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How Does the Map Decide Your Hero in Marvel Rivals?

The MAP Decides Our Heroes in Marvel Rivals

Video: The MAP Decides Our Heroes in Marvel Rivals

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· based on the channel Salty Phish

Key takeaways

  • Salty Phish's map-based hero challenge requires playing a hero tied to the randomly selected map in Marvel Rivals quickplay.
  • Klyntar maps restrict players to Venom, while Asgardian maps allow Thor, Loki, Hela, and other Asgardians.
  • Shin-Shibuya allows heroes with canonical ties to the location, such as Iron Man due to the Stark-Fujikawa building.
  • Wakanda maps can include Guardians of the Galaxy thanks to Rivals lore involving Black Panther and Knull.
  • Community members debate inclusions like Punisher on Spider-Islands and Devil Dinosaur on Lower Manhattan.

The map decides your hero in Marvel Rivals by forcing you to pick a character with a canonical connection to the randomly selected battlefield. In a video by Salty Phish, this self-imposed rule turns every quickplay match into a fresh team composition challenge. You can watch the full experiment on Salty Phish's Twitch channel, where he streams live and interacts with viewers.

What Is the Map-Based Hero Challenge in Marvel Rivals?

The map-based hero challenge is a community-created ruleset where the randomly assigned map dictates which heroes you are allowed to play. In Marvel Rivals, maps are tied to specific Marvel locations like Klyntar, Asgard, Wakanda, and New York, each with its own roster of lore-appropriate characters. Content creator Salty Phish popularized this challenge in a video where he and his team had to adapt their hero picks to every new map. The goal is to break out of comfort picks and explore the full roster while staying true to the game's lore.

Which Heroes Are Allowed on Each Map?

Each map in Marvel Rivals has a pool of heroes that fit its setting, based on comics, movies, and in-game lore. Here are the most common restrictions used in the challenge:

  • Klyntar: Venom is the obvious pick, but some players also allow other symbiote-related characters. In Rivals lore, the Guardians of the Galaxy were hired by Black Panther to fight symbiotes on Klyntar, so they can be included.
  • Asgard: Thor, Loki, Hela, and other Asgardians are fair game. This map often leads to full Asgardian team compositions.
  • Wakanda: Black Panther, Shuri, and characters with vibranium ties are allowed. The Wakanda Spaceport map also features the Milano, the Guardians' ship, so Star-Lord and company can be justified.
  • Shin-Shibuya: This futuristic Tokyo map includes the Stark-Fujikawa building, which canonically links Iron Man to the location. Psylocke, Mantis, and Jeff the Land Shark also have connections through the Collector's museum in the game's backstory.
  • Lower Manhattan: Spider-Man, Moon Knight, and other New York-based heroes are typical picks. Devil Dinosaur, who lives in NYC with Moon Girl, is a debated inclusion.
  • Spider-Islands: This 2099-themed map opens the door to future versions of heroes like Punisher and Captain America, though some argue for Spider-Man 2099 and others.

How Do You Play the Challenge with Friends?

The challenge works best in quickplay or custom games where map selection is random. Before each match, check the map and agree on the allowed hero pool. If you are playing with a full squad, each player must pick a hero from that pool; if you are solo, you simply lock in a lore-appropriate character. The randomness keeps the challenge fresh and forces you to learn new roles. For an extra layer, you can ban heroes that are too obvious or add a points system for creative picks.

What Are the Common Lore Debates Around This Challenge?

The biggest debates come from characters whose connections to a map are indirect or debatable. For example, Iron Man's link to Shin-Shibuya is through the Stark-Fujikawa building, which appears on the map and is referenced in dialogue. Similarly, Winter Soldier's vibranium arm was given to him by the Wakandans in Rivals lore, making him a valid pick for Wakanda maps. Devil Dinosaur's presence in New York is canon in the comics, but not everyone knows it. These debates are part of the fun and often lead to deeper dives into Marvel lore.

Where Can You Find More Marvel Rivals Content?

Salty Phish regularly streams Marvel Rivals and other games on Twitch, and posts highlights and full videos on YouTube. You can follow him on Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram. He also has a Discord community for fans to discuss strategies and share clips.

Conclusion

The map-based hero challenge is a creative way to enjoy Marvel Rivals while honoring its rich lore. By letting the map decide your hero, you discover new favorites and gain a deeper appreciation for the connections between characters and locations. Salty Phish's video breakdown showcases how entertaining this ruleset can be, especially with a team that embraces the chaos. For more live gameplay and community interactions, be sure to check out Salty Phish on Twitch.

Source: The MAP Decides Our Heroes in Marvel Rivals · Markdown version

Questions & answers

Can I use Iron Man on the Shin-Shibuya map in Marvel Rivals?

Yes, Iron Man is allowed on Shin-Shibuya because the map features the Stark-Fujikawa building, which is a subsidiary of Stark Industries in the game's lore. Iron Man even has voice lines referencing it. This connection makes him a lore-appropriate pick for the map.

Why is Devil Dinosaur considered a New York character?

Devil Dinosaur lives in New York City with Moon Girl in the comics, and this is canon in the Marvel universe. Therefore, he can be included in Lower Manhattan map challenges. Some players may not know this connection, leading to debates.

Which heroes are allowed on Wakanda maps in the challenge?

Black Panther, Shuri, and characters with vibranium ties are typically allowed. Additionally, the Guardians of the Galaxy can be included because in Rivals lore they were hired by Black Panther to stop symbiotes on Klyntar, and the Milano appears on the Wakanda Spaceport map. Winter Soldier is also valid due to his vibranium arm.

How can I make my own map-based hero challenge?

Start by playing quickplay or custom games with random map selection. Before each match, decide on a hero pool based on the map's lore. You can use community-made lists or create your own. The challenge works best with friends who enjoy lore and are willing to experiment with different heroes.