Friends & Rivals: A Marvel Rivals Podcast

This week is all about season 5.5 and Rogue! Josiah and Nick cover all the news, and fill it in with Armed & Dangerous and the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Dev Vision Vol 12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abvLlSjm2-0

Patch Notes: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1998800129524961417

Hero Hotlist & Balance Post: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1998452782026703180

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1pip3lj/wide_rogue_by_me_20_chars/

...

This week. Nick and Josiah leave it all to chance. Armed & Dangerous goes full random, Rocket Raccoon gets a hero spotlight, and the friends tier list the various team ups in the game. All with some news and the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Rivals Anniversary Phase 2: https://youtube.com/shorts/slOfzyN6HXQ?si=wdONZgdla7Y5jfGR

Luna skin: https://youtube.com/shorts/r1KfUuqRgvM?si=BsJGcjHGaLDi0FBe

Psylocke Skin: https://youtube.com/shorts/Jo-oTkFog_w?si=07RJZ82LTJ7xpAdn

Happy Thanksgiving everybody, this week Josiah and Nick gather 'round the table with their own Rivals thanksgiving mashup. We've also got news about the Rivals Anniversary, Armed & Dangerous, a Mailbag, and a Magneto Hero Spotlight.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Grand Garden Trailer: https://youtu.be/-9NKTTnOsLc?si=M4W1-l-4ARuw73Fw

Anniversary Event: https://youtube.com/shorts/EBIqPZEeIOo?si= EaR6qSppQ8O6nGNv

Blade & Venom Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1993379313408729526

It's Episode 42 and Josiah and Nick are back to talk about the balance changes and their first impressions with season 5. There's also a Reddit Take of the Week, a Mailbag, and of course Armed & Dangerous.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Art Vision Vol. 5: https://youtu.be/-q_YpuRtWFE?si=SPdw3Han-aoESGEK

Dr. Strange and Magik Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1990502768352600107

Anniversary Video Announcement: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1989849726955737255

Main Topic:

Hero Hotlist: https://www.marvelrivals.com/heroes_data/index.html

Guangguang finally blessed us with the Season 5 info 72 hours or less before it goes live. It's Episode 41 and Nick and Josiah scramble to talk through all things Season 5 before it releases. And of course there's Armed & Dangerous and the Reddit Take of the Week

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Referenced Links:

News:

Season 5 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXOUHb64164

Dev Vision Vol 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgH0wM59_Sk

Season 5 Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20251112/41548_1270590.html

Battlepass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0...

It's Episode 40, and Josiah and Nick were caught empty handed waiting for the Dev Vision. So in the meantime, the friends return to their "Game-Life Balance" series, this time talking about Life. If you missed the Game Episode, you can find it at Episode 30. In addition, there's a Venom Hero Spotlight, Armed & Dangerous, the Reddit Take of the Week and a Mailbag by Watercat.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Wolverine Skin: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1985738811167440934

11/7 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20251105/41548_1269153.html

Reddit Take of...

For Episode 39, Josiah and Nick do some filthy strategist parrying to wrap up the Counters series. In addition, Josiah is under NDA, there's lots of skin news, and a Phoenix Hero Spotlight. Then of course there's Armed & Dangerous, the Reddit Take of the Week, and Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, and Ironman Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1983187171872764175

Main Topic:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fEWQxI8v3rTK_3F7Q5wdJEuUwJA_KvZ9n0EFRy90iIU/edit?gid=474085679#gid=474085679

For Episode 38, Nick and Josiah are back to the "Parry This, You Filthy...!" series on counters, covering Duelists. There's also news on the new Marvel Zombies mode, an Angela Hero Spotlight, Armed & Dangerous, and the Reddit Take of the week & Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

New Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20251015/41548_1264918.html

Cross Progression FAQ: https://www.marvelrivals.com/announcements/20250924/40955_1261246.html

Jeff & Namor Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1980348292383805908

Marvel Zombies Mode! https://youtu.be/grjC63MftfI

Main Topic:

It's Episode 37 and Nick and Josiah are sick once again. It's a light news week, so most of the episode is spent on Season 4.5 first impressions, Armed & Dangerous, A Squirrel Girl Hero Spotlight (You're welcome, Marci) and the Reddit Take of the Week and Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Thor and Squirrel Girl Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1978114789915189694

Content Incentive Program: https://act.neteasegames.com/activity/3sSWwq?fbclid=IwY2xjawNbn1tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzcEJRa3ZwYXVEamxiWFE1AR57f-7edxwg4_8wITW8cMnJJ1ofXwvV6ikRxL7AUNXbZO42_p-nQJpF1iCuTg_aem_UHgUw_d-HIRj0Lhoah00QA<...

It's Episode 36 and Nick and Josiah cover all the new stuff coming to season 4.5, including Daredevil, the Jade Scrolls of K'un-Lun event, the Balance changes and the new Hero Hot List. Along the way, the friends also cover Armed & Dangerous, the Reddit Take of the Week, and Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

10/3 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250930/41548_1262803.html

10/10 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20251003/41548_1263184.html

Main Topic:

Balance Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20251001/41667_1263090.html

Hero Hotlist 4.0: https://www.marvelrivals...

Episode 35 sees a day no one ever thought would come. A Black Widow Hero Spotlight. Josiah and Nick talk all about our favorite sniper who isn't Hawkeye or Hela, and the friends also talk through the Season 4.5 Dev Vision Vol 10. At the time of recording, the character trailer for Daredevil hadn't come out yet. Next week will focus on Daredevil and the Balance changes for 4.5. There's also a Reddit Take of the Week, Armed & Dangerous with a special announcement, and a Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Emma Skin: https://twitter.com...

It's Episode 34 and Josiah and Nick have a new series for everyone. The Friends talk through a pretty heavy news week, and then get into the Vanguard portion of the "Parry This! You Filthy..." counters series. After that, it's time for a Thor Hero Spotlight, Armed & Dangerous, Reddit Take of the Week, and a Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250924/41548_1261216.html

K'un-Lun: Heart of Heaven Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkTmJp0dcUA

Shou-Lao's Blessing Event: https://www.reddit.com...

Episode 33 is coming at you from wherever Nick and Josiah now both live, as the friends talk through news, including the summer special 2.0, they give their first impressions of Season 4, and there's a Blade hero spotlight! To wrap things up, there is, as always, Armed & Dangerous, and the Reddit Take of the Week & Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Invisible Woman & Punisher Skins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqhko6Wfmmw

Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250917/41548_1259811.html

Technically Speaking: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1968336644832108787

...

Episode 32 time, and Nick and Josiah talk about the newest hero coming to the game, Angela! Beyond the Angela hype, the friends cover more season 4 news, the season 4 balance changes, and of course Armed & Dangerous and the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250904/41548_1257695.html

Main Topic:

Hero Hot List: https://www.marvelrivals.com/heroes_data/

Balance Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250904/41667_1257761.html

Reddit Take of the Week:<...

Episode 31 is here, and with it is the Dev Vision for Season 4! Josiah and Nick talk through the Dev Vision and any other news from 9/3 or before, as well as chat about the Matchmaking video NetEase posted a week ago. And of course, Armed & Dangerous, and the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Season 4 Trailer: https://youtu.be/67FVMNGMFXU

Dev Vision Vol 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRUcdKzw6nQ

Main Topic:

Matchmaking Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNoYjK-qmfF...

It's Episode 30, and Nick is out of town. So for this travel edition of Friends & Rivals, they focus on the friend side of the name and take a detour to talk about their experiences with games and the friends we made along the way. But don't worry, the friends are still bringing your rivals content, with news, Armed & Dangerous, a Thing Hero Spotlight, and the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Matchmaking Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNoYjK-qmfF/?igsh=MWF4cTY0Zno3ejA5aA==

Art...

For Episode 29, Nick and Josiah try to catch up a bit on hero spotlights in between prophetic high fives and community Armed & Dangerous games. Mantis and Luna both get hero spotlights this week before the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Throne of Knull: https://youtu.be/P44x3oxvhFY?si=S8T6Xmc0Ihk-kzLV

Resource Rumble: https://youtu.be/pGfp8UJDpdg?si=yefRzNmxBg2-xB_e

8/14 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250813/41548_1253606.html

Nvidia Hotfix: http://youtube.com/post/Ugkxp4BerNEDLEoa-eIOd6klSFJ4...

It's Episode 28 and Josiah and Nick talk through their first week of playing Season 3.5, as well as take a look through the balance updates for the 3.5 season. In addition, Armed & Dangerous turns into a face off as "There can only be one Blade." And there's the Reddit Take of the Week and mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

Chat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner_hype_cycle

News:

El Capitan Announcement: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1955320030742319511

Rivals Assembled Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADE!!

He's finally awake! It's Episode 27 and Josiah and Nick are talking everything Season 3.5, from Blade, to the new Roadmap, Team Ups, the community toxicity protection updates, and everything in-between. The friends also talk through the results of the first community armed & dangerous game, and of course there's the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Dev Vision Vol 8: https://youtu.be/SgMriWER-6E?si=V_4_LoEElfkv4-dJ

8/8 Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250801/41548_1251405.html

TDT Team-Up Science: https://www...

Episode 26, a half a year into the podcast! This episode, Nick and Josiah keep it light before the 3.5 news next week by tierlisting which characters they hate seeing on the enemy team. There's also some news, Armed & Dangerous, and the long awaited return of the Hero Spotlight, featuring Jefferey the First of His Name of the Former Staten Island the Land Shark. And of course, a Reddit Take of the Week to wrap it up.

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Referenced Links:

News:

7/31 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250729/41548_1250384.html

Magik & Black Panther...

Episode 25 this week is a quarter of a way to 100, and Nick & Josiah run out of time with a Friends & Rivals Quarterly Review! The friends talk news, a retrospective on 7 months of rivals and the current state of the game, dream about the future, and attempt the world's fastest Reddit Take of the Week in a (failed) attempt to stay under 3 hours.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Feige's Son is a Man of Culture: https://www.videogamer.com/news/mcu-boss-kevin-feige-reveals-marvel-rivals-finally-made-his-son-a-fan-of-marvel-after-years-of-trying/

Human Torch & The Thing Team-Up: https://youtu.be/JTWGY38WaLU...

For Episode 24, Josiah comes back with a vengeance. The friends talk about the Summer Special event, an emergency balance patch to kill Wolverine, other news, Season 3 first impressions, and the season 3 balance patch and hero hot list. And of course, there's the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

Podcast Patch Notes:

https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod/status/1943028936440713557

News:

Blade Asset Leak: https://x.com/X0X_LEAK/status/1944800260070453539

Psylocke & Loki Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1944792781093839289

Summer Special Pass: https...

It's Episode 23, and Josiah sounds a bit different... This week its all about season 3 and the new hero, map, accessories system, customization options, battlepass, and everything else. There's also an especially chaotic Armed & Dangerous, and the only true tierlist is discussed in the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Dev Vision Vol 7: https://youtu.be/J0_hbNp251M

Map Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUvBdR0HUqw

7/11 Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250704/41548_1244963.html

Balance Post: https://www.marvelrivals.com...

It's Episode 22, and Josiah needs to catch a plane! It's a simpler episode this week, recorded in the dead of night. The friends talk some early season 3 news (before all the season 3 talk next week) and tierlist the characters they're looking forward to playing more of in season 3. Sebastian pulls night shift with Armed & Dangerous, and there's an especially cringe inducing edition of the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Egg Teaser: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1939700458332811560

Captain America & Spider-Man Skins: https://www.youtube.com/channel...

For Episode 21, Nick and Josiah decide Rivals is too fun and decide to ruin it. There's some news, the friends talk "How to Lose More and Have Less Fun". There's also a bot vs bot edition of Armed & Dangerous, a Moon Knight Hero Spotlight, and of course, the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Where's Blade: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1935752026949906458

Thor and The Punisher Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1937527233532379555

6/26 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250624/41548_1242746.html

...

It's Episode 20, and Nick and Josiah talk about all the mid-midseason news and changes. Bubble Pop, Balance Patch, and more. The Ultimate Roles series wraps up with Strategist Ultimate Roles, and Armed & Dangerous takes on a new form. And finally, there's the mailbag and Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Art Vision Vol. 3: https://youtu.be/R9z0uBUXfX8?si=FaxWIZ8haTPttSuc

Twitch Drops: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1934642256088043971

Iron Fist and Moon Knight Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1934628159275614566

Venom Bubble...

Episode 19 is here, and Josiah and Nick are a bit chaotic this week as they talk through their ideas about Duelist Ultimates and the roles they fit into. There's also some news, an Ultron Battle Matrix inspired Armed & Dangerous, the Ultron Hero Spotlight, and as always, the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Invisible Woman & The Thing Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1932090456218726843

616 Vault: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1932467795167425006

Patch Notes 6/12: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250610/41548_1239460.html

Main Topic:

It's Episode 18 and Nick and Josiah lose track of time talking through all their first impressions of this half-season, as well as pouring over the balance patch changes in what is probably the most impactful balance patch the game has seen. There's also some news with Ultron's Battle Matrix coming this week, and the friends draft Armed & Dangerous teams to pit against each other in the new mode. Finally there's a comment edition of the mailbag and Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Wolverine & Jeff Skins: https://twitter...

Episode 17 is here with all your news for Season 2.5! Nick and Josiah devote the entire episode to talking Dev Vision, Patch Notes, Skins, Events, Auto Chess!? And of course, Ultron himself! Also in this episode: The Armed & Dangerous Season 2.0 Championship, and of course the Reddit Take of the Week and Mailbag to wrap it all up.

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Referenced Links:

Chat:

Ambulances (Not an Affiliate Link): https://www.medicalexpo.com/prod/paramed-international/product-77756-922261.html

News:

Dev Vision Vol 6: https://www.marvelrivals.com/m/devdiaries/20250522/40954_1236193.html<...

It's Episode 16, and Josiah starts it off with some news of his own, while Nick walks uphill both ways in flip flops. This week is a light news week before the Season 2.5 news, the friends start a new series on their takes on Ultimate ability roles and subroles, Peni Parker digs into the hero spotlight, and in the Mailbag segment, NightGobbler meets his ultimate rival...

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Referenced Links:

News:

Patch Notes 5/22: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250520/41548_1235575.html

Adam Warlock & Scarlet Witch Skins: https://x.com...

Behold! Episode 15! This episode came out a bit late because Nick got sick (again), and in the meantime, NetEase released a bunch of news! Josiah and Nick cover the news, make the Ultimate Tier List, and talk Emma Frost in the Hero Spotlight (blame Josiah), and as always, there's the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Patch Notes 5/8: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250507/41548_1232829.html

Dev Talk Vol. 14: https://www.marvelrivals.com/devdiaries/20250513/40954_1233900.html

Patch Notes 5/15: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250514/41548_1234188.html

Art...

It's Episode 14, and Josiah and Nick talk a bit a news, spend time discussing what leads them to avoid playing certain heroes, The game from last week returns, under the new name "Armed & Dangerous", and appropriately, this week is the Winter Soldier hero spotlight, just in time for Thunderbolts*. To wrap up, of course, there's the Reddit Take of the Week and Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Behind the Music - Impending Dooms: https://youtu.be/Jb7w0UfEKsQ?si=5EhMYaVI_LVIvJ0X

Rocket Raccoon and Squirrel Girl Skins...

In Episode 13, Nick fights the plague as he and Josiah have a season's worth of news to cover this week. The friends make their first tier lists, which rank heroes by how fun they are to play, and then they actually play a new game on the podcast (name still TBD). Finally, there's a special hybrid Mailbag Take of the Week segment that fills in some more info from the Invisible Woman spotlight in episode 7.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Patch Notes 04/25: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250422/41548_1229365.html

Black Panther...

It's Episode 12 and Josiah and Nick talk through Difficulty star ratings, Loki manipulates the Hero Spotlight, and The Oblivion Remake jeopardizes the podcast.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Giant Size Brain Blast: https://youtu.be/oOzsmite59I?si=rmXXaqFeNI8q0yWC

Art Vision Vol. 1: https://youtu.be/JaNAqe180Hc?si=jt4oPbQuyjFjP7k0

Behind the Music: https://youtu.be/393jRkdljfw?si=YnF8WK3f0ZN42pHU

Loki and Hela Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1914333304897090033

Main Topic:

Nick's Over the...

It's Episode 11 and Josiah and Nick talk hanging out IRL, First Impressions on Season 2, and do a deep dive on all the balance and team up changes for Season 2.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Discord Emma Frost Quest: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1910754817435226122

Twitch Drops: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1909984818902814759

Peni Parker & Dr. Strange Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1911796798563250676

Season 2 Preview:

Balance Post Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250401/41667_1223995.html

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Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https...

Double digits for Season 2! It's Friends & Rivals Episode 10! Nick and Josiah throw out the normal episode template to get as much time as possible to talk through all the changes coming to Season 2 this week. Krakoa, Emma Frost, new Team-Ups, Ranked changes and Battlepasses, it's all here!

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Referenced Links:

News:

Marvel Unlimited Promo: https://x.com/MRivalsHub/status/1909295408683036708

Twitch Drops: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1909984818902814759

Emma Frost & Star-Lord Skins: https://x.com/MRivalsHub/status/1908023527720030717

Season 2 Preview:

Dev Vision 5: https://www.marvelrivals.com...

Time's up, let's do this! It's Friends & Rivals Episode 9! This week Josiah & Nick talk news, and finish off our sub-roles series talking about the 3 Strategist sub-roles. It's pure chaos in the hero spotlight as the friends talk Scarlet Witch, and then to finish there's the Reddit Take of the Week and Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Mac n' Cheeks Pickup Bundle: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1905077649191628883

Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1906723295933665782

The Rivals Ad in Question: https://preview.redd.it...

Happy Friday, It's Friends & Rivals Episode 8! This week Josiah & Nick talk news, and continue the sub-roles series by talking about 4 vanguard sub-roles. Namor makes his presence known in our hero spotlight, and we try to keep our family-friendly rating. Finally, there's the Reddit Take of the Week and Mailbag with a special appearance by the NightGobbler!

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Referenced Links:

News:

Black Panther & Moon Knight Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1904186597807141064

March 27th Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250325/41548_1222027.html

PCGamer on Character Curveballs: https://www.pcgamer...

It's another week, and another episode of Friends & Rivals! In episode 7, and Nick & Josiah have a light news week, and start Friends & Rivals' first main topic series! What is there to learn by breaking down roles into different subtypes? This episode looks at Duelists and their different types. Invisible Woman sneaks into the Hero Spotlight, and there's the Reddit Take of the Week and Mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Spider-Man and Iron Man Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1901747874343588218

Rivals Invitational Information: https://www.marvelrivals...

It's Friends & Rivals episode 6, and Nick & Josiah cover a bunch of news, and talk through their philosophies on picking characters, both to main as well as in a specific match. Cloak & Dagger take the stage for this week's Hero Spotlight, and of course, there's the Reddit Take of the Week, with the addition of a new mailbag segment!

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Referenced Links:

News:

Loki and Storm Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1899113167222935887

Disney+ Asia Pacific Free Avengers Spray Instructions: https://www.videogamer.com/guides/how-to-get-free-avengers-spray-in-marvel-rivals/