Fighting games thrive on precision, but Rivals of Aether 2 is here to prove they can also thrive on absurdity. The latest character to join its roster, Slade, is a pirate shark who doesn’t just slash and dash—he turns every match into a treasure hunt. With every hit, Slade rakes in currency that he can immediately spend on weapons, bombs, or even a temporary death cheat. And if that weren’t enough, he can pause combat to go fishing, only for his catch to flop into a treasure chest and—somehow—strike a downed opponent.
This isn’t the first time a fighter has broken the mold. In the original Rivals of Aether, Shovel Knight stood out as a chaotic gem-pounding merchant who could upgrade mid-match. Slade takes that idea and runs with it, adding a layer of fishing-based mayhem that feels straight out of a platformer. The devs behind the game, Yacht Club Games, clearly aren’t afraid to lean into the bizarre—previous characters have included a folding-chair-flinging ant wrestler and a magnet-powered dinosaur.
Slade first appeared in Dungeons of Aether, the turn-based spin-off, where his pirate aesthetic and gimmicks were already a standout. Now, he’s ready to take center stage in the sequel, arriving on April 7, 2026. For fans of Smash Bros. who’ve been waiting for a PC-native alternative, this is another step toward proving that fighting games can be both competitive and wildly imaginative.
- Slade’s ability to shop mid-match and fish during fights redefines what a fighter can do.
- The character’s design blends pirate aesthetics with platformer chaos, appealing to fans of both genres.
- His arrival cements Rivals of Aether 2 as a title that refuses to take itself too seriously.
- With a roster this diverse, it’s clear the game is aiming to compete with the biggest names in fighting.
The trailer for Slade doesn’t just show off his moves—it showcases his sheer unpredictability. One moment, he’s dueling an opponent with a cutlass; the next, he’s reeling in a fish that somehow becomes a weapon. It’s the kind of playful madness that keeps platform fighters fresh, and it’s exactly what Rivals of Aether 2 needs to stand out in a crowded genre.
For those who’ve been waiting for a PC-friendly Smash Bros. alternative, this is another reason to keep an eye on the sequel. Slade isn’t just a fighter—he’s a spectacle, and he’s coming soon.
