Video Games

Marvel Rivals, How the Map Picks Your Hero — Salty Phish's Challenge Explained

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

Marvel Rivals is a hero shooter where team composition often decides the match, but streamer Salty Phish added a twist: the random map you queue into dictates which heroes you're allowed to play. In his video “The MAP Decides Our Heroes in Marvel Rivals,” he and his squad must pick a new hero comp every match based on the map's lore. You can catch Salty Phish's live streams and see these challenges unfold on Twitch.

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

The map-based hero challenge is a self-imposed ruleset where players restrict their hero picks to those who have a canonical connection to the randomly selected map. In Salty Phish's video, each quickplay match forces the team to adapt not just to the map's layout but also to its lore. For example, on Klyntar (the symbiote homeworld), players must pick Venom; on Asgardian maps, they can choose Thor, Loki, Hela, or other Asgardians. This adds a layer of creativity and deepens appreciation for Marvel Rivals' rich lore.

How Maps Determine Hero Picks: Examples from the Video

Salty Phish and his team demonstrate the rules across several maps, often leading to debates about which heroes qualify. Here are some key examples from the video:

  1. Klyntar: Venom is the obvious pick, but some argue that other symbiote-related heroes could count.
  2. Asgard: Thor, Loki, Hela, and other Asgardians are allowed. The team often debates whether characters like Angela (if available) should be included.
  3. Wakanda: Black Panther, Storm, and other Wakandan characters are natural choices. However, the community points out that Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier) also has ties to Wakanda in Marvel Rivals lore, as the Wakandans gave him his arm.
  4. Shin-Shibuya: This futuristic Tokyo map features the Stark-Fujikawa building, leading viewers to argue that Iron Man should count. Additionally, Punisher and Captain America have connections to the year 2099, which is when this map is set.
  5. Spider-Islands: Set in 2099, this map could include Punisher and Captain America, as they exist in that era. Some also argue for Psylocke due to her imprisonment in the Collector's museum.
  6. Lower Manhattan: Devil Dinosaur and Moon Girl operate in New York, so Devil Dinosaur should count. The community also notes that Winter Soldier, Psylocke, Adam Warlock, Black Panther, and Iron Man have connections to New York.

Community Debates: Which Heroes Really Belong?

The challenge sparked lively discussions in the comments, with viewers offering lore-based arguments for additional heroes. Here are some of the most debated points:

  • Iron Man on Shin-Shibuya: The presence of the Stark-Fujikawa building, a subsidiary of Stark Industries, makes Iron Man a viable pick. He even has dialogue referencing it.
  • Punisher and Captain America on Spider-Islands: Since the map takes place in 2099, heroes active in that timeline should be allowed. Punisher and Captain America are both from 2099 in the comics.
  • Winter Soldier on Wakanda: In Marvel Rivals lore, Bucky received his cybernetic arm from Wakanda, not just in the MCU. He has an interaction with Iron Man where he dismisses Tony's offer, saying the Wakandan arm is superior.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy on Wakanda Spaceport: The Guardians were hired by Black Panther to stop symbiotes on Klyntar, and the Milano can be seen leaving the spaceport in map animations. This could also include Venom.
  • Devil Dinosaur on Lower Manhattan: Devil Dinosaur lives in New York with Moon Girl, so he should count for any New York map.

These debates highlight how Marvel Rivals' lore is rich enough to support creative interpretations, and the community enjoys finding connections that even the developers might not have intended.

Season 9: The Mystery of Thebes and New Content

Salty Phish's video features gameplay from Season 9, titled “The Mystery of Thebes,” which introduced new skins, battle pass content, and possibly a new hero (though The Hood is not yet in the game). The season adds fresh maps and lore, giving players even more material for map-based challenges. The video showcases some of these new cosmetics, and the team's picks are influenced by the season's thematic elements.

Tips for Trying the Map-Based Challenge Yourself

If you want to try the map-based hero challenge with your own squad, here are some tips:

  1. Research the lore: Before each match, quickly check the map's background and identify which heroes have canonical ties. Use in-game dialogue and map details as clues.
  2. Be flexible: Not every map has an obvious hero pool, so be open to creative interpretations. The community often finds connections you might miss.
  3. Communicate with your team: Agree on the rules beforehand and decide how strict you'll be. Some groups allow any hero with a loose connection, while others stick to direct affiliations.
  4. Use quickplay: This challenge is best in casual modes where experimentation is welcome. Avoid ranked to keep the atmosphere light.
  5. Share your findings: Post your team comps and debates on social media to engage with the community. You might discover new lore connections.

Final Thoughts

The map-based hero challenge in Marvel Rivals is a fun way to explore the game's lore and add variety to your matches. Salty Phish's video demonstrates how map selection can lead to creative team compositions and spirited debates. Whether you're a lore enthusiast or just looking for a new way to play, this challenge offers a fresh perspective on hero shooters. For more entertaining challenges and gameplay, follow Salty Phish on Twitch and join the community.

Key takeaways

  • Salty Phish's challenge: each match, the random map determines which heroes you can play.
  • Examples: Klyntar → Venom; Asgard → Thor, Loki, Hela; Wakanda → Black Panther, Storm.
  • Community debates lore accuracy: Iron Man on Shin-Shibuya, Punisher on Spider-Islands, Bucky on Wakanda.
  • Season 9 'The Mystery of Thebes' adds new skins and battle pass content.
  • Watch Salty Phish live on Twitch for more challenges.

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

Questions & answers

Why did Salty Phish allow Loki on Asgard but not Iron Man on Shin-Shibuya?

Salty Phish's rules are based on direct canonical connections. Loki is Asgardian, so he fits Asgard maps. Iron Man's connection to Shin-Shibuya is indirect (via the Stark-Fujikawa building), and while some viewers argue it's valid, Salty Phish may have missed it or deemed it too loose. The challenge allows for subjective interpretation, and the community often debates these edge cases.

Can I use Guardians of the Galaxy on Wakanda maps?

Yes, according to Marvel Rivals lore, the Guardians were hired by Black Panther to stop symbiotes on Klyntar, and the Milano can be seen leaving the Wakanda Spaceport in map animations. So heroes like Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Mantis could count for Wakanda maps, and even Venom if you stretch the symbiote connection.

Is Devil Dinosaur considered a New York character in Marvel Rivals?

Yes, Devil Dinosaur lives in New York with Moon Girl in the comics, and since Marvel Rivals draws from that lore, he should count for any New York-based map like Lower Manhattan. The community pointed this out, and it's a valid pick for the challenge.

What if a map has no clear hero connections?

Some maps may not have obvious lore ties, so you'll need to be creative or allow heroes with loose connections. For example, you could include heroes who have interacted with the location in comics or have skins that match the theme. The challenge is meant to be fun, so feel free to adapt the rules to your group's preferences.

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