Welcome, heroes, to the exhilarating Clash of Dancing Lions, a special limited-time mode (LTM) in Marvel Rivals that swaps out traditional combat for fast-paced, soccer-style action! This guide will equip newcomers with the essential knowledge to dominate the arena, covering everything from passing and shooting to ideal team strategies. Get ready to roar!
Welcome to Clash of Dancing Lions
Clash of Dancing Lions is a vibrant, football-inspired game mode introduced as part of the Fortune and Colors event, celebrating the Chinese New Year. Available for a limited time, typically from late January to mid-February (e.g., January 23 to February 12, 2025), this mode shifts the focus from eliminating opponents to skillful teamwork, strategic positioning, and, most importantly, scoring goals.
Players will find themselves in a 3v3 matchup, reminiscent of popular modes like Overwatch's Lúcioball or the core gameplay of Rocket League. Instead of their usual combat loadouts, heroes' abilities are repurposed to manipulate a giant soccer ball, steal it from opponents, or gain a mobility advantage. For this LTM, teams are composed of Star-Lord, Iron Fist, and Black Widow, each sporting unique Clashing Lions skins and MVP animations. No duplicates are allowed, meaning each team will feature all three distinct heroes.
How to Play & Win
The objective in Clash of Dancing Lions is straightforward: be the first team to score 10 points, or have the highest score when the four-minute match timer expires. Matches take place on the dedicated World Arena map.
Gaining possession of the ball is as simple as running over it. Once a player has the ball, their primary and secondary attack buttons are used for passing or "shooting" it—though, as will be detailed, scoring works a bit differently here.
The most critical rule to understand is how to score:
- Carry it In: Players must physically carry the ball into the opponent's goal for it to count. Simply shooting the ball into the net from a distance will not award points; the ball will just bounce back out. This fundamental mechanic elevates the importance of coordinated movement and smart passing over long-range shots.
- Point Values: Scoring by carrying the ball through the center of the opponent's goal awards a lucrative 3 points. If the ball is carried in through the sides of the goal, it grants 1 point.
Hero abilities are modified to suit this athletic contest. Instead of dealing damage, skills are used to steal the ball, disrupt opponents, or enhance mobility to navigate the field and make plays.
Mastering Passes & Shots
While individual heroics can be flashy, consistent victory in Clash of Dancing Lions hinges on effective passing. Moving the ball between teammates is essential for breaking down defenses, creating scoring opportunities, and avoiding being tackled by opponents.
When a player has ball possession, their attack buttons transform into passing actions:
| Pass Type | Button (Default) | Description | Tactical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Pass | Primary Attack | Lobs the ball a short distance forward | Rapid, close-range exchanges; quick escape from pressure; maintaining momentum |
| Charged Pass | Secondary Attack | Hold to launch the ball further and at high velocity | Long-range clearances; cross-field passes to open teammates; breaking defenses |
Knowing when to pass is as important as how:
- Pass when defenders are closing in to avoid losing possession.
- Look for teammates in a more advantageous scoring position.
- Keep the ball moving. Holding onto the ball for too long can make a player predictable and may even result in automatically dropping it. Constant movement and passing are key to dictating the game's pace.
Understanding the Field
The World Arena map in Clash of Dancing Lions is a symmetrical field designed for this soccer-style gameplay and does not feature environmental hazards like damaging zones or obstacles. The primary "hazard" players face often stems from a misunderstanding of the LTM's unique rules, particularly the critical scoring mechanic. Many new players intuitively try to shoot the ball into the goal from a distance, which is ineffective and can lead to lost opportunities and frustration. This suggests that the in-game introduction to these specialized LTM rules might not always be immediately clear to everyone. Therefore, internalizing that goals are only scored by carrying the ball across the line is paramount. Beyond this, the main challenges come from the opposing team's actions and avoiding common gameplay errors.
Common Mistakes & Ball Stealing
Avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for success. Many errors in Clash of Dancing Lions are less about mechanical failure and more about lapses in game sense, awareness, and team strategy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ball Hogging: Attempting to dribble through multiple defenders instead of looking for a pass is a frequent error. This often leads to turnovers and stalls offensive momentum.
- Getting Tackled Needlessly: Failing to pass or throw the ball when an opponent is clearly about to use a steal ability results in losing possession unnecessarily.
- Poor Positioning (Overextending): If all three players rush towards the ball, it can leave the team's own goal wide open for a counter-attack.
- Wasting Cooldowns: Using important movement or steal abilities at inopportune moments can leave a player vulnerable when they truly need them.
How to Steal the Ball
To take the ball from an opponent, players must use their character's designated abilities. For instance, Star-Lord can use his Blaster Barrage (referred to as Lion Leap for ball stealing in some contexts) to knock the ball loose, Iron Fist can employ his Lion Kick or K'un-Lun Kicks, and Black Widow has her Lion Dance kick. Successfully timing and aiming these skills at the ball carrier will force them to drop it. It's also important to note that a player cannot pick up the ball while in the middle of their own attack or tackle animation, a subtle mechanic that can sometimes cause confusion.
Team Composition & Strategy
In Clash of Dancing Lions, teams are always composed of Black Widow, Iron Fist, and Star-Lord. This fixed roster means that "team composition" is less about selecting heroes and more about assigning roles and responsibilities that leverage each character's unique strengths within this specific trio to achieve synergy.
With her exceptional speed thanks to Fleet Foot, Black Widow is ideally suited to be the main ball carrier and goal scorer. Her primary job is to find open lanes and make runs toward the opponent's goal.
Iron Fist, with his K'un-Lun Kicks and dashes, excels at ground-level interceptions and quick challenges near the goal. Perfect for defensive positioning and midfield disruption.
Star-Lord can serve as an effective defender using his Rocket Propulsion for aerial interceptions and his Blaster Barrage to clear opponents away from the goal area.
Recommended Role Distribution
- Offense/Primary Scorer (Black Widow): With her exceptional speed thanks to Fleet Foot, Black Widow is ideally suited to be the main ball carrier and goal scorer. Her primary job is to find open lanes and make runs toward the opponent's goal.
- Defense/Goalkeeper (Iron Fist or Star-Lord): One player should generally adopt a more defensive posture. Iron Fist, with his K'un-Lun Kicks and dashes, excels at ground-level interceptions and quick challenges near the goal. Star-Lord can serve as an effective defender using his Rocket Propulsion for aerial interceptions and his Blaster Barrage to clear opponents away from the goal area.
- Midfield/Flex (Star-Lord or Iron Fist): The hero not playing dedicated defense typically takes on a flexible midfield role. This player supports both offensive pushes and defensive stands, facilitates transitions, disrupts opponents, and looks for passing opportunities.
Simple Offensive Plays
- "Feed the Widow": The team focuses on creating space and passing the ball to Black Widow when she has a clear path to sprint towards the goal.
- "Aerial Assault": Star-Lord can use Rocket Propulsion to carry the ball high, looking to pass down to a teammate near the goal or, if the defense is scattered, attempt a direct carry-in himself.
Simple Defensive Plays
- "Dedicated Goalie": The designated defender (Iron Fist or Star-Lord) stays relatively close to their own goal, focusing on intercepting incoming ball carriers and clearing the ball.
- "Pressure the Carrier": Actively use abilities to harass the opponent currently holding the ball, aiming to force a poor pass or a mistake.
Top Tips for Victory
Beyond the basics, a few key tactics can elevate a team's play:
- Aim for the Center (3 Points!): Whenever it's safe and achievable, try to carry the ball into the center of the goal for 3 points
- Use Skills Liberally (But Smartly): Don't hesitate to use abilities to steal the ball, disrupt opponents, or create space
- Stall When Ahead: If leading in points as the match timer winds down, play keep-away
- Throw, Don't Just Walk: If about to be tackled, it's often better to throw the ball forward
- Don't force risky center attempts if an easy 1-point side goal is available
- Be mindful of cooldowns, especially for crucial defensive skills
- Don't try to walk through enemies when about to lose possession
- Avoid leaving your own goal completely undefended
Advanced Tactical Tips
- Offensive Tackles: If a teammate is making a run with the ball, other players can use their steal/disrupt abilities on the opponent's defenders to clear a path for the ball carrier.
- Control the Midfield: Maintaining possession and keeping the play in the opponent's half of the arena as much as possible puts constant pressure on them and reduces scoring threats against one's own goal.
- Think Rugby, Not Soccer: A helpful mental model for beginners is to approach this mode more like rugby than traditional soccer. The emphasis is on carrying the ball, using short, tactical "kicks" (passes) to gain ground, and engaging in direct contests for possession, rather than long-distance shooting or intricate dribbling.
Final Thoughts
Clash of Dancing Lions offers a refreshing and dynamic alternative to Marvel Rivals' standard gameplay. Mastering this LTM comes down to practice, effective teamwork, and a solid understanding of each hero's role and abilities within the mode's unique ruleset. Don't be discouraged if the first few matches feel chaotic; focus on communication (even non-verbal cues like positioning), smart passing, and playing to each character's strengths.
Remember to aim for those crucial 3-point center goals, but don't shy away from securing 1-pointers. Utilize hero abilities strategically for both offense and defense, and always prioritize carrying the ball into the goal. Participation in the event often comes with exciting rewards, such as the free "Lion's Mane" costume for Star-Lord and other themed cosmetics, providing extra incentive to jump in and compete.
So, gather a team, apply these tips, experiment with strategies, and most importantly, have a fantastic time roaring to victory in the Clash of Dancing Lions!