Marvel Rivals fans have been waiting for the legendary Daywalker to join the fight, and the wait is finally over. The Season 3.5 update, launching on August 8, officially introduces Blade as a playable hero, bringing his signature vampire-hunting skills, iconic weapons, and a stylish ultimate to the battlefield.
Blade’s arrival is especially exciting because he was first teased as an NPC back in Season 1, and players have been requesting his playable debut ever since.
Blade Joins the Duelist Lineup
Blade, also known as Eric Brooks, enters Marvel Rivals as a Duelist specializing in mid-to-close-range combat. His kit makes him a dangerous predator on the battlefield:
- Shotgun for Mid-Range Combat: Ideal for softening enemies before closing the distance.
- Ancestral Sword for Melee Damage: A swift weapon to finish off opponents up close.
- Ultimate: Sword of Dracula: Blade channels Dracula’s dark power to unleash a flurry of slashes, capable of tearing through entire enemy teams and leaving a trail of devastation.
He also boasts mobility and utility, including brief enemy heal prevention and quick repositioning, making him a threat to both grounded and airborne foes.
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Blade’s Story in Marvel Rivals
Blade’s narrative is directly tied to the ongoing Marvel Rivals storyline:
- Born as a dhampir, half-human and half-vampire, he became the Daywalker to battle the dark forces threatening the world.
- After facing Dracula in New York City and being imprisoned due to the villain’s mastery of Chronovium, Blade was sent to Wakanda to recover.
- Recruited by Shuri, he now joins the fight against Hela and Knull, ready to cut down any supernatural threats in Season 3.5.
This story integration ensures Blade isn’t just a flashy addition but a key part of the Marvel Rivals narrative arc.
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New Team-Up Changes in Season 3.5
With Blade’s arrival, team-up abilities in Marvel Rivals are receiving a shake-up:
- Removed Team-Ups: Guardian Revival and Atlas Bond.
- New Team-Ups:
- Duality Dance (Adam Warlock & Luna Snow)
- Vibrant Vitality (Mantis & Groot/Loki)
- Expanded Team-Ups:
- Iron Fist joins Chilling Assault
- Star-Lord joins Rocket Network
- Blade joins Lunar Force, where Cloak & Dagger help other heroes temporarily become invisible.
These adjustments open new strategic combos, with Vibrant Vitality even allowing healing fields to boost damage, giving Mantis a bigger support role in team fights.
Competitive and Community Updates
The Season 3.5 update also enhances the competitive experience:
- Stronger Penalties for Early Leavers: Longer bans, point deductions, and better point compensation for remaining players.
- Improved Appeals Process: Faster resolutions for unfair bans or unavoidable system-related exits.
- Voice & Text Monitoring: A new custom chat filter and ongoing voice chat review aim to keep matches positive and fair.
NetEase confirmed that the custom filter is part of “Operation: Shield the Community,” and muted words may even be added to the official filter list. Voice chat has been monitored since July 24, making toxicity easier to address. Case-by-case handling ensures that system-related disconnections won’t unfairly punish players.
See also: Marvel Rivals Surrender Changes – What’s New in June 26 Patch
Upcoming Map and Mode
While Blade and the team-up changes arrive on August 8, the new Resource Rumble mode and Throne of Knull map will launch on August 22. Resource Rumble will first appear in Quick Match before transitioning to Competitive, adding fresh variety to the hero shooter’s gameplay.
Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 not only gives players the chance to finally take control of Blade but also marks a major evolution in team play and competitive features. With his high mobility, lethal close-range power, and dramatic ultimate, the Daywalker is set to become a fan-favorite Duelist when he arrives next week.
