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Marvel Rivals Season 5 is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be one of the game’s biggest updates yet. NetEase has confirmed that the new season launches on 14 November at 12 PM UTC, following an extended downtime window starting at 9 AM UTC. With Gambit joining the roster, a new Battle Pass, massive hero balance changes, a social Times Square map, and revamped competitive systems, players are in for a massive refresh.

Below is a full breakdown of everything coming in the early Marvel Rivals Season 5 patch notes.

Season 5 Overview

Launch and Downtime

Season 5 begins on 14 November at 12 PM UTC, but servers will go offline at 9 AM UTC for roughly three to four hours. This is longer than the usual one-hour downtime, thanks to the substantial content rollout arriving with the new season.

A Fresh Storyline and New Content

The new season follows Gambit and Rogue’s cosmic honeymoon storyline, weaving into the Love is a Battlefield arc and a new set of lore entries. Players can expect new serial episodes, interactive emotes, and a rotating home screen background to freshen up the experience.

Gambit Joins the Roster

A New Strategist with Dual Stances

Gambit becomes the 44th playable hero and the latest Strategist, the first new addition to the role since Ultron. His ability kit lets players switch between two card stances:
Hearts for healing and cleansing allies, and Spades for applying damage and anti-heal effects.

He also has strong mobility through quick dashes, a staff for melee combos, and a powerful ultimate that boosts allies with explosive projectiles and increased jump height.

Marvel Rivals Season 5 Gambit

Image Credit: NetEase Games

Players already expect Gambit to become a top-tier healer, adding new depth to the Season 5 meta.

New Modes and Maps

18v18 Conquest Arrives

A huge new 36-player Conquest mode launches on 27 November, offering large-scale objective battles on the Grand Garden map. It was first teased in the Gambit and Rogue story trailer and promises chaotic, fast-paced action.

Times Square Social Hub

Season 5 also introduces Times Square, a non-combat map that acts as a social lobby for up to 100 players. You’ll be able to hang out, dance, emote, watch videos, read books, or simply relax between matches.

Grand Garden Adventure Battle Pass

10 New Hero Skins and More

The Season 5 Battle Pass is themed around the Grand Garden Adventure, bringing 10 new costumes alongside cosmetic items. The full list includes:

  • The Thing: Blue Thing
  • Hela: Merciful Queen
  • Groot: Big Buddy
  • Namor: Monstro King
  • The Punisher: Franken-Castle
  • Ultron: Infinity Ultron (MCU)
  • Black Widow: Midnight Suspense
  • Angela: Odin’s Beautiful Daughter
  • Adam Warlock: Magus
  • Scarlet Witch: Witch of the Evil Eye
Marvel Rivals Season 5 Gambit

Image Credit: NetEase Games

The Luxury Battle Pass will cost 990 Lattice, while several rewards can be unlocked for free through gameplay.

First Anniversary Rewards

Marvel Rivals turns one soon, and players will be getting generous gifts as part of the celebration event launching on 27 November.

Everyone who logs in during the event will receive:

  • 2,500 free Units
  • A free Business Suit Jeff skin

These rewards can be claimed by completing simple anniversary tasks.

Team-Up Ability Changes

Season 5 introduces three new Team-Ups and retires several older ones, marking one of the biggest shake-ups in this system so far.

New Team-Ups

  • Explosive Entanglement
    Anchor: Gambit
    Magneto gains explosive greatswords with delayed detonation.
  • Sword of Duality
    Anchor: Cloak & Dagger
    Hawkeye fires a piercing wave that heals allies and applies anti-heal to enemies.
  • Blade of Khonshu
    Anchor: Moon Knight
    Blade dashes forward for rapid sword strikes that unleash bouncing moon-blades.

Retired Team-Ups

  • Lunar Force
  • Operation: Microchip

Adjusted Team-Ups

  • Hawkeye removed from Chilling Assault
  • Black Widow added to Primal Flame, gaining explosive AoE rounds that heal allies but cannot crit

These changes are expected to significantly shift the meta, especially in competitive play.

Hero Buffs and Nerfs

Season 5 features wide-reaching balance changes:

Vanguard Buffs

Captain America, The Thing, Hulk, and Peni Parker are all receiving substantial improvements.
Captain America’s ultimate will now accelerate ally ult charges, while Peni’s webs will heal teammates.

Duellist Buffs

Wolverine and Spider-Man get smoother combos and more reliable damage, especially against bulky Vanguards.

Strategist Buffs

Loki and Cloak & Dagger receive improvements to increase their utility and impact in team fights.

More detailed patch numbers will be released later in the week.

Cross Progression Fully Launched

Originally introduced in Season 4.5, cross progression now rolls out fully across platforms. Players can link multiple accounts into one unified Rivals profile.

Marvel Rivals Season 5 Gambit

Image Credit: NetEase Games

Xbox users will also get new Discord linking, updated chat options, and improvements to cross-platform communication.

New Store Bundles and Accessories

New bundles include:

  • Gambit: Thieves Guildmaster
  • Magneto: Temporal Tyrant
  • Gambit Emoji Pack
  • Gambit: Crimson Heart

New accessories for Thor, Loki, Moon Knight, Star-Lord, Mantis, Gambit, Human Torch, Magik, Wolverine, and Phoenix will also be available.

College Perks Update

The free costume trials for verified students will refresh at the start of Season 5, bringing 10 new cosmetics and MVPs. Students will need to re-verify their email to reclaim perks.

Competitive and Ranked Overhaul

Season 5 completely reshapes the ranked system.

Placement Matches Introduced

Players will now complete 10 placement matches each season to determine their starting rank.
Your estimated rank during placements affects matchmaking, but only the final result counts.

If you don’t complete all 10 placements, you won’t receive season rewards.

Matchmaking and Queue Limits

  • Bronze to Grandmaster: Queue in teams of up to 6 (no full five-stack).
  • Celestial, Eternity, One Above All: Solo or duo only.
  • Placement players can only queue in parties of three or fewer.

Rewards

  • Gold-tier costume rewards remain
  • Crests of Honour and Nameplate Frames now awarded once per full season
  • Season 5.0 Gold reward is the Gambit: Sacrificial Pawn skin

This new system aims to reduce competitive pressure, smooth out ranking experiences, and reward consistency.

How Season 5 Affects Esports

Season 5’s major balance changes will naturally influence competitive play.
Gambit’s arrival adds a new Strategist option for pro teams, while Vanguard buffs may shift frontline priorities.

Team-Up changes could also redefine coordinated strategies in high-level matches.

As the Marvel Rivals Ignite Grand Finals recently wrapped up, teams have signalled interest in more events for 2026. These updates will likely play a key role in the ecosystem’s second competitive season, creator showcases, and the seasonal Championships.

Conclusion

Marvel Rivals Season 5 delivers one of the most content-packed updates the game has seen. With Gambit’s debut, the Grand Garden Adventure Battle Pass, cross progression, large-scale Conquest mode, team-up overhauls, and sweeping balance changes, both casual and competitive players will have plenty to explore.

Season 5 is live on 14 November, so now’s the perfect time to prepare your favourite heroes and get ready for a major shake-up.