Marvel Rivals Unveils Major Season 1 Gameplay Enhancements

Marvel Rivals Receives Pre-Season 1 Balance Patch with Buffs and Nerfs

NetEase has deployed a balance patch for Marvel Rivals ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. The update features adjustments to numerous characters and team-up abilities, addressing community feedback and preparing the game for its upcoming major content drop. Notable changes include buffs to previously underperforming characters and tweaks to various team synergies.

Marvel Rivals, a popular hero-shooter released late 2024, blends iconic Marvel characters with team-based gameplay, incorporating elements like payloads and capture points. Season 1 will introduce the Fantastic Four, but before that, this balance patch aims to refine the existing meta.

The patch encompasses changes 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 received buffs, impacting their health, cooldown times, and overall effectiveness. A significant buff to Storm, previously considered a weaker Duelist, is particularly noteworthy, increasing her Bolt Rush damage and Wind Blade projectile speed.

Vanguards also saw adjustments. Captain America and Thor received health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage was increased. Strategists, meanwhile, experienced changes to their abilities. Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown was reduced, Jeff the Land Shark's healing improved, and Rocket Raccoon's repair rate increased.

Finally, numerous team-up abilities, activated when specific heroes are paired, were tweaked. Some passive bonuses were reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), while others saw cooldown reductions (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America).

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Notes Summary:

Duelists:

• Black Panther: Nerfed Vibranium Marks health regeneration.
• Black Widow: Buffed Edge Dancer range and Fleet Foot cooldown.
• Hawkeye: Nerfed Blast Arrow spread and Archer’s Focus 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 checks 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 Bolt Rush damage, improved Omega Hurricane health bonus.
• Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemy; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Buffed Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage health bonus and Roterstern damage, adjusted 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.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness; slightly decreased 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 speed boost.
• Rocket Raccoon: Increased Repair Mode healing.

Team-Up Abilities: Various cooldown reductions and bonus percentage adjustments.

This comprehensive balance patch aims to create a more balanced and engaging experience for Marvel Rivals players as they prepare for the launch of Season 1.