Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 is dropping on August 8, 2025, and it’s bringing massive hero adjustments that will shake up the meta. The latest hero adjustments for Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 are out and multiple heroes have received major nerfs and buffs, with Vanguard heroes receiving the most significant changes. Along with the highly anticipated arrival of Blade, players can expect a completely transformed gameplay experience.
Table of Contents
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5: Essential Update Information
| Update Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 8, 2025 |
| Launch Time | 2 AM PDT / 5 AM EST / 10 AM BST |
| New Hero | Blade (Duelist) |
| New Map | Throne of Knull |
| New Game Mode | Resource Rumble |
| Downtime | 2-3 hours for maintenance |
| Hero Adjustments | 8+ heroes receiving buffs/nerfs |
| Team-Up Changes | Multiple Team-Up abilities revised |
Major Hero Nerfs and Buffs in Season 3.5
Vanguard Heroes Leading the Changes
The Master of the Mystic Arts is getting a little oomph in his arsenal! Increase Daggers of Denak projectile charges from 8 to 10. Reduce Cloak of Levitation cooldown from 15s to 12s, making Doctor Strange significantly more powerful in Season 3.5.
Doctor Strange Buffs:
- Daggers of Denak projectile charges: 8 → 10
- Cloak of Levitation cooldown: 15s → 12s
Groot Receives Major Upgrades: Increase Vine Strike range from 20m to 22m. Increase Flora Colossus effect range radius from 20m to 24m, making the Guardian of the Galaxy more effective in team fights.
Recent Balance Changes Still in Effect
From previous updates, several heroes maintain their adjusted states:
Wolverine Balance (Emergency Nerf Applied): Increase Berserk Claw Strike Base Damage from 6 to 8. Reduce Percentage Damage per attack at maximum Rage from 4.5% to 3.5%. Increase Regenerative Healing Factor cooldown from 90s to 105s.
Emma Frost Adjustments: Reduce Telepathic Pulse damage at 99 energy from 120/s to 110/s and from 150/s to 140/s at 100 energy. Reduce Diamond Form damage deduction from 30% to 25%, but her ultimate ability gets a cost reduction.
New Hero: Blade Enters the Arena
The Daywalker’s Arsenal
Blade is finally joining the Marvel Rivals roster as a Duelist hero in Season 3.5. The hero will be added to the game on August 8, as soon as the servers are live, and players will be able to play as the Daywalker for free.
Blade’s Confirmed Abilities:
- Primary Fire: Blade Chopper (Dracula’s Sword slashes)
- Secondary: Iconic Shotgun for ranged combat
- Ultimate: High-damage vampire hunting abilities
According to the leak account @RivalsAssembled, he may have the same voice actor (Gabe Kunda) as KAY/O in VALORANT and Newcastle in Apex Legends, bringing experienced voice talent to the character.
Major Content Additions
New Map: Throne of Knull
Season 3.5 will also introduce new features, Team-Ups and a new game mode: Resource Rumble, along with the dark and atmospheric Throne of Knull map that promises intense battles.
Team-Up System Overhaul
The Marvel Rivals 3.5 update will impact several Team-Up abilities, with hero swaps, new additions, and a couple of total removals. NetEase announced several Marvel Rivals Team-Up ability changes in Season 3.5, including Duality Dance and Vibrant Vitality.
For more Marvel Rivals guides and gaming updates, check out our latest esports coverage and explore our comprehensive competitive gaming analysis.
Meta Impact and Strategic Implications
Vanguard Meta Shift
With significant buffs to Doctor Strange and Groot, the Vanguard role is expected to become more influential in team compositions. These changes address previous concerns about Vanguard heroes feeling underpowered compared to Duelists and Strategists.
Duelist Balance
Blade’s introduction as a free-to-play Duelist will likely shake up the current Duelist meta, providing players with a new vampire-hunting option that combines close-combat prowess with ranged capabilities.
Resource Rumble: New Game Mode
The new Resource Rumble game mode promises to add variety to Marvel Rivals’ gameplay, though specific details about its mechanics remain under wraps until the official launch.
What Players Should Expect
Preparation Tips
- Adjust strategies around strengthened Vanguard heroes
- Experiment with new Team-Up combinations
- Master Blade’s unique vampire-hunting kit
- Explore the atmospheric Throne of Knull map
Competitive Impact
These changes will significantly impact ranked play, with Vanguard buffs potentially shifting the current tank meta and Blade’s arrival providing new dueling options for skilled players.
Launch Day Details
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 will launch on Friday, August 8, 2025. Starting at 2 am PDT / 5 am EST / 10 am BST, the servers should go offline for around two to three hours for maintenance before players can dive into the updated experience.
For more Marvel Rivals updates and gaming news, visit Marvel Rivals Official and follow our comprehensive coverage of competitive gaming trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 release and what’s included?
A: Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 launches on August 8, 2025, at 2 AM PDT / 5 AM EST / 10 AM BST. The update includes Blade as a new Duelist hero, the Throne of Knull map, Resource Rumble game mode, major hero nerfs and buffs (especially for Vanguards like Doctor Strange and Groot), and significant Team-Up ability changes.
Q: What are the biggest hero changes in Season 3.5?
A: The most significant changes favor Vanguard heroes, with Doctor Strange receiving increased Daggers of Denak charges (8→10) and reduced Cloak of Levitation cooldown (15s→12s), while Groot gets extended Vine Strike range (20m→22m) and Flora Colossus effect radius (20m→24m). Previous nerfs to Wolverine and Emma Frost remain in effect, balancing the overall meta.
