Fans of the vampire hunter Blade have a new reason to get excited as Marvel Rivals, the popular superhero team-based PVP shooter, has revealed its first official concept art for the character. The artwork, shared during NetEase’s recent Art Vision episode, offers a thrilling glimpse at Blade’s potential design for the game, sparking widespread speculation about his inclusion in the upcoming Season 3 roster.
Blade Concept Art: A Daywalker Ready for Battle
The concept art, first highlighted by X user Miller Ross (@mmmmmmmmiller) on May 12, 2025, showcases Blade in dynamic detail [1]. One sketch features the Daywalker wielding a pair of sleek swords, a nod to his iconic vampire-slaying arsenal. His attire includes a tactical vest, possibly equipped with stakes or other sharp tools designed to dispatch the undead. The artwork also captures Blade’s signature look—sunglasses, braids, and a fierce expression—perfectly embodying his half-human, half-vampire warrior persona.
Blade has been a highly anticipated addition to Marvel Rivals since datamined leaks surfaced in December 2024, hinting at his inclusion alongside other Marvel heroes like Deadpool, Emma Frost, and Captain Marvel. His presence in the game’s lore has already been established: during Season 1 (Eternal Night Falls), Blade was depicted as a captive of Dracula in the Central Park map. By Season 2 (Hellfire Gala), he had been freed and was seen recovering in Wakanda’s Birnin T’Challa.
The reveal of this concept art has reignited fan excitement, with many hoping Blade will finally become playable in Season 3. A skin inspired by Blade’s appearance in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine could also be in the works, following Marvel Rivals’ trend of incorporating MCU-inspired designs, such as Wolverine’s look from the same movie.
What to Expect in Marvel Rivals Season 3
While Blade’s inclusion remains unconfirmed, the timing of this reveal aligns with NetEase’s updated roadmap for Marvel Rivals. Starting with Season 3, the developer has announced a shift to shorter seasons, reducing the duration from three months to two. This change means a new playable character will be introduced just one month after the season’s launch. If the schedule holds, Season 3.5 is expected to launch on August 11, 2025, potentially bringing Blade or another teased hero into the fray.
Season 3 will also introduce a new Battle Pass, along with fresh content to keep players engaged. Recent updates to Marvel Rivals have already set a high bar: the latest patch welcomed Emma Frost as a playable character, alongside new costumes (X-Revolution and Blue Sapphire) and a new Domination map, Hellfire Gala: Krakoa. With maps like Yggsgard: Royal Palace and Tokyo 2099: Shin-Shibuya retired from ranked play, NetEase is clearly committed to keeping the game’s competitive scene dynamic.
Additionally, a 3D model of Black Panther’s sister, Shuri, was spotted in the Art Vision episode, suggesting she might become playable in the near future. This aligns with NetEase’s pattern of teasing upcoming characters through in-game assets and concept reveals, building anticipation for what’s next.
Building on Marvel Rivals Season 2’s Success
As Marvel Rivals gears up for Season 3, it continues to build on the momentum of Season 2, titled Hellfire Gala, which launched on April 11, 2025, and is set to run until early July 2025. This season introduced a host of new features, including the Flower of Krakoa Battle Pass, which offers players a range of cosmetic rewards inspired by the mutant haven of Krakoa. The Hellfire Gala event, as described by Creative Director Guangguang in the Marvel Rivals: Dev Vision Vol. 05, centers on Emma Frost hosting a lavish celebration on Krakoa, only for Ultron to crash the party, forcing heroes to defend the island’s greatest treasure. This narrative backdrop has added a rich layer of storytelling to the game’s competitive gameplay.
Season 2 also brought significant gameplay updates, such as balance changes to heroes and team-up abilities, with a new focus on rewarding individual performance in matches. Players now earn more points for strong performances in victories and lose fewer points in defeats, a change aimed at making ranked play more skill-based [4]. Additionally, the season introduced costume customization, allowing players to change the color palettes of higher-rarity skins, adding a new level of personalization to the game. As of May 9, 2025, Marvel Rivals boasts 165 costumes and 4 chromas for its 38 playable characters, with 25 Legendary, 81 Epic, and 59 Rare costumes available.
With Season 2 setting a high standard through its thematic depth, new features, and expanded customization options, the stage is set for Season 3 to deliver even more exciting content. Whether Blade will finally step into the spotlight—or if another hero will take center stage—remains to be seen. For now, the Daywalker’s stunning concept art has given players plenty to dream about as they prepare for the next chapter of Marvel Rivals.
