April 17 marks a major update for Marvel Rivals as Season 7.5 goes live with new content and system changes. You gain access to Black Cat as a new Duelist hero, along with gameplay updates that expand duel options, refine matchmaking features, and introduce additional in-game events.
This midseason update also sets the stage for a steady rollout of content leading up to Season 8 on May 15. You can expect new PvE and PvP modes, limited-time events like Blood Hunt and the Hellfire Gala, fresh cosmetics, and ongoing story developments tied to the broader Path to Doomsday arc.
Marvel Rivals Update 20260417 Patch Notes
Playable Character Addition
Black Cat joins the active roster in Version 20260417. You can select her in standard modes and begin mastering her heist-focused combat style as part of the Season 7.5 midseason update.
She also receives multiple cosmetic options at launch, including premium bundles and a ranked reward variant.
Fresh Narrative Entries
Two new lore chapters expand the ongoing storyline.
- Black Cat – “Good Fortune”
- Spider-Man – “Message Received”
You can access these story updates in the lore section to follow the latest developments tied to Season 7.5.
ESU Campus Celebration Event
You can participate in the limited-time ESU Open Day event from:
April 17, 2026 at 09:00 UTC to June 12, 2026 at 09:00 UTC
Complete themed missions to unlock rewards, including:
- Mantis – Black & Gold costume (Free)
- Squirrel Girl – Maureen Allene: The Programmer
- Psylocke – Chouko Takahashi: The Prodigy
- Additional event bonuses
You earn the Mantis costume at no cost by finishing the required objectives during the event window.
Store Additions and Limited Bundles
The in-game store rotates in several new cosmetics and bundles tied to Season 7.5.
Limited-Time Bundle
| Bundle | Availability (UTC) |
|---|---|
| Spider-Man – Peter Parker: The Photographer | April 17, 2026 09:00 – May 15, 2026 09:00 |
New Bundles and Skins
- Blade – Starlit Shadow Bundle
- Black Cat – Urban Predator Bundle
- Black Cat – Gilded Shadow skin
Psylocke Cosmetic Expansion
The Chouko Takahashi: The Prodigy set receives new customization options:
- Sporty Tea & Cobalt Charm chromas
- Updated ability visual effects
- Custom ultimate visuals
- Adjustable components including headwear, armor pieces, and footwear
Additional Items
- Spider-Man – Friendly Perch emote
- Black Cat accessory – Symbiote Spider-Man Plush (Available starting April 17, 2026 at 09:00 UTC)
Battle Pass Update
The Season 2 Battle Pass: Flower of Krakoa returns for a limited time:
April 17, 2026 09:00 UTC – April 30, 2026 09:00 UTC
Streaming Rewards Campaign
You can earn cosmetics by watching eligible Marvel Rivals streams during the new Twitch Drops periods.
Drop Wave 1
- Reward: Daredevil – Will of Galacta costume and related bundle items
- April 17, 2026 at 12:00 UTC – May 15, 2026 at 09:00 UTC
Ignite Series Drops
- Reward: Gambit – Will of Galacta costume and emote
- April 19, 2026 at 15:00 UTC – May 17, 2026 at 15:00 UTC
Accumulate the required watch time during each promotional window to claim the rewards.
Competitive Tier Rewards
Reach Gold Rank during the season to unlock:
- Black Cat – Beguiling Blue costume
You must hit Gold before the season ends to secure this ranked-exclusive cosmetic.
Clobberin’ Club Updates
Several duel-focused improvements refine custom match options.
- You can now send Duel invitations directly through the Player menu in the Times Square chat channel.
- The new Assign Selectable Roles rule lets you define which hero roles remain available in Duel modes.
- Random mode gains a Mirror Type option:
- Full Mirror
- Role Mirror
- No Mirror
You can also launch Private Duels while queued for matchmaking. The system automatically ends the Duel once it finds a match.
A new queue information guide screen now appears at the Clobberin’ Club entrance.
Cross-Platform and Esports Improvements
The player profile page now displays visual crosshair previews.
You can view a professional player’s preferred reticle effect directly from their profile and copy it for your own setup. This change supports competitive play and spectator engagement across supported platforms.
General Fixes and Adjustments
Developers resolved a visual issue affecting the Mantis – Oceanic Harmony costume, correcting eyebrow display errors.
The team also fixed a chat problem where special characters failed to render correctly. Messages that previously appeared distorted now display as intended.
These adjustments accompany the broader Season 7.5 balance and system updates deployed during scheduled maintenance on April 17, 2026.
