Marvel Rivals’ Iron Fist Should Just Be the Tip of the…

Marvel Rivals recently debuted five new characters that have joined its roster for launch. With the game’s release date of December 6 around the corner, fans can soon see how these new characters will perform in the game’s meta. However, one of these additions, Iron Fist, could do more than just spice up Marvel Rivals’ current character roster; instead, he could foretell the addition of several new characters to the first-person shooter.

Alongside Iron Fist, Black Widow, Cloak and Dagger (as a single playable character), Squirrel Girl, and Wolverine will be added at launch. Currently, no information about the kits for these new characters has been announced by Marvel Rivals.

Who is Iron Fist?

Marvel Rivals seems to pull from both Marvel Comics’ most iconic and most niche characters. Despite having his own live action show, Iron Fist lands somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. He might not be as iconic as Iron Man or as fresh-faced as Luna Snow, but Iron Fist remains an important part of Marvel Comics history.

Danny Rand is Iron Fist, a practitioner of martial arts with the ability to control chi. In the Netflix Iron Fist adaptation, Rand is able to call upon the power of the Iron Fist at will. The character debuted in the 1970s as the martial arts genre began to boom in the United States. Though he has been a member of the Thunderbolts and even the Avengers, Iron Fist is best known for his work in the Defenders. His role in this superhero team led to Netflix giving the character its own television series in 2017 to continue the string of shows it was making for members of the Defenders.

Iron Fist made his Marvel Rivals debut alongside Black Widow, Cloak and Dagger, Squirrel Girl, and Wolverine in the game’s official launch trailer on December 1. A character reveal trailer for Iron Fist was released on the same day, showcasing his close-ranged martial attacks, healing meditation, and dragon-charged physical and projectile attacks. This version of Iron Fist is named Lin Lie and draws his powers from Shuo Lao the Undying, the yellow dragon that he calls forth. The trailer confirms that he is a duelist.

With Iron Fist confirmed as part of Marvel Rivals’ launch roster of characters, it's easy to see how his inclusion could open the door for a few more characters. After all, the Marvel Rivals roster could use a few more Defenders.

The Defenders Could Fight for Marvel Rivals' Multiverse

Most people Marvel's Defenders as a team made up of Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil. This is thanks to the aforementioned run of Netflix shows that each member of the team received. Since Iron Fist already has a concrete place in Marvel Rivals, it only makes sense that the other members of the Defenders would join him.

Marvel Rivals has three types of roles: Vanguards who shield teammates and ward off opponents, Duelists who focus on eliminating enemies, and Strategists who provide buffs, debuffs, and distractions as needed. With this in mind, placing each Defender in a role is simple. Luke Cage easily fulfills the role of Vanguard and Daredevil and Jessica Jones are shoe-ins for Duelists.

When Will the Defenders Join Marvel Rivals?

While it's hard to say when each Defenders member would have a shot at getting added, looking at Marvel’s upcoming slate of projects puts things into perspective. Daredevil: Born Again, the successor to the Defenders projects put on by Netflix, will release on Disney+ in March 2025. This would be the perfect opportunity to add Daredevil to Marvel Rivals while simultaneously promoting the new show.

Time will only tell when the rest of the Defenders will get to defend Marvel Rivals. In the meantime, Defenders fans can play as Iron Fist in Marvel Rivals starting December 6.

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Third-Person Shooter

Action

Multiplayer

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Systems

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%

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Released: December 6, 2024
ESRB: T For Teen // Violence
Developer(s): NetEase Games
Publisher(s): NetEase Games

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Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!

A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.

Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.

Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot's back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man's armor for massive damage, and so much more!

Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!

Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!