Marvel Rivals Season 9.5 will launch on August 7, 2026, adding The Hood as its 53rd Vanguard hero.
New Vanguard Hero
In the 5‑minute Dev Vision Vol. 20 episode, Guangguang outlined The Hood’s dual nature, a mortal mobster who can shift into a demonic powerhouse.
His twin pistols deliver relentless frontal fire, while his mystical cloak channels Oblivion’s chaotic energy to generate protective shields for teammates and to launch dark‑magic orbs that morph into barriers, draining enemy firepower.
The Hood’s ultimate, activated in demon form, instantly eliminates opponents, a move that gameplay footage demonstrated against top Marvel Rivals characters.
Development Update
Guangguang also revealed a massive texture compression overhaul set for Season 9.5, trimming the PC file size by 40 GB and the console version by 15 GB.
Alongside the hero rollout, the final leg of Summer Festival Vol. 2 will introduce a second Krakoan Reels event, offering fresh content for players.
Performance Improvements
The new compression not only lightens downloads but enhances in‑game loading times, promising a smoother experience when deploying the expanded roster.
With The Hood’s razor‑edge duality, Vanguard tactics are poised for a definitive shift in the upcoming Season 9.5 update.
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