Marvel Rivals, the free-to-play superhero PVP shooter from NetEase Games and Marvel Games, has been electrifying players since its December 6, 2024, launch, blending Marvel’s iconic roster with fast-paced, team-based action. Now, in the heart of Season 2: Hellfire Gala, the developers have unleashed a wave of blockbuster updates that have the community buzzing with excitement. Announced around May 15, 2025, these changes include the Galacta’s Gift event, the return of the Season 0 Battle Pass, and multiple ways to earn free Units, the game’s premium currency. These updates, packed with free rewards and fresh content, are a game-changer for casual and competitive players alike. Let’s dive into the big news, explore how to snag free Units ASAP, and uncover why these changes are sending Marvel Rivals into overdrive.

Galacta’s Gift Event: A Treasure Chest of Free Rewards

The cornerstone of the recent updates is the Galacta’s Gift event, launched on May 15, 2025, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Marvel Rivals’ Closed Alpha. This event is a permanent addition, meaning players can participate at their own pace without fear of missing out, a refreshing change from time-limited events like Fortune & Colors earlier this year. By completing simple daily missions—primarily playing three matches in Quick Match, Competitive, or Practice vs. AI—players progress through a seven-tier reward track that offers a bounty of goodies, including the coveted Costume Coin and free Units.

The rewards include two nameplates featuring Doctor Doom and Doom 2099, adding a villainous flair to player profiles, and two sprays, Better Stop That Vehicle and Hulk Plush, for playful in-game taunts. The track also grants eight Chrono Shield Cards, a new feature that prevents rank point loss after a Competitive match defeat, usable in Gold rank and below. The grand prize, the Costume Coin, lets players unlock one debut costume for any of the 33 Season 0 heroes, such as Spider-Man’s Bag-Man Beyond or Storm’s Mohawk Rock, without spending a dime. Most excitingly, players can earn free Units through event missions, which often reward 50–100 Units per task, enough to purchase smaller cosmetics like emotes or sprays (200–400 Units) or save toward premium bundles (1400–2200 Units).

The event’s accessibility is a major draw. Completing the track takes about 21 matches over seven days, roughly 4–6 hours of play, making it feasible for casual players. Missions are straightforward—win matches, secure eliminations, or capture objectives—ensuring everyone can participate. This player-friendly approach has ignited enthusiasm, as it counters the game’s heavy monetization, where premium skins like Namor’s Retro X-Uniform cost around $15.

Season 0 Battle Pass Returns: A Nostalgic Goldmine

Another headline-grabbing update is the limited-time return of the Season 0: Doom’s Rise Battle Pass, available from May 15 to May 29, 2025, for 590 Lattice (approximately $6). This pass, originally launched in December 2024, offers 60 tiers of cosmetics, including skins for Black Panther (Galactic Claw), Hela (Yami No Karasu), and Mantis (Flora Maiden), alongside Units, sprays, and emotes. Unlike the original release, this rerun has no free reward track, requiring the Luxury Battle Pass purchase, but its low price makes it a steal compared to premium skin bundles.

For players who missed Season 0, this is a golden opportunity to grab iconic cosmetics, like Doctor Strange’s Mystic Master or Punisher’s 2099, which remain fan favorites. Once purchased, the pass never expires, allowing players to grind Chrono Tokens at their leisure, a feature that sets Marvel Rivals apart from other shooters. The pass also rewards Units, with up to 300 available across tiers, providing another avenue to earn free currency for in-game purchases. The discounted price—down from the original $10—adds urgency, as future reruns may cost 20% more after a two-season wait.

The Battle Pass’s return taps into nostalgia for the game’s early days, when heroes like Emma Frost and maps like Krakoa debuted. However, it’s not without controversy. Veteran players who owned the original pass feel their early investment is devalued, while newcomers celebrate the chance to catch up. Despite the debate, the pass’s value—offering multiple skins and Units for less than a single premium bundle—makes it a must-buy for collectors and budget-conscious players.

Free Units: How to Grab Them ASAP

The promise of free Units is a major driver of the community’s excitement, as this premium currency unlocks cosmetics, bundles, and even Battle Pass tiers. Here’s how players can earn Units through the recent updates:

Galacta’s Gift Missions: Daily missions in the event often reward 50–100 Units for tasks like playing matches or achieving specific objectives (e.g., 10 eliminations as a Duelist). Completing the full track can yield 200–300 Units, enough for a spray or emote.
Season 0 Battle Pass: The pass grants up to 300 Units across its tiers, earned by accumulating Chrono Tokens through match XP. Players who grind Competitive or Quick Match can unlock these quickly.
Promotional Events: Beyond Galacta’s Gift, Season 2 has introduced promotional missions tied to the Hellfire Gala, running through June 2025. These include tasks like exploring Krakoa’s iconic spots or voting for next year’s gala skin, rewarding 50–150 Units each. Similar events in April 2025 offered Units for sharing game content or inviting friends, a trend likely to continue.

To maximize Units, players should prioritize daily missions in Galacta’s Gift, focus on Competitive for faster Battle Pass progression, and check the Events tab for new Hellfire Gala tasks. Units are versatile, letting players buy anything from budget-friendly sprays to premium skins like The Punisher’s Dangan Ronin (2200 Units) if they save up. This influx of free currency addresses player complaints about costly cosmetics, making the game more accessible.

Chrono Shield Cards: A Competitive Game-Changer

The Galacta’s Gift event introduces Chrono Shield Cards, a novel feature that prevents rank point loss after a Competitive match defeat, usable up to 20 times per season in Gold rank and below. Earned through event missions (eight cards total), these cards aim to reduce the stress of ranked play, especially for newer players facing tough lobbies or disconnects. Unlike Units, cards can’t be bought, ensuring fairness in Competitive mode.

The cards have sparked mixed reactions. Casual players appreciate the safety net, particularly when crashes—still a concern due to Unreal Engine 5’s optimization issues—disrupt matches. However, high-rank players argue they enable inconsistent performance, potentially inflating ranks. The restriction to Gold and below balances this, keeping Diamond+ lobbies skill-driven. This feature shows NetEase’s willingness to experiment, potentially paving the way for more competitive innovations.

New Skins and Content: Fueling the Hype

The May 15 update also brings two premium skin bundles, amplifying the excitement. Namor’s Retro X-Uniform (1400 Units for the skin, 1600 for the bundle) celebrates his X-Men roots with a green-and-gold suit and a tidal wave MVP animation. The Punisher’s Dangan Ronin (likely 2200 Units), inspired by Peach Momoko’s Japanese folklore aesthetic, features a samurai robe and katana-clanging reloads. These skins, tied to the Hellfire Gala’s bold fashion theme, are visual stunners, with dynamic effects that shine on maps like Tokyo 2099.

Additional content includes advanced Ban/Pick settings for custom tournament rooms, supporting the Marvel Rivals Ignite series with its $3 million prize pool. Bug fixes, like improved audio for Mister Fantastic’s Ultimate, and minor balance tweaks, such as enhanced accuracy for Namor’s Monstro Spawns, round out the patch. These updates keep the game fresh, complementing the free rewards and fueling anticipation for Ultron’s mid-season debut as a Strategist.

Why It’s Big News

These updates are a turning point for Marvel Rivals, addressing key community concerns while boosting engagement. The game has faced challenges, with its player base dropping from 644,000 peak concurrent players to around 186,000, driven by crashes and balance issues. The Galacta’s Gift event’s free Units and Costume Coin make cosmetics more accessible, countering complaints about $15 skin prices. The Season 0 Battle Pass rerun offers value and nostalgia, while Chrono Shield Cards ease ranked anxiety, encouraging more players to dive into Competitive.

The updates also set the stage for future content. Ultron’s arrival, a new Arakko map, and teased X-Men heroes like Jubilee promise a mutant-heavy Season 2.5, while the Marvel Swimsuit Special comic on July 9, 2025, hints at summer skins for The Thing and Jeff the Land Shark. By blending free rewards with premium content, NetEase is striking a balance, aiming to retain players and attract newcomers.

How to Get Started

To grab free Units ASAP, log into Marvel Rivals and head to the Events tab. Start with Galacta’s Gift missions, playing three matches daily to unlock Units, sprays, and the Costume Coin. Purchase the Season 0 Battle Pass before May 29 for 590 Lattice to earn more Units and skins. Check the Hellfire Gala missions for additional Unit rewards, and use Competitive matches to speed up progress. Units can be spent in the Store’s Featured or Exchange tabs, with budget options like sprays (200 Units) or saving for bundles (1400–2200 Units).

The update requires no downtime, so players can jump in immediately. Prioritize Quick Match for quick mission completions or Competitive for Battle Pass XP. With 200–600 Units possible from missions and the pass, players can unlock meaningful cosmetics without spending real money, making this a golden opportunity.

The Future of Marvel Rivals

These updates signal NetEase’s commitment to evolving Marvel Rivals. The Galacta’s Gift event’s permanence sets a new standard for accessibility, while the Battle Pass rerun shows flexibility with past content. However, challenges remain—crashes, balance issues, and calls for a role queue persist. Pairing future updates with stability patches, like optimizing UE5 or streamlining reconnects, could solidify the game’s comeback.

For now, the free Units, epic skins, and competitive tweaks have players buzzing. Whether you’re a Scarlet Witch main chasing cosmetics or a ranked grinder using Chrono Shield Cards, these updates offer something for everyone. Log in, claim your rewards, and discover why Marvel Rivals’ latest news is lighting up the superhero gaming world.