Marvel Rivals is stepping into new territory with Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol. This is an experimental game mode from NetEase that will be introduced in Season 2.5. If you want to play something new and fresh in Marvel Rivals, this mode might be exactly what you’re looking for. Here’s everything you need to know about Marvel Rivals Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol.
Table of Contents
What Is Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol?
Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol is a new experimental auto-chess game mode in Marvel Rivals. It’s similar to a normal chess match, but instead of moving pieces yourself, your Marvel heroes fight automatically based on how you set them up once the battle begins. You face off against other players, and your job is to build the strongest team of six heroes and position them smartly on the battlefield.
This game mode is all about strategy. While your heroes handle the fighting, you make all the important decisions beforehand. You choose which heroes to recruit, where to place them, and how to upgrade them between rounds. This is the exact description from NetEase:
“This mode is an experiment on how we can fulfill everyone’s fantasies of Marvel superheroes teaming up. Players can take control of a wider array of heroes, and amplify their stats and abilities. Take a break from the high-octane cooperative team battles to enjoy streamlined, strategic, numerical-based solo tactical play.”
Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol Release Date
Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol will be released on June 6th, 2025, as part of the Season 2.5 update. The mode is currently labeled as a limited-time experiment and will end on June 23rd, 2025, which means it won’t stick around forever unless players really enjoy it. If the community responds well to this mode, there’s a good chance it could become a permanent addition to Marvel Rivals.
Marvel Rivals Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol Gameplay
Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol supports up to six players in each match, and everyone’s trying to be the last one standing. You start with 50 health points, and every time you lose a round, you lose some health. The goal is simple: outlast everyone else. Not every hero from Marvel Rivals is available in this mode yet, but you’ll have plenty of options across all three roles: Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists.
Your team includes six Marvel Rivals heroes. The key to winning is understanding how to position your team effectively. You want to place Vanguards at the front to absorb damage, keep Strategists safe in the back, and position Duelists where they can deal the most damage. Between rounds, you might also be given prep time to buy new heroes, upgrade existing ones, or change your team formation entirely.
Module System
One of the most interesting features is the Module system. From the trailer, we learned that Modules are special upgrade cards that make your heroes stronger. You buy these with points you earn from winning battles, and they can completely change how your team performs your heroes in various ways. Some increase attack speed, others add health, and some provide damage reduction. Each card will cost you 5 Lattices.
The cards seem to work with the different hero roles, so a card that benefits Vanguards might not help your Duelists much. This means you need to think carefully about what cards match your team composition.
You can also change your hero lineup mid-game through the Change Hero option in the shop. This flexibility lets you adapt your strategy as the match progresses.
Strengthen Modules
As you progress through rounds, you’ll unlock Strengthen Modules. These are hero-specific upgrades that can dramatically change how individual characters work. For example:
- Spider-Man’s “A More Friendly Neighborhood” makes his Ultimate ability reach further and bind enemies longer.
- Iron Man’s “Proton Cannon” adds 500 base damage to his Ultimate and increases its range.
- Thor’s “Odin’s Blessing” increases his Ultimate range and reduces the interval of aerial damage.
These Strengthen Modules are much more powerful than regular Modules, but they’re also rarer. The game uses a star system to show rarity, with higher-star modules appearing less frequently but offering bigger benefits.
Understanding the Multiplier System
Here’s where things get interesting. Each hero has a multiplier that appears above their head, and these numbers directly affect how powerful they become. In the preview footage, Venom had a x3 multiplier and appeared much larger than normal. Hela at x2 could shoot many projectiles, and Namor at x2 commanded multiple turrets.
It looks like the higher your hero’s multiplier, the stronger they become. All your heroes’ multipliers add up to create a total team multiplier. Getting heroes to higher multiplier levels should be one of your main priorities. Moreover, the best part of this mode is that there will be no leaderboard! So you can just have fun playing without the stress of climbing the ranks.
Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol Rewards
The Battle Matrix mode comes with its own set of cosmetic rewards. Here’s what you can get by playing the game:
| Reward | How to Get |
|---|---|
 Utron-1 Spray | Complete 3 matches |
 Acceptable Emoji | Complete 10 matches |
 Think Like Ultron Emoji | Earn 2,000 points from winning |
These rewards might seem simple, but they’re exclusive to this mode. The Ultron-1 spray is a nice reference to Ultron’s original form when Henry Pym first created him. The emojis work with the new emoji system that came with Season 2.5, giving you more ways to communicate with your team.
NetEase is always trying to bring fresh innovations for Marvel Rivals fans and players, from Clone Rumble to Giant-Size Brain Blast, and the latest one was Giant-Sized Hive Mind mode. They know players are loving these modes, that’s why they keep on giving us more. Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol offers a unique twist to the genre. Also, in a way, you can learn to master how all the different heroes work together. This knowledge will make you a better player in the main game modes, too. Are you ready for a battle of strategies and numbers?
