The Best Part of Deadpool in Marvel Rivals Isn’t the Role Swapping

Deadpool is making his entrance into Marvel Rivals, and it’s only fitting that this Merc with a Mouth is set to shatter the conventions established in the game’s first year. He’s a versatile character who can seamlessly switch between tank, damage, and support roles during a match, and from the initial gameplay trailer, he already appears to be an overpowered blend of all three. One of the standout features of Deadpool’s kit is how it cleverly incorporates his fourth-wall-breaking persona into his abilities.

With his unpredictable movements and the comic-book-style visuals that frequently surround him, Deadpool’s moveset is among the most challenging to decipher in the Marvel Rivals lineup. Once players get their hands on him, we’ll likely become more adept at navigating his unique arsenal. For now, what catches my attention is how the game integrates the character’s meta nature into his combat style.

As the match progresses, Deadpool will gain buffs based on his role, which players can access by flipping through a Marvel Rivals comic book that he presents while selecting upgrades. He also boasts abilities that break the fourth wall, including one that displays a mini streamer portrait of him on an opponent’s screen, which then bashes them with a hammer. It’s unclear how players can evade this or if it functions as a temporary “status effect,” but it certainly fits Wade Wilson’s character to have such obnoxious comic-book pop-ups and cheeky nods to the audience.

Deadpool will be joining the Marvel Rivals roster in season 6, launching on January 16.