Call me crazy, but I think the latest Deadpool tease of Marvel Rivals might be more than a joke

Marvel Rivals is gearing up for its sixth season of content, bringing its most anticipated post-launch hero yet to the roster. when Marvel Rivals Season 6 begins on December 6, bringing with it the Merc with a Mouth, who will apparently be voiced by Alejandro Saab opposite regular actor Nolan North. Players have seen him in action against Devil Dinosaurs and other Marvel oddballs gathered by collectors, and netizens' different take on his character design – his loose-fitting mask and an exaggerated point on a stylish jacket – has been well received. Despite all the hype, and her release being only 7 days away at the time of writing, her role remains unknown. However, the teaser has created an interesting opportunity for this.

Weeks after Deadpool's arrival was announced at the Game Awards, he's been trolling Marvel Rivals players by breaking the fourth wall and changing his role in the hero selection menu and hero gallery. Deadpool started out as a tactician and duelist before transitioning to vanguard, his role now being displayed as a question mark. Debates have raged as to what role Deadpool would fill, with some suggesting that he could swap between every role in Death or even have a hybrid role that is entirely his own. However, this is not the most interesting part for me. Instead, it's Deadpool's latest fourth-wall break, which sees him listed as a map in the game's menu. I'm fully aware that this could be – and probably is – a joke from NetEase, but on the off chance that it isn't, I wanted to call my shot. I think Deadpool won't just pretend to have a map, but actually have one…or at least his mind will.

How Deadpool's Map Could Work for Marvel Rivals Season 6

Justifying the Deadpool map won't be much of a challenge for NetEase. A simple answer is that the characters were randomly added to the Deadpool-centric universe, while a more interesting approach might lean into the collector's hobby. Perhaps his muse has a powerful tool that allows people to enter and explore the minds of others, seeing things as they do. In Deadpool's fight with Elsa Bloodstone, this device could be triggered, revealing Wade Wilson's inner thoughts and creating a brave new arena to play in. With Jeff the Land Shark getting a dedicated map for Winter Splash mode this year, this sort of thing is even more possible as players have no problem accepting a dedicated playing field in the game.

This kind of concept would be just as interesting for a character like Moon Knight, as his fractured mind could make a great map. Objectives may include making a pilgrimage to visit Khonshu, while interacting with Steven Grant and Jake Lockley in the spawn room may be neat.

Despite what this fictional Deadpool map might contain, there's plenty of room for funny nods to Deadpool's history. Payloads can be filled with player escort chimichangs, while map locations can have an endless barrage of sights and sounds. Possible points of interest for a Marvel Rivals Here's a map spotlighting one of Marvel's most unhinged characters:

A training room with filmy dummies of Deadpool sparring partners like Cable and Wolverine.
Plushies and balloon floats of not just Deadpool, but his beloved ones from the comics like his daughter Ellie, Lady Death, Valentine Vuong, Copycat and Shiklah.
We may have Gwenpool to thank for Jeff the Land Shark, but Deadpool has a deeper connection to the cute critter, as shown through Deadpool's Jeff Assistant. Somewhere on the map a temple would be perfect for Jeff.
A suit display showing Deadpool's various looks over the years, which could tease future skins (I've got my fingers crossed for his gray X-Force outfit).
Unicorns, rainbows, and lots of weapons everywhere to sell the Deadpool vibe. Some silly messages left around the map by the people themselves would be fun too.
Deadpool cores as NPCs in spawn rooms, acting like Spider-Zero in Tokyo 2099.

What Deadpool Maps Mean for Other Marvel Rivals

If Deadpool is listed as a map Marvel Rivals is a teaser and not a gag, so that means her role-swapping was also hinting at something. Whether he'll be a hybrid character, switching roles with every life, or an entirely new role with elements of all existing categories is anyone's guess, but I'd definitely like to see Deadpool break the rules instead of becoming a duelist like everyone expected.

All the trolling on NetEase's part has been good fun, even if the studio ended up playing it safe in the end, I'm sure it'll shake things up a bit with one of my all-time favorite Marvel characters. Deadpool presents a unique opportunity to go against the grain that will only be seen again with the fourth-wall-breaker She-Hulk, and even then, his unique sense of humor presents more opportunities for creativity. Hopefully, Season 6 will take full advantage of all that Deadpool has to offer, leaving a Deadpool-themed map alongside the man himself.