Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is the first game in the series in ten years (the last, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, was in 2009), and it’s coming out this July, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. Just like the last games in the series, the main attraction is in getting to play such a wide variety of beloved characters from the Marvel Comics universe, so of course the main thing anyone looking forward to the game will want to know is the full Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 roster.
Thanks to various trailers, news, and features about the latest Ultimate Alliance game we know that there are at least 33 playable characters in The Black Order. These include heroes and villains from various popular Marvel series, such as The Avengers, X-Men, The Inhumans, Spider-Man’s Spider-Verse, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Defenders, with the only notable team still missing from the roster being the Fantastic Four and their enemies. Here’s the list of all playable Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 characters we know of at this time, and we’ll keep this list updated as we find out more.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Roster | The X-Men
Deadpool
The Merc with the Mouth remains one of Marvel’s most popular characters, and while he often strikes out on his own Wade Wilson is technically part of the X-Men universe, hence why (now former) X-Men movie rights holders Fox were allowed to make movies based on him. His powers include a healing ability along with extreme proficiency with swords and guns. He breaks the fourth wall a lot, so expect him to comment on the game while you’re playing it.
Magneto
The main villain of the X-Men, leader of the dark Brotherhood of Mutants, and one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel comics, Magneto serves as both a boss in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 and as a playable character. The game’s latest trailer introduces him along with the X-Men and the Brotherhood, and shows Magneto wielding one of the Infinity Stones being sought by Thanos. His powers are magnetism and metal manipulation.
Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler is one of the more distinctive X-Men, as he resembles a blue devil. He has the powers of teleportation, where he can literally disappear in a puff of smoke. He also has a tail, which he can use for offensive purposes. He’s only actually appeared in two movies so far: X-Men 2 and X-Men: Apocalypse.
Psylocke
Speaking of extremely popular characters with very few movie appearances, the distinctive (re: usually dressed in a Street Fighter Cammy-esque outfit) ninja assassin Psylocke was played by Olivia Munn in X-Men: Apocalypse, and is reported to not be coming back in this summer’s Dark Phoenix. She’s actually swapped bodies a few times, has the power of telekinesis, and can make a blade out of psychic energy.
Scarlet Witch
Depending on which comics you read or movies you watch, Scarlet Witch is either one of the most powerful Avengers (as Wanda Maximoff is in the MCU movies) or a member of Magneto’s Brotherhood (in most of the comics). The Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 version seems to be favoring the mutant origin story, with Wanda as the daughter of Magneto. She has the power to alter reality.
Storm
Storm has been in nearly all the X-Men movies, either played by Halle Berry or Alexandra Shipp (who will play the younger version in the upcoming Dark Phoenix). Her powers are weather manipulation, which includes the ability to fly through wind currents and summon lightning bolts. She was actually married to Black Panther for a time in the comics.
Wolverine
The most popular X-Men character, and the movie version played by Hugh Jackman is so far the only one not to have been recast at any point, despite featuring in nearly all the movies. Wolverine, aka Logan, has a healing ability and an indestructible Adamantium skeleton, including claws which he can retract, serving as his primary weapon.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Roster | The Avengers
Ant-Man
The MCU’s most comedy-focused character, who can shrink himself to ant-size (or smaller) or grow to colossal proportions. Of course the big question about the appearance of Ant-Man in the game is whether the person in the suit is the traditional Hank Pym or the preferred movie version Scott Lang. It’ll also be interesting to see how his powers are realized in-game.
Black Panther
The leader of Wakanda, King T’Challa has enhanced strength and abilities, hand-to-hand combat skills, and has a Vibranium suit (the same material as Captain America’s shield) that makes him difficult to be hurt with conventional weapons.
Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff, as portrayed by Scarlett Johansson in the MCU movies, is an experienced spy but doesn’t have any particular superpowers. She’s an expert shot, skilled at hand-to-hand combat, and has special gauntlets with a number of gadgets, such as a grappling hook.
Captain America
Specifically the classic Steve Rogers version, as played by Chris Evans in the movies. Captain America is enhanced to peak human perfection, with heightened strength and near-limitless agility, and has a nearly indestructible shield made of Vibranium and Adamantium. He also has enhanced handsomeness and devastating hair.
Captain Marvel
While the name Captain Marvel has been applied to many superheroes in comics, including (most confusingly) as the original name for DC Comics’ Shazam, the current comics version is Carol Danvers, formerly known as Ms Marvel. The movie and game version use the Danvers version. She has phenomenal cosmic powers, but her apartment only has itty-bitty living space.
Doctor Strange
One of the few superheroes in comics who just uses his real name, Stephen Strange is the Sorceror Supreme and magical protector of Earth. In the movies he’s the holder of the Infinity Time Stone, so we don’t know if that will continue in the game.
Falcon
Falcon, aka Sam Wilson, is an experienced soldier with metal wings that allow him to fly. In the comics he eventually took over the mantle and shield of Captain America.
Hawkeye
Clint Barton doesn’t possess any superpowers, but he’s an expert archer and marksman with a number of trick arrows to call on. He’s Green Arrow, basically, at least until he gets all dark and broody and becomes Ronin.
Hulk
Hulk smash! The most powerful member of the Avengers is also the most uncontrollable (although we’re sure you’ll be able to control him fine in Ultimate Alliance 3). Bruce Banner’s Hulk gets more powerful the angrier he gets… and he’s always very, very angry. He also possesses indestructible and extremely agile underwear.
Iron Man
Playboy billionaire genius Tony Stark gets a miniature reactor in his chest, builds a flying armored suit powered by that reactor, and becomes the first hero of the MCU. He’s got an array of weapons in that outfit, including repulsor blasts and rockets.
Thor
The Asgardian God of Thunder, wielder of the hammer Mjolnir, summoner of lightning, and possessor of extreme pecs. He also has a sweet winged helmet which he barely wears in the movies, but is standard in the game.
Vision
The android known as Vision was a holder of one of the Infinity Stones in the movies, but we don’t know if that’s the case in the game. Vision has the power of flight, intangibility, and superhuman agility, intelligence, and strength. He can fire sweet energy blasts too.
Wasp
Also known in the movies as “Ant-Man and the”, Janet Van Dyne can shrink just like Ant-Man, but also comes with a pair of wings for flight. She’s got energy blasts too.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Roster | Guardians of the Galaxy
Drax
Also known as Drax the Destroyer, his family was killed by Thanos and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. He’s strong and is a skilled swordsman.
Gamora
The adopted daughter of Thanos, she’s turned away from his evil ways and joined the Guardians. She’s an extremely skilled fighter and assassin.
Rocket & Groot
The one double-act in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Rocket Raccoon and I Am Groot team up for mayhem and destruction. And a lot of quips.
Star-Lord
Peter Quill is the one human member of the Guardians team. He’s a skilled marksman, has rocket boots to fly, and prefers cassette mix tapes to Zunes.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Roster | Spider-Verse
Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
Alright, let’s do this one last time. Peter Parker is the original Spider-Man, and can do whatever a spider can. He has web shooters, strength, agility, and catches thieves just like flies.
Spider-Man (Miles Morales)
Alright, let’s do this one last time. Miles Morales is a younger and more inexperienced Spider-Man, and was originally forced to take over after Peter Parker died, although the latest version of the comics has them working side-by-side. Miles can also turn invisible and has a venom blast.
Spider-Gwen
Alright, let’s do this one last time. Gwen Stacy is Spider-Woman in an alternate universe, where she watched her best friend Peter die. She has many of the same powers as Peter Parker’s Spider-Man, including web-shooters.
Venom
Like Magneto, Venom is also a boss character in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3. In the comics he can be an anti-hero just as much as a villain, and is usually the alter-ego of journalist Eddie Brock. Ignore most movie appearances.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Roster | Inhumans and Defenders
Crystal
Crystal is a surprise addition to the playable roster, as she’s hardly the most famous even out of her group, the Inhumans. She can control earth, fire, air, and water, and can fly.
Daredevil
The Man Without Fear, Matt Murdock was blinded as a child in an accident, but it also gave him special abilities to perceive the world around him with superhuman sense. He’s a skilled acrobat and martial artist.
Elektra
Assassin and frequent love interest of Daredevil, Elektra is highly skilled in the martial arts and fights with a pair of Sai. Yes, like Raphael.
Iron Fist
The Immortal Iron Fist, Danny Rand is also a highly skilled martial artist, but he also possesses the Iron Fist mystical force which allows him to summon and focus his inner chi, so he can punch people better.
Ms. Marvel
Kamala Khan is an Inhuman and the current holder of the Ms. Marvel name, after Carol Danvers became Captain Marvel. Kamala can stretch and shape-shift into various forms.