Ultron arrives at Marvel Rivals with a focus on aerial support

Ultron will be the next playable character in Marvel Rivals, and joins the game on May 30th, as part of the Season 2.5 update. Developed by NetEase Games in partnership with Marvel Games, the title, originally released in early access for PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and later expanded to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, now strengthens its roster with a character that combines support and vertical mobility.

With the role of Strategist, Ultron offers a hybrid approach between constant support and field control. According to the information released, he will be able to continuously heal allies while maintaining an offensive stance with long-range primary attacks. The biggest differentiator, however, lies in his movement: he is the first character in the class capable of flight, something unprecedented among Strategists so far, significantly altering the positioning dynamics in battles.

This type of mobility could represent a new meta in match design, considering that the game heavily relies on 6v6 team skirmishes focused on unique abilities and hero synergies. Ultron promises to be a character that can easily escape ambushes and maintain pressure on isolated enemies, while still fulfilling the support role — something rare in games with structures similar to Overwatch and Paladins, to which Marvel Rivals is often compared.

The announcement trailer, released by the official Marvel Rivals channels, shows Ultron in action in an urban setting, attacking with energy blasts and performing aerial maneuvers while protecting allies. The new season not only brings Ultron, but also balance adjustments and minor fixes, although the full details have not been published in the official patch notes yet.

Marvel Rivals, since its announcement, has sought to establish itself as a competitor in the hero shooter segment with strong visual appeal and an extensive roster of characters from the Marvel universe, such as Iron Man, Storm, Loki, Peni Parker, among others. With the addition of Ultron, the game expands its roster to 21 playable characters, divided into different roles like Vanguards, Strategists, Specialists, and Guards.

Ultron's aerial movement may signal new directions for future characters. If well received, the mechanic could be replicated in other roles, requiring significant adaptations in map design and team balance. In the meantime, players will have just over two weeks to prepare for the impact Ultron may have on ranked matches and competitive modes.

Marvel Rivals remains a free-to-play title, with monetization focused on cosmetics, season pass, and early access to new heroes. It remains to be seen whether Ultron will be unlockable directly or will require some sort of progress or purchase within the pass.