Marvel Rivals Reveals Season 1 Balance Changes

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 January 10th launch. The update features buffs, nerfs, and tweaks across all hero categories, promising a refreshed meta for players. This pre-season adjustment follows the game's successful launch in late 2024, solidifying its position in the competitive hero-shooter landscape.

The patch introduces notable changes, affecting gameplay strategies significantly. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, have received minor nerfs. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier all benefit from enhancements, such as increased health and reduced cooldown times. A particularly welcomed adjustment is the substantial buff to Storm, previously considered underpowered. Her Bolt Rush now inflicts 80 damage (up from 70), and Wind Blade's projectile speed has been increased from 100m/s to 150m/s.

Vanguards also see adjustments. Captain America and Thor receive health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage is increased. Among the Strategists, Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon all undergo modifications. For instance, Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown is reduced, and Jeff's Joyful Splash healing is amplified. Rocket Raccoon's repair mode receives a significant boost.

Finally, the patch includes refinements to various team-up abilities. Some passive abilities and offensive/defensive options have been tweaked. For example, Hawkeye and Black Widow team-up bonuses, as well as those for Hela, Thor, and Loki, have been reduced. Other team-up cooldowns, such as those for Rocket Raccoon, Punisher, Winter Soldier, and Thor, Storm, and Captain America combinations, have been shortened.

Detailed Patch Notes:

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 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 Spawn and Frozen Spawn throwing accuracy.
• Psylocke: Dance of the Butterfly now detects barriers.
• Punisher: Reduced Deliverance and Adjudication spread.
• Scarlet Witch: Increased Chaos Control fixed damage, reduced percentage damage, increased Chthonian Burst projectile damage.
• Storm: Increased Wind Blade speed and damage, increased Bolt Rush damage, and significantly improved Omega Hurricane bonus health.
• Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemies; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Increased Bionic Hook and 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, reduced Liberty Rush cooldown, increased base health, reduced Freedom Charge energy cost and health regeneration.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness and Gamma Maelstrom, 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 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.