Marvel Rivals Updates Game with Season 1 Balance Adjustments

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

NetEase has deployed a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting various heroes ahead of Season 1's launch on January 10th. The update features buffs, nerfs, and refinements to numerous characters and team-up abilities, promising a refreshed meta for players.

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 mechanics, sets it apart. Season 1, focused on the Fantastic Four, is on the horizon, but this pre-season patch introduces substantial changes to prepare players.

The patch extensively revises all hero categories. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier have received buffs, ranging from increased health to shorter cooldown times. A notable enhancement is the buff to Storm, previously considered a less effective Duelist. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and Wind Blade's projectile speed has increased to 150m/s from 100m/s.

Vanguards also see adjustments. Captain America and Thor receive health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage has been increased. Strategists are not left out, with changes affecting Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon. Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown is reduced, Jeff's Joyful Splash healing is improved, and Rocket Raccoon's repair mode efficiency is enhanced.

The patch also fine-tunes various team-up abilities. Some team-up bonuses have been reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), while others have seen cooldown reductions (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America).

Detailed Patch Notes:

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 damage and range.
• 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 accounts for barriers.
• Punisher: Slightly reduced Deliverance and Adjudication spread.
• Scarlet Witch: Adjusted Chaos Control damage and Chthonian Burst projectile damage.
• Storm: Significantly buffed Wind Blade speed and damage, Bolt Rush damage, and Omega Hurricane bonus health.
• Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemies; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Buffed Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage bonus health, Roterstern damage, and base health; slightly reduced area damage and 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-healing from Freedom Charge.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness and Gamma Maelstrom; slightly 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:

• 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 extensive balance patch sets the stage for Season 1, promising a dynamic and engaging Marvel Rivals experience.