Marvel Rivals Debuts Ultron, New Features in Season 2.5

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 arrives with Ultron and a host of new features. Explore the details of the latest playable hero and everything coming in this mid-season update.

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Updates

The Rise of Ultron

Ultron joins the battle as a new playable hero in Marvel Rivals' Season 2.5 update. NetEase Games confirmed his arrival in a May 23 Twitter (X) post, announcing that Ultron will be unlocked on May 30 following scheduled maintenance.

According to Marvel Rivals' Dev Vision Vol. 06, Ultron fills the Strategist role, offering consistent healing support for teammates. His distinctive primary weapon and unique ability to fly among Strategists create fresh opportunities for aerial team compositions. His basic attacks unleash three low-damage bursts with unlimited range, concluding with a powerful high-damage strike.

Ultron deploys healing by attaching drones to allies, while his additional abilities can provide overhealing to both the attached hero and nearby teammates. His Ultimate ability combines area damage with team healing in a targeted zone.

The update also introduces Ultron’s X-Tron costume, inspired by his Cerebro takeover and power surge, alongside Groot’s Norse Mythology-themed Yggroot skin. Both cosmetics will be available after the Season 2.5 maintenance. NetEase hasn't yet disclosed pricing details or bundle options for these outfits.

Season 2.5 Arrives 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:

Balance changes affect multiple heroes, including Captain America's reduced health, Doctor Strange's damage buff, and Emma Frost's range extension. These adjustments target the prevailing "dive meta" where aggressive heroes like Iron Fist and Psylocke overwhelm vulnerable Strategists and Duelists.

Following the Hellfire Gala Krakoa map, Season 2.5 introduces Arrako, formerly Krakoa's sister-island. After Ultron's assault at the Hellfire Gala, he established a stronghold on Arrako, prompting heroes to ally with the living island Krakoa to liberate it.

The Cerebro Database returns with a new seasonal event 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 previous format with mission-based progression and varied unlocks.

Team-Up Enhancements, Experimental Mode & Additional Content

Season 2.5 refreshes Team-Up abilities by adding six new combinations, removing four, and implementing various tweaks. New additions include Rocket Raccoon and Peni Parker's Rocket Network, Iron Man and Ultron's Stark Protocol, and the fan-requested return of Jeff and Storm's Jeff-Nado.

Creative Director Guangguang notes that over 50% of Team-Up abilities have evolved since Season 0 and welcomes continued community feedback.

A limited-time experimental mode, "Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol," launches June 6. Guangguang describes it as "streamlined, strategic, numerical-based solo tactical play" where six players draft hero lineups, customize builds, upgrade traits, and compete for victory.

The mode shares mechanics with auto-chess titles like League of Legends' Teamfight Tactics and Hearthstone Battlegrounds, focusing on strategic team composition and enhancement.

NetEase confirms that beginning with Season 3, Marvel Rivals will shorten seasons from three to two months, aligning with their April 4 Dev. Vision Vol. 05 announcement. This accelerates hero releases to monthly updates instead of two per season.

Marvel Rivals expands its hero roster with Ultron while refining gameplay through extensive balancing. The new experimental mode aims to broaden the game's appeal and engagement.

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