Rival Banter: A Marvel Rivals Podcast

This might be our most tilted episode yet. Seth and Luke respond to viewer comments, recap their week in Marvel Rivals, and then unload a blunt Season 3.5 review: adding two DPS characters has, in their view, seriously broken matchmaking and made the game worse to play. If you want a no-holds-barred take on why the meta feels busted and what the devs need to do, this is the episode.
Community comments: responding to feedback from the last episode
This week in Rivals: highlights, clutches, and what we’ve been testing in-game
News roundup: Cloak & Dagger and Winter Soldier skins (shop this week)Marvel Rivals posts an official denial of EOMMBlade confirmed not to be buggedDev Guangguang acknowledges role imbalance but signals long timelines for fixes
Main topic — Season 3.5 review: why the two new DPS have wrecked matchmakingWe explain how the new DPS additions amplify queue imbalance, create more one-sided matches, and exacerbate the “win/lose swing” that frustrates players. We cover player reaction, the evidence that matchmaking feels worse (streaks, mismatched teammates, longer recovery from bad games), and why an official denial of EOMM doesn’t resolve the community’s concerns. Then we lay out practical fixes we want to see: clearer matchmaking transparency, shorter hotfix timelines, temporary role-restricted queues or role incentives, and targeted balance patches for the new DPS.
Tell us if you agree: drop your Season 3.5 takes and matchmaking horror stories in the comments. If you want more deep dives like this, subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

Season 3.5 has officially arrived—and Blade is leading the charge! In Episode 24, Seth and Luke respond to your comments, recap their week in Marvel Rivals, and then unpack every major Season 3.5 update alongside Blade’s reveal.
Community Mail: responding to feedback from Episode 23Weekly Recap: highlights, clutch plays, and grind takeawaysSeason 3.5 Deep Dive:• Blade reveal trailer and ability guide• August 1 patch notes and balance updates• New Ranked changes in the patch• Queen’s Codex mini-pass details and rewards• NetEase’s community management updates: automated voice-chat review & custom text-chat filters• WILD SPECULATION on Resource Rumble mode and the Throne of Knull map (launching August 22)
Dive in to see if Season 3.5—and Blade—live up to the hype. Share your first impressions and predictions in the comments, and subscribe for Rival Banter every Wednesday!

Seth is back for Episode 23 of Rival Banter! After responding to your viewer comments and recapping their week in Marvel Rivals, they hit all the latest news—Phoenix Force Magik and Black Panther skins dropping this week, Blade’s duelist confirmation at SDCC, and whispers of a Thing symbiote skin.
Community Mail: responding to feedback from Episode 22Weekly Recap: highlights, clutch moments, and grind updatesNews Roundup: new Phoenix Force Magik & Black Panther skins, Blade confirmed as a Duelist, possible Thing symbiote skin leakMain Topic – Engagement Optimized Matchmaking:• Overview of EOMM vs. NetEase’s claimed SBMM• How EOMM balances win/loss streaks to maximize engagement• Evidence from Necros’s breakdown of negative Steam reviews• Impact on player retention and community sentiment• Potential fixes and how NetEase could restore matchmaking fairness
Leave your thoughts on EOMM and SBMM in the comments, and subscribe for new Rival Banter every Wednesday.

In Episode 22 of Rival Banter, Luke Croft is joined by special guest Larry Hunt (while Seth’s out of town) to tackle your comments, recap their week in Marvel Rivals, and break down all the latest news before diving deep on the game’s monetization.
Community Comments: responding to your feedback from Episode 21Weekly Recap: highlights, clutch plays, and grind updatesNews Roundup:New “First Steps” skins trailer and full Fantastic Four rendersHuman Torch & Thing team-up revealPlayer-base concerns via recent Steam chartsMain Topic – Marvel Rivals Monetization:Reaction to the $10 Summer Event pass price hike vs. Battle PassHow to make price increases feel worth it—more skins, more value?Returning players’ perspective: FOMO, catch-up ease, and economy changes
Share your thoughts on the pricing debate and monetization model in the comments, and subscribe for new Rival Banter every Tuesday.

In Episode 21 of Rival Banter, Seth and Luke kick things off with their week in Marvel Rivals before diving into all the latest news and their unfiltered reactions to Season 3.
Our week in Rivals covers standout plays, new strategies, and grind highlights.
News RoundupPsylocke and Loki summer skins revealed for this weekSummer Special Event launching July 17 with Thor, Luna Snow, and The Thing skinsNetEase’s Season 3.0 roadmap leakSmall balance changes for Wolverine and PhoenixJuly 15 patch notes overview
Main Topic: Season 3 ReactionsDiscussion of Phoenix and Klyntar: Celestial HuskDeep dive on the Season 3 Battle Pass progression, new challenges, and rewardsAnalysis of the July 1 balance changes and the new post-match screen
Enjoyed the episode? Let us know your Season 3 thoughts and which skins you’re most excited for in the comments, and subscribe for new Rival Banter every Wednesday.

In Episode 20 of Rival Banter, Seth and Luke kick off with their week in Marvel Rivals before unveiling swimsuit skin leaks for Loki, Psylocke, Punisher, Luna Snow, and Thor. Then they jump into their comprehensive Season 3 breakdown:
Our week in Rivals: highlights, strategies, and standout momentsNews roundup: leaked swimsuit skins for summer—Loki, Psylocke, Punisher, Luna Snow, and ThorMain feature: Season 3 deep dive• Phoenix guide overview• Klyntar: Celestial Husk breakdown• Season 3 Battle Pass skins and rewards• Balance changes • Friday patch notes review (July 4)• Rank reset impact: dropping seven tiers• New Platinum and Diamond rank rewards• Introduction of the accessory system• Student system: claim ten free trial skins• Milano Repair Logs: how to unlock the Symbiote Storm skin
Share your thoughts on the new skins and Season 3 changes in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for Rival Banter every Tuesday!

In Episode 18 of Rival Banter, Seth and Luke kick things off by responding to your comments from last time and recapping their latest week in Marvel Rivals. They cover all the week’s news—from Hellfire Gala Thor and Born Again Daredevil skins to the latest patch notes that lower the surrender-vote threshold.
Community Mail: responding to feedback from Episode 17  
Weekly Recap: wins, losses, and standout plays from their Rivals grind  
News Roundup: new Thor & Punisher skins, in-depth Thor showcase, and June 24 patch notes  
Main Topic: who sits on top and who bottoms out in Season 2.5? Seth and Luke debate the best and worst heroes in the current meta
Share your S2.5 top picks and underdogs in the comments, and subscribe for a new Rival Banter episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 17 of Rival Banter, Seth and Luke respond to your comments from the last show and share their week in Marvel Rivals.
Community Mail: responding to feedback from Episode 16  
Weekly Recap: highlights from their Rivals grind and what’s coming up next week  
News Roundup: new Moon Knight and Iron Fist skins, balance changes for Thor, Moon Knight, Storm, and Star-Lord (with fresh team-up changes), the Venom Bubble Pop skin event, and leaks on the unused endorsement “Credit” system and anti-heal voice lines  
Main Topic: what are the keys to keeping Marvel Rivals alive? Seth and Luke discuss community engagement, meta health, and potential improvements to ensure the game thrives.
Enjoyed the show? Share your thoughts on how to keep Rivals thriving in the comments, and subscribe for a new episode every Tuesday.

In Episode 16 of Rival Banter, Seth and Luke kick off by responding to your comments and sharing their week in Marvel Rivals, including a hands-on review of the new Ultron Battle Matrix Protocol mode. Then they cover all the latest updates—from Sue Storm and Thing Future Foundation skins to June 12th patch notes, the return of the 616 vault bundles, and leaked custom lobby backgrounds.
Next, they tackle the big question: is Marvel Rivals too toxic? They break down Ninja’s announcement that he’s quitting over harassment and TimTheTatMan’s response about having to ban hundreds of players every stream. Finally, they brainstorm what NetEase could do to curb toxicity and make the game friendlier for everyone.
Community Comments: responding to feedback from Episode 15  
Weekly Recap: highlights and Ultron Battle Matrix Protocol review  
News Roundup:  
• Sue Storm & Thing Future Foundation skins  
• June 12th patch notes  
• Return of the 616 vault bundles  
• Leaked custom lobby background feature  
Main Topic: is Marvel Rivals too toxic? Discussing high-profile quits, mass bans, and anti-toxin solutions from NetEase
Enjoyed the episode? Share your thoughts on toxicity and potential fixes in the comments, and subscribe for new Rival Banter every Tuesday. -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/itishoagie

In Episode 15, Seth and Luke start by responding to your comments from the last show and sharing their week’s highlights in Marvel Rivals. They then reveal which Lord portraits they trust the most.
Next, they cover all the latest news: the new Wolverine “Weapon X” and Jeff “Sunshine Landshark” skins arriving this week; the June 3 patch notes; and details on Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol mode and its rewards track.
Finally, they give their early thoughts on Season 2.5—what changes they’re excited about and which heroes might shake up the meta.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave your feedback and Season 2.5 predictions in the comments, and subscribe for new Rival Banter every Tuesday. -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/itishoagie