Whenever a new season for Marvel Rivals is about to launch, I can’t help but feel excitement with some nervousness sprinkled on top. After all, new characters are what make or break the season, and while Season 7.5 felt a bit controversial due to Black Cat, Season 8 of Marvel Rivals feels like a step in the right direction, especially for one role that felt long-abandoned by the community, and as a main Vanguard, I couldn’t be happier to see one of the best-designed main tanks of the game so far.
The Roar of Victory
The clues were already out there: we knew this two-legged demonic prehistoric character would eventually land in Marvel Rivals, and, lo and behold, Devil Dinosaur makes his debut during Season 8 and does so in a way that makes me feel hopeful for the Vanguard role.
Devil Dinosaur dashes in as the new tank of the game, and before delving into the details of his extremely engaging kit, we need to establish something important: he’s a main tank. This sub-category within the role is important, as our last Vanguard, Rogue, was more of a Diver, and main tanks, such as Magneto, Dr. Strange, and Emma Frost, felt a bit weak to the point that it was hard to hold the frontlines.
Now, Dino (as the community is already calling him), brings one of the best main tank kits of the game. His normal attacks are capable of dishing out huge amounts of damage alongside a DoT bleeding effect. This laser can ground enemies and apply bleed. His dash can jump toward enemies and bite them before throwing them if they are bleeding, and he even has a shield that travels alongside him, and one more skill that bites enemies quickly for serious damage and an HP increase.
Yet his ultimate is what sold me completely, as it can deal damage with each stop, apply bleed, and slow down those around him. You know, a kit proper of a main tank, and one that isn’t just there to take hits and let others fight, but to do fighting as well.
With such destructive abilities come a few caveats, or else our good devilish boy would be a bit OP. He is too big to fit inside some areas, and he’s among the slowest tanks in the game. Plus, even if his passive reduces headshot damage against him and some CC effects, his hitbox is huge, meaning anyone taking out the new hero of Marvel Rivals Season 8 for a spin will become an instant target.
Still, I’m glad how Devil Dinosaur is designed, as it truly feels like the studio has listened to the complaints of many Vanguard players and has delivered a character who might bring the brawling meta back to the table, and not just a diving fest or a solo-tanking experience for many Vanguard mains.
In terms of the other content, I also have to say that this season’s Battle Pass is one of the best we’ve seen in the whole year. I might also be biased because Rogue is my main, and that new skin is the one I’ll be using as I climb through my ranked matches, but I just love the combination of primal-style skins with Alchemax outfits—it brings that superb visual contrast I love from the game.
As for certain buffs and nerfs, I do find some of them questionable. Some Duelists didn’t need buffs at all, especially Spider-Man, who is still there to ruin the day of every healer and mess up with the backline, with almost no counters against him. I’m a bit heartbroken about the Deadpool nerfs, but on the other hand, I’m glad Emma Frost is a strong pick again.
A Step in the Right Direction
Overall, I’m extremely excited for Season 8 of Marvel Rivals, which is right around the corner. It seems pretty promising, and with fewer questionable balance adjustments than in the last season. Yet, we’ll all have to see how the new character and those who got buffs and nerfs feel during a normal match to see just how enjoyable this season is. Yet, coming from someone who plays daily, I have high hopes for it, and can’t wait to take this devilish tank out for some stomping and chomping.
