The second wave of summer fun is splashing its way into Marvel Rivals this September! NetEase has officially dropped a new patch that not only squashes a handful of bugs but also unveils Summer Special Vol 2, a limited-time event packed with new swimsuit skins, free emotes, and gameplay improvements that add more flair and flair (literally) to this high-octane hero shooter.
Suit Up! Summer Special Vol. 2 hits Marvel Rivals
Following the massive success of the first Summer Special, which gave players the chance to deck out heroes like Psylocke, Thor, and Luna Snow in sun-soaked swimwear, Marvel Rivals is reigniting the seasonal celebration with a sequel: Summer Special Vol. 2. Running from September 18 to October 17, 2025 (UTC), this event offers both free and premium rewards for players completing matches and progressing through a dedicated battle pass.
The highlight? The Thing’s “Rocky Tide” outfit is available to all players: yep, it’s a freebie! And just like past event passes, buying into the Premium Edition grants permanent access, allowing completion at your own pace along with unlocking exclusive swimsuits for:
- Mantis – Oceanic Harmony
- Human Torch – Sunny Sizzler
So if you’re looking to make a fiery fashion statement or show off some alien elegance poolside — now’s your time.
Don’t miss the free “Volleyball Bash” emote bundle
Starting September 19 (UTC), players can claim the “Volleyball Bash” group emote combo bundle for free straight from the in-game store. The offer ends on September 22 (UTC), so don’t snooze or you’ll lose your shot at a celebratory spiking session mid-match!
New Summer-themed hero bundles hit the store
The cosmetics shop isn’t taking a vacation either. Two brand-new summer-themed bundles are now available, featuring:
- Invisible Woman – Azure Shade Bundle
- The Punisher – Aqua Arsenal Bundle
These bundles dropped on September 19, 2025 at 02:00 UTC, so if you’re looking to flex on your enemies with the tactical drip of The Punisher or the elegant summer hues of Invisible Woman, now’s your chance.
Chat upgrades and Replay revamp
Communication just got a whole lot cooler. Chat channels have been upgraded with support for:
- Font colors
- Emojis
- Special characters
- And much more
This means showing off your team pride, cracking a stylish joke, or simply standing out mid-lobby just got easier.
Additionally, Replay Data has been revamped to showcase more detailed hero-specific statistics, helping you break down your performance and tweak your gameplay with precision.
Bug fixes & gameplay tweaks
Of course, no live-service update is complete without a good ol’ list of bug fixes and polish. Here’s what’s been cleaned up:
General Fixes
- Quick Match and Arcade games nearing completion won’t fill with substitute players anymore.
- Abnormal hero stat display on other players’ career stats has been fixed.
- Battle Stat Highlights can now be reliably set in the Career system.
- Squad chat channel removed when queueing solo: zero squad, zero noise.
Map & Mode Fixes
- Angela’s “Giant-Size Brain Blast” bug has been resolved: no more gigantic noggins mid-match!
Hero-Specific Fixes
- Loki: Fixed an issue where transforming into a costumed Adam Warlock during battle would result in a jarring return to the default skin after revival. Loki’s mischief managed.
- Ultron: Encephalo-Ray and Nano-Ray attacks are now perfectly aligned and fire precisely from his palm — robotic precision, achieved.
- Luna Snow: Her Ultimate animation now flows smoother than a K-pop dance routine. Bonus: Her “Cool Summer” costume will get another fix next patch to perfect the central dance pose on her jellyfish platform.
Console Fixes
- Addressed rare performance drops and screen tearing issues specifically on the PlayStation 5.
Hidden mysteries: Are loot boxes coming to Marvel Rivals?
While the patch might feel like all sunshine and ice cream, the community is buzzing about a datamine that might bring dark clouds. Files referencing a system called “Mysteries” have surfaced, which many speculate could be the codename for upcoming loot boxes. Given how controversial randomized reward systems have been in games like Overwatch and Star Wars Battlefront, fans are keeping a watchful eye on what NetEase might be planning.
For now, nothing is confirmed: but it’s a storyline worth watching as Marvel Rivals continues to evolve as a live service title.
Summer isn’t over just yet
The September 2025 update breathes new life into Marvel Rivals, offering players reasons to jump back into matches whether for cosmetics, clean animations, or just some good old-fashioned emote-spamming volleyball action. With a refined UI, tighter gameplay, and expressive upgrades, it’s clear NetEase is serious about keeping this hero shooter in top-tier competitive shape.