Marvel Rivals Receives Pre-Season 1 Balance Patch with Significant Character Adjustments
NetEase has deployed a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous heroes ahead of Season 1's launch on January 10th. This update features buffs, nerfs, and refinements to various character abilities and team-up combinations. The changes aim to address hero imbalances and enhance the overall gameplay experience.
Marvel Rivals, a popular hero-shooter released late in 2024, has quickly gained traction. Its compelling roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with team-based gameplay mechanics (payloads, capture points, and unique abilities), contributes to its success. Season 1 will introduce the Fantastic Four, expanding the already impressive character selection. This pre-season patch serves as a crucial adjustment before the major content update.
The patch significantly alters each hero category. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs. Conversely, heroes like Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier benefited from buffs, ranging from increased health to shorter cooldown times. A notable enhancement is the buff to Storm, previously considered underpowered. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and her Wind Blade projectile speed has been increased from 100m/s to 150m/s.
Vanguards also received adjustments. Captain America and Thor received health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss now deals increased damage. Strategists saw alterations to Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon, impacting cooldowns and healing capabilities. For example, Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown is reduced, and Jeff's Joyful Splash healing is improved.
Finally, numerous team-up abilities, activated by specific hero combinations, have been tweaked. Some passive abilities received adjustments, while others saw changes to their offensive or defensive capabilities. Several team-up season bonuses were reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), and cooldowns for certain combinations (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America) were decreased.
Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Notes (Summary)
Detailed changes are provided below, categorized by hero type and team-up abilities. Note that this is a summarized version of the extensive 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.
- Hela: Health reduced.
- 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 and Chthonian Burst damage.
- Storm: Significant buffs to Wind Blade, Bolt Rush, and Omega Hurricane.
- Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemy; health reduced.
- Winter Soldier: Buffs to Bionic Hook, Tainted Voltage, and Roterstern; health increased.
- Wolverine: Health increased; Undying Animal damage reduction decreased.
Vanguards:
- Captain America: Reduced shield restoration delay, Liberty Rush cooldown, and Freedom Charge energy cost; health increased.
- Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness; reduced shield recovery rate.
- Thor: Health increased; added immunity to control effects during God of Thunder.
- Hulk: Reduced Indestructible Guard shield value.
- Venom: Increased Symbiotic Resilience 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 balance patch sets the stage for Season 1, promising a more refined and balanced competitive experience in Marvel Rivals.
