Deadpool role-swap changes meta in Marvel Rivals Season 6

Marvel Rivals kicked off Season 6, titled "Night at the Museum," on January 16, 2026, with a major gameplay shakeup centered on Deadpool. The character arrives as a true role-swap hero who can swap between Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist mid-match, and his kit even alters his ultimate based on whether he’s wielding swords or pistols. That flexibility immediately creates new tactical lanes for solo queue and coordinated squads alike.

Deadpool brings a set of universal tools that are available regardless of role: twin Desert Eagles, the Kickass Katana, and a Healing Factor that keeps him on the field longer than many peers. On top of those baseline abilities, role selection changes how those tools play out. Equipping pistols versus swords not only shifts ability behavior but swaps his ultimate into weapon-specific finishers or barrages, offering players an on-the-fly pivot between burst damage and close-quarters crowd control.

Season 6 also adds a fresh arena: the Collector’s Museum of Contemplation. The map leans into tight sightlines and exhibit-driven cover, creating new routes for flanking and vertical play. That layout rewards players who can rapidly switch roles in response to map control - Duelists and Strategists can exploit corridors, while Vanguards hold choke points.

Rivals launched the season with a themed battle pass and a cosmetics drop list tied to a roadmap of weekly events and rewards that run through mid-March. The roadmap lays out progressive drops and limited-time activities intended to keep the playlist rotating week to week. A mid-season 6.5 update on February 13, 2026 will expand the roster further by adding Elsa Bloodstone as a new playable hero.

The update went live for Marvel Rivals players following scheduled maintenance windows that accompanied the launch. Expect normal platform availability on supported systems, with servers and patch notes posted at rollout. For players tracking meta shifts, Deadpool’s multi-role design will matter in ranked play, where one flexible pick can cover a missing teammate role or answer specific enemy compositions without a full swap.

Practically, this season rewards adaptable loadouts and better in-match communication. If you plan to queue solo, prioritize loadouts and settings that let you toggle between sword and pistol options quickly. Teams will want to rehearse how Deadpool’s role changes interact with ult economy and objective timing.

Season 6’s mix of a role-swap hero, a tight new map, and a clear drop roadmap means a busy slate through March. With Elsa Bloodstone arriving mid-February, the competitive landscape is set to keep evolving, and players who learn to read Deadpool’s weapon-based ultimates will have a clear edge.