Fans of Marvel Rivals have been vocal about wanting more villains to take center stage in the game’s roster, which currently features a large number of heroes. The game includes 38 playable characters who are categorized as Duelists, Vanguards, or Strategists. These characters battle it out in intense 5v5 matches, with the roster being one of the standout features that draws in players.
For those who are fans of the virtuous side, Marvel Rivals offers iconic heroes such as Captain America, who is celebrated for his uprightness, and Black Panther, recognized for his unwavering commitment to Wakanda. However, for players who prefer characters with a more complex moral code, the game also features Venom. This symbiote, despite previously clashing with Spider-Man, has become a beloved anti-hero within the fan community. Yet, despite its diverse roster, there’s an evident shortage of villains, which players have noted could be improved.
A discussion on Reddit by the user Murky_Blueberry2617 highlighted a noticeable imbalance: Hela is the lone villain in the game. In contrast, Marvel Rivals brims with heroes like The Thing, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man. Anti-heroes like Punisher and Wolverine also make appearances. Some characters, such as the recently added Emma Frost, have blurred the lines, switching from villainous roles to heroes or anti-heroes over time.
The community’s call for more antagonists has sparked a lively conversation, pushing a related post to garner over 7,000 upvotes and more than 1,000 comments. Many users expressed interest in seeing adversaries like Green Goblin, Carnage, Sandman, Dormammu, and Apocalypse in the game. Suggestions for characters like Juggernaut have also been floated, with an enthusiastic response from players who appreciate the potential for more dynamic in-game destruction.
While the developers have not explicitly committed to increasing the number of villains, the vast array of notorious figures from Marvel Comics gives players hope. Among the most anticipated additions is Ultron, with rumors suggesting that this villain strategist could be joining the game in the near future, possibly as soon as late May, according to recent leaks.
This ongoing dialogue within the Marvel Rivals community highlights a strong desire for a more balanced roster, one that embraces the complexity and depth of the Marvel universe by including more of its iconic villains.