Marvel Rivals Season 7 is here, and it's not messing around. Dropping on March 20, 2026 at 9 AM UTC, this update brings two new heroes, a global Ultimate nerf that touches every single character, ranked mode overhauls, and a new map. There's a lot to unpack.
White Fox and the Nine-Tailed Meta Shift
Ami Han, better known as White Fox, is the headline addition for Season 7's launch. She slots into the Strategist role with a kit built around doing two things at once: healing allies and dealing burst damage from the same abilities. Her Yeowoo Guseul (Fox Marbles) mechanic hits enemies while simultaneously patching up teammates, which is a genuinely interesting design for a support hero.
Here's the thing that makes her stand out from the current Strategist pool. Her Kumiho energy builds passively through combat and triggers team-wide buffs plus charm effects on enemies. Her Ultimate takes it further, activating a full nine-tailed fox transformation that grants lifesteal to nearby allies while she goes to work with enhanced claw attacks. She's got offensive teeth, which should make her more survivable and more threatening than a typical backline healer.
She also anchors a new Team-Up called Blessing of the Kumiho alongside Luna Snow. A second new Team-Up, Cosmic Cyclone, pairs Storm with Adam Warlock.
The Ult Nerf Nobody Asked For (But Probably Needed)
The biggest mechanical change in Season 7 isn't tied to any single hero. NetEase has reduced Ultimate energy charge rates by 20 percent across the entire roster. Every hero, no exceptions.
This is a significant shift in how matches will feel. Ultimate spam has been a persistent complaint at all skill levels, with fights often resolving around back-to-back ult chains rather than positioning and neutral play. Slowing the charge rate forces longer windows of standard combat, which should reward mechanical skill and coordination more consistently.
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The 20% Ultimate energy reduction applies to every hero simultaneously, meaning no single character is disproportionately disadvantaged by this change relative to the rest of the roster.
On top of the global change, specific heroes are getting targeted adjustments. The nerf list includes Doctor Strange, Deadpool (Vanguard), Winter Soldier, Elsa Bloodstone, and Gambit. On the flip side, Blade, Black Panther, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Deadpool (Duelist), Hulk, and Luna Snow are all receiving buffs to push them into more competitive territory. You can check the full breakdown on the official Marvel Rivals news page.
Season 7 balance changes
Black Cat, Lower Manhattan, and What's Coming in April
Black Cat won't be available at Season 7's launch. The master thief is confirmed for Season 7.5 in April, bringing stealth and agility mechanics to the roster. Details on her full kit are still limited, but her arrival alongside the new Lower Manhattan Convergence map makes April a second major content drop within the same season.
Lower Manhattan launches April 2 and is set in a post-Alchemax assault environment. The season also includes an Avengers Doomsday event featuring Loki modeled on his 2012 MCU design, plus cosmetic additions for 10 heroes including an exclusive customizable skin for White Fox.
Ranked Gets Faster and More Personal
Competitive mode is changing in two meaningful ways. Team bans jump from 2 to 3 per side, with shorter selection windows that put pressure on draft decisions. It's a change that rewards preparation and punishes hesitation.
Placement matches now factor in personal performance metrics rather than pure win/loss outcomes, which means skilled players can climb past default rank floors more quickly. Shin-Shibuya also returns to competitive rotation after a long absence, giving teams a familiar map back in the pool.
Season 7 is shaping up to be one of the denser updates Marvel Rivals has seen, and the summer content pipeline looks just as active. For the latest gaming news and patch coverage, browse more guides and updates at GAMES.GG.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
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