As we rocket through 2026 with no signs of slowing down, Marvel Rivals keeps proving it’s the hero shooter that just won’t quit. Nearly two years after its explosive launch back in December 2024, the game has cemented itself as a cultural juggernaut, and a big part of that staying power comes from its cosmetic drops that hit the community right in the feels. Heck, players still can’t stop buzzing about some of the earliest event skins — especially the ones that dropped to ring in the Lunar New Year.
Flashback to early January 2025, when the devs decided to start the year with a bang by releasing two legendary outfits: the Lunar General for Moon Knight and the Cheerful Dragoness for Squirrel Girl. Announced on the official X account and Discord server, the skins went live at 11:00 PM PST on January 2nd, perfectly timed to welcome the Year of the Snake (yep, that was the zodiac back then) with some serious style. While the calendar has flipped twice since, these costumes remain a nostalgic badge of honor for day-one players and a hot topic for anyone who missed the initial drop.
Let’s be real — pricing in Marvel Rivals has always been a bit of a conversation starter. At the time of the Lunar New Year event, single hero costumes ranged from 2,200 to 3,500 Units, which meant if you were straight-up buying them with Lattice (the premium currency that swaps 1:1 for Units), you were looking at shelling out over $19.99 for a mid-tier skin. For the Lunar General and Cheerful Dragoness, both were firmly in that sweet spot, so no one had to completely empty their wallets. Still, coughing up twenty bucks for a digital outfit isn’t chump change, but the silver lining was crystal clear: you could grind your way there by completing missions, unlocking achievements, and just playing the game. For folks who didn’t feel like swiping their credit card, it was totally doable — just a matter of putting in the hours. And honestly? That “earn it or buy it” balance is what keeps the player base loyal to this day.
Now, let’s talk about why these skins aged like fine wine. Moon Knight’s Lunar General look gave the already intimidating Fist of Khonshu an elegant, warrior-monk vibe with flowing robes and intricate gold armor that screamed “boss fight energy.” Meanwhile, Squirrel Girl’s Cheerful Dragoness fit was pure unfiltered joy — a vibrant, scaly costume with dragon motifs that made her acorn barrage feel like a festive fireworks display. Back in 2025, running these skins in comp was practically a power move, and even in 2026, spotting one in the wild still turns heads in the spawn room. They’re genuinely a love letter to the cultural celebrations that inspired them, and a testament to the art team’s ability to avoid lazy recolors.
The game’s trajectory since that Lunar New Year drop has been nothing short of bonkers. After crossing the 20 million player mark just weeks post-launch, Marvel Rivals has only ballooned from there, ranking among the most-played games year after year. Our original review nailed it when it said the experience is “an absolute blast, no matter what role you play,” and that sentiment still holds. The devs have kept the fire alive with a steady cadence of seasons, each bringing new maps, heroes, and seasonal surprises that keep the meta fresh. While official roadmaps are guarded tighter than a Wakandan vault, leaks from internal builds have kept the hype train chugging. Remember when dataminers first spotted Deadpool’s animations back in 2025? Fast forward to 2026, and the Merc with a Mouth is now a staple pick, alongside other fan-favorite additions that turned the dream roster into reality.
So why are we reminiscing about a pair of skins from 2025 right now? Because in the fast-paced world of live-service gaming, the ones that resonate stick around — literally and figuratively. In 2026, Marvel Rivals has occasionally brought back legacy event cosmetics through limited-time vaults or anniversary bundles, making the Lunar General and Cheerful Dragoness accessible again for newcomers who want a piece of history. The community’s reaction to these re-releases speaks volumes: chat explodes with “LFG!” and “finally!” every time they pop up. It’s a neat reminder that even as we celebrate massive crossover events and cutting-edge Season 6 content, the game’s soul was forged right from the start, with outfits that captured the holiday spirit and never let go.
Whether you managed to cop them on day one or you’re still holding out hope for the next re-run, one thing’s for certain — Marvel Rivals knows how to make cosmetics that matter. So here’s to the Lunar General and Cheerful Dragoness: two skins that turned a seasonal update into a long-lasting memory, and proof that when a dev team leads with creativity and respect for the source material, players will stick around for the long haul. And hey, if you’re grinding ranked tonight, don’t be surprised if you see a dragon-suited Squirrel Girl cleaning up shop — some legends never die.