Marvel Rivals Reveals Season 1 Balance Changes

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Pre-Launch Balance Patch: Significant Character Adjustments

NetEase has unveiled a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous heroes ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. This update features a mix of nerfs, buffs, and ability tweaks, significantly altering gameplay dynamics. The changes affect Duelists, Vanguards, Strategists, and even team-up abilities.

Marvel Rivals, a popular hero shooter, has quickly gained traction since its late 2024 release. Its roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with team-based gameplay elements, sets it apart. Season 1, focusing on the Fantastic Four, promises further expansion, but this pre-season patch provides a substantial gameplay shift.

Notable Changes:

The patch introduces widespread adjustments across all hero classes. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier all received buffs, ranging from increased health to shorter cooldown times. A significant buff to Storm, previously considered underpowered, is particularly noteworthy, boosting her Bolt Rush damage and Wind Blade speed.

Vanguards also see improvements. Captain America and Thor receive health increases, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage is enhanced. Among Strategists, Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon all undergo adjustments, primarily focusing on cooldown reductions and increased healing or repair rates.

Finally, the patch fine-tunes various team-up abilities. Some team-up bonuses are reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), while others see cooldown decreases (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America).

Detailed Patch Notes:

Below are the specific changes implemented in the Marvel Rivals Season 1 balance patch:

Duelists:

• Black Panther: Reduced Vibranium Marks health bonus.
• Black Widow: Increased Edge Dancer range, reduced Fleet Foot and Electro-Plasma Explosion recovery times.
• Hawkeye: Reduced Blast Arrow spread and Archer’s Focus range and damage.
• Hela: Reduced base health.
• Magik: Increased Umbral Incursion damage.
• Moon Knight: Increased Hand of Khonshu talon count and explosion radius.
• Namor: Improved Monstro/Frozen Spawn throwing accuracy.
• Psylocke: Dance of the Butterfly now detects barriers.
• Punisher: Slightly reduced Deliverance and Adjudication spread.
• Scarlet Witch: Increased Chaos Control fixed damage, reduced percentage damage, increased Chthonian Burst damage.
• Storm: Increased Wind Blade speed and damage, increased Bolt Rush damage, significantly improved Omega Hurricane bonus health and duration.
• Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemies; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Increased Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage health bonus, increased Roterstern damage, reduced 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; reduced self-healing 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, increased 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 switch interval.
• Mantis: Reduced Nature’s Favor movement boost.
• Rocket Raccoon: Increased Repair Mode healing.

Team-Up Abilities:

• Hawkeye – Black Widow: Reduced season bonus.
• Hela – Thor – Loki: Reduced season bonus.
• Luna Snow – Namor: Increased Frozen Spawn damage and slow effect.
• Rocket Raccoon – Punisher – Winter Soldier: Reduced Ammo Invention cooldown.
• Scarlet Witch – Magneto: Increased Metallic Fusion damage.
• Thor – Storm – Captain America: Reduced Charged Gale cooldown, increased damage.

This substantial balance patch promises a refreshed Marvel Rivals experience as players prepare for Season 1.