Marvel Rivals, the hero-based shooter from NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel Games, is celebrating its first anniversary with what might be its biggest update so far. The patch, which went live on November 27, 2025, adds several free rewards and a new mode that feels almost deliberately chaotic. The 18v18 Annihilation mode, in particular, marks the largest player-versus-player format the game has attempted.
Key Takeaways
- The 18v18 Annihilation mode is a limited-time, large-scale Domination match with 36 total players.
- The mode is played on a brand-new map called Grand Garden.
- The Anniversary Celebration Event, Rivals’ Day 2025, gives players up to 2,500 Units for free.
- Players can unlock a free Legendary Jeff the Land Shark skin called “Business Shark” through the Jeff’s Break Time event.
- The update also brings back the Season 1 Battle Pass for a limited time.
The mode itself is a limited-time Domination match where two enormous teams collide over a single capture point. With 36 players battling at once, the usual rhythm of Marvel Rivals shifts into something far more intense. It becomes this constant push-and-pull, and sometimes you can almost imagine the map shaking from the sheer amount of hero abilities going off. To make the mode work, the developers built a new map called Grand Garden, which is designed with enough open space and mixed terrain to keep the fights from feeling too cramped. It’s a space that seems to encourage both long-range skirmishes and sudden close-quarters chaos, which perhaps was the intention.
Marvel Rivals launched in December 2024 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, later coming to PlayStation 4 in September 2025. Its story revolves around a “timestream entanglement” caused by the clash between Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart. This collision of timelines pulls heroes and villains from across the Marvel Multiverse into one unpredictable battleground, which makes these large modes feel oddly appropriate.
The anniversary celebration, officially titled Rivals’ Day 2025, includes a wide variety of rewards and activities. One of the most notable is the ability to earn up to 2,500 Units without spending anything. The structure is spread across different events, and it feels like a gradual way of encouraging players to return throughout the celebration rather than collecting everything in one go.
Players can earn 1,500 Units simply by logging in over seven days. The Rivals Assemble! event adds up to 600 more Units for teaming up with friends. Then on December 4, the Times Square Countdown and other Phase 2 events provide the remaining Units along with a special title. It’s a multi-step setup, but it creates a steady sense of progression as the event unfolds.
Another highlight is the free Legendary skin for Jeff the Land Shark called Business Shark. Players can unlock it through the Jeff’s Break Time event by collecting V-Tokens from playing matches. It’s a charming cosmetic, and I think many players will enjoy showing it off in the new Times Square social hub. This hub allows up to 100 players to gather, chat, or display their favorite skins without any combat, offering a quieter moment inside a game that usually leans into action.
For players who may have missed out on earlier cosmetics, the Season 1 Battle Pass is making a temporary return until December 11, 2025. It’s a small but welcome addition, especially for those who joined the game later and wondered whether those early items would ever come back.
Altogether, the anniversary update feels like a blend of celebration, nostalgia, and bold new ideas. The 18v18 Annihilation mode is undeniably hectic and perhaps a bit overwhelming at first, but it also shows how far the game is willing to go in experimenting with scale. Paired with generous rewards and returning content, the event offers plenty for both longtime players and newcomers to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When did the Marvel Rivals Anniversary Event start and how long does it last?
A: The Marvel Rivals Anniversary Celebration Event started on November 27, 2025. The main log-in rewards and the 18v18 Annihilation mode are part of this limited-time celebration, with the Season 1 Battle Pass return ending on December 11, 2025.
Q: Is the 18v18 Annihilation mode a permanent addition to Marvel Rivals?
A: The 18v18 Annihilation mode is an Arcade Mode added for the anniversary and is likely a limited-time feature. Players should check the in-game event calendar for its exact end date.
Q: What is the new map for the Annihilation mode?
A: The new, large-scale map for the 18v18 Annihilation mode is called Grand Garden.
Q: How many free Units can a player earn during the anniversary event?
A: Players can earn a total of up to 2,500 free Units during the anniversary event through log-in rewards and completing event missions.
Q: Which Marvel Rivals skin is available for free in this event?
A: The Legendary Business Shark skin for the hero Jeff the Land Shark is available for free by earning V-Tokens through the Jeff’s Break Time event.
