Marvel Rivals Season 5 & 5.5: Roadmap, Rogue & New Events
The hero shooter Marvel Rivals continues to gain momentum. After the successful launch of Season 5 with its romantic "Love is a Battlefield" theme, developers NetEase have officially unveiled the massive mid-season update – Marvel Rivals Season 5.5. This phase brings winter festivities, the long-awaited hero Rogue, and brand-new game modes. Our guide collects all the official information to help you prepare for the conclusion of this year's multiverse war.
This overview covers the full update cycle: from the season start on November 14 to the finale in January. We detail the Marvel Rivals Season 5.5 Roadmap, the official update release date of December 12, 2025, Rogue's new role as a Vanguard, and holiday events like "Jeff's Winter Splash Festival" and the new "Seeds of the Gardener" event pass.
Release Dates: Season 5 & Update 5.5
NetEase has clearly mapped out the content release schedule. The season began in November, with its climax scheduled for December and January.
The official launch of Season 5.5 is December 12, 2025.
This mid-season update delivers winter content, a new hero, and festive maps, continuing the narrative started by Gambit in November.
Marvel Rivals Season 5 & 5.5 Roadmap
NetEase has released the full roadmap through the end of the season, including the transition date to Season 6. Here are the key dates and events:
Season 5 Start
Season 5.5 Launch
Winter Festival
Holiday Skins
Season 6 Start
- November 14 (Season 5.0):
- New Hero: Gambit.
- New Map: "Times Square" Social Hub.
- Battle Pass: "Grand Garden Adventure" Launch.
- December 12 (Season 5.5 Launch):
- New Hero: Rogue joins the game.
- New Event: "Seeds of the Gardener" (featuring a free Iron Man skin).
- New Skins: "Savage South" for Rogue and "Rocket of the Rafters" for Rocket Raccoon.
- December 19 (Winter Festival):
- New Map: "Jeffland" – a special location for the new mode.
- New Mode: "Jeff's Winter Splash Festival" (3-way battle).
- Event: "Holiday Special" with winter costumes.
- December 26 (Holiday Celebration):
- Map Update: New Year Ball Drop countdown on the Times Square map.
- New Skins: Winter looks for Cloak & Dagger and Thor.
- January 16 (Season 6):
- End of Season 5.5: Official start of Season 6.
The Official Theme of Marvel Rivals Season 5
In addition to the highly anticipated characters, one of the most intriguing aspects revealed in the Marvel Rivals Season 5 update is the official seasonal theme. NetEase has confirmed the title, moving past the previous leaks, which focused on mystical realms or dark entities.
"Love is a Battlefield"
The official theme for Season 5 is "Love is a Battlefield". This thematic shift aligns perfectly with the introduction of Gambit and Rogue, whose complex, long-running relationship is central to X-Men lore. The official announcement was stylized as a wedding invitation for Anna Marie (Rogue) and Remy LeBeau (Gambit).
New Battle Pass: "Grand Garden Adventure"
The official Battle Pass has a specific name and story directly related to this theme. The Season 5 Battle Pass is called "Grand Garden Adventure".
The theme is not just narrative window dressing; it will be reflected across the entire game:
- Skins and Cosmetics: The Battle Pass is inspired by the Grandmaster's "shining dice" and cosmic energy. It includes 10 new character costumes, such as "Monstro King" for Namor, "Franken-Castle" for The Punisher, "Infinity Ultron" for Ultron, and "Witch of the Evil Eye" for Scarlet Witch.
- Lore Context: The Battle Pass trailer explains the theme: "What began as Gambit's quest to reclaim a lost wedding ring has grown into a spectacle of ambition and wonder" within the Grandmaster's Garden.
Marvel Rivals Season 5 Characters
The biggest confirmation within the Marvel Rivals Season 5 announcement is the arrival of two core members of the X-Men. Gambit launched with the season in November, while Rogue headlines the mid-season update in December.
Gambit – The Ragin' Cajun: Kinetic Energy Strategist
Gambit joined the roster as the 44th playable hero at the start of Season 5. He is voiced by AJ LoCascio, known for voicing the character in X-Men '97.
- Official Role: Strategist
- Gameplay: His kit is a complex hybrid, blending kinetic energy control with both explosive damage and team-focused support. He uses his Chorovium-enhanced cards and staff to switch between healing allies and dealing damage.
Rogue – The Power Absorber: Vanguard (Season 5.5)
Rogue is the confirmed hero for the mid-season update, joining the roster on December 12, 2025. NetEase has confirmed she will fill the Vanguard role, shifting away from earlier predictions.
In a major announcement for long-time fans, Rogue will be voiced by her iconic voice actress, Lenore Zann, from both X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men '97.
- Official Role: Vanguard
- Gameplay Overview: As a Vanguard, Rogue uses her signature power-absorption abilities to tank damage and disrupt enemy lines. By stealing powers, she can turn opponents' strengths against them, making her a highly adaptive frontline fighter.
- Launch Skin: She will release with the exclusive "Savage South" costume.
New 18v18 Mode, Grand Garden Map & Anniversary Event
Season 5 introduced a massive new game mode and map to celebrate the game's one-year anniversary.
New Battleground: "Grand Garden" & 18v18 Conquest Mode
The large-scale 18v18 Conquest-style mode launched on November 27. This 36-player mode takes place on the Grand Garden map, offering a "full-on battlefield experience" with multiple objectives and sprawling zones.
First Anniversary Features
- New Social Hub: A 100-player social space, "Times Square", allows players to meet, dance, and watch in-game videos.
- Cross-Platform Progression: Full cross-progression is now live, letting unlocks and skins carry across platforms.
Season 5 Battle Pass: Grand Garden Adventure
The "Grand Garden Adventure" Battle Pass is currently active, featuring 10 new character costumes across 12 pages. It includes both a Free and a Luxury track.
- Key Costumes: "Monstro King" Namor, "Franken-Castle" Punisher, and "Blue Thing" The Thing (Free Track).
- Rewards: Includes new nameplates for Gambit and Rogue, currency rewards, and the "Chronovium Die" collectible.
New Season 5.5 Winter Events
The mid-season update expands the game with festive winter content starting in December.
"Seeds of the Gardener" Event (Starts Dec 12)
This new event works as a mini-pass system where players complete missions to level up. Rewards include:
- Free Reward: Iron Man (Mark I) costume.
- Premium Rewards: Iron Fist (Shenloong Champion) and Captain America (Capwolf).
Jeff's Winter Splash Festival (Starts Dec 19)
Jeff the Land Shark hosts his own holiday festival, introducing a fun new way to play:
- New Map "Jeffland": A themed location specifically for the holiday mode.
- New Mode: A unique three-way battle where players control three different "builds" of Jeff, each with its own abilities.
Season 5.5 Skin Release Schedule
Season 5.5 brings a wave of new cosmetics to the shop and events. Here is the release timeline:
- December 12: Rogue (Savage South) & Rocket Raccoon (Rocket of the Rafters).
- December 19 (Holiday Special): Winter skins for Squirrel Girl, Daredevil, Winter Soldier, Peni Parker, and Star-Lord.
- December 26: Cloak & Dagger (Winter Holiday 2025) & Thor (Winter Holiday 2025).
- January 2: Human Torch (Trumps of the Grandmaster) & Mystery Skin.
- January 9 (Cosmic Power): Phoenix (Ice Phoenix) & Adam Warlock (Cosmic Warlock).
Conclusion
Season 5 began with romance, but Season 5.5 transforms the game into a true winter celebration. With the release of Rogue on December 12, the new "Seeds of the Gardener" event system, and the unique mode on the "Jeffland" map, players will have plenty to do until the season ends on January 16.
FAQ
The official release of Season 5.5 is scheduled for December 12, 2025.
Rogue joins the game as a Vanguard class hero. Her abilities focus on absorbing enemy powers.
According to the roadmap, Season 6 begins on January 16, 2026, marking the end of Season 5.5.
Change Log
- 30.10.2025 - Marvel Rivals Season 5 Leaks: Release Date, Characters & More published.
- 04.11.2025 - Marvel Rivals Season 5 Leaks: Release Date, Characters & More updated.
- 13.11.2025 - Marvel Rivals Season 5: Release Date, Characters & More updated.
- 15.12.2025 - Marvel Rivals Season 5.5: Release Date, Characters & More updated.