Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve been playing Marvel Rivals lately, you know the feeling of opening the hero select screen and just knowing someone is missing. We’ve got the heavy hitters like Iron Man and Magneto, but the Marvel universe is way too big for a roster to ever feel truly "finished."
Luckily, the developers at NetEase aren't slowing down.
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2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the game. We just saw Deadpool crash the party on January 16, and honestly, the "Merc with a Mouth" is already breaking the meta. But Wade Wilson is just the tip of the iceberg. If you're looking for the actual schedule of who's next, we need to talk about the roadmaps and the stuff dataminers have dug out of the game's code.
The Confirmed Arrivals: Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone
NetEase has moved into a steady rhythm of dropping at least two heroes per season. Right now, we are firmly in Season 6, which is themed around a "Night at the Museum."
Deadpool is the headliner here. He’s the first "triple-role" character, meaning you can flex him into Duelist, Vanguard, or Strategist roles depending on what your team needs. It’s chaotic. It’s messy. It’s exactly what you’d expect from Wade.
But keep your eyes on the mid-season update. Elsa Bloodstone is officially confirmed for February 13, 2026 (Season 6.5). If you aren't a deep-cut comics reader, Elsa is a monster hunter with a very big gun and a very bad attitude. Based on the teasers, she’s likely coming in as a Strategist, likely bringing some supernatural utility to the fight.
The "Worst Kept Secret" List: Who's in the Game Files?
You can’t hide anything from dataminers. People have been poking around the backend of Marvel Rivals since the closed alpha, and the list of future Marvel Rivals characters hiding in the code is staggeringly long.
Here is the thing: just because a character is in the files doesn't mean they are coming tomorrow. Some are just names; others have full ability sets and voice lines ready to go.
The X-Men Reinforcements
We already have Magneto, Storm, and Magik, but the "Mutant Era" of the game is clearly just beginning. Professor X and Cyclops are the two big ones.
- Professor X: Leaks suggest he’ll be a high-skill Strategist. His kit apparently includes "Mind Projection" and "Potential Stimulation." Don't expect him to be throwing punches; he’s going to be a backline mastermind.
- Cyclops: Scott Summers is basically a lock for 2026. His abilities, like "Optic Stream" and "Ricochet Blast," have been spotted in the files for months. He’ll likely be a Duelist with high precision.
The Fantastic Four Completion
We have the maps, we have the lore, and we have Mr. Fantastic. But the rest of the First Family is still waiting in the wings.
- Human Torch (Johnny Storm): Expect him to be a high-mobility flyer, similar to Iron Man but with more "burn over time" damage.
- The Thing (Ben Grimm): A classic Vanguard. If he doesn't have a "Clobberin' Time" ultimate that stuns half the map, NetEase missed a layup.
- Invisible Woman (Sue Storm): This one is interesting. Her kit revolves around shields and stealth, making her a prime candidate for a Strategist or a defensive Vanguard.
The Deep Cuts and Surprises
NetEase loves a good curveball. Who expected Jeff the Landshark to be a top-tier healer?
Beyond the A-listers, there are several characters that have been datamined with significant progress. Hit-Monkey is a name that keeps popping up in victory quotes and internal files. A suit-wearing, gun-toting monkey might sound ridiculous, but in a game where Rocket Raccoon is a staple, he fits right in.
Then there is Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers). Her voice lines are already in the game files (Spider-Man even has a line saying, "Not too shabby, Danvers"). She’s almost certainly going to be a Vanguard with high flight capabilities, filling that "powerhouse" niche that the roster currently needs.
Why 2026 is Different
The devs have explicitly called 2025 a "warm-up year." As we move through 2026, the release cadence is shifting toward monthly drops or paired seasonal releases.
We are also seeing a heavy focus on Team-Up Abilities. When Deadpool dropped, we got the "Mr. Pool's Interdimensional Toy Box" synergy. Future characters like Cloak & Dagger (who are listed as a single character entry in some files) or Ant-Man and The Wasp are expected to lean even harder into these combined mechanics.
The Rumored 2026 Roadmap (Speculative but Likely)
While NetEase hasn't released a 12-month calendar, the community and leakers have a pretty good idea of the "vibe" for the next few quarters:
- Spring 2026: Focus on the Supernatural (Blade, Ghost Rider).
- Summer 2026: The Mutant Expansion (Jean Grey, Nightcrawler).
- Late 2026: Avengers/Doomsday Tie-ins (Dr. Doom, Ultron).
Honestly, Dr. Doom is the one everyone is waiting for. He’s already a central part of the story, acting as the primary antagonist in the "Dooms' Rise" arc. Making him playable is the ultimate "break the glass" moment for the developers.
What You Should Do Now
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, start practicing with heroes that have high verticality. Characters like Iron Man or Vanguard Thor are good training for the upcoming flyers like Captain Marvel and Human Torch.
Also, keep an eye on your Hero Proficiency. The new system launched with Season 6 allows you to earn rewards for mastering specific characters. If you suspect your favorite hero is coming soon, banking some resources and getting comfortable with their likely "counter-picks" is the best way to climb the ranks when they finally debut.
Current Action Items:
- Farm the Season 6 Battle Pass: The "Museum Ticket" system is the primary way to unlock the latest cosmetics for Deadpool and eventually Elsa Bloodstone.
- Watch the "Whack-A-Jeff" Event: Limited-time events in Marvel Rivals often drop subtle teasers for the next hero's theme in the background art or dialogue.
- Save your units: Don't blow all your currency on skins if you’re a free-to-play player; the 2026 roster expansion is going to be expensive if you want the "Day 1" unlocks.
The roster is growing fast. Whether you're waiting for the optic blasts of Cyclops or the tactical brilliance of Professor X, 2026 is the year Marvel Rivals truly finds its footing.