Rather than the classic X-Men leader, the team chose the Phoenix-empowered version of Scott Summers, a pick the developers say emerged from wanting to add something new to a character whose fighting game look and style were already well established. He is built as an all-rounder, mixing long-range Optic Blasts with close-range strikes, plus Phoenix-powered fire attacks that cover large parts of the screen.

His signature mechanic draws on the Avengers vs. X-Men comics storyline: repeated Optic Blast use builds up Solar Shards, and collecting four lets Cyclops transform into his Dark Phoenix form for a temporary power boost. That strength comes at a cost, with health depletion among the risks, so managing the Phoenix Force is framed as key to winning. Players who prefer the familiar look can pick up Classic and Legacy costumes alongside the new design.