One of the intriguing elements of Marvel Rivals is the Season Bonus system, yet players often find themselves in the dark about its specifics.
While the game provides minimal official information, the bulk of understanding comes from lively discussions among players in the official Discord channel, where speculation runs rampant.
Through hands-on testing and research, I’ve put together a clear breakdown of what these Season Bonuses entail.
What Are Season Bonuses?
Season Bonuses are special enhancements tied to certain character classes.
Depending on their role, characters receive specific buffs:
- Vanguards see their health increase.
- Duelists enjoy a boost in their damage output.
- Strategists benefit from improved healing abilities.
Characters who have a Season Bonus play crucial roles in Team-Up Abilities, acting as either anchors or initiators.
This selection isn’t likely random; the yellow symbol associated with these bonuses also marks Team-Up Anchors, hinting that these enhancements are crafted to encourage players to engage with these characters, perhaps as a method of balance envisioned by the developers.
Plus, keep in mind that these bonuses are expected to be temporary and will likely change with every new season.
How Season Bonuses Work
Many players first come across the term “Season Bonus” when selecting their heroes.
This could align with Kotaku’s advice to familiarize oneself with hero profiles before jumping into matches.
Since Season Bonuses are linked specifically to Anchor heroes and detailed under their Team-Up abilities, one might think these bonuses only activate during Team-Up scenarios.
However, this assumption is far from accurate.
A character’s Season Bonus is active at all times, regardless of the composition of the team.
The game’s official hero statistics, which you can find on the website, further confirm this.
Take Groot, for instance: his base health is normally listed at 700, but in-game, it actually bumps up to 850, thanks to his Season Bonus.
This boosted health doesn’t depend on the presence of allies like Rocket Raccoon or Jeff the Land Shark; Groot enjoys an extra 150 health consistently throughout gameplay.
Season Bonuses in Season 0
In the current “Season 0: Doom’s Rise,” there are 14 characters that benefit from Season Bonuses.
As mentioned before, the specific enhancements vary based on the class of each character, and there are even slight differences in the potency of these buffs.
Here’s a rundown of the Season 0 bonuses:
- Thor – +100 Max Health
- Groot – +150 Max Health
- Hulk – +150 Max Health
- Venom – +150 Max Health
- Rocket Raccoon – +5% Healing Bonus
- Adam Warlock – +15% Healing Bonus
- Cloak & Dagger – +15% Healing Bonus
- Luna Snow – +15% Healing Bonus
- Scarlet Witch – +10 Damage Bonus
- Spider-Man – +10 Damage Bonus
- Iron Fist – +15 Damage Bonus
- Magik – +15 Damage Bonus
- Hawkeye – +20 Damage Bonus
- Hela – +20 Damage Bonus
The notion of Season Bonuses can be quite bewildering for players navigating Marvel Rivals, mainly due to the unclear communication surrounding them.
For those who lean towards a more straightforward gameplay style while still aiming to leverage Team-Up Abilities, there’s a selection of entry-level characters that provide engaging experiences alongside uncomplicated mechanics.
Source: Kotaku