Marvel Rivals Season 2 is off to a good start, thanks to the inclusion of Emma Frost and Krakoa. Fans were immediately stricken by Emma’s looks when her character model was revealed, even if her clothes resemble Invisible Woman and Dagger. Krakoa has also given fans a new area that’s just brimming with life and makes this casual comic reader want to read that era of X-Men stories all over again.
If you ask me why I decided to give Emma Frost a shot, there are two big reasons why. While I expected her to be a fun character, she defied expectations and even changed my play style in Rivals.
Fans of Marvel Rivals were pleasantly surprised to see Emma in the Vanguard character class. This meant that the character could take and dish out plenty of damage, though her movement is kind of slow. Her having more health than Thor is hilarious and made me want to pick this character up right away.
Once I was able to play as Emma in some Quick Matches, something changed within me. As a person who felt that being a healer was my role in Rivals, I suddenly relished in dishing out this much damage and walloping foes. This adrenaline rush only doubled when I was able to get MVP status several times as the Hellfire Club’s White Queen.
Emma Frost’s long-range attacks are decent, but it’s when she enters Diamond Form that things start to pick up. Not only does her defense increase, but the fact that she chokeslams opponents Undertaker-style feels incredibly satisfying. I knew then that melee characters could be my thing, instead of always just healing my reckless teammates.
Because Emma Frost is the new hotness in Marvel Rivals, I knew some people would choose her, making me pick someone else. While I did consider healing again, that melee itch I got had to be scratched. Looking over at the roster, Mr. Fantastic seemed like a good choice, and I was curious to see how he played.
click to enlargeMr. Fantastic is now my second main in Rivals.
Reed Richards’ stretchy powers always looked like a potential formula for fun combat, and Rivals conveys that very well. Essentially making him play like Luffy from One Piece, his stretchy punches and balloon forms are pretty exhilarating to use. The fact that he can absorb long-range attacks and release them back is a great go-to move. Seeing him also get his buffed up balloon form so he can go full caveman oonga boonga can make anyone feel fantastic.
The fact that Emma Frost was able to get me to love melee characters and play more offensively has only increased my love for Marvel Rivals. While I still occasionally heal my teammates as Luna Snow, that offensive rally in me is still there. I even started to blast foes more as healers to scratch that offensive itch.
Needless to say, Marvel Rivals is going to be one of my favorite go-to games for a very long time. Who knows? I might even buy that Season Pass and give Magik’s giant sword a go.
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