Jubilee Joins the Roster in Marvel Rivals

The fan-favorite X-Men character Jubilee is set to join the expanding lineup of Marvel Rivals, as announced during a recent livestream by developer NetEase Games. She will make her debut in season 9, launching on July 10.

In this latest update, Jubilee will take on the role of a Strategist, which is akin to a support hero in the game. This choice might surprise some, given her powers. Jubilee’s mutant ability revolves around pyrotechnics, allowing her to create and launch fireworks like explosive projectiles. While this seems more suited for a Duelist role, NetEase has a history of making unexpected character role decisions that have generally paid off. For instance, Gambit, who has a similar power set (using cards instead of fireworks), is also classified as a Strategist.

The developers of Marvel Rivals describe Jubilee’s gameplay as follows:

Ready to take on the world and shine brightly for her son, Jubilee generates bursts of pyrotechnic plasma, shaping radiant energy into vibrant projectiles that sparkle with light. Coupled with her vampiric powers, every firework she unleashes becomes a lively celebration on the battlefield!

Jubilee’s design in Marvel Rivals stays true to her classic comic appearance, featuring a long yellow jacket, yellow gloves, stylish pink sunglasses, and a predominantly pink top. Notably, her belt sports an “A” instead of an “X.” Of particular interest are her eyes, which share the same yellowish hue as Blade and Dracula in the game, indicating that Jubilee is a vampire in this universe.

Jubilee’s Team-Up abilities connect her with two of Marvel Rivals’ supernatural heroes: Hellfire Sparks (with The Hood) and Vampiric Kin (with Blade).

Interestingly, Jubilee’s vampiric side has roots in the comics. In the “Curse of the Mutants” arc by Victor Gischler in X-Men (2010), she was bitten by Xarus, Dracula’s son. Remarkably, she retained her mutant status for several years before being cured in 2019 when Quintin Quire provided her with a piece of the Phoenix Force. Even now, Jubilee grapples with vampiric challenges, a nod to her past as one of the undead. This aspect of her history being included in Marvel Rivals adds a fun twist to the game.

The game dives deep into Jubilee’s lore, revealing her narrative as: “Due to the effects of the Timestream Entanglement, Jubilee’s son, Shogo, became trapped in his dragon form. In her desperation to save him, Jubilee sought assistance from Apocalypse in Thebes, and in return, she became his Horseman of Famine.” Both Jubilee and Apocalypse are currently in the spotlight, featuring prominently in X-Men ’97 season 2.

Alongside Jubilee, The Hood will also join as a new character in season 9. This season will be themed around the iconic X-Men storyline, Age of Apocalypse, and will introduce a new Egyptian-themed map. Additionally, Jubilee will receive a vampire-inspired “Midnight Mutant” skin in this season.

Marvel Rivals season 9, featuring Jubilee, is set to launch on July 10.

A hazard for flyers and back-row foes.