Phoenix in Marvel Rivals Finally Fixes the Slow Movement Problem Everyone Complained About
Marvel Rivals Welcomes Phoenix, Bringing New Life to Character Movement
If you’ve been feeling that Marvel Rivals’ characters move a bit too slowly, you’re not alone. Since the game launched in December 2024, players have pointed out on Reddit how the pace of movement and attacks felt sluggish—almost like walking in slow motion. But the arrival of Phoenix in season 3 might just change that perception.
- Why players found character movement in Marvel Rivals slow
- How Phoenix’s animations and gameplay differ
- Comparison of movement speeds between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2
- What Phoenix adds to the game’s overall feel and excitement
Movement Speed: Myth vs. Reality
Many fans noticed that characters in Marvel Rivals seemed to move at a glacial pace compared to other hero shooters like Overwatch 2. Some even described it as a perspective trick due to the camera angles. To settle this, a simple test was done in the practice arenas of both games, measuring how long it takes to cover five meters.
Interestingly, Marvel Rivals characters actually take roughly the same amount of time—or slightly longer strides—to cover this distance compared to Overwatch 2. But here’s the catch: five meters in Marvel Rivals translates to about 11.5 inches, while in Overwatch 2 it’s around 10 inches. This means Rivals characters aren’t necessarily slower; they’re just covering a longer distance with each step.
So the real issue isn’t speed but style. Many heroes in Marvel Rivals move with big, dramatic strides and have long pauses between attacks, which can make battles feel less energetic and more like a slow-motion ballet. The sound effects don’t help either—some attacks feel muted or lack impact, which diminishes the excitement.
Phoenix: A Breath of Fresh Air
Enter Phoenix. Unlike other characters, she brings a new dynamic to the game’s movement and combat style. Her attacks come with sharp whooshes and explosive impacts that add much-needed punch. She can zoom around in a flaming-bird form, relocating quickly without waiting ages for cooldowns.
Her movement animations show urgency and fluidity, making her feel like a trained fighter who’s ready to strike at any moment. Even though she isn’t technically faster than other characters like Cloak and Dagger, her style makes her battles feel far more thrilling and less like trudging through pudding.
If you’ve been holding off on Marvel Rivals due to its pace, Phoenix might be the hero to pull you back in.
Check out Phoenix’s gameplay and movement here:
