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Alright, Agents and Aspiring AI Overlords! Ever wondered what happens when your favorite playable characters from the iconic Marvel worlds get turned into strategic chess pieces controlled by Ultron’s big brain? Welcome to Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol – quite the mouthful, right?
This mode is active from June 6th to June 23rd, 2025, offering exclusive rewards! While Marvel Rivals is known for its fast paced gameplay as a team based pvp shooter this mode takes the strategic chaos of games like Teamfight Tactics or Dota Underlords and injects it with pure Marvel energy (and maybe a bit more Jeff the Land Shark than you’d expect!), bringing unexpected fun within this continually evolving marvel universe! Participate during the event period to earn the Ultron-1 spray (play 3 matches), the “Acceptable” emoji (play 10 matches), and the “Think, Human!” emoji (score 2000 total points). To earn the “Think, Human!” emoji, you need to reach a cumulative score of 2000 points; you start at 1000 points and gain more based on your placement in each match (with points only ever increasing toward the goal), meaning you need to earn a total of 1000 additional points across all your games.
Form Your All Star Marvel Squad with Precision
This isn’t your average brawl; it’s a strategic showdown where thinking smarter, not just harder, is key. If you’re scratching your head at the “auto chess” vibe, think of it as building the ultimate team of super heroes, potentially including powerful super villains, and watching them go to work, while you play puppet master with resources and positioning. Games like Teamfight Tactics or Hearthstone Battlegrounds set the stage for this kind of strategic fun, but Battle Matrix Protocol brings its own unique Marvel spin! There’s rarely a dull moment.
Hero Team-Based PvP: Smarter Combat, Not Harder
The mode throws you into an auto-battler-style battle where you’re looking to be the last player standing in a chaotic six-player free-for-all! You’ll face off against the opposing team on dynamic, ever-changing battlefields. As the game unfolds, you’ll be earning a special currency that you can use to buy awesome Modules that power up your team in unique ways. You can also use them for other sneaky moves, like swapping out playable characters you brought to the party. Get ready for adventurous team battles where strategic decisions outside of direct combat are paramount, leading to thrilling action. Look out for new additions from potential seasonal drop content or battle pass progression that might impact strategies.
Let’s break down the nitty-gritty details and sprinkle in some tips to give you a cosmic edge against the competition!
Phase 1: Thriving in Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
To kick things off, you need a team! At the start of a match, you’ll draft six playable characters from a selection presented to you from the varied Marvel roster, featuring many fan-favorite heroes and villains. Don’t panic if half the roster seems to have vanished! This is totally on purpose. Each game presents a random, cut-down selection of heroes to pick from, specifically a pool of 18 characters (not the whole roster). This includes roughly half of the total hero roster, split across Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists. This design helps prevent players from always assembling the same perfect team-ups or compositions right from the get-go, adding a layer of adaptability as the meta develops and demanding you adapt your countless strategies and discover new tactics.
Your mission? Pick six of them to form your starting team! There’s no limit on who you can pick from the available pool, but once you lock in your six, that’s your starting lineup. Worry not if your absolute faves or dream team components are missing from the initial lineup – the game lets you swap characters out later for a cost, so flexibility is key! The “Change Hero” option lets you spend 5 Units for random choices (Vanguard/Strategist pools have 3 options, Duelist has 6).
You have full flexibility on your team composition – maybe you want a bunch of tough Vanguards, sneaky Duelists, or supportive Strategists. You could aim for three Strategists, two Duelists, and one Vanguard, stack five Vanguards and one Strategist, or even go full send with six Duelists! Experimentation is encouraged here; it’s been observed that setups that would be unthinkable in the main game (like a team of all Strategists!) can actually be quite powerful with the right upgrades. Your dazzling skins show up here too! Explore various gameplay strategies and countless ways to build your squad with the varied Marvel roster to choose.
Unlocking Dynamic Hero Synergy in Every Match
From this initial pick screen, it’s smart to start thinking about your team’s identity. Are you leaning into Vanguards (the sturdy front-liners), Duelists (the damage dealers), Strategists (the healers and support), or perhaps aiming for a mix to activate the Unique Role bonuses? This initial thought is helpful, though you can definitely adjust as the game progresses. Common starting points often involve a balanced 2 Vanguard, 2 Duelist, 2 Strategist squad, or perhaps a more aggressive 3 Vanguard, 1 Duelist, 2 Strategist setup. These provide a solid base you can tweak depending on the modules found and the opponents faced, unlocking potent team-up abilities by combining powers. Watch out for unique team-up skills and surprising team-up skills that can form a dangerous duo or formidable trio, and combine powers to form unique and powerful effects that can lead to massive damage! These strategies, by combining powers, are key to gaining a strategic advantage.
Hero Targeting Logic: Who Attacks Who? Mastering Super Hero Team-Based Combat
Before hitting the battlefield, understanding how heroes decide who to attack is vital! Each hero in Battle Matrix has a built-in targeting behavior that dictates who they’ll automatically attack with their primary attack at the start of a round and throughout the fight. Knowing these tendencies is crucial for effective positioning and building a cohesive team, utilizing their incredible abilities strategically, and helping them to effectively dodge attacks via positioning or inherent stats. This provides a significant strategic advantage. Luckily, they’re split into just three main groups:
| Targeting Priority | Heroes | Description |
| Highest Health | Wolverine | Prioritizes the enemy with the most current HP. |
| Lowest Health | Venom, Captain America, Black Panther, Magic, Spider-Man, Psylock, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch | Prioritizes the enemy with the lowest current HP. |
| Closest Enemy | Hulk, Dr. Strange, Groot, Magneto, Thor, Penny Parker, The Thing, Emma Frost, Punisher, Storm, Human Torch, Hawkeye, Hela, Moon Knight, Squirrel Girl, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Winter Soldier, Star-Lord, Namor, Iron Fist, Loki, Mantis, Rocket Raccoon, Cloak & Dagger, Luna Snow, Adam Warlock, Jeff the Land Shark, Invisible Woman, Ultron | Prioritizes the enemy unit physically closest to them at the start of combat. |
Understanding these priorities helps you anticipate combat flow and informs your positioning as you devise countless strategies and new tactics!
The Core Gameplay Loop: Phases of Battle Climb the Ranks with Your Star Marvel Squad
Once your initial team is set, you enter the repeated game loop, which consists of rounds, each broken down into three key phases:
- Draw Phase (The Upgrade Shop!): Your chance to buy upgrades. This phase is often indicated by a book-like symbol.
- Deployment Phase: Where you position your heroes. This phase is often indicated by a people-like symbol.
- Battle Phase: Where the teams fight automatically. This phase is often indicated by crossing swords.
There are also rounds specifically against bots, indicated by a robot head symbol, and rounds where you pick Strengthen modules, indicated by a lightning bolt. You start every game fighting a Galactabot!
Let’s dive into the Upgrade Phase, as it’s arguably the most strategic and complex part, offering infinite possibilities and countless ways to power up your squad.
Phase 2: Modules Galore! The Upgrade Phase: Tokens, Modules, and Power Spikes
Every round gives you an Upgrade Phase where you spend Tokens (your in-game currency, also called Units or Points) to buy various Modules that boost your heroes, granting them incredible abilities or allowing them to unleash gamma energy with greater effect, for example. How do you earn Tokens? Glad you asked!
Base Income: You automatically receive a base amount of 15 Tokens each round.
Winning Rounds: Winning a Battle Phase grants extra bonus Tokens (often starting at +2), based on your win streak, up to a max of 5 extra Tokens per round on a consistent winning streak (after 5 consecutive wins).
Win/Loss Streaks: Going on consecutive winning or losing streaks also pads your wallet – you gain extra Tokens per streak win/loss, increasing by 1 for each win/loss in the streak, up to a maximum of +4 bonus Tokens per round (some sources suggest up to +5, but +4 is commonly cited). Yes, the game throws you a bone if you’re losing to help you get back in the fight! Sometimes, strategically losing early can build your economy for later! These are all part of the various gameplay strategies you can employ to get a strategic advantage and ultimately claim victory.
Interest: This is like a savings account! For every 10 Tokens you have saved going into a round, you earn 1 extra Token the next round, up to a maximum of 5 extra Units (achieved by saving 50 Tokens). Saving up can provide a significant economic advantage over time! Saving past 50 Units doesn’t grant extra interest.
Selling Income: The UI shows what currency you’ll receive next round if you sell modules (you get less back than you paid!).
You use these Tokens primarily to purchase Modules displayed in the shop grid (“Select” screen), or to refresh the shop for a small cost (often 1 Unit) to see a new selection of four Modules. Tokens are also used between phases to purchase new heroes to swap into your team (“Change Hero” screen, often costing 5 Units, options are random, no refunds if you don’t pick one!). Learning what Modules to buy, and more importantly, when to spend or save your Tokens, is a huge part of success in this mode and contributes to the countless strategies at your disposal!
Modules come in a vast array of effects, from basic stat boosts to wild, build-enabling chaos! They are categorized into different types: Base Modules and Strengthen Modules.
Base Modules:
These are the primary types you buy with Tokens from the shop. They are tied to specific roles or team compositions and come under four Protocol names:
- Protocol Fortress (Blue): Primarily for Vanguards, boosting stats like health or defense (making them tougher!).
- Protocol Onslaught (Red): Primarily for Duelists (boosting their damage!).
- Protocol Reboot (Green): Primarily for Strategists (improving their healing!).
- Protocol Equilibrium (Purple): Provides bonuses that benefit all roles, often synergistic with balanced teams (like 2-2-2 setups) or teams with a mix of unique role types, granting teamwide perks for diverse comps. One theory is that focusing heavily on Equilibrium modules can make a diverse team quite formidable.
These Protocols have EXP thresholds at 10, 20, and 40. You gain EXP by buying Base Modules: Common gives 1 EXP, Rare gives 2, and Legendary gives 4. Accumulating Base Modules to hit these thresholds levels up the Protocol, giving your whole team bigger bonuses AND increasing your chance of seeing higher rarity Modules in the shop! The EXP is shown on the left side of the Module screen.
Base Modules have Rarities!
| Rarity | Approx. Cost | EXP Gained | Rarity Chance Notes |
| Common | ~5 Tokens | 1 | Base chance. |
| Rare | ~10 Tokens | 2 | Chance increases with Protocol EXP (e.g., after 10 EXP). |
| Epic/Legendary | ~15 Tokens | 4 | Chance starts low (e.g., 1.5% after 20 EXP) and increases with EXP. |
One strategy often explored is focusing heavily on one specific Module type (going “all-in”) to hit those EXP thresholds faster, unlocking bigger bonuses and better rarity chances, which can lead to significant power spikes. Given the often very short timer for selecting Modules between rounds, especially when starting out, trying to read every card is tough! Focusing on one or two Module types you want to stack can simplify decisions and help you avoid running out of time.
Strengthen Modules:
These are the most powerful upgrades, offering drastic enhancements to specific hero abilities (unleash gamma energy more often, reducing cooldowns, giving Rocket Raccoon extra revive beacons, making Venom larger, turning Hela into a machine gun!). Modules like these might even let you charge Iron Man‘s armor in unique ways! You only get these by battling Galactabots (often indicated by a robot head symbol) in specific PvE rounds (typically Rounds 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, etc.). After defeating a Galactabot, you get to choose one (starting from Round 11, you can choose two) from a selection. Each hero can only equip two Strengthen Modules. You get one free refresh on the selection if you don’t like the options. If you somehow space out and don’t pick one when presented, the game will randomly give you one! Strengthen Modules stick with their hero until you swap that hero out. If you swap out a hero who had a Strengthen Module equipped, it doesn’t disappear – it will randomly assign to another hero currently on your team! Strengths are often straight up busted – securing these can be a key part of a winning strategy!
If you spot a Module you really want but can’t afford this round, lock it! It’ll stay in the shop for you next round.
The Upgrade menu is accessible at any time between rounds. If the Positioning Phase starts, but you still want to buy something from the previous shop, you can open the menu and do so, and it will apply before the battle. Purchases made during the Battle Phase won’t take effect until the next round. The “Activated” screen shows you bought modules and lets you sell them. The little book/pages icon shows a full list of all modules, including Strengthen modules for each character – super helpful for planning and understanding all the gameplay elements!
Phase 3: Positioning is Everything!
Time to arrange your heroes on the battlefield! You’ll position your heroes on a 4×6 grid -this is super important here because it ties directly into how heroes decide who to attack (the targeting system!) and how well your team survives.
Generally, you want your squishier damage dealers and supports hanging out in the back or mid-area. Your tough front-liners belong in the mid to front, ready to soak up damage. You might also position heroes based on their Targeting Logic – putting a “Lowest Health” prioritizer in a spot where they can quickly access a squishy enemy backline, or placing a “Closest” attacker where they’ll engage enemy tanks first. Strategic positioning can help your heroes dodge attacks or focus fire for massive damage.
Consider a setup where your ranged damage dealers are tucked away in the back corners, as far from the enemy as possible, so they can safely blast away. Place your healers right next to them for protection and easy access. Your sturdy tanks go right up front, ready to soak hits and engage the enemy front line. This kind of positioning, protecting your squishier units behind a solid front line, can be quite effective!
During this phase (or via the spectator view), you can often see who you’re facing next (indicated at the top right). Clicking on their name might show you their hero lineup and even their positioning, allowing you to adjust your own setup for a tactical advantage, adding another layer to the endless possibilities of strategy.
You can also quickly check on all players’ status via a menu option (often Tab on PC or on the right side). This shows their current health (everyone starts at 50), approximate Token savings, and win/loss streaks. A cute little Galacta head icon can indicate who’s currently in first place. Another menu option (often ‘2’) lets you review stats from the last battle – damage dealt, blocked, healing done – which can help you identify underperforming heroes who might be worth swapping out or repositioning, informing your new tactics.
Phase 4: Battle Time!
The moment of truth! In this phase, your assembled and positioned teams automatically duke it out against either another player or a Galactabot.
Winning PvE rounds against Galactabots grants Strengthen Modules.
In PvP, you’ll face other players. While your heroes are the main combatants, you control a small Ultron drone. You have two abilities you can manually use once per round: a small One-Time Heal and a small One-Time Damage burst. They’re pretty small effects, maybe noticeable early on but less so later. Your primary attack? Just for show, it doesn’t do damage. As the round timer winds down, “Double Time” kicks in, speeding up the action to resolve the fight. There’s almost never a dull moment as you watch the automated combat unfold.
Winning a Battle Phase deals damage to the opponent’s Ultron drone (which represents their health). Losing means your drone takes damage to its health (everyone starts at 50 health). The damage taken increases as the rounds progress. Ties result in both players taking reduced damage. If a player is eliminated or leaves, their team becomes a “phantom” team for opponents. Lose to a phantom? It costs you health. Win against one? Nothing happens (you don’t gain health). This push and pull contributes to the thrilling action.
On the right side, you’ll see a list of players, showing everyone’s health and Token counts. You can spectate other players’ matches after your own is finished, seeing their progress, team composition, and even their Modules, potentially learning new tactics from observing them.
When your Ultron drone’s health hits zero, you’re eliminated! Your final placement is determined by the order of elimination. You can leave the match at this point or stick around and watch the rest, but the game isn’t over until only one claims victory. You still receive rewards based on your placement even if you leave early.
It’s a six-player free-for-all, but the top three players at the end are typically considered winners, while the bottom three are considered losers. So, aiming for at least third place is a solid goal!
Matches can vary in length, sometimes stretching quite a bit as players fight it out. It’s not uncommon for games to last 15 to 30+ minutes. Despite the potential for longer games, many find the strategic depth and automated combat quite entertaining. You can even link up with friends to discuss strategies or spectate.
General Tips & Strategy
Don’t Underestimate Team-ups! Those awesome synergetic team-up abilities between certain characters absolutely work in this mode! Building a team with powerful combining powers can give you a significant edge. A strategy involving Hulk and Namor, for example, can be incredibly potent, a truly dangerous duo.
Just be mindful that some team-ups, especially those tied to hero Ultimates, might not trigger consistently unless your heroes’ Ultimate charge rates are in sync. Modules that boost Ultimate gain across roles can help! This is another layer to the endless possibilities of team building.
Master the Economy! Use the flat 15 base income, the +2 win bonus, streaks (win or loss!, up to +4/+5), and interest to build your economy. Saving up to 50 Units for maximum interest can provide a significant advantage, allowing you to afford those high-cost Legendary Modules later. Identify when you’re about to face a bot round (indicated at the top, typically Rounds 1, 6, 11, 16, 21) – these are free wins and great opportunities to save for interest! However, if your health is low, you might need to spend aggressively instead of saving to stay alive. Yes, the game throws you a bone if you’re losing to help you get back in the fight! Sometimes strategically losing early can build your economy for later! These are all part of the various gameplay strategies you can employ to get a strategic advantage and ultimately claim victory.
Focus Your Buys! Consider focusing heavily on one specific Module type (going “all-in”) to hit those EXP thresholds faster, unlocking bigger bonuses and better rarity chances. This can lead to significant power spikes and help manage the short timer.
Prioritize Key Module Effects: Generally powerful effects to look out for include damage reduction (dodge attacks conceptually), ultimate gain boosts, lifesteal, and increasing primary attack effectiveness.
Scout & Counter! Check out your enemy team between rounds! Use that info to counter their setups – consider using Modules that debuff or “nerf” that team (reducing their damage, healing, etc.).
Know When to Risk It: Finding those game-changing Legendary Modules often requires refreshing the shop using premium currency (Tokens). Learning when you can afford to spend that 1 Unit to roll for better options is key to unlocking infinite possibilities.
Learning Curve: Battle Matrix Protocol often feels less like a brute-force slugfest and more like an endurance race focused on smart decision-making and countering enemy compositions. Analyzing what your opponent is doing and figuring out how your lineup and Modules can disrupt their game plan is vital! Mastering various gameplay strategies is the path to claim victory.
Reliable Starters: If you’re struggling to choose, fan favorite characters like Groot (those walls!), Rocket Raccoon (great Ultimate and healing support), and Loki (can add insane survivability with his illusions!) can often be solid picks, depending on your chosen strategy and team-up preferences.
Get out there, experiment with wild team comps, see what module strategies work best for you, devise from the countless ways to build your dream squad, and be the last one standing in these adventurous team battles! Good luck in the Matrix!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol?
Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol is a distinct mode within Marvel Rivals that shifts away from the typical fast-paced team-based PvP shooter gameplay. It’s described as an auto-battler, similar in concept to games like Teamfight Tactics or Dota Underlords, where your favorite playable characters from the iconic Marvel worlds are turned into strategic chess pieces controlled by Ultron’s big brain. It injects strategic chaos and tactical depth, bringing unexpected fun within the continually evolving Marvel universe.
Is Battle Matrix Protocol a limited-time mode? When is it available?
Yes, Battle Matrix Protocol often pops up for limited runs. Based on the information provided, this specific event period is active from June 6–23, 2025. The guide suggests that typically these limited runs are accessible only during weekends, so players interested in the strategic hero management and automated combat should check it out when it’s live.
What exclusive rewards can I earn in this mode?
By participating in Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol during the event period (June 6–23, 2025), players can earn exclusive rewards. These rewards are tied to event challenges: you can earn the “Ultron-1 spray” for playing 3 matches, the “Acceptable” emoji for playing 10 matches, and the “Think, Human!” emoji for scoring 2000 total points within the mode.
What kind of game mode is Battle Matrix Protocol?
Battle Matrix Protocol is an auto-battler style battle where you are looking to be the last player standing in a chaotic six-player free-for-all. It emphasizes strategic thinking over rapid combat reflexes. Players build and position a team of heroes and villains, act as a “puppet master” with resources and positioning, and then watch their teams fight automatically against opponents on dynamic, ever-changing battlefields. Strategic decisions made outside of direct combat are paramount, leading to thrilling action.
How do I get my team at the start of a match? Is the full roster available?
To start a match, you need to draft a team of six playable characters. You are presented with a selection from the varied Marvel roster, featuring many fan-favorite heroes and villains. However, the full roster is not available; each game presents a random, cut-down selection of specifically 18 characters to pick from, typically including roughly half of the total hero roster. This selection is split across the three roles: Vanguards, Duelists, and Strategists, and it changes each game.
Can I swap heroes during a match?
Yes, your initial six picks are not necessarily final, and flexibility is key. The game allows you to swap characters out later for a cost. During the Upgrade Phase, the “Change Hero” option lets you spend 5 Units (Tokens) to get a selection of random heroes from specific pools to choose from (3 options for Vanguard/Strategist pools, 6 for Duelist). You do not get refunds if you choose not to pick any from the selection offered. Additionally, if a hero equipped with a Strengthen Module is swapped out, the module doesn’t disappear but randomly assigns to another hero currently on your team.
How does hero targeting work in Battle Matrix?
Understanding how heroes automatically decide who to attack with their primary attack is vital for effective positioning and team building. Each hero has a built-in targeting behavior that dictates this. They are split into three main groups, and this priority is hero-specific, not strictly tied to their role. Wolverine is unique and always targets the Highest Health enemy. The Lowest Health Priority group targets enemies with the lowest current health (includes Venom, Captain America, Black Panther, Magic, Spider-Man, Psylock, Black Widow, and Scarlet Witch). The largest group targets the Closest Enemy (includes the rest of the roster, like Hulk, Dr. Strange, Groot, Iron Man, etc.). Knowing these tendencies helps you anticipate combat flow.
What are the different phases of a Battle Matrix round?
Once your initial team is set, you enter the repeated game loop, which consists of rounds broken down into three key phases: The Draw Phase (indicated by a book-like symbol, this is your chance to buy upgrades/Modules from the shop), the Deployment Phase (indicated by a people-like symbol, where you position your heroes on the battlefield grid), and the Battle Phase (indicated by crossing swords, where the teams fight automatically). There are also specific rounds against bots, indicated by a robot head symbol, which are also the rounds where you get to pick Strengthen modules, indicated by a lightning bolt symbol. You always start every game fighting a Galactabot.
How do I earn currency (Tokens/Units/Points)?
Tokens (also called Units or Points) are your in-game currency used primarily to buy Modules and swap heroes. You earn Tokens through several means: a flat base income of 15 Tokens each round, an extra +2 bonus for winning a Battle Phase (based on your win streak, up to a max of 5 extra Tokens), win/loss streak bonuses (gaining extra Tokens per streak win/loss, increasing by 1 up to a maximum of +4 or +5 bonus Tokens per round), and Interest (+1 Token per 10 saved, up to +5 at 50 saved). The game also provides you with income if you sell modules, though you receive less back than you paid. The guide notes the game throws you a bone if you’re losing with streak bonuses, and strategically losing early can build your economy.
Could you explain the “Interest” system for earning Tokens in more detail?
The Interest system functions similarly to a savings account for your in-game currency. For every 10 Tokens you have saved when a round ends and you head into the next round, you earn 1 extra Token as interest income. This bonus interest income is capped at a maximum of 5 extra Units per round, which you achieve by saving 50 Tokens or more. Saving up to the 50 Token threshold provides a significant economic advantage over time, allowing you to accumulate wealth faster, though saving past 50 Units does not grant any additional interest.
What are Modules? What types are there?
Modules are key upgrades in Battle Matrix Protocol that you use Tokens to acquire. They come in a vast array of effects, ranging from basic stat boosts to wild, build-enabling chaos, granting your heroes incredible abilities or allowing them to unleash gamma energy with greater effect. Modules are categorized into different types: Base Modules and Strengthen Modules. Base Modules are the primary type bought from the shop, tied to specific roles/protocols, while Strengthen Modules are more powerful hero-specific enhancements earned from PvE rounds.
How do Base Modules and Protocol Levels work?
Base Modules are purchased from the shop and provide effects tied to specific roles or team compositions under four Protocol names: Protocol Fortress (Blue) for Vanguards (boosting toughness, health, defense), Protocol Onslaught (Red) for Duelists (boosting damage), Protocol Reboot (Green) for Strategists (improving healing), and Protocol Equilibrium (Purple) which provides bonuses benefiting all roles, often synergistic with balanced teams or mixed unique role types, granting teamwide perks. Buying these modules gives EXP (Common 1, Rare 2, Legendary 4) towards thresholds (10, 20, 40) for each Protocol. Hitting these thresholds levels up the Protocol, giving your whole team bigger bonuses and increasing your chance of seeing higher rarity Modules in the shop.
How do I get Strengthen Modules?
Strengthen Modules are the most powerful upgrades, offering drastic enhancements to specific hero abilities (like unleashing gamma energy more often, reducing cooldowns, giving Rocket extra revive beacons, making Venom larger, turning Hela into a machine gun, or charging Iron Man’s armor). You cannot buy these with Tokens. You only get them by battling and defeating Galactabots in specific PvE rounds that occur at set intervals in the game (typically Rounds 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, etc.). After defeating a Galactabot, you get to choose one Strengthen Module from a selection presented to you (starting from Round 11, you can choose two). Each hero can only equip two Strengthen Modules in total, and they stick with that hero until they are swapped out. These modules are often described as “straight up busted” and securing them is a key part of a winning strategy.
Can I upgrade or level up Modules I already own?
Yes, if you purchase a Base Module from the shop grid that you already own, it can level up. This is indicated visually by stars on the module’s icon. When a module levels up, its effect becomes stronger, providing an increased benefit to your team or the hero it affects.
Can I save a Module I want but can’t afford in the shop?
Yes, if you spot a Module in the shop grid during the Upgrade Phase that you really want but currently do not have enough Tokens to afford, you can “lock” that module. Locking a module ensures that it will remain available in the shop grid for you to purchase during the next round’s Upgrade Phase, giving you time to earn or save the necessary Tokens.
How important is positioning my heroes?
Positioning your heroes on the 4×6 battlefield grid is described as being super important in Battle Matrix Protocol. It’s crucial because it ties directly into how heroes decide who to attack based on the targeting system (Highest Health, Lowest Health, Closest) and significantly impacts how well your team survives enemy attacks and focuses damage. Strategic placement helps your squishier damage dealers and supports survive by being placed in the back, while tough front-liners soak damage upfront. You can also position based on specific hero targeting logic to optimize their attacks or protect vulnerable allies, potentially helping heroes dodge attacks or focus fire for massive damage.
Do I control anything during the Battle Phase?
During the Battle Phase, your assembled and positioned teams automatically duke it out against another player or a Galactabot. While the combat itself is automated for your heroes, you do have a limited degree of player agency. You control a small Ultron drone during the battle and have two abilities you can manually use once per round: a small One-Time Heal (to provide some support to your allies) and a small One-Time Damage burst (to apply a small amount of damage to enemies). The guide notes these effects are pretty small, maybe noticeable early on but less so later.
How is damage calculated or health lost in Battle Matrix? What are Phantom teams?
In PvP rounds, the outcome of the automated battle determines health loss. Winning a Battle Phase means you deal damage to the opponent’s Ultron drone, which represents their health. Conversely, losing means your own drone takes damage to its health. Everyone starts the match with 50 health, and the amount of damage taken per loss increases as the rounds progress. Ties result in both players taking reduced damage. If a player is eliminated from the game or leaves, their team becomes a “phantom” team; opponents can still be matched against these AI-controlled phantom teams. Losing to a phantom team costs you health, but winning against one does not result in you gaining health. This push and pull of dealing/taking damage contributes to the thrilling action.
Do hero Team-ups (synergies) work in Battle Matrix Protocol?
Yes, the awesome synergistic team-up abilities that exist between certain characters in Marvel Rivals absolutely work in Battle Matrix Protocol! Building a team with powerful combining powers can give you a significant strategic edge. For example, the guide specifically mentions that a strategy involving Hulk and Namor can be incredibly potent, forming a truly dangerous duo. Players should be mindful, however, that some Team-ups, especially those tied to hero Ultimates, might not trigger consistently unless your heroes’ Ultimate charge rates are in sync, and Modules that boost Ultimate gain across roles can help with this, adding another layer to team building.
What are some recommended starting heroes?
The guide offers suggestions for generally reliable playable characters if you are struggling to choose from the varied Marvel roster available in a given match. Fan favorite characters like Groot are mentioned for the utility of his walls. Rocket Raccoon is highlighted as a solid pick due to his great Ultimate and healing support capabilities. Loki is also noted for his potential to add insane survivability to your team with his illusions. These characters can often serve as solid starting points, though the optimal choices will ultimately depend on your chosen strategy and which team-up synergies you want to pursue.
