Marvel Rivals Patch Notes: New Mode, Skins, Free Spray
The latest Marvel Rivals patch introduces a new game mode, several character skins, and a free spray for all players. This article explains exactly what’s new, how to unlock the free spray, and what the patch changes mean for your gameplay.
New Game Mode: What Is It and How Does It Work?
The new mode, called Convergence, is a 6v6 objective-based mode where two teams fight to capture and hold a central point. Unlike the standard Convoy mode, the point moves after each successful capture, forcing teams to constantly reposition. The first team to reach three captures wins the match.
Key mechanics:
- Each capture takes 30 seconds of uncontested control.
- Overtime triggers if the attacking team is on the point when the timer expires.
- Respawn times are shortened to 8 seconds (from 10) to keep the pace fast.
- The mode is available in Quick Play and Custom Games, but not in Competitive for now.
This mode emphasizes map control and team coordination. Heroes with area denial abilities (like Moon Knight’s Ankh or Punisher’s Turret) are strong, while dive heroes (like Spider-Man or Black Panther) can punish teams that overextend.
New Skins: Which Characters Got Cosmetics?
The patch adds five new skins, each with a distinct theme:
- Iron Man – ‘Golden Avenger’ (Legendary): Gold and red armor with new particle effects and a unique voice line.
- Luna Snow – ‘Ice Queen’ (Epic): White and blue outfit with frosty trail effects on her abilities.
- Hela – ‘Goddess of Death’ (Epic): Black and green recolor with a new helmet design.
- Rocket Raccoon – ‘Space Pirate’ (Rare): Classic pirate look with an eyepatch and red bandana.
- Magik – ‘Darkchild’ (Legendary): Demonic appearance with glowing runes and a custom intro animation.
All skins are purchasable with Chrono Tokens (the in-game currency earned by playing) or the premium currency, Lattice. The Legendary skins cost 1,800 Lattice, Epic ones 1,200, and Rare ones 600. You can also unlock them by completing specific character challenges during the season.
Free Spray: How to Get It and What It Looks Like
The free spray is called ‘Lucky Rabbit’ and features a cartoonish white rabbit holding a four-leaf clover. It’s a reference to the upcoming Lunar New Year event. To claim it, you just need to log in between now and the end of the season. No matches required – just log in and it’s added to your collection automatically.
If you miss the login window, the spray may become available for purchase later, but the free claim is limited-time. It can be used on any surface in-game, and it’s a small, non-intrusive design that fits well on walls or floors.
Patch Notes: Balance Changes and Bug Fixes
Beyond the new content, the patch includes several balance adjustments:
- Venom: Health reduced from 650 to 600. His ultimate now deals 50% damage to shields (previously 100%).
- Storm: Movement speed boost while in her ultimate is reduced by 10%.
- Mantis: Healing Orb’s projectile speed increased by 20%.
- Peni Parker: Mine damage reduced from 80 to 70 per explosion.
- Loki: His clone placement now has a slight delay (0.5 seconds) before it becomes active.
Bug fixes include a crash that occurred when using Star-Lord’s ultimate on certain maps, and a visual glitch where Rocket’s jetpack would appear detached during emotes.
These changes aim to reduce the dominance of tanky heroes and give supports a bit more mobility. The full patch notes are available on the official Marvel Rivals website.
How to Update and Install the Patch
To get the new content, you need to update your game. The patch is mandatory for online play.
- Close Marvel Rivals completely.
- Open your platform’s launcher (Steam, Epic Games Store, or console store).
- Look for the game in your library – an update should be queued automatically.
- If not, right-click the game and select ‘Properties’ > ‘Updates’ > ‘Check for updates’.
- Download and install the update. It’s about 2.5 GB on PC, 1.8 GB on PS5, and 2.2 GB on Xbox Series X|S.
After updating, launch the game and you’ll see the new mode in the playlists. The free spray should be in your inventory immediately.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Players have reported a few issues after this patch:
- Free spray not showing: If you logged in but didn’t get the spray, try restarting the game. If it still doesn’t appear, check the ‘Sprays’ tab in your collection – it might be sorted under ‘Rare’ or ‘Limited’.
- Convergence mode not appearing: Make sure you’ve updated to the latest version. If you’re in a region with a delayed rollout, it may take up to 24 hours.
- Performance drops: Some players report stuttering on PC. Try lowering your graphics settings, especially shadows and particle effects. Also, update your GPU drivers.
If problems persist, the official Discord server has a bug-report channel where you can submit details.
Comparing to Previous Seasons
This patch is smaller than the season launch but larger than a typical mid-season update. The new mode is a permanent addition, not a limited-time event, which is a first for the game. Previously, new modes were temporary (like the ‘Asgardian Arena’ event). The skins are also more varied in style – earlier seasons focused on MCU-inspired looks, while this one leans into comic-book aesthetics.
Balance changes are more aggressive than usual, with direct nerfs to two of the most-picked tanks. This suggests the developers are actively listening to community feedback about tank dominance in ranked play.
Costs and Value: Are the Skins Worth It?
Skin prices are consistent with industry standards. Legendary skins at 1,800 Lattice (~$20) are on par with games like Overwatch 2. Epic skins at 1,200 Lattice (~$12) are a bit steep but include unique effects. Rare skins at 600 Lattice (~$6) are basic recolors.
You can earn Lattice through the battle pass – the free track gives 200 Lattice, while the premium track gives 600. If you save up, you can get a Rare skin without spending real money. The free spray is obviously the best deal, as it costs nothing.
If you’re on a budget, focus on the battle pass – it gives more value per dollar than individual skins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long is the free spray available?
A: The spray is claimable until the end of the current season, which is roughly 60 days from the patch release. After that, it may be sold in the shop.
Q: Can I play Convergence in ranked?
A: Not yet. The mode is only in Quick Play and Custom Games. Developers have said they may add it to ranked if it tests well.
Q: Do the new skins affect gameplay?
A: No, skins are purely cosmetic. They don’t change hitboxes or stats. The only difference is visual effects, which can sometimes be distracting but not an advantage.
Q: Will there be more skins this season?
A: Yes, the season pass includes several skins that unlock as you level up. The patch notes mention that more are coming in a mid-season update, likely around the Lunar New Year event.
Q: I didn’t get the free spray. What should I do?
A: First, make sure you’re logged into the correct account. If you are, restart the game. If it still doesn’t appear, contact support through the official website – they usually respond within 48 hours.
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