When the Marvel Rivals’ closed beta test begins next week, it will come with a new support hero with incredible power.
“Created to be the perfect being, Adam Warlock represents the peak of human evolution,” NetEase said of the new hero. “Able to manipulate mighty cosmic power, he represents life, light, perfection and virtue as he quests to brighten humanity’s path towards their full potential.”
Adam Warlock is a Strategist, which is Marvel Rivals’ support role, and his kit seems really strong and somewhat controversial. Using a magic staff to both dole out damage to foes and heal allies, his best ability will trigger some serious negative emotions for fans of the original Overwatch.
His ultimate seems to be an AoE revive, with any ally inside of the area coming back to life. The caveat is that they have very little health, but also are briefly invincible when they’re resurrected.
This evokes memories of Mercy in the original OW, who used to terrorize teams by coming out of her hiding spot at the last minute to revive their entire squad in one fell swoop with a massive AoE. Warlock’s ultimate is smaller, thankfully, but the ability will still surely be controversial for some.
Another ability, on a high two-minute cooldown, allows Adam Warlock to even resurrect himself. At the 25-second mark of the reveal trailer, he dies and goes into a ghost-like form before relocating and reviving within a golden cocoon.
Warlock will join existing Strategists Loki, Mantis, Luna Snow, and Rocket Raccoon as the only other healers in the game thus far, and he’ll be a welcome addition. The closed alpha test definitely felt like a bit of a drag for support players with so few characters to choose from.
Marvel Rivals’ closed alpha test, which will also add the Vanguard (tank) Venom, begins next week on July 23.
