Doctor Doom has been positioned as the central villain for Marvel Rivals, and it’s clear why. The “Timestream Entanglement” that drives the game’s intriguing storyline arises from a clash between Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart. Although Doom is in the spotlight, hints from the rich game lore and some juicy leaks suggest that more notorious villains could soon join the fray.
Marvel Rivals may be keeping its current batch of villains in line with Marvel’s broader focus on Doctor Doom, particularly with the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. But Doom isn’t just a convenient marketing tool; he’s a cornerstone of Marvel’s villain lineup. Given his iconic status, it’s surprising that other famed villains haven’t yet stepped onto the Marvel Rivals stage.
Even though Doctor Doom’s role is pivotal to the storyline, neither he nor Doom 2099 is playable yet. This absence in the launch roster seems too conspicuous to remain unaddressed. Known primarily as Mr. Fantastic’s arch-foe, Doom’s eventual entry into the game seems inevitable, especially since the Fantastic Four are rumored to be upcoming additions. Developers could harness Doom’s impressive powers to enhance the game dynamics, possibly casting him as the much-needed Vanguard role.
Galacta, serving as the game’s mascot, opens up yet another interesting angle in Marvel Rivals. As the daughter of the cosmic threat Galactus, there’s untapped potential in her character, despite her brief history. Other characters with modest backstories like Luna Snow are in the game, so Galacta might still have a future. Galactus himself is unlikely to become a playable character, given his immense scale and power set, but a cameo in a map could be an exciting nod to his presence.
Recent leaks hint at the inclusion of Ultron, a truly villainous Marvel character. While others like Magneto and Venom have wavered towards heroism, Ultron’s nature as a pure villain might break new ground for the game. Slated for a Season 1 entry, Ultron’s introduction could bring a strategic depth to team compositions, adding a new dimension to gameplay.
The tantalizing possibility of other villains like Knull appearing is also in the air. Although not playable yet, Knull’s presence looms large, with ties to other characters and his dedicated stage, suggesting his significant future potential. Meanwhile, Dracula, a lesser-discussed but formidable antagonist, fits well within the Marvel Rivals ecosystem, especially with Blade on the horizon.
On a broad note, Marvel Rivals seems poised to continually expand its villain roster with exciting figures. Thanos, with his cinematic notoriety, or Apocalypse, with his complex comic history, could stir things up significantly. Villains from Spider-Man’s rogue’s gallery, too, could each offer unique gameplay mechanics, making the potential for future additions nearly limitless. Whatever path the developers take, fans can expect Marvel Rivals to keep drawing richly from the vast Marvel Universe.
