A new patch for Marvel Rivals has just dropped and it brings a ton of heat, literally. The Version 20250918 update is a smaller patch following the massive Season 4 launch, focusing on event content and some key quality-of-life improvements. While we didn’t get any huge balance overhauls or new heroes, this update is a welcome addition that brings back a fan-favorite event and squashes some persistent bugs. Let’s dive into the full details of what’s live right now in the game.
Summer Special Vol. 2 is Here 🏖️
The biggest news in this patch is the return of the Summer Special event. If you missed out on the first one, now is your chance to soak up the sun and earn some awesome exclusive rewards. The event pass is back, and leveling it up will get you some new, limited-time goodies. The team at NetEase really leaned into the summer vibes with some fantastic new costumes for some of my favorite heroes.
Of course, the event comes with a free track and a premium track. The free path offers up a cool new skin for The Thing, while the premium path lets you unlock awesome new looks for Mantis and Human Torch. The designs are pretty slick and definitely capture that summer blockbuster feel. The event runs from September 18th to October 17th, so you have plenty of time to grind out those levels and collect all the rewards.
Here’s a quick look at the main rewards from the event pass:
| Event Pass Track | Hero | Costume Name |
| Free | The Thing | Rocky Tide |
| Premium | Mantis | Oceanic Harmony |
| Premium | Human Torch | Sunny Sizzler |
The premium pass also gives you permanent access to complete the pass at your own pace, which is a nice feature for players who can’t devote a ton of time to the game.
New Store Bundles and a Freebie
It wouldn’t be a new patch without some new cosmetics hitting the store. The Version 20250918 update introduces two new bundles for heroes who were just begging for some summer love.
- Invisible Woman – Azure Shade Bundle: Sue Storm rocks a sleek, stylish swimsuit that looks perfect for a day at the beach or, you know, fighting supervillains. The blue and white color scheme is clean and a great fit for her.
- The Punisher – Aqua Arsenal Bundle: Frank Castle in a swimsuit is a look I didn’t know I needed, but I’m here for it. This bundle is just as gritty and tactical as you’d expect, but with a surprising touch of summer flair.
But here’s the best part: there’s a freebie for everyone. The “Volleyball Bash” group emote combo bundle is available for a limited time, from September 19th to September 22nd. You definitely don’t want to miss out on that one. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a win with your squad.
Quality of Life Improvements and Bug Fixes
Beyond the new events and cosmetics, this patch also includes a number of important quality-of-life changes and bug fixes that will improve the overall gameplay experience. The developers at NetEase listened to player feedback and addressed some of the most frustrating issues that have been lingering in the game.
Here are some of the key updates I’m most excited about:
- No More Backfilling: Quick Match and Arcade games that are almost finished will no longer add substitute players. This is a huge win for anyone who has been dropped into a losing game with only thirty seconds left on the clock.
- Enhanced Replay Data: The replay system now features more detailed hero statistics, which is a godsend for players like me who love to analyze their gameplay and figure out where things went wrong.
- Chat Channel Upgrades: The in-game chat now supports font color, emojis, and special characters, allowing for more expressive communication with your teammates.
- No More Solo Squad Chat: When you solo queue, the Squad text chat channel is gone, which helps keep the comms clean and focused.
As for hero-specific fixes, there are a few notable ones:
- Loki’s Wardrobe Malfunction: A bug where Loki’s ultimate would cause him to revert to a hero’s default costume after being revived has been fixed. No more awkward moments on the battlefield.
- Ultron’s Palm Pilot Precision: Ultron’s Encephalo-Ray and Nano-Ray attacks now fire perfectly from his palms, which is a small but welcome animation fix that just makes him feel more polished.
- Luna Snow’s Dance Upgrade: The animation for Luna Snow’s ultimate ability has been polished, making her moves even smoother. The developers also confirmed a fix for her Cool Summer costume is coming in the next patch.
A Look to the Future
While this patch is primarily a content and QoL update, it sets a great precedent for future patches. We know from the Season 4 roadmap that more content is on the way, including new heroes and maps. I’m personally looking forward to the release of the new map, K’un-Lun: Heart of Heaven, on September 25th, which is a new Convergence mode map. The roadmap also teased the release of Daredevil later in the season. It’s clear the developers are committed to keeping the game fresh with a constant flow of new content and improvements. The fixes in this patch, especially the one about preventing backfills, show that they are actively listening to the community.The team-based competitive landscape of Marvel Rivals is constantly evolving, and these regular updates are a testament to the game’s ongoing development. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us as the season progresses. I have to say, my experience with Marvel Rivals is always getting better.
