Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 introduces Ultron and innovative gameplay additions. Continue reading to explore details about this new playable character and the key highlights of Season 2.5.

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Updates

The Rise of Ultron

Marvel Rivals' Season 2.5 update adds Ultron as a new playable hero. In a Twitter (X) announcement on May 23, NetEase Games confirmed Ultron’s arrival on May 30 following scheduled maintenance for Season 2.5.

According to Marvel Rivals’ Dev Vision Vol. 06, Ultron is a Strategist who delivers consistent healing support to teammates. Equipped with a distinctive primary weapon and exclusive flight capabilities among Strategists, he enables fresh tactical opportunities for aerial compositions. His basic attacks feature nearly unlimited range, delivering three low-damage bursts followed by a powerful high-damage strike.

His healing mechanics involve deploying drones to allies, with additional skills providing overhealing benefits to attached heroes and nearby teammates. Finally, his Ultimate ability inflicts damage while simultaneously healing allies within the targeted zone.

This update also introduces Ultron’s X-Tron skin, inspired by his Cerebro takeover narrative, alongside Groot’s Norse mythology-themed Yggroot skin. Both cosmetics will be available after the Season 2.5 maintenance. Currently, NetEase hasn't disclosed pricing details or potential bundle inclusions.

Season 2.5 Coming on May 30

Marvel Rivals launches Season 2.5 on May 30, requiring approximately 2-3 hours of maintenance starting at 2 AM PDT / 9 AM UTC. Refer to the schedule below for regional timing details:

The update implements various hero balance changes, including Captain America's reduced health, Doctor Strange's damage buff, and Emma Frost's extended range. These adjustments aim to counter the prevailing "dive meta" where aggressive heroes like Iron Fist and Psylocke rapidly engage and eliminate key targets such as Strategists and Duelists.

Following the Hellfire Gala Krakoa map, Season 2.5 introduces Arrako, formerly Krakoa's sister-island. After Ultron's assault during the Hellfire Gala, he established a stronghold in Arrako. Heroes must now unite with the living island Krakoa to liberate Arrako from his control.

Additionally, the Cerebro Database seasonal event returns, offering Hawkeye’s Binary Arrow costume as a free reward. Running from May 30 at 9:00 AM UTC through June 27, Cerebro Database II follows the established mission-based progression system for obtaining various prizes.

Team-Up Adjustments, New Experimental Mode, and More!

Season 2.5 brings significant Team-Up modifications: six new combinations join the roster while four are retired. New additions include Rocket Raccoon and Peni Parker's Rocket Network, Iron Man and Ultron's Stark Protocol, and the community-requested return of Jeff and Storm's Jeff-Nado.

Creative Director Guangguang noted over 50% of Team-Up abilities have evolved since Season 0 and welcomes further player feedback.

A new limited-time experimental mode, "Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol," launches June 6. Guangguang explained, "This mode allows six players to create custom hero lineups, design unique builds, and amplify hero traits before competing against others for victory."

Based on preview materials, the mode shares similarities with auto-chess formats like League of Legends' Teamfight Tactics and Hearthstone Battlegrounds, described by Guangguang as "streamlined, strategic, numerical-based solo tactical play."

NetEase reaffirmed that beginning with Season 3, Marvel Rivals will shorten season durations from three to two months, as initially announced in Dev. Vision Vol. 05 on April 4. This change accelerates hero releases to monthly intervals instead of the original two-heroes-per-season model.

Marvel Rivals continues expanding its character roster with Ultron while refining gameplay through extensive balancing. NetEase further broadens the game's appeal with innovative experimental modes.

Marvel Rivals is playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For continuous updates about Marvel Rivals, explore our related coverage below!