Marvel Rivals Season 1 Prepares for Launch with Significant Balance Patch

NetEase has unveiled a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous heroes ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. The update features adjustments across the board, including buffs, nerfs, and refinements to character abilities and team-up synergies. This pre-season patch offers players a chance to adapt their strategies before the substantial changes arriving with Season 1 and the introduction of the Fantastic Four.

Launched late in 2024, Marvel Rivals has quickly gained popularity within the hero-shooter genre. Its roster of iconic Marvel characters, combined with team-based gameplay featuring payloads and capture points, has resonated with players. The upcoming Season 1 will expand this roster, but NetEase's preemptive balance patch ensures a smoother transition.

The patch extensively revises every hero category. Several Duelists—Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch—receive minor nerfs, while others, such as Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier, benefit from buffs including increased health and reduced cooldown times. A particularly notable enhancement is the buff to Storm, previously considered a less effective Duelist. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and Wind Blade's projectile speed increases from 100m/s to 150m/s.

Vanguard heroes—Venom, Thor, and Captain America—also see improvements. Captain America and Thor receive health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss ability gains increased damage. Strategists—Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon—receive various adjustments, including reduced cooldowns and increased healing outputs.

The patch also fine-tunes team-up abilities, which activate when specific hero combinations are selected. These abilities, encompassing both offensive and defensive options, receive cooldown reductions and adjusted damage percentages. For instance, Hawkeye and Black Widow's team-up bonus is reduced, while the Rocket Raccoon, Punisher, and Winter Soldier team-up sees a cooldown decrease.

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 range/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 interacts with barriers.
• Punisher: Slightly reduced Deliverance and Adjudication spread.
• Scarlet Witch: Increased Chaos Control fixed damage, reduced percentage damage, increased Chthonian Burst damage.
• Storm: Increased 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: Increased Bionic Hook and Tainted Voltage health bonus, Roterstern damage, and base health; 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.
• 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 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 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.

This substantial balance patch sets the stage for a dynamic Season 1 in Marvel Rivals. Players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these changes before the new season begins.