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 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 market.

The patch significantly addresses the balance of Duelists, with notable adjustments to several key characters. Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch received minor nerfs, while Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier received buffs, including health increases and cooldown reductions. A particularly welcome change is the substantial buff to Storm, previously considered underpowered. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and her Wind Blade projectile speed has increased to 150m/s from 100m/s.

Vanguards also received attention, with Captain America and Thor gaining health boosts, and Venom seeing an increase in Feast of the Abyss damage. Strategists weren't left out, with adjustments to Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon. These changes include cooldown reductions and increased healing output.

Team-up abilities, activated when specific heroes are paired, also underwent revisions. Several team-up bonuses have been reduced (Hawkeye/Black Widow, Hela/Thor/Loki), while others saw cooldown decreases (Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier, Thor/Storm/Captain America).

Here's a summary of the key balance changes:

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 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/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 damage and Chthonian Burst projectile 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 the nearest enemy; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Buffed Bionic Hook/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-heal from Freedom Charge.
• Doctor Strange: Added damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness and Gamma Maelstrom; 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 switching interval.
• Mantis: Reduced Nature’s Favor movement speed 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 Charged Gale damage.

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