Don’t Be Fooled: “Marvel Rivals” Now Lets You Pet Jeff the Shark, But He’s Still a Menace

In the world of Marvel Rivals, the 6v6 hero shooter that has taken the gaming world by storm, a new cosmetic has been added that seems designed to confuse and mislead players. As of the latest update, a new duo emote allows players to “cuddle” with Jeff the Land Shark. This new feature, which is the first-ever duo emote in the game, lets heroes like Emma Frost pet the big, dopey menace, all while he makes a happy purring sound. This is an apparent attempt by the developers at NetEase to convince us that Jeff, the murderous, team-wiping support hero, is in fact a cute and cuddly companion. But anyone who has been on the wrong end of his “It’s Jeff!” Ultimate ability knows better. Jeff is a monster, and no amount of virtual head-pats will change that.

The Cuddly Killer: Why You Can’t Trust Jeff

The new emote, titled “My Baby & Me,” is a masterstroke of psychological warfare. It’s a blatant appeal to our love for all things adorable, a classic bait-and-switch that aims to make us forget what a truly dangerous character Jeff is in the game’s meta. Jeff the Land Shark, a “Strategist” class hero, is a deceptively powerful force on the battlefield. While he has a low health pool and a primary attack that provides healing, he is a force to be reckoned with. His “Hide and Seek” ability allows him to burrow into the ground, reducing his hitbox, healing himself, and giving him the ability to wall-crawl. This makes him a nightmare to pin down and eliminate. He can pop out of the ground at a moment’s notice to provide a clutch heal or to launch a “Healing Bubble” that gives allies a significant buff. But it is his ultimate ability, “It’s Jeff!”, that truly solidifies his reputation as a menace. This move sees him dive underground and emerge to swallow both enemies and allies in a large area of effect. He can then spit them out, dealing continuous damage to enemies while healing his allies. This ultimate is so powerful that players often use it to swallow a group of opponents and then jump off the map, an act of pure evil that results in a terrifying, team-wiping suicide.

• A Master of Deception: The new pet emote is an obvious attempt to make Jeff seem cute, but his in-game abilities are anything but.
• A Terrifying Ultimate: His “It’s Jeff!” ability can wipe out an entire team, making him a major threat in any game.
• A High-Priority Target: Despite his low health, his evasive abilities and team-wiping ultimate make him a high-priority target for any experienced team.

The “Jeff Effect”: A Symbol of the Game’s Identity

The decision to make Jeff the star of the game’s first duo emote is a telling one. It’s a recognition of his status as a breakout character, an unlikely hero who has captured the hearts of the player base. His journey from an obscure comic book sidekick to a fully playable, meme-worthy character in a major hero shooter is a testament to the power of fan engagement and a clever design. Jeff’s whole existence in the game is a meta-commentary on his own cuteness. He’s an adorable animal with a heart of a killing machine, a perfect symbol for a game that blends a vibrant, comic-book aesthetic with the high-stakes, competitive chaos of the hero shooter genre. While we may be able to pet him now, we should never forget what he’s capable of. He is a giant, dopey land-shark who will happily gobble you up if you aren’t paying attention. So go ahead, pet the shark. Just don’t say you weren’t warned when he decides it’s time to show you his teeth.