Marvel Rivals Prepares for Season 3 with Minor July 3 Patch
Marvel Rivals is gearing up for its massive Season 3: The Abyss Awakens update on July 11, but before that, players will receive a small July 3 patch featuring a few bug fixes and new skins. This minor update serves as a prelude to the major changes coming next week, including hero rebalances, new Team-Up mechanics, and expanded customization options.
July 3 Patch Release Time & Details
The patch will go live on July 3 at 5 AM ET with no server downtime. While the download will be small, players will have to wait until 10 PM ET for the two new skins to appear in the in-game shop:
- Captain America – Captain Klyntar (Symbiote-themed variant)
- Spider-Man – Future Foundation
Patch Notes: Bug Fixes & Adjustments
This week’s update focuses on resolving a few key issues:
- Thor’s Thunder Troubles
- Fixed an issue where high latency could cause Thor’s abilities to cancel unexpectedly.
- Illusory Interference
- Defeating illusions (from Magneto’s Magnetic Resonance or Psylocke’s Psychic Echoes) no longer incorrectly triggers KO-based effects like Loki’s Laufeyson Reborn or Thor’s Odinson Reborn.
- Platform Fix
- Resolved a bug where returning from a player’s Career page via the Leaderboard sometimes redirected users to the wrong menu.
Competitive & Esports Impact
This patch has minimal impact on Marvel Rivals’ esports scene, though Thor players will benefit from more consistent ability performance. The real competitive shakeup will arrive with Season 3, introducing Blade and Jean Grey (Phoenix Force) alongside major balance changes.
What to Expect in Season 3 (July 11)
The Abyss Awakens update will bring:
- New Heroes: Blade and Jean Grey (Phoenix Force)
- Symbiote vs. Phoenix Force Theme: Featuring Knull (Symbiote God) and Hela (Queen in Black) as central villains.
- Hero Adjustments: The Thing will receive a new ability to counter flying enemies, addressing a key Season 2 weakness.
- Quality-of-Life Improvements: Shorter seasons, Hero Accessories, and more costume customization.
- New Skins: Symbiote and Phoenix Force variants for Blade, Wolverine, Magik, and Jeff the Land Shark.
Blade & Phoenix Force: Meta Implications
- Blade was teased in-game since Season 1.5, and his arrival could shift team compositions, especially if he specializes in anti-healing or mobility.
- Jean Grey (Phoenix Force) may blend telepathic abilities with cosmic fire attacks, potentially becoming a meta-defining hero—similar to her overpowered status in Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
Esports & Upcoming Championships
With the first Marvel Rivals World Championship approaching, teams must quickly adapt to Season 3’s new meta. The introduction of Phoenix Force could dramatically alter competitive strategies, especially if she dominates as a high-damage carry.