Everything You Need to Know About Venom in Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals is bringing together some of the most iconic and dangerous characters in the Marvel Universe, and few are as terrifying and unpredictable as Venom. As one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes and occasional allies, Venom is a lethal combination of brute strength, symbiotic abilities, and pure aggression.

With his enhanced physicality, shapeshifting powers, and a hunger for destruction, Venom is one of the most ferocious combatants in Marvel history. In Marvel Rivals, he is a deadly melee-focused character, capable of overpowering enemies, regenerating damage, and using his symbiote tendrils to strike from unexpected angles.

This article explores Venom’s origins, powers, and role in Marvel Rivals, giving fans a complete breakdown of Marvel’s most infamous symbiote.

Image: Marvel Comics

Who is Venom?

Venom first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988), created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. The character was born from the union of the alien symbiote and disgraced journalist Eddie Brock, creating a monstrous being fueled by hatred for Spider-Man.

The symbiote was originally attached to Peter Parker, but after being rejected, it found a new host in Eddie Brock, who shared its hatred and thirst for revenge. Together, they became Venom, a dark reflection of Spider-Man with far greater strength, durability, and a vicious personality.

Despite his villainous beginnings, Venom has evolved into an anti-hero, sometimes protecting the innocent while still embracing his brutal methods.

Character Lore

The Birth of Venom

The symbiote that would become Venom was originally discovered on Battleworld during the Secret Wars event. Spider-Man unknowingly bonded with it, believing it was just a new black suit, unaware that it was a living, parasitic alien.

When Peter realized the symbiote was taking control, he forcibly removed it, leading the alien to find a new host in Eddie Brock—a man who blamed Spider-Man for his ruined career. Their shared hatred fueled their bond, making Venom one of Spider-Man’s deadliest enemies.

The Evolution of an Anti-Hero

Over time, Venom transformed from a pure villain to a brutal protector, taking on roles such as:

• The Lethal Protector – Venom left New York to become an anti-hero, protecting the weak but still embracing violence.
• Agent Venom – When bonded with Flash Thompson, the symbiote was tamed and used as a government-controlled super-soldier.
• King in Black – Venom played a pivotal role in defeating Knull, the god of symbiotes, proving he was capable of far more than just destruction.

Though still volatile, Venom has become one of Marvel’s most complex and unpredictable characters.

Image: Marvel Comics

Venom’s Powers and Abilities in Marvel Rivals

Superhuman Strength & Durability

• Venom is far stronger than Spider-Man, capable of lifting over 70 tons.
• His durability allows him to shrug off bullets, fire, and extreme impacts.

Symbiote Tendrils & Shape-Shifting

• Venom can extend his tendrils into weapons, shields, and whips for both offense and defense.
• He can form claws, blades, and even additional limbs to overpower enemies in combat.

Wall-Crawling & Enhanced Agility

• Retaining Spider-Man’s wall-crawling ability, Venom can scale surfaces and ambush enemies from any angle.
• His speed and reflexes surpass even Spider-Man’s, making him a nightmare in close-quarters combat.

Regeneration & Resistance to Damage

• Venom’s healing factor allows him to regenerate injuries rapidly, making him incredibly difficult to take down.
• He is immune to poisons, diseases, and even certain forms of magic.

Immunity to Spider-Sense

• One of Venom’s biggest advantages is that Spider-Man’s precognitive Spider-Sense does not detect him, making his attacks impossible for Peter to predict.

Image: Marvel Comics

Venom’s Story in Marvel Rivals

Venom finds himself displaced in time and trapped in an occult war. While battling alongside Magik, he experiences a powerful vision through the Klyntar hivemind, revealing that Knull—the dark god of the symbiotes—is stirring from his imprisonment. To prevent Knull from consuming all reality, Venom realizes he must act: either kill Knull or take his throne.

Seeking a weapon powerful enough to challenge Knull, Venom learns of All-Black, the Necrosword, an ancient blade used to slay a Celestial. With Magik's help, he portals to a massive Celestial corpse adrift in space, where the sword remains embedded. As he struggles to pull the blade free, the Celestial releases a psychic scream, sending Venom hurtling through space.

He crash-lands on Klyntar, the planet of the symbiotes, where he discovers an unusual cosmic cocoon nearby. Before the ravenous symbiotes can consume it, Venom tears it open—revealing Adam Warlock. Mistaking Venom for Knull, Warlock attacks, but Venom convinces him they share a common goal: the destruction of the King in Black.

With the battle for the universe looming, Venom finds his purpose. He will stand against Knull’s darkness for as long as even a glimmer of light remains.

Image: Marvel Comics

Essential Venom Comics

For those wanting to explore Venom’s greatest stories, here are some must-read comics:

The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988) by David Michelinie & Todd McFarlane

• This is the first full appearance of Venom, establishing him as Spider-Man’s deadliest enemy.

Venom: Lethal Protector (1993) by David Michelinie & Mark Bagley

• This is Venom’s first solo Venom series, redefining him as an anti-hero instead of a pure villain.

Venom (2018-2021) by Donny Cates & Ryan Stegman

• This run is where Knull is introduced, ushering in a new era within the lore of Venom and the Symbiotes. 

Absolute Carnage (2019) by Donny Cates & Ryan Stegman

• This high-stakes, horror-filled battle has Venom facing off against Carnage’s army of symbiotes.

King in Black (2020-2021) by Donny Cates & Ryan Stegman

• Venom defeats Knull and ascends to new levels of power, marking one of his greatest victories.

Venom is one of Marvel’s most fearsome and unpredictable characters, blending raw power, monstrous abilities, and a deep, complex history. His inclusion in Marvel Rivals ensures that players can embrace his savage combat style, terrifying abilities, and unmatched resilience, making him one of the most exciting melee brawlers in the game.

Whether he’s tearing through enemies with symbiote tendrils, regenerating damage mid-fight, or overpowering opponents with brute force, Venom proves that he is far more than just a Spider-Man villain—he is a force of nature.