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

NetEase has deployed a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting various characters and team-up abilities ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. The update features buffs, nerfs, and adjustments designed to refine gameplay dynamics.

The patch addresses the balance across all hero categories. Duelists such as Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch received minor nerfs, while others, including Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier, benefit from enhancements ranging from increased health to shorter cooldown times. A notable buff targets Storm, previously considered underpowered, significantly improving her Bolt Rush and Wind Blade capabilities.

Vanguards also see adjustments. Captain America and Thor receive health boosts, and Venom's Feast of the Abyss ability gains increased damage. Strategists, including Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon, experience various tweaks to their abilities, primarily focusing on cooldown reductions and increased healing or repair rates.

Team-up abilities, activated when specific heroes are paired, also undergo changes. Several team-ups, such as Hawkeye/Black Widow and Hela/Thor/Loki, see reduced season bonuses. Conversely, other team-ups, including Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier and Thor/Storm/Captain America, receive cooldown reductions and damage increases.

The full patch notes detail the specific numerical changes for each character and ability, providing a granular view of the adjustments made. These changes aim to create a more balanced and engaging competitive experience as players prepare for the arrival of Season 1 and the introduction of the Fantastic Four.

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Balance Patch Notes

Duelist

• Black Panther: Reduced Vibranium Marks health bonus.
• Black Widow: Increased Edge Dancer range and reduced Fleet Foot and Electro-Plasma Explosion cooldowns.
• Hawkeye: Reduced Blast Arrow spread and Archer’s Focus range and damage.
• Hela: Reduced base health.
• Magik: Increased Umbral Incursion damage (Darkchild form).
• Moon Knight: Increased 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: Increased Chaos Control fixed damage, reduced percentage damage, and increased Chthonian Burst projectile damage.
• Storm: Increased Wind Blade speed and damage, Bolt Rush damage, and Omega Hurricane bonus health and duration.
• Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemies; reduced squirrel health.
• Winter Soldier: Increased Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage health bonus, Roterstern projectile damage, and base health; reduced area damage and damage decay.
• Wolverine: Increased base health; reduced Undying Animal damage reduction.

Vanguard

• Captain America: Reduced shield restoration delay, Liberty Rush cooldown, and Freedom Charge energy cost and health regeneration; increased base health.
• 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 (Hero Hulk).
• Venom: Increased Symbiotic Resilience health ratio and Feast of the Abyss base damage.

Strategist

• 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.