Marvel Rivals' New Character Isn't In The Role Fans Expected

The next seasonal update for Marvel Rivals introduces a new character alongside Gambit, adding a new hero for players to try. Rogue is being introduced in Season 5.5, but this character has a surprising role in teams that some may not have expected. With Gambit’s inclusion as a Strategist at the start of the Season, Rogue’s assumed status has shifted into something far more interesting.

Many players wondered if Rogue would be a Duelist or Strategist character in Season 5 before Gambit’s surprise title as a Strategist was revealed. With Season 5.5’s details shown off, Rogue was reported to be a Vanguard, according to a Dev Talk shown by the game’s developers. This greatly deviates from what player conversations thought about Rogue, creating a far more unique hero for everyone to enjoy.

Rogue Is Coming To Season 5.5 As A Vanguard Character

One Of The Strongest X-Men Arrives With All Her Powers

On December 12, 2025, Rogue will release as a Vanguard in Marvel Rivals, being the 12th character in that role. The last Vanguard put into the game was Angela, the flying Asgardian whose extra mobility was a big departure from the stalwart heroes that usually occupy that role. Rogue seems to be another unorthodox Vanguard, using melee attack combos and power-draining abilities to help out her team.

Vanguard characters are the most infrequently added to the game, as the last one before Angela was Emma Frost back in Season 2 several months ago. Since Duelists and Strategists are the most commonly added, many players expected Rogue in either role.

Based on her character trailer, Rogue seems to strike a middle ground between other Vanguards in Marvel Rivals. Rogue has 700 Base Health, which is around the same vitality as Groot, making her one of the more sturdy characters in the role. Rogue has greater health than even Magneto or Doctor Strange, but seems to have fewer defensive abilities to compensate.

Melee Strikes & Ability Stealing Will Define Rogue’s Playstyle

Fighting Game Combos And Draining Touch Create Many Possibilities

Marvel Rivals Rogue draining Psylocke's powers and copying her ability — Marvel Rivals Rogue draining Psylocke’s powers and copying her ability

Rogue’s skills seem to be complex, with multiple facets of her mutant powers on full display for each of her abilities. Rogue uses melee strikes to combo her enemies, with some abilities even knocking foes into the air. Rogue has aerial attacks, including a divekick straight out of Marvel vs Capcom, that allow her to chip away at an enemy’s health until they’re defeated.

Rogue also has a sort of shield she can activate, using yellow crystalized energy to absorb enemy attacks. The hero seems to be able to reverse this damage back to her enemies, converting the damage she absorbed into retaliatory damage. However, Rogue’s coolest ability seems to be her signature mutant power — to drain and steal an enemy’s skills with a touch.

Rogue can copy another character’s ability, depending on the role that hero has. For example, Rogue’s trailer showcases her taking Doctor Strange’s mystic shield, adding a strong defensive ability to her arsenal if she can touch a Strange on another team. Every character has a unique ability Rogue can take, giving her an almost endless list of skills she can have based on which team she’s fighting.

With her Ultimate, Rogue also can drain the Ultimate energy from other characters, preventing them from using their strongest abilities during chaotic battles. This distinct set of skills creates a playstyle unlike any other Vanguard in Marvel Rivals, creating a character that players will find plenty of depth with in Season 5.5.