Marvel Rivals Balanced for Season 1

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Prepares for Launch with Extensive Balance Patch

NetEase has unveiled a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting various heroes ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. This update features adjustments to numerous characters, including buffs, nerfs, and alterations to team-up abilities. The changes aim to refine gameplay and create a more balanced competitive experience for players entering the new season.

Marvel Rivals, a popular hero shooter released late 2024, has quickly gained traction. Its roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with team-based gameplay elements like payloads and capture points, contributes to its appeal. Season 1, focusing on the Fantastic Four, promises further expansion, but this pre-season patch lays the groundwork for a more refined experience.

The patch significantly alters every hero category. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier received buffs, encompassing health increases and reduced cooldown times. A notable buff affects Storm, previously considered a less effective Duelist, improving her Bolt Rush and Wind Blade abilities.

Vanguards also see adjustments. Captain America and Thor receive health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage increases. Strategists, such as Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon, also experience various tweaks to their abilities.

Team-up abilities, activated by specific hero combinations, also undergo modifications. Some passive abilities are adjusted, while others, such as those involving Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki, Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, and Thor/Storm/Captain America, see cooldown reductions or percentage bonus adjustments.

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Highlights:

(Duelists)

Black Panther: Nerfed Vibranium Marks health regeneration.
Black Widow: Buffed Edge Dancer range, Fleet Foot recovery, and Electro-Plasma Explosion charge time.
Hawkeye: Nerfed Blast Arrow spread and Archer's Focus.
Hela: Reduced base health.
Magik: Increased Umbral Incursion damage.
Moon Knight: Increased Hand of Khonshu talon count and explosion radius.
Namor: Improved Monstro and Frozen Spawn throwing accuracy.
Psylocke: Dance of the Butterfly now accounts for barriers.
Punisher: Slightly reduced Deliverance and Adjudication spread.
Scarlet Witch: Adjusted Chaos Control damage and Chthonian Burst projectile damage.
Storm: Significant buffs to Wind Blade, Bolt Rush, and Omega Hurricane.
Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target the nearest enemy; reduced squirrel health.
Winter Soldier: Buffs to Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage health, Roterstern damage, and base health; minor nerfs to area damage and damage decay.
Wolverine: Increased base health; reduced Undying Animal damage reduction.

(Vanguards)

Captain America: Reduced shield restoration delay, Liberty Rush cooldown, and Freedom Charge energy cost; increased base health; reduced self-heal from Freedom Charge.
Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness; reduced Shield of the Seraphim recovery rate.
Thor: Increased base health; added immunity to control effects during God of Thunder.
Hulk: Reduced Indestructible Guard shield value.
Venom: Increased Symbiotic Resilience health ratio and Feast of the Abyss base damage.

(Strategists)

Cloak & Dagger: Reduced Dagger Storm cooldown; increased Eternal Bond dashes.
Jeff the Land Shark: Adjusted It's Jeff! range; increased Joyful Splash healing.
Luna Snow: Increased Fate of Both Worlds switch interval.
Mantis: Reduced Nature's Favor movement boost.
Rocket Raccoon: Increased Repair Mode healing.

(Team-Up Abilities)