Marvel Rivals Reveals Season 1 Balance Changes

Marvel Rivals receives a pre-Season 1 balance patch from NetEase. The update, released before Season 1's January 10th launch, features adjustments to numerous characters and team-up abilities.

NetEase's balance patch for Marvel Rivals introduces a mix of nerfs, buffs, and quality-of-life improvements across all hero categories. The game, a popular hero-shooter released late 2024, is preparing for its Season 1 update focused on the Fantastic Four. This preemptive patch addresses community feedback and aims to fine-tune the gameplay experience before the major seasonal changes.

Several Duelists received adjustments. Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch experienced minor nerfs, while Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier received buffs, including health increases and reduced cooldown times. A significant buff to Storm, previously considered underpowered, increases her Bolt Rush damage and Wind Blade projectile speed.

Vanguards also saw changes. Captain America and Thor received health boosts, and Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage was increased. Strategists received various tweaks, including cooldown reductions for Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm and increased healing for Jeff the Land Shark's Joyful Splash. Rocket Raccoon's repair mode also received a boost.

The patch also fine-tunes several team-up abilities. Some team-up season bonuses (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki) were reduced, while others (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America) saw cooldown decreases. Specific team-ups, such as Luna Snow and Namor, received damage and effect enhancements.

Here's a summary of the key balance changes:

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance 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: Nerfed base health.
• Magik: Buffed Umbral Incursion damage.
• Moon Knight: Buffed Hand of Khonshu talon count and explosion radius.
• Namor: Improved Monstro/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 buffed Chthonian Burst 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 health bonus, Roterstern damage, and base health; slightly nerfed area damage and damage decay.
• Wolverine: Buffed base health; slightly nerfed 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-heal per second.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness; 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 switch 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.