#Gambit is definitely Marvel Rivals’ greatest post-launch hero up to now, however his stellar design creates a troublesome precedent – Destructoid

I do not know how NetEase Video games is ready to launch an entire new character in Marvel Rivals each month, however I feel the devs outdid themselves in season 5.

Since launching final 12 months on Dec. 6, 2025, Marvel Rivals has added a big batch of latest heroes in Mister Improbable, Invisible Lady, Human Torch, The Factor, Emma Frost, Ultron, Phoenix, Blade, Angela, Daredevil, and now Gambit. And for my cash, Gambit is probably the most enjoyable and well-designed one up to now, by an extended shot.

Gambit is by far one of the best and most fun Strategist within the recreation proper now after launching final week, and I don’t suppose that’s recency bias (or common bias both, although he’s my second favourite X-Males member). It’s no shock to see a brand new hero be a high performer, however I’ve been enjoying him as a lot as attainable, and he feels so significantly better to play than everybody else within the position. It’s nearly embarrassing.

The tremendous highly effective Cajun mutant makes use of each his powered-up enjoying playing cards and employees to create probably the most various, versatile, and pleasing package but. His primary assault each heals and offers injury in a three-card burst, however his Therapeutic Hearts and Breaking Spades talents give him 4 completely different strikes the place there’s usually two.

Triggering Therapeutic Hearts brings up two choices, Bridge Increase which chain heals allies close by, or Purifying Pickup which cleanses debuffs. Breaking Spades, in the meantime, affords both Explosive Trick to inflict diminished therapeutic on enemies, or Bidding Barrage that throws playing cards in an arc and explodes to launch enemies up.

Gambit’s motion and close-range fight are additionally fairly versatile. He can cost ahead and spin round along with his employees, after which slam his employees on the bottom that heals allies AND offers injury to enemies.

His final? It clears the entire Strategist roster. Ragin’ Royal Flush heals, purifies, offers motion velocity and a lift to leap peak, and provides a focused ally final cost acceleration. And so I’m considering, yeah, he’s in all probability a bit too robust, kit-wise.

Gambit is simple to play, however mastering him takes quite a lot of useful resource administration since he can solely use his talents if he has the playing cards which are proven on his UI. His different principal downfall is that anybody who performs him normally tries to only play DPS with him although he’s a healer. However man, he’s simply so rattling good and so enjoyable. And I do not know how NetEase goes to high it. However I feel I understand how they’ll.

Subsequent season’s two new heroes have already been teased in a lore card to be the monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone, and the “Merc With a Mouth,” Deadpool. The latter hero is the place I hope the corporate has some enjoyable, as he’s dumb stand-up comedian who’s additionally lethal with katanas and weapons, however his penchant for breaking the fourth wall creates quite a lot of prospects for ridiculousness, and I hope they full lean into it.

Marvel Rivals’ subsequent hero for season 5, Rogue, launches in early December, and all indicators level to her being a Vanguard. If she’s half as enjoyable as her beau Remy LeBeau (heh), then we’re in for some good occasions over the vacations and for the sport’s first anniversary.