The Most Surprising Season 2 Revelation in Marvel Rivals Isn’t Ultron or Emma Frost

Marvel Rivals has been riding high on its initial success since launching last December. However, developer NetEase isn’t slowing down. They’ve just unveiled Marvel Rivals Season 2: Hellfire Gala, and based on their recent Dev Diary, fans can expect some exciting twists to keep the gameplay engaging. Among these changes are new team-up abilities, and as the seasons progress, players can look forward to a fresh playable hero debuting each month starting with Season 3.

The announcement was further hyped with a cinematic trailer that showcased the Hellfire Gala theme in all its glory. This regal event has Marvel heroes gathering to honor Mutant culture on the island of Krakoa. Alongside teases of new battle pass skins, it has been confirmed that Emma Frost and Ultron are the new additions to the list of playable characters for Season 2. But, there’s another tantalizing nugget hidden within the trailer—a hint that could be pivotal to the unfolding narrative of Marvel Rivals.

The highlight of the Marvel Rivals Season 2 trailer might just be the tease of a potentially explosive partnership between Doom and Loki. As the trailer reaches its climax just before Ultron crashes the glamorous party, we’re treated to a glimpse of various super-powered attendees. Center stage, we find Magneto, draped in his House of M-inspired attire, alongside his daughter Scarlet Witch. Meanwhile, Wolverine, donned in his “undercover” Patch look, is seen lounging against a decorative pillar to the right.

Keeping a sharp eye out, viewers can spot Loki on the left, dressed to the nines in his Presidential Attire, engaged in conversation with a mysterious, muscular figure whose face remains hidden. This enigmatic figure is none other than Doom 2099, suggesting a formidable force assembling within Marvel Rivals’ antagonistic ranks.

To unpack the ramifications of this tease for Marvel Rivals’ trajectory, it’s crucial to consider the plot so far. The game kicks off with the chaotic meddling of Doom and his 2099 version, which sets off the Timestream Entanglement—an anomaly causing timelines and dimensions to converge. In one such dimension, with Odin in Odinsleep, Loki seizes the throne of Yggsgard, exiling Thor with Hela’s help. The Yggdrasil tree’s sap, now infused with Chronovium, allows Loki to foresee future events.

In Season 1, Doom employs Chronovium to empower Dracula, who temporarily sieges New York with the Darkhold’s aid. Judging by the trailer, it seems that Season 2’s storyline will revolve around Ultron’s attempt to bring about his apocalyptic vision of the “Age of Ultron,” aiming to exterminate both humanity and mutants, replacing them with AI. It appears that Doom might be aiding Ultron as a diversion, allowing him to tighten his grip over the Timestream Entanglement.

It’s plausible that Loki, too, will fall under Doom’s sway. Their brief interaction at the Hellfire Gala hints at potential alliances, possibly culminating in a future season where Loki amasses new powers and unleashes chaos on Yggsgard. This development could conveniently pave the way for introducing Valkyrie and Angela—characters that have been rumored to join Marvel Rivals for some time.

Moreover, Marvel Rivals has announced a shift to shorter, two-month seasons, accelerating the pace and anticipating more frequent updates and teases for what’s to come. NetEase seems intent on maintaining the momentum, ensuring that excitement and speculation run high among fans as the game continues to evolve.