How to Get Chrono Shield Cards in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals is evolving fast, and with it comes one of the most controversial and intriguing features yet: Chrono Shield Cards. These new consumable items are designed to protect lower-ranked players from losing points after a loss in Competitive mode. If you’re looking to climb the ranks stress-free—or just avoid the tilt that comes with back-to-back defeats—Chrono Shield Cards might be your new best friend.
But how do you get them? How do they work? And are they really fair?
Let’s break down everything you need to know about Chrono Shield Cards in Marvel Rivals, especially with the Galacta’s Gift event kicking off on May 15th.
What Are Chrono Shield Cards in Marvel Rivals?
Chrono Shield Cards are one-time-use consumable items that you can activate to prevent SR (Skill Rating) point loss after a defeat in Competitive mode.
The system is tied to the Chrono Shield mechanism, which is exclusively available for players in Gold rank or below. These cards offer a temporary buffer—allowing newer or casual players to enter ranked without the fear of dropping too quickly due to a string of unlucky matches or bad teammates.
Think of them like a get-out-of-jail-free card for Ranked.
🌌 A year ago, Marvel Rivals entered Closed Alpha and now it’s time to celebrate with Galacta’s Gift!
Play matches to earn free rewards, including Nameplates, Sprays, Chrono Shield Cards, and even a Costume Coin you can use to unlock a costume for any Season 0 hero! 🎁
🗓️… pic.twitter.com/XXNJnb0xec
— Marvel Rivals (@MarvelRivals) May 14, 2025
Where to Get Chrono Shield Cards
At the time of writing, the only confirmed way to obtain Chrono Shield Cards is through limited-time events—starting with Galacta’s Gift, a celebration of the game’s growing community and content.
Galacta’s Gift Event (Starting May 15, 2025)
You can earn up to 8 Chrono Shield Cards during this event:
-
Play Quick Play, Competitive, or Practice vs. AI matches.
-
Complete event missions tied to general activity (e.g. matches played, time spent, etc.).
-
Follow the free reward track:
-
4 Chrono Shield Cards unlock as the second reward.
-
Another 4 Chrono Shield Cards unlock as the fourth reward.
-
That’s it! No grind-heavy challenges or premium pass required—you just need to play consistently during the event period.
Are Chrono Shield Cards Pay-to-Win?
No. At least not right now.
Chrono Shield Cards:
-
Cannot be purchased in the shop (as confirmed by the developers).
-
Are only usable by Gold-ranked players or lower.
-
Are limited to 20 in your inventory.
-
Are removed at the end of each season, unused or not.
This means that these cards are not infinite, not abusable by high-level players, and can’t be stockpiled forever. They’re clearly intended as a training-wheel system to encourage new players to step into Ranked without excessive pressure.
Of course, the community has voiced concerns that this could shift into a monetized mechanic in the future. As of now, however, the system remains strictly non-pay-to-win and limited to casual use cases.
How to Use Chrono Shield Cards
Using a Chrono Shield Card is simple:
-
Go into Ranked Mode as a Gold or lower-ranked player.
-
Ensure your Chrono Shield Card is activated (the UI will confirm this before queueing).
-
Play a match.
-
If you win, the card is not consumed.
-
If you lose, the card is automatically used, and you don’t lose SR.
-
It’s important to note that you cannot manually select when to use them—the card triggers automatically when a loss occurs and only if you’re eligible.
Tips for Making the Most of Chrono Shield Cards
-
Play during the event to maximize your shard gains and rewards.
-
Don’t waste cards on low-stakes games. Try to use them during streaks where you’re experimenting or playing with uncoordinated teammates.
-
Track your inventory: You can only hold 20 cards at once, and they reset every season.
-
Save cards for placement matches in future seasons if you want a safer start.
Will There Be Other Ways to Get Chrono Shield Cards?
Right now, only event-related missions grant these cards. But it’s likely that:
-
Future seasonal events will feature them.
-
They could appear in the Season Shop or Pass Royale in the future.
-
There may eventually be daily login rewards or Path of Legends bonuses.
The developers have stated that Chrono Shield Tokens from Ranked and Cards from events will not be for sale, but we can’t rule out that new avenues may appear—especially if demand increases.
What Happens to Unused Cards at the End of the Season?
Any unused Chrono Shield Cards in your inventory will be automatically removed at the end of the season.
So yes—use them or lose them.
Make sure to track the seasonal reset and pop into Ranked before your hard-earned protection cards vanish into the Multiverse.
Why Is This Feature Controversial?
While well-intentioned, some players are calling foul:
-
High-rank players worry it creates “fake progression.”
-
Others argue it erodes competitive integrity, even if it’s restricted to Gold rank.
-
Some believe it’s a test run for future monetization.
On the other side of the debate:
-
Many new or casual players are grateful for a pressure-free path into Ranked.
-
It helps with player retention, especially for those frustrated by early losing streaks.
-
It promotes exploration of new heroes without harsh SR punishments.
Ultimately, its limited use and event-bound availability suggest it’s a testbed, not a permanent meta feature.
Conclusion: Shield Your Rank, Not Your Ambition
Chrono Shield Cards are a clever, albeit temporary, solution to Ranked stress in Marvel Rivals. Whether you’re a newcomer trying to climb out of Silver or a returning player dusting off your mains, these cards offer a friendly buffer to help you enjoy the climb.
Just remember:
-
They’re not for sale.
-
They expire each season.
-
They’re for Gold rank and below only.
So, if you want a safety net during this season’s grind, log in during the Galacta’s Gift event and complete your missions. With 8 cards on the table and a legendary villain like Ultron arriving soon, there’s never been a better time to dive back in.
FAQs – Chrono Shield Cards in Marvel Rivals
What are Chrono Shield Cards?
A consumable item that prevents SR loss after a Competitive match defeat. Usable only in Gold rank or lower.
How many can I hold at once?
Up to 20 in your inventory.
Do unused cards carry over to the next season?
No. All unused cards expire at the end of the current season.
Can I buy Chrono Shield Cards with real money?
No. They are not available for sale.
When and where can I earn them?
During the Galacta’s Gift event, starting May 15. Play any mode to progress the reward track and unlock up to 8 cards.