Marvel Rivals Season 3 Brings Phoenix, Blade and a Dark New Era

Marvel Rivals Season 3: The Abyss Awakens officially drops on July 11, bringing one of the game’s most ambitious updates to date.

NetEase and Marvel Games are shifting into high gear with a two-month seasonal rollout, introducing major characters, new map environments, event cosmetics, and an intensifying storyline centered on the rise of Knull, the god of symbiotes.

Phoenix & Blade Join the Fight

After weeks of speculation and leaks, Jean Grey (Phoenix) is confirmed as the first new playable hero of Season 3. Known for her devastating telekinetic and pyrokinetic powers, Phoenix is expected to bring a high-risk, high-reward playstyle, perfect for team-wide disruption and late-game swings. She becomes available the moment Season 3 launches.

Blade, the vampire hunter with a cult following, is set to follow on August 8 during the Season 3.5 update. His appearance continues the rhythm of the game’s new monthly hero cadence. Blade will arrive wielding his iconic sword and combat skills, alongside a fiery new skin revealed in the official trailer.

Knull, Hela, and the Rise of the Symbiotes

The cinematic trailer unveils a darker narrative arc. With Knull’s awakening, the Klyntar homeworld is spreading across dimensions, infecting heroes and villains alike. In a shocking turn, Hela aligns with Knull, becoming the “Queen in Black,” and now leads the charge from a new Klyntar battleground.

This new map brings an ominous aesthetic and dynamic environmental hazards as the fight unfolds on alien terrain corrupted by symbiote energy. The arena introduces new gameplay mechanics and fresh verticality, encouraging more strategic team clashes.

Battle Pass & Skins: Symbiote Surge and Summer Drops

Season 3 also introduces a fully loaded battle pass, including:

• Venomized skins for Jeff, Hela, Blade, Magik, and Wolverine
• Phoenix-themed skins for Magik and Logan
• Additional cosmetics including weapon skins, nameplates, and new victory poses

For the summer event, Marvel Rivals will feature a Swimsuit Drop Fest. Inspired by previous leaks and now confirmed by Twitch listings, the event offers players a chance to collect seasonal outfits, unlock summer-themed challenges, and participate in Twitch Drop campaigns for exclusive in-game items.

Live Service Shift: New Heroes Every Month

NetEase confirmed a change in their live service model during the Season 3 reveal. Going forward, Marvel Rivals will launch one new hero per month and refresh seasons every two months. This change is designed to maintain momentum and player retention without overwhelming the meta.

The shift starts now:

• Phoenix on July 11
• Blade on August 8
• Season 4 expected in mid-September

Community Reactions

Following the trailer release, Reddit exploded with speculation, hype, and skin wishlist threads. One user said, “Phoenix might be the first true hard-carry this game needed,” while another joked, “Give me swimsuit Venom and I’ll never play another game again.” and several rallied behind wanting Cyclops as the next hero from the X-men.

Overall, it seems the addition of the new dark, story-driven update is resonating well with fans of both the comics and competitive team-based shooters.