Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Overhaul Announced

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

NetEase has deployed a significant balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting various heroes and team-up abilities before Season 1's January 10th launch. The update features adjustments across all hero classes, addressing community feedback and aiming to refine gameplay dynamics.

The patch introduces both nerfs and buffs. Several Duelists, including Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch, received minor nerfs to their abilities. Conversely, Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier all received buffs, enhancing their effectiveness in combat. A notable highlight is the substantial buff to Storm, previously considered a less potent Duelist. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage, and Wind Blade's projectile speed has been increased to 150m/s from 100m/s.

Vanguards also saw adjustments. Captain America and Thor received health increases, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss damage was boosted. Strategists weren't left out; Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon all experienced tweaks to their abilities, primarily focusing on cooldown reductions and increased healing output.

The patch also fine-tunes various team-up abilities, adjusting seasonal bonuses and cooldowns for several hero combinations. For instance, the Hawkeye-Black Widow and Hela-Thor-Loki team-ups saw their seasonal bonuses reduced to 15%. Meanwhile, cooldown reductions were implemented for team-ups involving Rocket Raccoon, Punisher, Winter Soldier, and the Thor-Storm-Captain America trio.

Detailed Patch Notes:

Duelists:

• Black Panther: Nerfed Vibranium Marks health regeneration.
• Black Widow: Buffed Edge Dancer range, Fleet Foot recovery, and Electro-Plasma Explosion power-up speed.
• Hawkeye: Nerfed Blast Arrow spread and Archer's Focus damage and range.
• Hela: Health reduced.
• 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; health reduced.
• 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; reduced self-healing from Freedom Charge.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom spells; 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 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 seasonal bonus.
• Hela – Thor – Loki: Reduced seasonal 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 Charged Gale damage.

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