Key Highlights:
- Marvel Rivals is adding a new 18v18 Annihilation mode on 27 November, set on the large Grand Garden map.
- Season 5 continues to expand the roster with Gambit now live and Rogue arriving in December.
- The first anniversary celebration gives all players 2,400 free Units and new cosmetics, including a legendary Jeff the Land Shark skin.
NetEase Games has revealed Annihilation, a new 18v18 mode that brings large scale battles to Marvel Rivals. The trailer shows 36 players clashing across Grand Garden, a map built specifically to handle the chaos.
It’s noticeably bigger than standard arenas, which makes sense when you imagine two full lobbies of heroes blowing the place apart. The studio hasn’t confirmed whether duplicate heroes are allowed, but the footage of Scarlet Witch hovering over a crowd of Jeff the Land Sharks suggests it may be possible.
The mode launches on 27 November and lands alongside the game’s first anniversary event. NetEase is giving every player 2,400 Units as a thank you, which can be spent on skins and cosmetic bundles.
A legendary Jeff the Land Shark skin is also on the way, giving the mascot a suit-and-tie makeover. More anniversary skins will roll out in the shop over the next few weeks.
Season 5 is already packed, with Gambit joining as a Strategist and Rogue due to arrive in December as part of the mid season update. The recent Marvel Zombies crossover also delivered one of the game’s most popular PvE modes to date. I saw a noticeable spike in player numbers during that event, which matches NetEase’s comments about extending its availability. It’s clear there’s an appetite for more PvE experiments, and the studio says similar modes are planned.
Looking ahead, leaks suggest Deadpool could join Season 6 in early 2026, with Elsa Bloodstone also rumoured. Nothing is confirmed yet, but players are already speculating about which roles they might fill. With a major new mode, a steady roster rollout and free anniversary rewards, Marvel Rivals looks set for a strong end to the year.