Marvel Rivals’ Ultron Battle Matrix Protocol mode fully revealed

Marvel Rivals’ latest experimental mode, Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol, will arrive near the beginning of Season 2.5, bringing a unique game mode to the hero shooter.

Despite being a limited-time mode, discussions are already circling online about whether it could serve as a permanent third game mode and whether or not it could foster its own esports scene.

The limited time mode will begin on June 6th and run until June 23rd, 2025. It is an auto-battler where players control an Ultron drone as they assemble their squad, coordinate new strategies, and upgrade heroes with cards with each new round.

During the Dev Vision Vol. 6, Guangyun ‘GuangGuang‘ Chen, Marvel Rivals Creative Director at NetEase Games, said: “In this mode, six players can choose their own hero lineups, craft unique builds, and enhance their heroes’ traits. Then, engage in battle against other players for the chance to claim victory.

“This mode is an experiment of how we can fulfil everyone’s fantasies of Marvel Super Heroes teaming up. Players can take control of a wider array of heroes and amplify their stats and abilities.”

Despite being available for a limited time, it’s possible that NetEase could bring back the mode in future updates should it prove popular enough.

Teamfight Tactics, another auto-chess game mode, has become a staple within League of Legends and was eventually released on mobile as a standalone game. In time, it also fostered its very own esports scene, and will be featured at this year’s Esports World Cup.

It’s not far-fetched to imagine that something similar could happen with Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol. In a lot of ways, the auto-battler is very similar to Teamfight Tactics in terms of gameplay.

The first challenge would be making the game mode a permanent addition to Marvel Rivals. After that, it’s all about whether or not there are enough high-level players, and potentially organisations, interested in competing. Only time will tell if Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol will end as a fun event, or pave the way to something more.