Marvel Rivals Announces Season 1 Balance Updates

Marvel Rivals receives a pre-Season 1 balance patch, addressing character strengths and weaknesses. NetEase's adjustments impact Duelists, Vanguards, and Strategists, alongside team-up abilities. The changes aim to create a more balanced gameplay experience before Season 1's launch on January 10th.

The popular hero-shooter, launched late 2024, has quickly gained traction. Its diverse roster, featuring iconic Marvel characters, and team-based gameplay, including payloads and capture points, are key to its success. Season 1 will introduce the Fantastic Four, further expanding the roster. This pre-season patch fine-tunes the existing characters in preparation.

Significant buffs and nerfs have been applied across character classes. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier received boosts, enhancing their effectiveness. A notable buff was given to Storm, previously considered underpowered, improving her Bolt Rush and Wind Blade.

Vanguards also saw adjustments. Captain America and Thor received health increases, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss now deals more damage. Strategists weren't left out; Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon all received tweaks to their abilities, focusing on cooldown reductions and increased healing or damage output.

Finally, numerous team-up abilities were refined. Some team-up bonuses were reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), while others saw cooldown decreases (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America). Specific team-up abilities also received damage or effect enhancements (Luna Snow/Namor, Scarlet Witch/Magneto).

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Notes Summary

Duelists:

• Black Panther: Reduced Vibranium Marks health bonus.
• Black Widow: Increased Edge Dancer range and reduced cooldown times.
• Hawkeye: Reduced Blast Arrow spread and Archer’s Focus range/damage.
• Hela: Reduced base health.
• Magik: Increased Umbral Incursion damage.
• Moon Knight: Increased Hand of Khonshu talon count and radius.
• Namor: Improved Monstro/Frozen Spawn throwing accuracy.
• Psylocke: Dance of the Butterfly now accounts for barriers.
• Punisher: Reduced Deliverance and Adjudication spread.
• Scarlet Witch: Adjusted Chaos Control and Chthonian Burst damage.
• Storm: Significantly increased Wind Blade speed and damage, boosted Bolt Rush damage, and extended Omega Hurricane health bonus duration.
• Squirrel Girl: Altered Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami targeting; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Increased Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage health bonus and Roterstern damage, adjusted area damage and decay. Increased base health.
• 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.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness; reduced shield 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 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 switching interval.
• Mantis: Reduced Nature’s Favor movement boost.
• Rocket Raccoon: Increased Repair Mode healing.

Team-Up Abilities: Various adjustments to cooldowns and damage/effect values for multiple team-up combinations.