Marvel Rivals Receives Pre-Season 1 Balance Patch with Significant Character Adjustments
NetEase has deployed a comprehensive balance patch for Marvel Rivals, impacting numerous heroes across all classes ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. The update features buffs, nerfs, and adjustments to team-up abilities, addressing community feedback and shaping the competitive landscape.
The patch significantly alters the meta, with notable changes impacting popular characters. Duelists like Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch receive minor nerfs, while others, including Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier, gain enhancements such as increased health and reduced cooldown times. A particularly welcome adjustment boosts Storm's effectiveness, addressing player concerns regarding her previous underperformance. Her Bolt Rush now deals 80 damage (up from 70), and Wind Blade's projectile speed increases to 150m/s from 100m/s.
Vanguards also see adjustments. Captain America and Thor receive health boosts, while Venom's Feast of the Abyss gains increased damage. Strategists experience a range of tweaks. Cloak & Dagger's Dagger Storm cooldown is reduced, Jeff the Land Shark's Joyful Splash healing is amplified, and Rocket Raccoon's repair mode receives a significant upgrade.
The patch also fine-tunes several team-up abilities, adjusting both passive and active effects. Season bonuses for Hawkeye/Black Widow and Hela/Thor/Loki team-ups are reduced, while cooldowns for other combinations, including Rocket Raccoon/Punisher/Winter Soldier and Thor/Storm/Captain America, are decreased. Specific team-up abilities, such as Luna Snow/Namor's Frozen Spawn, and Scarlet Witch/Magneto's Metallic Fusion, also receive damage and effect enhancements.
Detailed Patch Notes:
Duelist:
- 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 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, increased Chthonian Burst projectile damage.
- Storm: Increased Wind Blade speed and damage, increased Bolt Rush damage, significantly improved Omega Hurricane bonus health.
- Squirrel Girl: Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrels now target nearest enemy; reduced squirrel health.
- Winter Soldier: Increased Bionic Hook/Tainted Voltage health bonus, increased Roterstern projectile damage, reduced area damage and decay, increased base health.
- Wolverine: Increased base health, reduced Undying Animal damage reduction.
Vanguard:
- Captain America: Reduced shield restoration delay, reduced Liberty Rush cooldown, increased base health, reduced Freedom Charge energy cost and health per second.
- 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, increased 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, increased damage.
This extensive balance patch sets the stage for Season 1, promising a refreshed and exciting competitive experience in Marvel Rivals.
