The Marvel Rivals community is eagerly awaiting the release of Season 1.5, which is set to launch on February 21, 2025, at 9am GMT UK time. The update will introduce two new heroes, The Thing and Human Torch, from the Fantastic Four, who will be available as free playable characters. The Thing is a powerful hero with smashing abilities, similar to Hulk, while Human Torch can fly and shoot fireballs at his opponents. The update will also include new costumes, maps, and gameplay tweaks, such as an extra 0.5 seconds of grace time at the end of overtime in all modes.

In preparation for the update, the game will be taken offline for server maintenance, which is expected to last around three hours. During this time, players will not be able to access the game, but they can download and install the new update. The developer, NetEase, has warned that server downtime may vary, and players should check the game's social media channels for updates. The patch notes for the update include a range of changes, such as improved loading times, new costumes, and tweaks to the game's balance. The update will also introduce a new map, Empire of Eternal Night: Central Park, and a new season event, Midnight Features II.

The Marvel Rivals community has been discussing the game's balance and the dominance of the triple-support meta. The developers have taken notice and are implementing balance changes to make this type of lineup less dominant. The changes include nerfs to some Strategist ultimates, such as Cloak & Dagger, and reductions to the ultimate energy costs of some Vanguards and Duelists, such as Venom and Magik. The developers aim to bring in more options for fun counterplays and amp up the excitement, without completely removing the triple-support meta as an option.

The update will also include a range of other changes, such as a new "Hide Own Name (Competitive)" feature, which will allow players to hide their names during competitive matches. The feature will be available for players at Diamond III and above, and will give them an extra layer of anonymity during matches. The update will also include improvements to the game's graphics and settings, such as the addition of NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD Radeon Anti-Lag 2. These features will provide faster performance and reduced system latency, making the game more enjoyable for players.

In terms of statistical data, the update will include a range of new features, such as: * A new season battle pass with exclusive rewards * A new season story event with unique challenges and rewards * Improved ranked rewards, including a free Invisible Woman skin * A new "Career System" that will distinguish between S1.0 and S1.5 season statistics * A new account deletion option under Settings - Other The update will also include a range of policy points, such as: * The game's terms of service will be updated to reflect the new features and changes * The game's community guidelines will be updated to promote fair play and sportsmanship * The game's support team will be available to answer questions and provide assistance with the update The update will also include a range of stakeholder views, such as: * The developers' vision for the game's future and their plans for upcoming updates * The community's feedback and suggestions for the game * The game's esports scene and the plans for upcoming tournaments and events The timeline of events for the update is as follows: * February 21, 2025: Season 1.5 update releases at 9am GMT UK time * February 21, 2025: Server maintenance begins at 1am PST * February 21, 2025: Server maintenance ends at around 12pm GMT UK time * February 21, 2025: New content and features become available to players