If there's one thing NetEase got it right Marvel Rivalsit's the authenticity of its playable characters. The team spared no expense in bringing iconic superheroes and supervillains into a true hero shooter, faithfully recreating each character's abilities, passives, designs and movement as they appeared in the source material. The game launched last month with over 30 characters on the roster, which is already home to some fan favorites. Most notably, Marvel's very own Merc with a Mouth: Deadpool.
Deadpool is not Marvel Rivals though, but his inclusion is a lot like Thanos: inevitable. He is one of the most popular characters in the Marvel catalog and his latest movie made a billion at the box office last year. His debut in the game is a matter of “when” rather than if. That being said, players have speculated how Wade Wilson would fit rivalry game system. While there are some bland mechanics like his swords and guns, NetEase has plenty of compelling options to explore for his kit.
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Deadpool has so much potential as a Marvel Rivals hero
Deadpool as a Duelist in Marvel Rivals
Deadpool as a duelist is the most likely route NetEase can take with the character. It's the most popular role in the game, he's one of the most popular characters, and truth be told, the damage dealing role suits his mercenary background too well. But as for what he might do with Deadpool as Marvel RivalsThe ultimate duelist, there are plenty of options for them.
His main source of damage should be his twin pistols, maybe even making them gold as a playful nod Deadpool and Wolverine. It should be a short to medium range attack with an effective range as long as Dr. spells. Strange or Venom's tentacles. And for more up close and personal melee encounters, his katanas would be outclassed. And he obviously needs a passive heal ability to represent his deep allergy to death.
When it comes to Deadpool's main abilities, there are a few different aspects of his character that NetEase can focus on to create some valuable damaging abilities: his often-overlooked teleportation technology, explosives, and his complete and utter disdain for the fourth wall .
Maybe he could have an ability where he cheekily teleports behind a selected enemy, taunts and stabs them before returning to his original location. Another move could involve him producing an oversized rocket launcher out of thin air and either using it as a mini-Iron Man ult or as a rocket jump for an enhanced move.
Deadpool's fourth wall moves have the potential to be real showstopper moves and should be properly reserved for his ultimate abilities. An ending where Wade “hacks” the game code and thwarts the enemy team would be fun and dangerously effective in the heat of battle. It could be something as simple as reversing the controls, or something as elaborate as turning every enemy in range into a walking chimichanga unable to do anything but run away. If NetEase has Deadpool modify the game code for its ending, the sky is truly the limit with its interesting and funny applications.
Could Deadpool work as a strategist?
As a mercenary armed to the teeth with swords, guns and explosives, making Deadpool a duelist might seem like the most obvious option. But anyone who knows the character understands that the unexpected is the norm wherever Deadpool is concerned. Making Wade a healer would be one of the most out-of-left-field and hilarious in-character things NetEase could do with him.
The developers could even lampshade the fact that Marvel Rivals badly needs more strategists, releasing an announcement where Deadpool himself tells the community that he's here to fix the lack of healers in the game. He could heal his teammates with chimichanga pickups that work like the sandwich Team Fortress 2. Obviously, they should have strong damage potential, but characters like Loki, Mantis, and Cloak and Dagger show that NetEase isn't afraid to Marvel Rivalsthe healing powers themselves.
Deadpool's team-up capabilities
Marvel RivalsTeams are one of its most interesting features, where heroes with shared character histories or similar power sets can join forces and unleash new and unorthodox attacks. Deadpool would be ripe with opportunity for this feature, as Wade has never shied away from a good old fashioned crossover. As a result, there are plenty of great opportunities for him to join forces with his teammates, with a few particularly interesting standouts.
Obviously, Wolverine would be a must after the stunning success of the pair's bromantic comedy last year, but Deadpool had an equally famous friendship with Spider-Man. Jeff the Landshark is a relatively new ally of Wade's, even harboring the Venom symbiote for a time. Perhaps more than any character, Deadpool must have an ability allied with Cable. He's not in the game yet, but if he makes the list, the historic friendship between Cable and Deadpool in the comics should be acknowledged.