The Marvel Rivals community has expressed significant discontent following NetEase's recent announcement regarding upcoming changes to ranked matchmaking. These adjustments, set to debut with Season 3.5, aim to modify the competitive landscape but have instead sparked controversy among dedicated players.

Season 3, launched on July 11, introduced Knull as the primary antagonist along with exciting new content including playable character Jean Grey/Phoenix and the Klyntar: Celestial Husk map. The update also featured revised Team-Up mechanics, offering fresh cooperative abilities for various hero combinations. However, the spotlight has shifted to the controversial matchmaking changes looming on the horizon.

The most contentious change involves restricting full five-player squads in ranked matches for Platinum-tier players and above. This decision has drawn comparisons to similar systems in other competitive shooters, with many players arguing it undermines the social aspect of team-based gameplay. Community discussions on platforms like Reddit reveal widespread disappointment, particularly among groups who regularly play together at high skill levels.

Under the new system, ranked queue limitations will scale with player rank:

• Bronze through Gold: Full 5-player teams allowed
• Platinum through Grandmaster: Maximum 3-player parties
• Celestial tier and above: Strict 2-player limit

While NetEase intends these changes to promote fair matchmaking, critics suggest they may inadvertently encourage smurfing as players create alternate accounts to bypass restrictions. The debate continues as the community weighs competitive integrity against the value of playing with established teams.

Season 3.5, launching August 8, will introduce Blade as a playable character alongside these matchmaking adjustments. The update also promises new Team-Up combinations involving Moon Knight, Cloak and Dagger, Adam Warlock, and Luna Snow. Cosmetic enthusiasts can look forward to a symbiote-themed skin for The Thing, available as a free reward.