Marvel Rivals has officially announced its fourth season, Heart of the Dragon, arriving on September 12, 2025. The update is packed with new content and balance changes that will likely shake up both casual play and the competitive esports landscape. With two new heroes, a fresh map, and extensive buffs and nerfs across the roster, Season 4 marks one of the most ambitious shifts in the game so far.
New Heroes Step Into the Arena
The spotlight of the new season is on Angela, a Vanguard character who brings a unique combination of agility and power. While her complete kit has not yet been revealed, developers confirmed she can fly, dive directly into enemy lines, unleash ranged spear attacks, and even create shields to block incoming damage. These abilities suggest Angela could become a disruptive force in team fights, challenging the existing frontline meta.
Another major addition is Daredevil, who will join the roster in the Season 4.5 update later this year. Early hints suggest that he will be a Duellist, though players are still waiting for the full details of his skill set. Given the popularity of mobile and highly aggressive characters in competitive play, Daredevil could become an instant favorite when he drops.
A Brand New Map to Explore
On September 25, players will also get access to a new convergence map, K’un-Lun: Heart of Heaven. While specific mechanics and features of the map remain under wraps, history shows that new battlegrounds have a huge impact on both ranked and professional matches. Esports tournaments will likely incorporate this map quickly, forcing teams to rethink strategies and adapt to its layout.
Major Balance Changes Aim to Shift the Meta
The developers have made it clear that the new season will not just add fresh content, but also rework the balance to keep gameplay competitive.
Several powerful characters from Season 3 are receiving nerfs. Emma Frost, who dominated the Mid Season Finals, is being scaled back to prevent over-reliance on her abilities. Popular Strategists like Luna Snow and Loki will also be toned down. Even Captain America, who was a common pick during international tournaments, is being adjusted to reduce his overwhelming presence in team compositions.
Other characters such as Squirrel Girl, Black Panther, and Psylocke are also receiving changes to make the battlefield more balanced. At the same time, underutilized heroes are being buffed. Peni Parker and Thor will now have more impactful ultimates, Doctor Strange is gaining yet another damage boost, and several Duellists including Moon Knight, Blade, and Scarlet Witch are expected to become more viable. Strategist favorites such as Invisible Woman, Jeff the Landshark, and Ultron will also gain ultimate ability enhancements.
Team-Up Abilities Reworked
Season 4 will also refresh the Team-Up system. New abilities such as Divine Armory, which pairs Angela and Thor for a devastating spear attack, are being introduced. At the same time, older combinations like Dimensional Shortcut featuring Magik and Black Panther are being removed. Some existing synergies are being reworked to add variety, ensuring that teams must adjust and experiment with fresh strategies.
Esports Roadmap and Competitive Impact
The changes arriving with Season 4 are not just for casual players. NetEase has already announced the schedule for Ignite Stage 2, the next big esports event for Marvel Rivals. Competitions will kick off on September 11 in Asia and China, followed by EMEA on September 18, and finally the Americas and Oceania on September 25. These tournaments will be the proving grounds for the new balance changes and will determine how professional players adapt their strategies in real time.
Another important reveal is that Marvel Rivals will officially launch on PlayStation 4 on September 12. While the game will not arrive on Xbox One or Nintendo Switch, the PS4 release is expected to open the doors for an even larger player base. The question remains whether the last generation console can handle the fast-paced competitive play and whether it will eventually be included in esports competitions like the Seasonal Championships or PlayStation Cups.
Why This Season Matters
Season 4 feels like a defining moment for Marvel Rivals. By introducing new heroes, evolving maps, refreshing Team-Ups, and carefully balancing popular characters, NetEase is setting the stage for a dynamic esports ecosystem. The changes could break the dominance of certain team compositions, elevate underused heroes, and encourage more creativity in professional matches.
Fans will not have to wait long to see how the updates impact the meta. With the Ignite Stage 2 tournaments beginning in just days, the stage is set for a thrilling season of experimentation, rivalries, and game-defining plays.
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