Marvel Rivals, the fast-paced hero shooter from NetEase Games and Marvel Games, is gearing up for one of its most ambitious updates yet. Season 7, aptly titled "The Hunt is On," arrives March 20, 2026, and promises a sweeping array of new content, balance changes, and narrative twists that are set to shake up the Marvel multiverse for players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox Series X|S.
At the heart of the update are two highly anticipated new heroes: White Fox and Black Cat. According to NetEase Games, White Fox will be the first to join the roster, bringing her unique blend of martial arts prowess and supernatural abilities as a Strategist—a support role that’s about to get a lot more exciting. Black Cat, whose role is still under wraps (though speculation leans toward her being a Duelist), will follow in the latter half of the season, known as Season 7.5.
White Fox’s arrival is more than just a new face in the crowd. Drawing on her Marvel Comics roots as a member of the Tiger Division—a South Korean superhero squad—she enters Marvel Rivals with a mission that’s deeply personal. As detailed in the Dev. Vision Vol. 15 update from NetEase Games, her story is intertwined with Luna Snow, another Tiger Division member already playable in the game. Luna Snow’s New York-based team has landed in hot water amid the chaos, and White Fox’s in-game quest revolves around rescuing her embattled colleague.
But White Fox isn’t coming empty-handed. Her gameplay kit is packed with strategic potential. She wields the power of her Kumiho (nine-tailed fox) heritage alongside swift martial arts, adapting her combat style to fit any battle situation. One of her signature abilities, Yeowoo Guseul (fox marbles), lets her heal allies and damage enemies. She can absorb and store Kumiho energy, then unleash it to buff teammates and charm foes—adding new tactical layers to team play. White Fox can also teleport to enemies, partially transform into a fox to heal teammates while pushing back adversaries, and her ultimate ability lets her fully embrace her nine-tailed fox form, granting her the power to suppress enemies and heal allies with devastating claw strikes. She can even bestow allies with Kumiho energy, granting them Unstoppable and Lifesteal effects. As NetEase Games puts it, "White Fox wields the power of her Kumiho bloodline alongside swift martial arts, adapting her combat style to fit any battle situation."
Season 7’s narrative backdrop is as dramatic as any Marvel comic. Forces from 2099’s Nueva York have invaded modern-day Manhattan, and the city’s notorious mayor, Wilson Fisk—better known as Kingpin—has declared martial law. He’s not just locking down the city; he’s ordered the arrest of all costumed heroes, upending the usual alliances and turning superheroes into fugitives. In a twist that’s sure to excite fans, Kingpin hires Black Cat for a daring heist: stealing an enigmatic tablet he believes holds the key to saving New York from the interdimensional threat. This sets up a storyline brimming with intrigue, as White Fox and Black Cat pursue their separate missions, sometimes clashing despite their ostensibly unrelated goals.
Alongside the new narrative and characters, Season 7 introduces a host of gameplay improvements and fresh content. The new Lower Manhattan map is set to launch after an April 2 update, featuring a heist mission with White Fox at its center. Players will also see the debut of the Album System, which allows them to capture in-game photos—especially those memorable Times Square moments—and save them to a personal album for sharing and revisiting. This feature is likely to appeal to the game’s ever-growing community of content creators and casual players alike.
For those who love cosmetics and customization, the new season doesn’t disappoint. A batch of new accessories will be released for White Fox, Iron Fist, Hawkeye, Mister Fantastic, Ultron, Adam Warlock, Peni Parker, Venom, Hulk, and Elsa Bloodstone. There’s also a special treat for Deadpool fans: from April 1 to April 3 (UTC), players can claim a free duo emote, "Jeff Rodeo," featuring Deadpool and Jeff the Land Shark. Using this emote with friends in Times Square can earn players Units and exclusive title rewards. Verified college students get even more, with access to a new rotation of 10 costumes and MVPs by verifying their education email.
On the competitive front, Season 7 is bringing significant balance changes that will reshape how matches unfold. According to NetEase Games, ultimate energy gain rates are being reduced by about 20% across the board, with specific tuning for each role. Crowd control (CC) effects are also getting a rework: if heroes are hit by multiple CC abilities in quick succession, the subsequent effects will be weakened, aiming to reduce frustrating lockout scenarios. These changes are currently being tested and are expected to fully roll out with Season 7.5.
Specific heroes are also being adjusted. The following are set to receive nerfs: Winter Soldier, Elsa Bloodstone, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and Vanguard Deadpool. On the flip side, buffs are coming for Hulk, Blade, Black Panther, Duelist Deadpool, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, and Luna Snow. Other heroes, like Emma Frost, Magik, Gambit (specifically his ultimate), and Invisible Woman, will see tweaks to match the new ultimate energy gain rates. The hero ban system is expanding from two to three, with less time allotted for each phase, and placement matches will now factor in personal performance to better calibrate starting ranks. Competitive players will also see the return of the Tokyo 2099: Shin-Shibuya map to the pool.
Team-ups—a fan-favorite feature—are also evolving. New synergies like Blessing of the Kumiho (White Fox & Luna Snow) and Cosmic Cyclone (Storm & Adam Warlock) are joining the lineup, while older ones like Jeff-Nado (Jeff the Land Shark & Storm) and Duality Dance (Luna Snow & Adam Warlock) are being retired.
It’s worth noting that these sweeping updates come despite the original Marvel Rivals development team being unexpectedly closed down in February 2026. As reported by multiple outlets, a dedicated support team remains in place to ensure the game continues to grow and evolve. Marvel Rivals remains free-to-play, with its community as vibrant as ever, eagerly awaiting each new twist in both gameplay and story.
With so many moving pieces—new heroes, dramatic storylines, gameplay shakeups, and a wealth of customization—Season 7 of Marvel Rivals is shaping up to be a milestone for the franchise. Whether you’re a die-hard competitive player, a lore enthusiast, or just in it for the wild Times Square selfies, there’s never been a better time to jump in and experience the chaos, camaraderie, and cunning of Marvel Rivals.