a look at the Viewer Comments before diving into a heavy news week. We're discussing the latest patch, the return of Chrono-Rush, and some incredible new skins for Captain America and Psylocke. Plus, we address the "elephant in the room"—an article claiming Marvel Rivals is in its worst state yet. Does the game need a major course correction? In the News: New Skins: Reactions to the "Cursed Captain" and the pirate-themed "Once-Captive Corsair" Psylocke. Bug Reports: Luke vents about the persistent missing voiceline bug that is still haunting matches. Chrono-Rush Returns: The event is back for two weeks—is it enough to keep players engaged? Main Topic: Rivals Assemble Event Reactions The "Path to Doomsday" Roadmap: Is a list of MCU movie logos a real roadmap, or a missed opportunity for actual game reveals? Avengers PvE Modes: Discussing the new 1v6 mode where one player becomes an amped-up MCU Loki against a team of six. Season 7 Teasers: NetEase has all but confirmed Black Cat and White Fox for the next season. We talk about their potential roles as the "thief and the agent." MCU Loki Skin: First impressions of the 2012 Avengers-inspired look. 🛡️ JOIN THE DISCORD Join the Rival Banter community! https://discord.gg/Vbvd637cpE Support the Show: ⭐ Listening on Spotify? Please leave us a 5-star review! It’s the best way to help us grow. 📱 Follow us on Socials: linktr.ee/RivalBanter

It’s time for some mid-semester grading. In Episode 47 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth are breaking out the red pen for the Marvel Rivals Report Card. We’re looking past the hype to grade exactly how NetEase is handling the game as we push further into 2026. Fill out your report card here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqKrxxtcs4vIJJ-bUeb5y5zPdeUxQK_vSUxLF_2pW2nLCD_g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116972336684138467229 Before the grading begins, we dive into another round of Blind Ranking Unhinged Names from the Timestream—the naming choices in this game never cease to amaze us. We also recap our personal week in Rivals, sharing the triumphs and the "how did that happen?" moments from our ranked climb. In the News: Eclipse Knight Moon Knight. Seat of Spring Phoenix. A Saudi Millionaire goes vigilante on throwers.  The Big Topic: The Marvel Rivals Report Card We sit down to assign official grades to every pillar of the game: Game Balance: How are we feeling after the Season 6.5 adjustments? Hero Additions: Is the roster expansion meeting the community's high expectations? Game Modes & Ranked: Is the competitive experience actually improving, or just changing? NetEase Communication: Grading the transparency and frequency of developer updates. Monetization & Cosmetics: Are the skins and battle passes providing real value? Map Design: Evaluating the latest additions to the Timestream. 🛡️ JOIN THE DISCORD Join the Rival Banter community! https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V Support the Show: ⭐ Listening on Spotify? Please leave us a 5-star review! 📱 Follow us on Socials: linktr.ee/RivalBanter

The 2026 Roadmap is finally within reach! In Episode 46 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth dive into the massive "Rivals Assemble" fan event happening in Los Angeles this March and what it means for the future of the game. From Season 7 character predictions to the long-rumored PvE mode, we’re breaking down what we expect to see at the event. We also cover the wave of new skins—including a FREE Doctor Strange skin—and the emergency balance patch coming to address the Gambit and Poke meta that’s been dominating Season 6.5. Plus, we kick things off by blind ranking some truly "unhinged" player names. Join the Rival Banter community! Everyone who joins our Discord gets to interact with the hosts and participate in our weekly viewer comment segments. 🔗 https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V In this episode: Housekeeping: Socials, Spotify reviews, and Discord updates. Blind Rank: We rank the most unhinged names we've seen in the game lately. The News: * New event on Feb 19th: Free Dr. Strange skin and Wanda skins. New Emma Frost (Black Queen) and Iron Man (Iron Mariner) skins dropping Feb 20th. The "Rivals Assemble" LA Event: March 3rd Roadmap Reveal predictions! A heartwarming story about the Rivals Devs and the community. Topic: Season 6.5 Reactions & The Emergency Patch. Gambit and Poke meta nerfs are coming! Our final thoughts on Elsa Bloodstone and the state of balance. Support the Show: ⭐ Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify! 📱 Follow us on Twitter/X: [linktr.ee/RivalBanter

Marvel Rivals Season 6.5 is almost here, but the patch notes have the community asking one question: What were they thinking? In Episode 45 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth break down the "weirdest" balance patch yet. While the meta is currently dominated by Triple Support and Poke comps, NetEase seems to have ignored the problem entirely. Instead, we're seeing ultimate buffs for heroes like Punisher, Star-Lord, and Wolverine—heroes many players feel were already in a healthy spot. We discuss why these changes feel out of touch with the actual state of the game and what it means for the upcoming ranked climb. In the News: Monster Kingdom Event Pass: New animal-inspired looks for Squirrel Girl, Rocket, and Jeff. Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026: The 12 partner teams are locked! We look at the orgs joining the fray, including Sentinels, TSM, and Liquid. Industry Shift: NetEase closes its Gen-AI R&D department. Topic: Season 6.5 Reveal & Meta Rant Elsa Bloodstone First Look: She’s a Duelist with a monster-summoning kit, but can she compete in a poke-heavy meta? The "Fantastic" Breakup: The original Fantastic Four team-up is being removed. We talk about the new synergies for The Thing and Mr. Fantastic and why this change feels so sudden. The Balance Blunder: Why did Punisher and Star-Lord get ult buffs? We dive into the frustration of the Triple Support meta being left untouched and the lack of dive compensation. Valentine's in Times Square: Gambit and Rogue are getting a "Wedding Parade" event. 🛡️ JOIN THE DISCORD Join the Rival Banter community! https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V  Support the Show: ⭐ Listening on Spotify? Please leave us a 5-star review! It’s the best way to help the show grow. 📱 Follow us on Socials: linktr.ee/RivalBanter

Is the Merc with a Mouth actually a "Merc with a Loss"? In Episode 44 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth break down the new data showing every version of Deadpool currently sits at a sub-50% win rate. Is he underpowered, or are people just playing him like a bot? We kick things off with a game of "Guess the Quote" to test our Marvel knowledge, followed by our personal stories from the ranked climb and our progress through the Lord ranks. In the News: New Cosmetics: A first look at the Groot Mecha-Flora and Magneto Seat of Autumn skins. The "Thick" Debate: Does the new Psylocke skin actually change her model by 0.02m? We look at the Reddit findings. Deadpool’s Secrets: Why only Deadpool can hear his specific voice lines with Galacta. Fortnite x Rivals Wave 2: Breaking down the rumors of Luna Snow and Magik hitting Fortnite in the Feb 5th update. Patch Notes: Reaction to the Clobberin’ Club, the Museum of Contemplation map launch, and the Flight Mode World Tour event. The Main Topic: We look ahead to the future! What do we want to see in Season 6.5? From balance changes to new hero teases, we lay out our ultimate wishlist. 🛡️ JOIN THE DISCORD Join the Rival Banter community! Everyone who joins now through the end of January will receive the exclusive Founders Role. https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V  Support the Show: ⭐ Listening on Spotify? Please leave us a 5-star review! It helps the show grow more than you know! 📱 Follow us on Socials: linktr.ee/RivalBanter

Mid-season is here and the Marvel Rivals community is loud! In Episode 43 of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth break down the latest news, the brand-new map trailer, and dive into a massive Mid-Season Mailbag to answer your burning questions. We start with The News: Angela’s "Ace of Spades" and Emma Frost’s "Queen of Diamonds" are hitting the shop, and we discuss the community's mixed reactions to Emma’s latest look. We also break down the Museum of Contemplation map trailer—is this the most visually stunning map yet? Plus, we address the elephant in the room: the massive community outcry for Hawkeye nerfs. Is the one-shot meta ruining the fun? In the Mid-Season Mailbag: Is the Jeff hate valid? Are people actually playing the Land Shark wrong? The Deadpool Dilemma: Is he top-tier meta, or is his pick rate just high because everyone loves Wade? Balancing the Merc: What specific nerfs or changes would we actually give Deadpool? Map Secrets: Will the Museum of Contemplation be the hub for future character teasers? 🛡️ JOIN THE DISCORD Join the Rival Banter community! Everyone who joins now through the end of January will receive the exclusive Founders Role. https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V  Support the Show: ⭐ Listening on Spotify? Please leave us a 5-star review! It helps the show grow more than you know! 📱 Follow us on Socials: linktr.ee/RivalBanter

Deadpool has finally arrived in Marvel Rivals Season 6, and things are getting chaotic! In this week's episode of Rival Banter, Luke and Seth dive deep into the Merc with a Mouth, the Season 6 roadmap, and some spicy community drama. Join the Rival Banter community! Everyone who joins now through the end of January will receive the exclusive Founders Role.  https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V We kick things off with our personal stories from the Season 6 rank climb, our placement match results, and the new Hero Proficiency changes. Plus, we share our first impressions of Deadpool—is he the game-changer we expected? In our Draft segment, we’re reimagining the roster: 3 Characters We’d Give an Alternate Role To. Who belongs in the Vanguard slot, and who should be a Strategist? In this episode: Viewer Comments: Answering your thoughts from last week! Season 6 Reactions: Deadpool impressions, the "Night at the Museum" theme, and patch changes. The News: Thor’s "Boogie Bolt" and Luna’s "Disco Pop" skins, the full Season 6 Roadmap, and the viral story of a player removed from the Deadpool creator tournament over a Black Widow swap request. Support the Show: ⭐ Listening on Spotify? Please leave us a 5-star review! 📱 Follow us on Socials: linktr.ee/RivalBanter

In Episode 41, Seth and Luke open with some housekeeping before responding to viewer comments and jumping into another week of ranked grind stories in Marvel Rivals, including ongoing headaches with the triple support meta. Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V They cover the latest news, including Pirate Deadpool entering the shop and a leak suggesting Marvel Rivals versions of Luna Snow and Magik are coming to Fortnite. The bulk of the episode is dedicated to a full Season 6 reaction. Deadpool officially joins the roster with a unique in-match progression system, healing mechanics, and shield utility. A brand-new convoy map, the Museum of Contemplation, is on the way, alongside new social features like photo mode in Times Square and a Clobberin’ Club for 1v1 showdowns. Hero proficiency is getting a major upgrade, new accessories are coming for a wide range of heroes, MRC rewards are expanding, and college student perks are being added. They also break down extensive balance changes across all roles, evolving team-up abilities, adjustments to Resource Rumble, the departure of Marvel Zombies with Season 6, and confirmation of a new PvE mode coming in 2026. Housekeeping: follow us on social, leave a 5-star review on Spotify, and join the Discord for the Founders role through January Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 40 This week in Rivals: ranked climb stories and triple support frustrations News roundup: Pirate Deadpool skin and Fortnite crossover leaks Main topic: Season 6 deep dive — Deadpool gameplay, new maps and modes, hero progression upgrades, balance changes, and what all of this means for the future of Marvel Rivals Drop your Season 6 reactions in the comments and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Wednesday.

In Episode 40, Seth and Luke kick things off with housekeeping and viewer comments before jumping into their 2026 predictions. They recap their week in Marvel Rivals with stories from the ranked climb, reactions to Lady Loki’s release, and thoughts on the Christmas and New Year events. Join our brand new Discord server! https://discord.gg/H6HDVtKv8V Then they cover a busy news week — new Adam Warlock and Phoenix skins (plus the Ice Phoenix trailer), Deadpool becoming an entire map, and growing concerns around the bot problem in matchmaking. The main topic is a full breakdown of the newly revealed Rivals Ignite 2026 format. Seth and Luke react to the more professional, mature direction of the league, the Pacific region merge, preseason plans, promotion and relegation, partner teams, revenue sharing, esports bundles, and the massive $3M prize pool. Share your thoughts on Ignite 2026 and your own predictions in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Wednesday.

In Episode 39, Seth and Luke close out the year with some quick housekeeping before diving into viewer comments, a festive draft, and a full look at where Marvel Rivals stands heading into 2026. They recap their week in Rivals, check in on rank and Lord progress, and soak in Jeff’s Winter Splash before covering a packed slate of news. Housekeeping: follow us on social, leave a 5-star review on Spotify, and a heads-up that we’re on holiday break next week and back in January Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 38 Draft segment: three things we’d ask Rivals Santa (Guangguang) for This week in Rivals: Lord progress, rank updates, and Jeff’s Winter Splash News roundup: God of Winter Thor and Ice Pas De Deux Cloak & Dagger skins, a new Captain America shooting-hoops emote, the New Year’s ball drop in Times Square, early looks at Rivals’ 2026 plans, and a new Marvel Rivals Spider-Man statue from McFarlane Main topic: the state of Marvel Rivals at the end of 2025 — what worked, what still needs improvement, and why the team believes 2025 was only the warm-up Drop your thoughts on Rivals’ year in review in the comments, and we’ll see you in January for the next episode of Rival Banter.

In Episode 38, Seth and Luke jump straight into a massive week for Marvel Rivals. They break down a flood of new skins, holiday events, and reveals before giving their full thoughts on where Season 5.5 stands right now. News roundup: three new holiday skins dropping, Star-Lord’s Starcracker legendary, the full reveal of “Not Daredevil,” Peni’s Snow Spider skin and long-awaited out-of-mech emote, the Gone Nutty for Gifts event, Jeff’s Winter Wonderland returning with tweaks, and a Winter Unit giveaway on the 24th Biggest reveal: Deadpool officially joins Marvel Rivals as a Duelist on January 16th, with Elsa Bloodstone teased at the end Main topic: Season 5.5 impressions — how Rogue is performing so far, reactions to the latest balance changes, and whether the season is landing where it needs to Share your thoughts on Deadpool, Rogue, and the current balance in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 37, Seth and Luke kick things off by responding to viewer comments before jumping into this week’s draft: ranking the top three best half seasons in Marvel Rivals history. They recap their week in Rivals and then dig into a packed news cycle: Rogue is officially joining the game as a Vanguard with the ability to steal abilities and drain ult charge, her Savage Land skin has been revealed, and the Season 5.5 Dev Vision video brings big updates to team-ups — including Emma’s new wall, Psylocke’s healing shuriken, and Rogue joining the Gambit/Mag duo with new AOE damage and healing tools. Plus, the Jeff Winter Event is returning and new holiday skins are on the way alongside fresh Season 5.5 balance changes. Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 36 Draft segment: the top 3 best half seasons in Marvel Rivals This week in Rivals: highlights, big plays, and what we tested News roundup: Rogue revealed as a Vanguard, Season 5.5 vision updates, holiday skins, Jeff Winter Event returning, and the latest balance changes Main discussion woven throughout: reactions to Season 5.5 and what Rogue means for the meta Drop your thoughts on Rogue and your favorite half seasons in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 36, Seth and Luke celebrate one full year of Marvel Rivals by kicking things off with viewer comments and a festive draft: the five things they’re most thankful for in the game. After that, they dive into their week in Rivals, including early impressions of the Anniversary Event, hands-on thoughts about the new 18v18 mode, and predictions for Rivals Day. Then it’s on to the news — possible leaks hinting at Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone in Season 6, and Marvel Rivals snagging a nomination for Best Ongoing Game. For the main topic, they look back on the game’s first year: the moment each of them got hooked, their favorite community highlights, the best (and worst) changes the game has made, and the characters they didn’t expect to love but absolutely do now. Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 35 Draft segment: five things we’re most thankful for in Marvel Rivals This week in Rivals: Anniversary Event thoughts, 18v18 mode impressions, and Rival’s Day predictions News roundup: possible Season 6 heroes, and Marvel Rivals nominated for Best Ongoing Game Main topic: reflecting on Marvel Rivals’ first year — our first experiences with the game, what surprised us, and the highs and lows of the past twelve months Share your favorite Year 1 memories in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 35, Seth and Luke kick things off with viewer comments and a rundown of their week in Marvel Rivals before diving into a packed news cycle — Magik’s Millenia Might costume, Strange’s Bleeker Street Strut, Crimzo’s proposed Strange Teleport tweak, and 100 Thieves reshaping its Rivals roster ahead of 2026. Then it’s on to the main event: reacting to Season 5, which might be the wildest season the game has ever seen. Gambit has finally arrived, Times Square is here with a whole new flavor of chaos, and an 18v18 mode has been announced — setting the stage for a massive evolution in how Rivals might be played moving forward. Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 34 This week in Rivals: early Season 5 matches, impressions, and standout moments News roundup: new Magik and Strange skins, Strange Teleport discussion, and 100 Thieves doubling down on Rivals esports Main topic: Season 5 reactions — Gambit hype, Times Square impressions, and what the announced 18v18 mode could mean for the game Drop your Season 5 impressions in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 34, Seth and Luke respond to viewer comments, recap their week in Marvel Rivals, and draft the most annoying abilities to deal with in the game. Then, they cover this week’s news — Wolverine’s new Immortal Beast skin, leaked Collector’s Theme Park voice lines, and Sentinels’ departure from the Rivals esports scene. For the main topic, they share their experience attending DreamHack, give their thoughts on the first year of Marvel Rivals Ignite, and discuss what the game can do to build on its strong esports foundation heading into 2026. Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 33 This week in Rivals: highlights, grinds, and community moments Draft segment: the most annoying abilities to go up against News roundup: Wolverine Immortal Beast reveal, leaked Collector’s Theme Park voice lines (including a Deadpool reference), and Sentinels leaving Rivals esports Main topic: DreamHack recap, Ignite Year One reflections, and how Marvel Rivals can keep growing its competitive scene into 2026 Drop your DreamHack impressions and esports predictions in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 33, Seth and Luke dive into all things spooky and speculative. They kick off with viewer comments and a recap of their week in Marvel Rivals before reviewing the new Marvel Zombies mode and this year’s Halloween event. Then, it’s draft time — which five characters would they add to Rival Zombies next? They also cover the latest news and end with a big-picture discussion on what they want to see in Season 5. Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 32 This week in Rivals: highlights and early impressions from the Halloween event Marvel Zombies review: gameplay breakdown, rewards, and the surge in player activity Draft segment: five characters Seth and Luke would add to Marvel Zombies.  News roundup: new Halloween skins for Spider-Man (Man-Spider), Scarlet Witch (Queen of the Dead), and Iron Man (Big Shot), plus trailers and a look at the game’s player-base rebound thanks to the new PvE mode Main topic: what we want to see in Season 5 — heroes, systems, balance changes, and features that could keep the game thriving Share your Season 5 wishlist in the comments and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

Seth and Luke return for Episode 32 with another packed week of Rival Banter! They kick things off by responding to viewer comments and recapping their week in Marvel Rivals before squaring off in The Ultimate Gooner Draft. Then it’s on to the latest news and a massive topic: the reveal of Marvel Zombies PvE mode. Community comments: responding to feedback from Episode 31 This week in Rivals: highlights, clutch moments, and standout plays Draft segment: The Ultimate Gooner Draft News roundup: Jeff O’Lantern skin, Phantom Tide Namor (the game’s first legendary), Peni Parker’s first legendary on the way, and a new Venom-style voice changer feature Main topic: Marvel Zombies PvE mode revealed — Seth and Luke react to the trailer, discuss what this could mean for future content, and debate how PvE could reshape the Marvel Rivals experience Drop your thoughts on the Marvel Zombies reveal (and who won the Gooner Draft) in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

Daredevil Joins Rivals! Season 4.5 Update & Triple Support Meta Debate – Rival Banter Episode 31 Description Seth and Luke respond to viewer comments, recap their week in Marvel Rivals, and dive into the big Season 4.5 developer update — from Daredevil’s debut and new team-ups to cross-progression testing and a spooky Halloween event. Then, they tackle the hot topic: is the triple support meta ruining the game? Community comments: responding to feedback from the last episode This week in Rivals: highlights, what we played, and standouts from the week News roundup: Emma Frost Hellfire Protocol skin, Daredevil announced as a duelist in Season 4.5, Ragnarok Rebirth removal, new team-ups (Daredevil & Punisher, Namor & Hela), upcoming new mode teased for Thailand Game Show, Halloween event, cross-progression testing in 4.5 with full launch planned for Season 5, homescreen customization, and no balance changes this update Main topic: the rise of the triple support meta — is it bad for Marvel Rivals’ gameplay and competitive balance? Drop your Daredevil hype and meta hot takes in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

Seth and Luke respond to viewer comments, recap their week in Marvel Rivals, and break down the latest updates — from Hela’s new costume and the K’un Lun map reveal to PC performance concerns and the surprising news that Overwatch outpaced Rivals in August. Community comments: responding to feedback from the last episode This week in Rivals: highlights, what we played, and standout moments News roundup: Hela’s Grim Lady costume trailer, K’un Lun “Heart of Heaven” trailer, Dragon’s Blessing event, and the first “Technically Speaking” update with Rivals technical director FanFan covering PC performance improvements Main topic: Overwatch had more players than Marvel Rivals in August — what does this mean for the game moving forward? Drop your thoughts on Rivals’ player numbers, Hela’s new look, and K’un Lun in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.