Marvel Rivals might be “dying”—or so the internet would have you believe. In Episode 11 of Rival Banter, Seth and Luke lean into the hype, debunk the panic, and deliver everything you need to know to stay ahead of the pack.

• Listener Mail: Responding to your comments on the last episode
• Weekly Recap: Wins, fails, and clutch moments from their Rivals grind
• News:
  • Squirrel Girl “Sunshine” skin dropping Friday
  • Rocket Raccoon “Sunshine” skin arriving alongside it
  • Player base dips to an all‑time low (drama guaranteed)
• Topic
  • Skill Breakdown: Ranking the top five in‑game skills every hero‑shooter player needs to master

This week on Rival Banter, Seth and Luke dive into the community’s latest flashpoint: the Support Strike. What started as a reaction to a streamer’s jab at Strategist mains has escalated into full-blown role refusal and debate over toxicity, balance, and the ranked system. We break down why we think this protest is a bit overblown, what the devs are doing in response, and how players can take more control over their experience. Plus: hands return to the Multiverse of Madness skin, Season 2 combat changes, and a fresh round of patch notes. -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/itishoagie

Luke and Seth dive into their early impressions of Marvel Rivals Season 2 – what’s working, what’s not, and what has them hyped. They break down Emma Frost’s first week on the roster, give their take on the new Krakoa domination map, and react to the latest balance changes shaking up the meta. Plus, a look ahead at the upcoming Doctor Strange and Peni Parker skins dropping April 18th! -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/itishoagie

This week on Rival Banter, Luke and Seth break down everything you need to know heading into Season 2 of Marvel Rivals. From a new dev vision video to a monthly hero cadence starting in Season 3, there’s a lot to be excited (and nervous) about.

We cover:

🔥 The new 2-month season format

🧊 The arrival of Emma Frost – abilities, synergies, and why she might break the game

🏆 Ranked resets and what dropping 9 divisions really means

🗺️ Updated map pool (RIP Tokyo 1099)

🚫 Hero bans starting at Gold III

💃 The Hellfire Gala skins and which ones are actually worth flexing

⚖️ Key balance changes and early reactions

Whether you're climbing the ladder or theory crafting future comps, this episode sets you up for Season 2 success. -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/itishoagie

Join us as we dive into the latest updates on Marvel Rivals: from Venom’s unexpected twerking emote to the brand-new pick-up bundle that offers a fresh way to progress your collection. We wrap up by sharing our Season 2 predictions, including possible buffs, nerfs, new characters, maps, and an exciting new Season Pass. -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/itishoagie

Seth and Luke dive into another wild week in Marvel Rivals! In this episode, we cover:

🛠️ New Patch Incoming – We talk about the upcoming bug fix patch and what it means for gameplay.

🎁 Galacta’s Bonus Item Drop – It’s only available April 1–4… is this setting up for an April Fool’s surprise?

🤔 April Fool's Event? – Will NetEase pull something unexpected?

🎮 Community Topics

Fragpunk & Overwatch 6v6 – Could these games reshape the hero shooter scene?

Reddit Reactions – We respond to the question: "What’s your biggest issue with Marvel Rivals?"

🏆 Competitive Corner

NA Weekend 2 Recap

Spectator Mode – What’s working, what’s not, and how it could improve the esports scene.

📺 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday!

🎙️ Rival Banter: A Marvel Rivals Podcast

Luke and Seth break down the latest patch notes in Marvel Rivals, including key adjustments to Human Torch, Iron Man, and Cloak & Dagger. With Season 1.5 in full swing, they dive into which heroes still need a little extra love heading into the next patch. Is there a ranked inflation problem brewing in Rivals? We take a look at the data, compare it to Overwatch, and talk about what it means for the competitive scene. Plus, a recap of North America’s Weekend 1 of the Marvel Rivals Invitational.

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On Episode 3 of Rival Banter, Hoagie and Pappy give their official Season 1.5 tier list, plus they discuss a possible DC Rivals competitor, the new game mode, and more!