Marvel Rivals Reveals Season 1 Balance Changes

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

NetEase has deployed a substantial balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous characters ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. This update features buffs, nerfs, and other modifications across all hero categories, offering players a fresh meta to explore before the significant Season 1 changes arrive.

Launched late in 2024, Marvel Rivals has quickly gained popularity within the competitive hero-shooter landscape. Its roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with classic team-based gameplay elements (payloads, capture points, and powerful abilities), has resonated with players. Season 1, focused on the Fantastic Four, will further expand the game's content, but this pre-season patch lays the groundwork for a balanced competitive experience.

The patch extensively revises every hero class. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, receive minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier receive buffs, impacting health, cooldown times, and ability effectiveness. A particularly notable adjustment is the buff to Storm, previously considered one of the weaker Duelists. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and her Wind Blade projectile speed increases from 100m/s to 150m/s.

Vanguards also see adjustments. Captain America and Thor receive health increases, while Venom benefits from increased Feast of the Abyss damage. Among Strategists, Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon receive various tweaks. Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown is reduced, Jeff's Joyful Splash healing is boosted, and Rocket Raccoon's repair mode receives a significant upgrade.

The patch also fine-tunes numerous team-up abilities—activated when specific heroes are paired in a match. These adjustments affect both passive and active abilities, altering offensive and defensive capabilities. Some team-up season bonuses are reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), while others see cooldown reductions (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America).

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Notes (Summary):

Duelists: Significant changes to Black Panther, Black Widow (buffs), Hawkeye (nerfs), Hela (nerfs), Magik (buffs), Moon Knight (buffs), Namor (adjustments), Psylocke (adjustment), Punisher (nerfs), Scarlet Witch (mixed), Storm (significant buffs), Squirrel Girl (mixed), Winter Soldier (buffs), Wolverine (buffs).

Vanguards: Captain America (buffs), Doctor Strange (adjustments), Thor (buffs), Hulk (nerfs), Venom (buffs).

Strategists: Cloak & Dagger (buffs), Jeff the Land Shark (buffs), Luna Snow (adjustments), Mantis (nerfs), Rocket Raccoon (buffs).

Team-Up Abilities: Various cooldown and bonus adjustments across multiple hero combinations.

This comprehensive balance patch sets the stage for Season 1, promising a more refined and competitive experience for Marvel Rivals players.