Marvel Rivals Quietly Buffed the Boys in Season 2 — And the Fans Noticed Instantly

Marvel Rivals Season 2 is here, and while most players were busy jumping into the new ranked system or trying out the freshly added Emma Frost, some eagle-eyed fans spotted a hilariously subtle but very real change: the male characters’ butts got buffed.

Yep, you read that right. NetEase didn’t put this in the patch notes, but players instantly noticed something different about their favorite heroes — Wolverine, Mr. Fantastic, Star-Lord, and Moon Knight are all now carrying a little more junk in the trunk. It wasn’t long before comparison screenshots hit Reddit, showing off side-by-side gluteal growth that clearly wasn't there in Season 1.

And honestly? Fans are here for it.

A Cheeky Change That’s Got Everyone Talking

In true Marvel Rivals fashion — a game already known for its thirst-inducing emotes and heroic fanservice — the internet latched onto this “buffgate” faster than you can say "Infinity Stones." One Reddit post titled “I don’t know why no one talks about this” pointed out the newly enhanced back ends of some heroes, complete with before-and-after shots of Wolverine’s jeans. Another post did a full visual breakdown of Mr. Fantastic, The Winter Soldier, and even Moon Knight — with one fan writing, “What gets me is it’s so subtle… like a dude was really messing with these cheek sizes, trying to get it f**king perfect. What a fine craftsman.”

It’s not just about meme-worthy screenshots, either. Players have long pointed out the disparity between male and female character designs in live-service games, especially when it comes to body proportions. Women in Marvel Rivals have always been designed with noticeable attention to detail in the, uh, posterior department. Venom’s infamous twerk emote and now Emma Frost’s dominatrix energy have made them fan favorites — and not just for gameplay reasons.

So when did the men start getting more cake, too? It wasn’t just funny — it was progress.

Marvel Rivals Is a Different Kind of Hero Shooter

Marvel Rivals might have started off quietly, but it’s quickly becoming one of the more entertaining hero shooters on the scene. Developed by NetEase in collaboration with Marvel Games, the Overwatch-style 6v6 brawler leans hard into character personality, stylish ability kits, and a vibrant, meme-ready community. Season 2 has only deepened that connection with fans by introducing Emma Frost, new maps, and a major rework of the ranked system — but this other change might be its most viral.

What’s perhaps even more interesting is that Marvel Rivals is slowly flipping the script on gendered character appeal in gaming. It’s not just the women who are hyper-stylized anymore. The developers seem to have realized that players want their male heroes to look just as heroic — and yes, just as thirstable — as their female counterparts.

One player summed it up perfectly on the game’s subreddit: “It gives me uncanny valley vibes to see characters with arms bigger than their heads but no bums and no bulges. These characters have cake in the comics.”

Emma Frost, Venom, and the Power of Fan Appeal

Emma Frost, introduced in Season 2, immediately stole the spotlight with her commanding presence and abilities — including a chokehold that’s inspired a storm of fan thirst online. Combined with the already legendary Venom emotes (which involve, essentially, throwing it all the way back), Marvel Rivals has become something of a phenomenon when it comes to character-driven attraction.

It’s not just a joke anymore — the game’s popularity is partly driven by how stylish, hot, and well-animated these characters are. It’s part of the reason the game’s subreddit and Discord are so active. People are here for the mechanics, sure, but they’re also here for the sass, the swagger, and yes, the cheeks.

Marvel Rivals' Popularity Is Still Growing

Despite being relatively new on the scene, Marvel Rivals has gained serious momentum — particularly in Asian markets and among hardcore Marvel fans worldwide. Its free-to-play model, regular updates, and mix of familiar characters with fresh design choices have made it a standout in the increasingly crowded hero shooter space. Plus, its unapologetically fan-service-y direction helps it stand out from more sterile competitors.

Season 2 is shaping up to be a huge leap forward — not just in gameplay depth but also in character representation. Whether it was intentional or just a passionate dev going above and beyond in Blender, the subtle enhancement to male characters has struck a chord with fans.

Marvel Rivals continues to gain traction across social media and fan communities, and Season 2 has only added fuel to the fire. Whether you're here for Emma Frost’s icy dominance or Moon Knight’s upgraded glutes, one thing’s clear — this game knows its audience.