You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
Marvel Rivals stands apart by infusing its gameplay with plenty of distinct game modes that are intended to engage its player base. This free-to-play title from NetEase Games has quickly gained popularity by providing not just the thrill of wielding superhero powers, but also by introducing creative game modes that deviate from the norm. The Clash of Dancing Lions mode which debuted during the Spring Festival, is one of the most recent additions to this collection of fascinating content after a Doom Match game mode was introduced with the latest Season 1. This mode adds a festive flare to the game by drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese New Year celebrations where players can participate in a 3v3 soccer match set in the vivid Wakanda’s World Arena. If you’re just getting started with the game mode and figuring out the best strategies to play it, we’ve got you covered right here.
How to launch Marvel Rivals Clash of Dancing Lions mode
In order to launch the Clash of Dancing Lions in Marvel Rivals, you need to head to your Game Mode screen and click on the Rivalry tab on top. You’ll be able to spot the maroon tile of the game mode right next to the Competitive tile.
This mode can only be played in a 3v3 mode, which means you can only team up with a total of 3 players in your party to play it. Once you load up the game mode in the lobby, press Play to get started and launch the game mode.
🚀 Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25!
Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only!
*Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit.
How to play a Clash of Dancing Lions match
In Clash of Dancing Lions mode in Marvel Rivals, you’re provided from a choice to play between three heroes: Iron Fist, Black Widow and Star-Lord. Each of these heroes come with a unique ability kit which is specifically tailored to the matches you’ll play.
Once you select your preferred hero, you’ll be spawned in a soccer field where you’ll need to keep the ball with your team at all times and shoot it as often as you can in the opponent team’s goal post. If you shoot the ball in the center of the goal area, you’ll score three points and if you shoot on either left or right side, you’ll score one point. Your main objective to win a match would be to either gather maximum points before the time ends or to score a total of 10 points first as a team. However, it’s wise to know the abilities each hero comes with before you jump into a match and make your selection in Clash of Dancing Lions.
All Marvel Rivals hero abilities in Clash of Dancing Lions
As mentioned earlier, there are three Marvel Rivals heroes that have been given a makeover with their new Spring Festival costume and are available to play in Clash of Dancing Lions game mode.
Here are each of their abilities that come in handy while playing a match:
Iron Fist abilities
Attacks
- Lion’s Launch (Primary Attack): Launch the ball forward with incredible speed.
- Ferocious Throw (Secondary Attack): Hurl the ball with fierce intensity. Charging longer enhances both speed and distance.
Abilities
- Lion Kick (LShift): Sprint forward and hit the enemy or use a flying kick to launch surrounding enemies up upon reaching maximum distance, causing the enemy to lose the ball. This ability can only be used when not in possession of the ball.
- Crane Leap (Space): Perform up to three consecutive jumps while airborne.
Black Widow abilities
Attacks
- Lion’s Launch (Primary Attack): Launch the ball forward with incredible speed.
- Ferocious Throw (Secondary Attack): Hurl the ball with fierce intensity. Charging longer enhances both speed and distance.
Abilities
- Fleet Foot (LShift): Dash forward
- Lion Dancer (E): Unleash a spinning kick to Launch Up enemies and cause them to lose the ball. This ability can only be used when not in possession of the ball.
Star-Lord abilities
Attacks
- Lion’s Launch (Primary Attack): Launch the ball forward with incredible speed.
- Ferocious Throw (E): Hurl the ball with fierce intensity. Charging longer enhances both speed and distance.
Abilities
- Rocket Propulsion (LShift): Consume energy to gain a Movement Boost and soar forward.
- Lion Leap (E): Fire bullets in all directions, launching up nearby enemies and causing them to lose the ball. This ability can only be used when not in possession of the ball.
- Celestial Flip (Right Mouse Button): Dodge in the direction of movement. Become Unstoppable and Invincible while dodging.
While these abilities are somewhat the same across characters, you must know how to combine them together and form a strong team composition in Clash of Dancing Lions mode in Marvel Rivals.
Best Clash of Dancing Lions strategies and exploits
First things first, you need to understand the rules of Soccer before you jump into the Clash of Dancing Lions game mode in Marvel Rivals. You’ll have 3 players on your team and 3 on the enemy team. So it’s quite important you’re in sync with your teammates at all times about your positioning and where you want the ball to be in order to score a goal. To ensure you become the winning team while scoring goals in the game mode, here are some best tips.
Choose a balanced team formation
In soccer, team formation is always crucial. In Clash of Dancing Lions, Iron Fist is best suited as a Defender, protecting the back lines and kicking the ball out of the enemy team’s foot while jumping up in the air. Since he lacks in pace, it’s best to use him as your line of defense.
Next up, use Star-Lord as your midfielder to move the ball along the field and to launch it high in the air. Make sure to use the Rocket Propulsion and Celestial Flip to gain altitude with the ball and launch it as far as you can to your forward player or close to the enemy goal.
Lastly, Black Widow performs as an excellent striker, since she’s the only hero with sprinting abilities and can easily kick the ball further with her charged Ferocious Throw. You can also use the Lion Dancer ability to kick the ball out of enemy possession and quickly make your run to the goal line.
Dribble and keep passing the ball
Once you are in possession of the ball, you need to constantly pass the ball to your teammates who will make sure you recharge your abilities while they make the best use of theirs. Sync with your team on ability cooldowns and keep pushing the ball to the enemy goal area. Keep passing the ball and make constant runs which will keep your enemy pressed towards their half of the field rather than progressing towards your goal area.
Travel with the ball in the goal line
In soccer players are required to kick the ball inside the goal from either close or far range. But in Clash of Dancing Lions, you need to travel with the ball inside the enemy team’s goalpost. So make sure as soon as you have possession of the ball, run towards the enemy goal area and head inside with the ball rather than kicking it inside.
Always aim for the center
Now that you’ve nailed the art of dribbling and positioning, it’s time to put your aiming skills to the test. Since hitting a goal in the center of the goal area grants three points, rather than the left and right sides giving one point each, it’s wise to always aim for the middle. This way you can end the match quicker and climb to 10 points much faster than the enemy team.
So put these strategies to use, complete your challenges and unlock free rewards while the Spring Festival event is live in Marvel Rivals.
Marvel Rivals
- Platform(s): macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Fighting, Shooter