Call Me Crazy, But I Think Marvel Rivals’ Latest Deadpool Tease May Be More Than Just a Joke
Marvel Rivals is gearing up for its sixth Season of content, which is bringing its most anticipated post-launch hero yet to the roster. When Marvel Rivals Season 6 launches on December 6, it will be bringing the Merc With a Mouth with it, who will seemingly be voiced by Alejandro Saab as opposed to usual actor Nolan North. Players have already seen him in action against Devil Dinosaur and other Marvel oddballs gathered by The Collector, and NetEase’s distinct take on his character design — an exaggerated point on his loose-fitting mask and a stylish jacket — has been well received. Despite all the hype, and his release being just 7 days away at the time of writing, his role remains unknown. However, the teasers for it have set up an interesting opportunity.
As the weeks have gone by since Deadpool’s arrival was announced at The Game Awards, he’s been breaking the fourth wall and trolling Marvel Rivals players by changing his role in the hero select menu and hero gallery. Deadpool started as a Duelist before changing to a Strategist and a Vanguard, with his role now being displayed as a question mark. The debates over what role Deadpool will fill have been fun, with some even suggesting that he could swap between every role upon death or have a hybrid role that’s entirely his own. However, that’s not the most interesting part to me. Instead, it’s Deadpool’s latest fourth-wall break, which sees him listed as a map in the game’s menus. I’m fully aware that this could be — and likely is — a joke from NetEase, but on the off chance it isn’t, I wanted to call my shot. I think Deadpool isn’t just pretending to be a map, but will actually be one… or at least his mind will.
How a Deadpool Map For Marvel Rivals Season 6 Could Work
Justifying a Deadpool map wouldn’t be much of a challenge for NetEase. A simple answer would be stating that the characters were randomly thrust into a Deadpool-centric universe, while a more interesting approach could lean into The Collector’s hobby. Perhaps his museum contains a powerful device that allows people to enter and explore the minds of others, seeing things as they do. During Deadpool’s fight with Elsa Bloodstone, this device could be triggered, showing the inner thoughts of Wade Wilson and creating a bold new arena to play in. This kind of thing feels even more possible given how Jeff the Land Shark received a dedicated map for the Winter Splash mode this year, with players having no issue accepting a playground dedicated to the game’s adorable mascot.
This kind of concept would be just as interesting for a character like Moon Knight, as his fractured mind could make for a great map. The objective could involve making a pilgrimage to visit Khonshu, while interacting with Steven Grant and Jake Lockley in the respective spawn rooms could be neat.
As for what this hypothetical Deadpool map could entail, there’s plenty of room for funny nods to Deadpool’s history. The payload players escort could be filled with chimichangas, while the map locations could house an endless barrage of wacky sights and sounds. Potential points of interest for a Marvel Rivals map that spotlights one of Marvel’s most unhinged characters are as follows:
- A training room with flimsily made dummies of Deadpool sparring partners like Cable and Wolverine.
- Plushies and balloon floats of not just Deadpool, but his loved ones from the comics, like his daughter Ellie, Lady Death, Valentine Vuong, Copycat, and Shiklah.
- We may have Gwenpool to thank for Jeff the Land Shark, but Deadpool has a deep bond with the cute critter, as shown via the Deadpool Jeff accessory. A shrine to Jeff somewhere on the map would be appropriate.
- A suit display featuring Deadpool’s various looks over the years, which could tease future skins (I have my fingers crossed for his gray X-Force outfit).
- Unicorns, rainbows, and tons of weapons everywhere to really sell the Deadpool vibe. Some silly messages left around the map by the man himself would also be fun.
- The Deadpool Corps as NPCs in the spawn rooms, working like Spider-Zero in Tokyo 2099.
What a Deadpool Map Would Mean for the Other Marvel Rivals Teases
If Deadpool being listed as a map in Marvel Rivals is a teaser and not a gag, then that would mean his role-swapping was also hinting at something. Whether he’s a hybrid character, swaps roles with every life, or is an entirely new role with elements of all the existing categories is anyone’s guess, but I’d certainly love to see Deadpool break the rules instead of just turning out to be a Duelist like everyone expects.
While all the trolling on NetEase’s part has been good fun, even if the studio ends up playing things safe in the end, I’m confident it will shake things up a bit via one of my all-time favorite Marvel characters. Deadpool presents a unique opportunity to go against the grain that will only really be seen again with fellow fourth wall-breaker She-Hulk, and even then, his unique sense of humor presents more opportunities for creativity. Hopefully, Season 6 takes full advantage or everything Deadpool can offer, dropping a Deadpool-themed map alongside the man himself.
- Released
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December 6, 2024
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
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NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
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NetEase Games