It's Episode 30, and Nick is out of town. So for this travel edition of Friends & Rivals, they focus on the friend side of the name and take a detour to talk about their experiences with games and the friends we made along the way. But don't worry, the friends are still bringing your rivals content, with news, Armed & Dangerous, a Thing Hero Spotlight, and the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Matchmaking Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNoYjK-qmfF/?igsh=MWF4cTY0Zno3ejA5aA==

Art Vision Vol. 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt-JPu8CboQ

8/28 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250827/41548_1256311.html

Deadpool Voice Interactions Leaks: https://x.com/x0x_leak/status/1960089802709356544?s=46&t=5OYjT6cIn5cSDIR2SqAKnw

Daredevil Voice Interactions Leaks: https://x.com/x0x_leak/status/1960069422540066923?s=46&t=5OYjT6cIn5cSDIR2SqAKnw

Hero Spotlight:

True Vanguard's Thing Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiRtQMT4jc

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1m3qc91/custom_lord_icons_that_i_made/?

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

For Episode 29, Nick and Josiah try to catch up a bit on hero spotlights in between prophetic high fives and community Armed & Dangerous games. Mantis and Luna both get hero spotlights this week before the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Throne of Knull: https://youtu.be/P44x3oxvhFY?si=S8T6Xmc0Ihk-kzLV

Resource Rumble: https://youtu.be/pGfp8UJDpdg?si=yefRzNmxBg2-xB_e

8/14 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250813/41548_1253606.html

Nvidia Hotfix: http://youtube.com/post/Ugkxp4BerNEDLEoa-eIOd6klSFJ4eUmR1341?si=hAKQyWhvEYUnf6Y8

NetEase Original Characters: https://mp1st.com/news/netease-green-light-marvel-create-original-characters-marvel-rivals

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1mu8toe/some_mfs_really_hating_on_luna_snow_just_because/

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

It's Episode 28 and Josiah and Nick talk through their first week of playing Season 3.5, as well as take a look through the balance updates for the 3.5 season. In addition, Armed & Dangerous turns into a face off as "There can only be one Blade." And there's the Reddit Take of the Week and mailbag.

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Referenced Links:

Chat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner_hype_cycle

News:

El Capitan Announcement: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1955320030742319511

Rivals Assembled Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-_8Qj3spOM

Cloak & Dagger and Winter Soldier Skins: https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1955328431203172619

Main Topic:

Hero Hotlist 3.0: https://www.marvelrivals.com/heroes_data/

Balance Post: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250731/41667_1251097.html

Mailbag/Reddit Take of the Week:

https://youtu.be/nmD8grQ7fQA?si=C13YQRFHDP_ukZkk

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1mit1ea/a_memento_from_one_of_my_comp_games_doing_the_big/

https://www.reddit.com/r/rivals/comments/1mj8xok/a_healing_received_stat_is_only_gonna_make_the/

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADE!!

He's finally awake! It's Episode 27 and Josiah and Nick are talking everything Season 3.5, from Blade, to the new Roadmap, Team Ups, the community toxicity protection updates, and everything in-between. The friends also talk through the results of the first community armed & dangerous game, and of course there's the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Dev Vision Vol 8: https://youtu.be/SgMriWER-6E?si=V_4_LoEElfkv4-dJ

8/8 Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250801/41548_1251405.html

TDT Team-Up Science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihtGemJ3GTE

Main Topic:

Blade Reveal: https://youtu.be/SJwI30KsqK8?si=nIelf6_pUk3BEFd5

Coolguy Blade Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji3coKt8m3Y

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1mi8a32/i_have_a_100_loss_rate_in_comp_with_a_jeff_on_my

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

Episode 26, a half a year into the podcast! This episode, Nick and Josiah keep it light before the 3.5 news next week by tierlisting which characters they hate seeing on the enemy team. There's also some news, Armed & Dangerous, and the long awaited return of the Hero Spotlight, featuring Jefferey the First of His Name of the Former Staten Island the Land Shark. And of course, a Reddit Take of the Week to wrap it up.

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Referenced Links:

News:

7/31 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250729/41548_1250384.html

Magik & Black Panther Skins: https://x.com/marvelrivals/status/1950010981591241126

Rivals Poster Collection: https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/4498/marvel-rivals-the-poster-collection-featuring-artw

Loserfruit Fantastic 4 Cast Video: https://youtu.be/h45Sr1kafGU?si=898naCBOamnq-PBF

Hero Spotlight:

#1 Jeff Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwOyp5g8Rto&t=300s

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://x.com/RivalsAssembled/status/1949907726470914467

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1mcs0u4/leave_magik_alone_shes_perfect_as_she_is/

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1mckd1e/what_would_you_change_about_your_main/

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

Episode 25 this week is a quarter of a way to 100, and Nick & Josiah run out of time with a Friends & Rivals Quarterly Review! The friends talk news, a retrospective on 7 months of rivals and the current state of the game, dream about the future, and attempt the world's fastest Reddit Take of the Week in a (failed) attempt to stay under 3 hours.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Feige's Son is a Man of Culture: https://www.videogamer.com/news/mcu-boss-kevin-feige-reveals-marvel-rivals-finally-made-his-son-a-fan-of-marvel-after-years-of-trying/

Human Torch & The Thing Team-Up: https://youtu.be/JTWGY38WaLU?si=0pjMefaorUSU2IGH

Fantastic Four: First Steps Skins: https://youtu.be/uX-pfN41eWU?si=z1E6_1pv8KA7XiU0

Instagram Filter: https://youtu.be/ddFircOzPOU?si=tA5sdK1EMtFkU9iM

Summer Special Discord Quest: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1946638703826182266

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1m4ucvr/qp_bots_are_now_acting_more_realistic_to_make_you/

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

For Episode 24, Josiah comes back with a vengeance. The friends talk about the Summer Special event, an emergency balance patch to kill Wolverine, other news, Season 3 first impressions, and the season 3 balance patch and hero hot list. And of course, there's the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

Podcast Patch Notes:

https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod/status/1943028936440713557

News:

Blade Asset Leak: https://x.com/X0X_LEAK/status/1944800260070453539

Psylocke & Loki Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1944792781093839289

Summer Special Pass: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1945166473913360598

7/17 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250715/41548_1247283.html

Main Topic:

Hero Hotlist: http://marvelrivals.com/heroes_data/

Season 3.0 Balance Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250701/41667_1244328.html

Wolverine Balance Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250715/41667_1247346.html

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1lz21vp/the_games_intended_team_composition/

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1ly3f7e/giving_this_guy_a_teamup_when_tanks_are_already/

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

It's Episode 23, and Josiah sounds a bit different... This week its all about season 3 and the new hero, map, accessories system, customization options, battlepass, and everything else. There's also an especially chaotic Armed & Dangerous, and the only true tierlist is discussed in the Reddit Take of the Week.

---------------------------------------------

Referenced Links:

News:

Dev Vision Vol 7: https://youtu.be/J0_hbNp251M

Map Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUvBdR0HUqw

7/11 Patch Notes: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250704/41548_1244963.html

Balance Post: https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250701/41667_1244328.html

2.5 Hero Hotlist: http://marvelrivals.com/heroes_data/

Twitch Drops: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1942238179702063460

Battlepass Skins: https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1lr1brm/season_3_all_battle_pass_skins/#lightbox

Swimsuit Skins Concept Art: https://x.com/RivalsAssembled/status/1942352955484639324

Main Topic:

Phoenix Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsWg4h7Eiss

Reddit Take of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1lv2wfo/only_tire_lost_that_matters_babysitting/

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

It's Episode 22, and Josiah needs to catch a plane! It's a simpler episode this week, recorded in the dead of night. The friends talk some early season 3 news (before all the season 3 talk next week) and tierlist the characters they're looking forward to playing more of in season 3. Sebastian pulls night shift with Armed & Dangerous, and there's an especially cringe inducing edition of the Reddit Take of the Week.

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Referenced Links:

News:

Egg Teaser: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1939700458332811560

Captain America & Spider-Man Skins: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzmOSSiSPbVnVu3ZAyDx2w/community?lb=UgkxlOK06V8nI5m7dj4h8zEZ4euC4ZxUlfgc

Podcast Patch Notes:

Jeff vs. the X-Men: https://www.reddit.com/r/Marvel/s/ejRH7mFYAW

Main Topic:

Josiah's List: https://tiermaker.com/list/marvel/marvel-rivals-heroes-ranked-season-1-jan-2025-17807243/5278513

Nick's List: https://tiermaker.com/list/marvel/marvel-rivals-heroes-ranked-season-1-jan-2025-17807243/5278516

Reddit Take(s) of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/s/9xhkLsUPu8

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/s/9e2IrhqQ9W

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)

For Episode 21, Nick and Josiah decide Rivals is too fun and decide to ruin it. There's some news, the friends talk "How to Lose More and Have Less Fun". There's also a bot vs bot edition of Armed & Dangerous, a Moon Knight Hero Spotlight, and of course, the Reddit Take of the Week.

e---------------------------------------------

Referenced Links:

News:

Where's Blade: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1935752026949906458

Thor and The Punisher Skins: https://x.com/MarvelRivals/status/1937527233532379555

6/26 Patch: https://www.marvelrivals.com/gameupdate/20250624/41548_1242746.html

Main Topic:

Death And Gaming: https://www.youtube.com/@Deathandgaming

TDT How To Lose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJ04gy4Gfk

Reddit Take(s) of the Week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1lhk9qd/what_strategists_say_when_you_need_healing/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1lj55se/give_me_the_best_unwritten_rules_in_marvel_rivals/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

---------------------------------------------

Join the Friends & Rivals Discord!

https://discord.gg/b9MY8wDSDd

Email a question or comment: [email protected]

Join on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsandrivals/

X: @FriendRivalPod (https://x.com/FriendRivalsPod)

Podcast art by DarkRaiDraws (X: @DarkRaiRai)

Edited by Arsenio J. Alvarez III (Instagram: @arsenio_alvarez_a3)