Marvel Rivals Season 4 Patch Notes: New Vanguard Hero, Battle Pass, and More

TL;DR

  • Season 4 launches September 12, 2025 with 3-hour server downtime starting 9 AM UTC
  • Angela joins as flying Vanguard using Ichor-based weapons and AoE damage abilities
  • New Thor team-up mechanic introduces powerful coordinated attack options
  • Prepare for 30GB patch download and strategic meta shifts in team compositions
  • Master Angela’s dive-heavy playstyle to effectively clear enemy frontlines

Marvel Rivals Season 4, titled Heart of the Dragon, officially commences on September 12, 2025, marking a significant update following the conclusion of Season 3.5: The Abyss Awakens. The transition period begins with server maintenance starting precisely at 9 AM UTC, during which all game servers will be taken offline for seasonal updates and optimizations.

Based on historical seasonal maintenance patterns, anticipate approximately 3 hours of server unavailability, with full service restoration projected around 12 Noon UTC. This extended downtime accommodates comprehensive backend improvements and ensures stable launch conditions for the new content.

Players should prepare for a substantial patch download estimated at 30 GB, requiring adequate storage allocation on their gaming devices. For optimal experience, initiate the download immediately upon server availability to minimize wait times.

Season 4 introduces Angela as the newest Vanguard-class hero, bringing unique Norse mythology-inspired mechanics to the battlefield. As Thor’s sister and a formidable Norse Goddess, Angela utilizes a specialized Ichor resource system to manifest powerful combat implements during engagements.

Her core ability kit revolves around creating Axe and Shield configurations from Ichor, enabling both offensive and defensive playstyles. As a flying Vanguard, she excels at initiating dives into enemy formations while providing rally support for allied teammates.

Angela’s design emphasizes area-of-effect damage capabilities, positioning her as a frontline disruptor capable of creating openings for Duelists and Strategists. Her aerial mobility combined with substantial AoE pressure makes her particularly effective against clustered enemy formations.

New players should focus on mastering Ichor resource management, as efficient utilization determines her sustained combat effectiveness. Advanced techniques involve timing her dive engagements to coincide with team cooldown rotations for maximum impact.

The transition from Season 3.5 establishes significant momentum shifts in the competitive meta. The Abyss Awakens season introduced Blade as a dominant duelist whose anti-healing capabilities and close-quarters combat proficiency disrupted established team compositions.

Angela’s introduction as a dive-heavy Vanguard further evolves team dynamics, creating new synergies with existing heroes. Her Thor team-up mechanic introduces powerful coordinated attack options that can decisively swing team fights when properly executed.

Balance adjustments from the previous season have refined tank performance and competitive integrity, setting the stage for Heart of the Dragon’s strategic innovations. The Resource Rumble mode and Klyntar: Throne of Knull map from Season 3.5 provide foundational elements that Season 4 builds upon.

Cosmetic additions including Scarlet Witch’s Phoenix Chaos skin and Queen’s Codex events maintained player engagement throughout the inter-season period, establishing strong momentum heading into the new chapter.

Mastering Angela requires understanding several critical gameplay nuances that separate effective from inefficient usage. Her Ichor-based weapon creation has specific timing windows that optimize damage output while conserving resources.

Avoid These Common Errors: Novice Angela players frequently overcommit to dive engagements without proper team support, resulting in isolated eliminations. Another frequent mistake involves poor Ichor management, leaving her unable to create essential weapons during crucial team fights.

Advanced Optimization Strategies: Coordinate Angela’s dive timing with your team’s ultimate abilities for maximum synergistic impact. Use her aerial mobility to control high ground positions before engaging, providing tactical advantages against ground-based opponents.

For comprehensive hero mastery guidance, consult our Class Guide which covers advanced techniques for all character archetypes.

Positioning is paramount – initiate engagements from flanking routes rather than frontal assaults to maximize her disruptive potential against enemy formations.

NetEase has made the exciting announcement that Marvel Rivals will officially expand its player base by launching on PlayStation 4 consoles. The rollout begins on September 12, perfectly timed with the debut of Season 4 content. This strategic expansion demonstrates the developers’ commitment to making the superhero team-based shooter accessible to wider audiences across multiple gaming platforms.

The September 12 release date aligns with the seasonal content cycle, ensuring PS4 players can immediately access the full Season 4 experience without waiting periods. This simultaneous launch prevents platform fragmentation and maintains community cohesion across all supported systems.

The fan-favorite Summer Event makes its highly anticipated return on September 18, bringing seasonal festivities to the battlefield. This limited-time event introduces five distinctive new cosmetic skins for popular characters, allowing players to customize their heroes with summer-themed appearances.

Emma Frost receives an elegant beach-inspired outfit, while The Thing sports a rugged coastal look. Human Torch’s design incorporates fiery summer elements, Wolverine features a relaxed vacation style, and Mantis showcases a tropical garden aesthetic. Each skin reflects the character’s personality while embracing the summer theme.

These exclusive cosmetics will be available through two primary acquisition methods. Players can obtain them via the special Summer Pass progression system or purchase individual skins directly from the in-game store. This dual approach accommodates both dedicated players who complete event challenges and those preferring direct purchases.

  • Gallery Cards: Players can now download high-resolution versions of their collected Gallery Cards for local storage on both PC and PlayStation 5 platforms. This enhancement allows for personal archiving, social media sharing, and creating custom desktop backgrounds from your favorite in-game moments.
  • Team Lobby: Character entrance animations can now be activated and viewed within the team lobby environment. This feature adds cinematic flair while waiting for matches and helps teammates coordinate their visual presentation before entering combat.
  • Disconnect Pause: In Custom Game – Tournament Room matches, hosts now have the option to enable automatic pausing when a player disconnects. This competitive integrity feature prevents unfair advantages during organized play and official tournaments.
  • Angela – Skuld 2099 Bundle: This futuristic bundle transforms Angela with cybernetic enhancements and neon-accented armor inspired by the year 2099 aesthetic. The package includes matching weapon cosmetics and visual effects.
  • Angela – Emoji Bundle: A lighthearted collection featuring exclusive emotes and communication tools. Perfect for players who enjoy expressive gameplay and team coordination through visual cues.
  • Angela – Cerulean Lightbringer Costume: An elegant celestial-themed outfit with glowing blue energy effects and animated details that react to in-game actions.

All three Angela bundles and the Season 4 content become available simultaneously on September 12th, 2025, precisely at 9 AM UTC. This global synchronized release ensures all players access new content at the same moment regardless of geographic location.

Action Checklist

  • Clear 35GB storage space for patch download before September 12
  • Plan gameplay session for after 12 Noon UTC on launch day to avoid server queues
  • Practice Angela in training mode to master Ichor resource management
  • Review team composition strategies in our Complete Guide
  • Coordinate with teammates to practice Thor-Angela team-up combinations
  • Clear storage space for high-resolution gallery card downloads on your preferred platform
  • Plan your Summer Pass progression strategy for the September 18 event start
  • Coordinate with your tournament team to implement disconnect pause settings in custom games
  • Review Angela bundle contents to determine which premium cosmetics align with your playstyle
  • Mark September 12, 9 AM UTC in your calendar for immediate access to all Season 4 content

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