A cryptic social media post from a Marvel Rivals developer has sent waves of excitement through the gaming community, strongly hinting that the iconic vampire hunter Blade might finally become a playable character in Season 3. NetEase Games has been consistently expanding Marvel Rivals' roster with new heroes and villains through post-launch updates, with Season 2 recently introducing the formidable AI villain Ultron to threaten the Hellfire Gala on Krakoa Island.

Blade has been one of the most requested characters by Marvel Rivals fans, and NetEase has been teasing his potential inclusion since the game's early seasons. Players first spotted the Daywalker in Season 1, where he appeared imprisoned by Dracula on the Central Park map. His presence continued in Season 2, where he could be seen taking a nap near a spawn point on the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda map. However, the recent June 19 update removed Blade entirely, leaving behind only an empty sleeping bag where he once rested.

The disappearance has fueled speculation among fans, and a recent Twitter interaction has added more weight to these theories. Executive producer Danny Koo responded to an official Marvel Rivals tweet showing Jeff the Land Shark investigating Blade's vacant sleeping bag. Koo's reply consisted of just three thinking emojis, which the community has interpreted as a subtle confirmation of Blade's impending arrival in Season 3.

While Blade's standalone MCU film has faced numerous delays, the character has maintained popularity, especially after Wesley Snipes' surprise return in last year's Deadpool and Wolverine. In gaming, Blade was last playable in 2022's Marvel's Midnight Suns and is set to star in Bethesda's upcoming Marvel's Blade game from Arkane Studios.

All signs now point to Blade making his next video game appearance in Marvel Rivals Season 3, which begins after Season 2 concludes on July 10. While his exact move set remains unknown, leaks suggest he'll be a combat-focused Duelist character, utilizing his signature sword and handguns to take down enemies. With Blade apparently rested and ready, villains in Marvel Rivals might want to watch their backs when Season 3 launches.