Who is Bats the Ghost Dog?
Hey, Elias here, and I’ve got a little secret for you, one that’s been driving some of my fellow gamers crazy since the launch of Marvel Rivals. I’ve been grinding on the grind with this game and let me tell you, hunting down every single achievement is a marathon, not a sprint. But there is one that is particularly tricky, that a lot of people have been asking me about. I’m talking about the “A Hounding Conversation” achievement, a seemingly simple task that has a lot of people scratching their heads. It’s not about getting a kill streak or a perfect win, no, it’s about finding a ghost dog and having a chat. It sounds simple, but there’s a specific method to the madness. Don’t worry, my mission today is to break it down for you, step by step. So let’s get into it, and I’ll show you exactly how to find Bats, the ghost dog, and bag this elusive achievement.
First, a quick lore check, because this is Marvel, after all. You don’t just stumble upon a spectral canine without a backstory. Bats is, or was, Doctor Strange’s beloved ghost dog. He’s a loyal companion who was tragically lost but then brought back as a spirit by none other than Loki. Doctor Strange, being the Sorcerer Supreme, cast a spell on him that allows him to communicate. So, he’s not just a cute little Easter egg, he’s a genuine part of the Marvel universe, and finding him is a cool nod to the comics. Now, on to the game-specific details.
Locating the Spectral Pup
The “A Hounding Conversation” achievement is tied to the Sanctum Sanctorum map, which is part of the Doom Match game mode. This is where a lot of players get tripped up, they are running quick matches or competitive matches and just can’t find him. This is a very specific achievement that requires you to enter the Doom Match mode to even have a chance at finding him. Once you’ve loaded into the Sanctum Sanctorum in a Doom Match, your first step is to locate the main foyer. You can find him near the staircase and a large portrait of Doctor Strange himself. Bats is a ghostly blue, so he is fairly easy to spot floating around, or sometimes just chilling on his dog bed near the stairs.
Here is a quick breakdown of where to find him:
- Game Mode: Doom Match
- Map: Sanctum Sanctorum
- Location: The main foyer, near the large staircase and a portrait of Doctor Strange.
- Appearance: A glowing, spectral blue dog.
The Conversation, a Character Specific Approach
This is the second crucial part of the guide, and where many players fail. You can’t just walk up to Bats with any character and expect him to talk to you. Bats is a discerning conversationalist, and he only interacts with a select few heroes. You must be playing as one of the following characters to trigger the unique dialogue that unlocks the achievement.
| Character Name | Class | Why They Work |
| Jeff the Land Shark | Vanguard | He is a fellow animal, so they have a natural kinship that triggers the dialogue. |
| Squirrel Girl | Skirmisher | Her deep connection to animals, especially her squirrels, makes her a perfect candidate. |
| Spider-Man | Skirmisher | The friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is known for his witty banter and friendly nature, even with spectral canines. |
| Thor | Vanguard | Thor is a god, and his presence often brings about unique interactions with other-worldly beings, including ghost dogs. |
My personal recommendation is to use Jeff the Land Shark because of his mobility, but any of these characters will do the job. The interaction isn’t a button prompt or anything, you just need to get close to Bats with the correct character and the dialogue will automatically trigger. It is a good idea to have your subtitles turned on, just in case the in-game action is loud, you can confirm the conversation has taken place. The achievement will pop as soon as the voice line is triggered. It is also important to note that this interaction only triggers once per match, so if you are playing with friends, you need to be the first one to get to him.
A Hounding Conversation, Step-by-Step Guide
I’ve laid out the details, now let’s put it all together in a simple, easy-to-follow list. Follow these steps and you’ll have this achievement in no time.
- Step 1: From the main menu, select the Play option and then choose to change your game mode.
- Step 2: Select the Doom Match mode, which is the free-for-all mode. This is the only mode where the Sanctum Sanctorum map is guaranteed to be available.
- Step 3: Before the match starts, select your character. Make sure you pick one of the four required heroes: Jeff the Land Shark, Squirrel Girl, Spider-Man, or Thor.
- Step 4: When the match begins, immediately head to the main foyer of the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Step 5: Look for Bats, the glowing blue ghost dog, near the main staircase.
- Step 6: Walk up to him and the unique dialogue should automatically trigger.
- Step 7: Enjoy your new achievement!
I know it might feel a little clunky to have to go into a specific game mode for one little achievement, but that’s how these games work sometimes. They love to hide little secrets for the players who are willing to go the extra mile, and that is what makes them fun, at least for me.
My Final Thoughts
Getting the “A Hounding Conversation” achievement is less about skill and more about having the right information. It’s a fun little Easter egg that rewards players who are either deep into the Marvel lore or just meticulous achievement hunters. The key takeaways are to play in the Doom Match mode, go to the Sanctum Sanctorum map, and use one of the four specific characters. This is just one of the many cool little details you can find in the game, and I’m always on the hunt for more. So go ahead, bag this achievement, and show off your deep knowledge of the Marvel universe.Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Marvel Rivals category for more guides, reviews, and news, and I’ll see you in the Chronoverse!
