Deadpool is set to enter Marvel Rivals in season 6, starting January 16, 2026, as a unique flex character who can switch between tank, damage, and support roles. His kit incorporates the hero's signature fourth-wall-breaking antics through comic book mechanics and disruptive abilities. The addition highlights NetEase's ongoing expansion of the hero shooter, which launched in late 2024 and has attracted over 40 million players.
Marvel Rivals, NetEase's hero shooter that debuted in late 2024, continues to build its roster with the upcoming addition of Deadpool. Confirmed during last month's Game Awards following leaks and datamines, the 'Merc with a Mouth' arrives in season 6, titled 'Night at the Museum,' which begins on January 16, 2026.
Unlike traditional characters locked to a single role—Vanguard for tanking, Duelist for damage, or Strategist for healing—Deadpool functions as a flex option. Players can swap between these roles mid-match, accessing buffs by having him flip through a Marvel Rivals comic book. This mechanic embodies his chaotic comic book persona, allowing him to level up dynamically based on the chosen role.
Deadpool's abilities further emphasize his fourth-wall-breaking nature. The gameplay trailer showcases erratic movements amid comic-book-style frames, an obnoxious hammer-smacking mini streamer portrait that appears on opponents' screens, selfies during combat, and enemies assaulted by animated comic drawings. These elements make his moveset one of the more visually chaotic in the roster, potentially challenging to read and balance.
The game has expanded faster than competitors like Overwatch 2, adding two heroes per season alongside new maps and modes. Despite reaching over 40 million players by February 2025, NetEase conducted layoffs in 2025, described as a 'difficult decision' to 'optimise development efficiency.' Season 6 also promises matchmaking improvements and quality-of-life fixes, building on the title's strong reception as an alternative in the genre.
