So, you’re looking for the exact second the chaos kicks off. Honestly, the way NetEase handles their mid-season updates is a bit of a curveball compared to the big launch days. If you’ve been grinding the rank ladder, you know the mid-season slump is real. But 3.5 isn't just a tiny patch. It’s the big one.
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 started on August 8, 2025.
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I know, I know. You might be seeing 2026 dates floating around for Season 6 or Season 6.5, but if we’re talking specifically about the 3.5 cycle that brought the Daywalker into the mix, that ship sailed back in August. It officially went live at 7 AM ET / 4 AM PT following about two hours of server downtime.
When Does Season 3.5 Start Marvel Rivals: The Full Timeline
Most players get confused because "Season 3" technically started in July, specifically July 11th. People were already playing as Phoenix and flying around the Celestial Husk map. But Season 3.5 was the "Part 2" or the "Mid-Season Ignite" that NetEase uses to refresh the meta before the next big number drop.
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If you're reading this in 2026, we’re actually deep into the Season 6 era. Season 6 launched January 16, 2026, with Deadpool taking center stage. If you're looking for the current "point five" update, Season 6.5 is scheduled for February 13, 2026.
The logic usually stays the same:
- The Hero Drop: 3.5 was all about Blade. He didn't just arrive; he basically broke the healing meta.
- The Map Shift: While Season 3 gave us the Abyss, 3.5 introduced the Throne of Knull map on August 22nd.
- The Mode: Resource Rumble became the go-to for people tired of the standard payload push.
Why the 3.5 Update Actually Mattered
It wasn't just a date on a calendar. Before 3.5, the game felt a bit "tank heavy." You had Magneto and Doctor Strange just absorbing everything. Then Blade showed up. His "bloodthirst" mechanics and the ability to cut through healing meant that Strategists like Luna Snow couldn't just hold left-click and win anymore.
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NetEase also used this window to drop the Queen’s Codex event. If you missed it, that was the one where you could snag the symbiote skin for The Thing. It's kinda funny seeing a rock monster covered in black goo, but it worked.
What Changed in the Patch?
Balance in this game is a moving target. In the 3.5 update, they finally gave Doctor Strange some love. His Daggers of Denak got more charges (8 to 10), which made him feel less like a shield bot and more like an actual threat.
On the flip side, Magneto got hit. They reduced his Metal Bulwark shield from 300 to 250. It sounds small. It wasn't. It meant the difference between surviving a Punisher ult and getting deleted.
Actionable Next Steps for Rivals Players
If you’re trying to keep up with the current 2026 schedule or just reflecting on the 3.5 era, here is how you stay ahead:
- Check the In-Game Event Tab: NetEase is notorious for "shadow dropping" small events three days before a mid-season update.
- Watch the Dev Logs: The 3.5 roadmap was actually leaked on Reddit about a week early. If you see "leaks" about Season 6.5 or 7, they’re usually coming from the same Discord sources.
- Focus on Team-Ups: The 3.5 patch removed the "Atlas Bond" (Iron Fist/Luna Snow) and replaced it with "Duality Dance." Always check the "Team-Up" tab after a .5 update because your favorite combo might literally not exist anymore.
Keep an eye on the Friday reset. Whether it was August 8th for 3.5 or January 16th for the current Season 6, Friday is the day Marvel Rivals lives and dies by.