Marvel Rivals is set to launch its highly anticipated Season 4 on September 12, 2025, bringing a host of fresh content and gameplay refinements to its global player base. This update introduces new heroes, maps, modes, and balance changes that aim to diversify the competitive meta of this popular third-person hero shooter.
The Season 4 rollout will begin with a server downtime at 1 am PDT on launch day, smoothly transitioning from Season 3 while maintaining access to the current battle pass. A subsequent mid-season update, dubbed Season 4.5, is scheduled for approximately one month later on October 10, 2025, in line with the franchise’s new faster seasonal cadence.
Among the marquee additions are two heroes: Angela, a new Vanguard tank hero with versatile weaponry drawn from her Asgardian background, and Daredevil, who will arrive with the mid-season update. Angela’s capability to switch between spear attacks, shields, and dual axes provides fresh strategic options for tank players, while Daredevil is expected to take the role of a Duelist, expanding the roster’s DPS potential.
Season 4 also ushers in a new map called K’un-Lun Heart of Heaven, featured in the Convergence mode, alongside the permanent addition of Arcade modes Clone Rumble and Giant-Size Brain Blast. Quality-of-life improvements include a dedicated slow walk button for PC players, a favorites section for heroes, custom chat colors and moods, and a new gallery card download feature enhancing player engagement.
Balance changes aim to adjust the meta, improving underused characters while reining in some dominant picks. Notably, Luna Snow’s ultimate ability faces a long-overdue nerf, cutting down on its impactful duration to prevent game-stalling tactics that frustrated players. Loki will see damage and healing reductions, while other heroes like Emma Frost and Black Panther are also being toned down. Conversely, characters such as Peni Parker, Thor, Doctor Strange, and Invisible Woman will receive various buffs to increase their competitiveness.
Team-up abilities have been reworked to foster more dynamic alliances, including a new combination of Angela and Thor’s Divine Armoury that expands Thor’s offensive options. Black Panther’s survivability is augmented through his synergy with Hulk’s Gamma Charge, granting him a gamma shield under critical health conditions. Magik joins the Arcane Order team-up, deepening strategic complexity.
A significant milestone accompanies Season 4’s launch: Marvel Rivals will be available on PlayStation 4 for the first time. This console debut represents an expansion of the game’s accessibility, delivering its fast-paced hero combat experience to a broader audience despite the PS4’s relatively modest hardware compared to PC and next-gen consoles.
While competitive placement matches are highly anticipated, developers have confirmed they will not be implemented until after Season 4, aiming to improve matchmaking quality and rank integrity in future seasons.
This update marks a steady evolution in the hero shooter genre, reflecting developers’ efforts to respond to community feedback and balancing challenges while expanding platform reach. As esports and competitive gaming continue to grow, these types of comprehensive updates play a vital role in maintaining player interest and fostering competitive integrity.
