Phoenix Arrives in Marvel Rivals: Early Gameplay Shows Absolute Power and Major Hero Shakeups
Jean Grey, better known as Phoenix, is finally joining the cast of Marvel Rivals in season 3, and her gameplay is already making waves online. If you ever wondered how a character who can literally remake reality fits into a balanced hero shooter, NetEase might have cracked the code. Early gameplay looks intense, fiery, and—let’s be honest—a little terrifying for anyone facing her on the battlefield.
- Jean Grey aka Phoenix joins Marvel Rivals in season 3
- Unique dual-entity gameplay mechanics
- Devastating area attacks and a wild ultimate
- Major balance changes for multiple heroes
- Human Torch gets nerfed, Emma Frost and others see tweaks
- Release date: July 11
Phoenix in Marvel Rivals – what makes her so scary?
Phoenix arrives as a Duelist with a twist: she’s both the human Jean Grey and her iconic psychic entity, which trails just behind her. This duality is more than just for show. The two forms can merge for powerful fire-based attacks, and Phoenix’s ability to fly gives her serious mobility. Her area-of-effect damage looks wild, burning up groups of enemies at once.
But the real game-changer is her ultimate ability. In the latest gameplay clip, Phoenix’s ult not only devastates the field but can even pull Hela out of her own ultimate. That’s a first for Marvel Rivals and sets up a dramatic rivalry teased in the official trailer.
Voice acting that sells the power
The presentation isn’t just about flashy powers. Phoenix’s voice acting is on point. With lines like “YOU ARE NOTHING,” it’s clear the devs want you to feel her overwhelming presence. Crystal Lee, who voices Jean Grey, shared her excitement: “It’s the honor of a lifetime,” Lee said on X. Fans are loving it—just check the YouTube comments for pure hype.
One viewer summed it up: “Hela was not only KO’d but she was absolutely cooked, burned, and air fried along with her teammates.” Another simply asked: “Bro, what is that ULTIMATE? You can literally feel her power from her voice!”
Big balance changes and hero tweaks
Phoenix’s arrival isn’t the only thing shaking up Marvel Rivals. Alongside her July 11 debut, NetEase is rolling out a massive balance update (full patch notes here). Here’s what stands out:
- Emma Frost—a top competitive pick—is getting nerfed
- Mantis and Venom are getting buffs
- Spider-Man loses a team-up ability but gets a base power boost (details here)
- And—strangely—Human Torch is getting worse
That last point is almost ironic. According to the latest hero pick stats, Human Torch is the least played hero in the game—less popular than even Black Widow, who holds the record for the lowest win rate. Yet, more people still pick her than Torch! With Phoenix entering the scene, bringing similar elemental powers and animations, the outlook for Human Torch mains isn’t getting any brighter.
When can you play as Phoenix?
Jean Grey will be available in Marvel Rivals starting July 11, alongside all the new balance changes. If you’re looking for more details or want to see Phoenix in action, check out the official gameplay reveal above.
