Marvel Rivals Announces Season 1 Balances

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

NetEase has deployed a substantial balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting various heroes ahead of Season 1's launch on January 10th. The update features buffs, nerfs, and refinements across all hero classes, addressing community feedback and preparing the game for the upcoming season's major content additions.

Marvel Rivals, a popular hero-shooter released late 2024, has quickly gained traction. Its roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with team-based gameplay featuring payloads and capture points, has resonated with players. Season 1 will introduce the Fantastic Four, further expanding the game's already impressive lineup. This pre-season patch aims to fine-tune the existing roster before the influx of new content.

The patch extensively revises hero abilities, impacting every category:

Duelists: Several Duelists received adjustments. Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch experienced minor nerfs, while Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier received buffs including increased health and reduced cooldown times. A significant buff was applied to Storm, previously considered underpowered, enhancing her Bolt Rush and Wind Blade abilities.

Vanguards: Vanguards such as Venom, Thor, and Captain America also saw improvements. Thor and Captain America received health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss ability now deals increased damage.

Strategists: The Strategist class saw adjustments to Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon. These changes focused on cooldown reductions and increased healing or repair output.

Team-Up Abilities: The patch also tweaked various team-up abilities, adjusting season bonuses and cooldowns for several hero combinations. Some examples include reduced cooldowns for Rocket Raccoon, Punisher, and Winter Soldier team-ups, and damage increases for Luna Snow and Namor.

Detailed Patch Notes: (A summarized version of the provided patch notes follows. For complete details, refer to the original patch notes.)

• Duelists: Significant changes to Black Panther, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hela, Magik, Moon Knight, Namor, Psylocke, Punisher, Scarlet Witch, Storm, Squirrel Girl, and Winter Soldier. Notable buffs to Storm and Winter Soldier.
• Vanguards: Adjustments to Captain America, Doctor Strange, Thor, Hulk, and Venom. Health increases for Captain America and Thor.
• Strategists: Changes to Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon. Improved healing for Jeff the Land Shark and Rocket Raccoon.
• Team-Up Abilities: Various adjustments to team-up bonuses and cooldowns.

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