Marvel Rivals Unveils Sweeping Season 1 Balance Adjustments

Marvel Rivals Receives Pre-Season 1 Balance Patch with Significant Character Adjustments

NetEase has deployed a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous characters ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. This update features buffs, nerfs, and tweaks across all hero categories, promising a refreshed meta for players. The changes aim to address power imbalances and enhance the overall gameplay experience.

Marvel Rivals, a popular hero-shooter, has quickly gained traction since its late 2024 release. Its diverse roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with team-based gameplay mechanics (payloads, capture points, and unique abilities), contributes to its success. Season 1, focusing on the Fantastic Four, is on the horizon, but this pre-season patch introduces substantial adjustments to prepare players for the upcoming changes.

The patch extensively revises hero abilities. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier have been buffed, with improvements to health, cooldown times, and damage output. A notable buff targets Storm, previously considered underpowered, enhancing her Bolt Rush and Wind Blade abilities.

Vanguard characters, such as Venom, Thor, and Captain America, also receive adjustments. Health increases for Captain America and Thor, alongside a damage boost for Venom's Feast of the Abyss, aim to improve their effectiveness. Strategists like Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon see various tweaks to their abilities, focusing on cooldown reductions and healing improvements.

Team-up abilities, activated by specific hero combinations, also undergo adjustments. Some team-ups, like Hawkeye/Black Widow and Hela/Thor/Loki, see reduced season bonuses. Other combinations, including Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier and Thor/Storm/Captain America, receive cooldown reductions and damage increases.

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Notes (Summary):

Duelists: Significant changes to Black Panther, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hela, Magik, Moon Knight, Namor, Psylocke, Punisher, Scarlet Witch, Storm, Squirrel Girl, Winter Soldier, and Wolverine. These include adjustments to damage, health, cooldowns, and ability ranges. Storm receives substantial buffs.

Vanguards: Notable adjustments to Captain America, Doctor Strange, Thor, Hulk, and Venom. These primarily focus on health increases and minor ability tweaks.

Strategists: Various adjustments to Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon. These center around cooldown reductions and healing improvements.

Team-Up Abilities: Several team-up abilities receive adjustments to cooldowns and season bonuses, aiming for improved balance and synergy.

This pre-season patch sets the stage for Season 1, promising a dynamic and balanced competitive landscape in Marvel Rivals.