Season 1 Changes Unveiled in Marvel Rivals

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

NetEase has deployed a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous characters across all hero categories ahead of Season 1's launch on January 10th. The update features buffs, nerfs, and adjustments to abilities, aiming to refine gameplay dynamics before the substantial changes Season 1 will introduce.

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 (payloads, capture points, and unique abilities), has contributed to its success. Season 1, focusing on the Fantastic Four, will further expand the game's content. This pre-season patch serves as a crucial preparation step.

The patch extensively revises every hero class. 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 health, cooldown times, and ability effectiveness. A notable enhancement boosts Storm's capabilities, addressing player concerns regarding her previous underperformance. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and Wind Blade's projectile speed increases from 100m/s to 150m/s.

Vanguards—Venom, Thor, and Captain America—also see improvements. Captain America and Thor gain increased health, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage receives a boost. Strategists (Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon) also undergo adjustments, affecting cooldowns, healing, and repair rates. For instance, Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown is reduced, and Jeff's Joyful Splash healing is increased.

Finally, the patch fine-tunes various team-up abilities. These collaborative abilities, triggered by specific hero combinations, receive adjustments to their season bonuses and cooldowns. For example, Hawkeye and Black Widow's team-up bonus is reduced, while the cooldown for Rocket Raccoon, Punisher, and Winter Soldier's team-up is shortened.

Detailed Patch Notes:

Duelists:

• Black Panther: Nerfed Vibranium Marks health regeneration.
• Black Widow: Buffed Edge Dancer range, Fleet Foot recovery, and Electro-Plasma Explosion activation speed.
• Hawkeye: Nerfed 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 and Frozen Spawn throwing accuracy.
• Psylocke: Dance of the Butterfly now detects 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 health bonus.
• Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemies; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Buffed Bionic Hook and Tainted Voltage health bonus, Roterstern damage, and base health; slightly reduced area damage and damage 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 and reduced self-healing from Freedom Charge.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness and Gamma Maelstrom; slightly 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 and Feast of the Abyss base 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 and increased damage.

This balance patch sets the stage for Season 1, promising a refined and more balanced Marvel Rivals experience.