Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 launch: our live coverage of the Rogue update, including downtime and release date
Season 5.5 adds a brand new Vanguard
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 launches later this week, bringing Rogue as a brand new Vanguard on December 12. The iconic mutant has been heavily requested ever since Marvel Rivals launched, and now players will be able to dive in and push the front line forward using shields and heavy attacks.
I've now played 300 hours of Marvel Rivals since launch, and I've been jumping in at the start of every season to try out the new Hero. I'm very excited to get my hands on Rogue, and absolutely ready to be pulled back into a Vanguard role. It's not just the arrival of Rogue that'll switch up Season 5.5, however, as there are changes to Heroes like Wolverine and Luna Snow that will surely change the meta going forward.
Here's the Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 launch info, alongside details on what to expect from the new major update. I'll be covering the launch as it happens, detailing downtime and then giving some early impressions once everything is live.
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 estimated start time
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 is expected to launch on December 12 at the times below:
- East Coast (US): 6AM ET
- West Coast (US): 3AM PT
- United Kingdom: 11AM GMT
- Australia (Sydney): 10PM AEST
- Japan (Tokyo): 8PM JST
This is an estimation based on the confirmed downtime start time, and the fact that the game is expected to be offline for precisely two hours. This has been the case all year between seasonal switchovers.
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 Downtime
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 downtime begins at the following times, and is expected to last 2 hours.
- East Coast (US): 4AM ET
- West Coast (US): 1AM PT
- United Kingdom: 9AM GMT
- Australia (Sydney): 8PM AEST
- Japan (Tokyo): 6PM JST
Marvel Rivals Rogue
Rogue joins Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 as a Vanguard. She has an exclusive ability that steals powers from enemies she eliminates. We've already seen her steal Dr Strange's shield, and Loki's regenerative healing move. Her Ultimate drains Ultimate energy from nearby foes, which could be absolutely devastating when targeting support characters like Luna Snow.
Explosive Entanglement is a team up between Gambit and Magneto introduced in Season 5. Rogue joins this Team Up, and powers up her attacks with healing energy, and AoE damage. Overall, Rogue could be the most versatile Vanguard ever introduced, thanks to her ability to steal powers from enemies.
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 Hero Balancing
The following Hero balancing updates are now live in Marvel Rivals Season 5:
- Hero balancing (buffs): Thor, Emma Frost, The Thing, Blade, Phoenix, The Punisher, Human Torch, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch, Loki, Luna Snow, Ultron
- Hero Balancing (nerfs): Peni Parker, Psylocke, Daredevil, Gambit, Invisible Woman, Rocket Raccoon
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 ranked changes
There's plenty of Ranked Changes added as part of Marvel Rivals Season 5.5. Here's the headline info:
- Rank rewards: Reach Gold for a bonus Rogue costume
- Nameplates: Diamond and Platinum, Crests of Honor for Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and Top 500
- Placement: From Season 5 onward, your first 10 ranked matches are Placement Matches. Your performance determines your starting tier
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 live coverage as it happens
As Evergreen Editor, it's my job to stay up to date with the latest games, especially live service titles like Marvel Rivals. I've put hundreds of hours into the game at this point, having jumped on during Season 0. Since then, I've covered every season personally and professionally, and I've particularly enjoyed Season 2, which gave me the opportunity to try out Emma Frost as a brand-new Vanguard. I tend to stick to the Vanguard role, and I'm currently working on getting Magneto to Lord proficiency. Hopefully, Rogue gives me a new character to main in Season 5.5.
Luna Snow gets a new skill
Luna Snow is easily the best Strategist in Marvel Rivals, and now she’s getting even stronger. Idol Aura can be activated on Luna herself, healing her while she’s healing others. She also gets a 10% boost to damage and healing while the ability is active.
Rogue joins the battle
The new Hero for Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 is Rogue. She’s a Vanguard that uses power-stealing abilities to make use of a versatile kit. Her Ultimate steals Ultimate Energy from foes, making it a very unique skill indeed. She teams up with Magneto and Gambit, adding an AoE effect to attacks, and a healing aura to teammates.
Downtime will kick in at this time
Downtime for Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 will kick in on December 12 at the times below:
- East Coast (US): 4AM ET
- West Coast (US): 1AM PT
- United Kingdom: 9AM GMT
- Australia (Sydney): 8PM AEST
- Japan (Tokyo): 6PM JST
Season 5.5 roadmap revealed!
NetEase has revealed the full roadmap for Marvel Rivals Season 5.5. There's a New Years Eve Time Square event where players can gather and countdown to 2026. There’s also new game modes and skins to enjoy.
When does Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 start?
Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 kicks off on December 12 at the times listed below:
- East Coast (US): 6AM ET
- West Coast (US): 3AM PT
- United Kingdom: 11AM GMT
- Australia (Sydney): 10PM AEST
- Japan (Tokyo): 8PM JST
This is an estimation based on the confirmed downtime start time, and the fact that the game is expected to be offline for precisely two hours. This has been the case all year between seasonal switchovers.