Marvel Strikes Back: Season 1 Patch Notes Revealed

Marvel Rivals Receives Pre-Season 1 Balance Patch

NetEase has deployed a significant balance patch for Marvel Rivals ahead of Season 1's January 10th launch. This update features numerous adjustments, including buffs and nerfs across all hero categories, impacting gameplay strategies. The changes aim to address imbalances and enhance the overall competitive experience.

The patch follows the game's successful late 2024 launch, solidifying its position in the hero-shooter genre. Marvel Rivals' team-based gameplay, featuring payloads, capture points, and unique character abilities, has resonated with players. Season 1, focused on the Fantastic Four, promises further expansion, but this pre-season patch is crucial for fine-tuning the existing roster.

Key Changes:

• Duelists: Several Duelists received adjustments. Notable buffs include significant improvements to Storm, addressing player concerns about her effectiveness. Black Widow, Magik, Moon Knight, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier also received enhancements. Conversely, Black Panther, Hawkeye, Hela, and Scarlet Witch experienced minor nerfs.

• Vanguards: Vanguards like Captain America, Thor, and Venom received health and damage boosts, enhancing their survivability and offensive capabilities.

• Strategists: The Strategist category saw adjustments to Cloak & Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon, focusing on cooldown reductions and increased healing or repair output.

• Team-Up Abilities: The patch also refined several team-up abilities, modifying cooldown times and adjusting the percentage-based bonuses for specific hero combinations.

Detailed Patch Notes:

The following is a summary of the specific numerical changes implemented in the patch:

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 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.
• The Punisher: 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, Bolt Rush damage, and Omega Hurricane bonus health and duration.
• Squirrel Girl: Adjusted Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami squirrel targeting and reduced health.
• Winter Soldier: Increased Bionic Hook and 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; increased base health and reduced self-heal 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.
• 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 switching interval.
• Mantis: Reduced Nature’s Favor movement boost.
• Rocket Raccoon: Increased Repair Mode healing.

Team-Up Abilities:

• Hawkeye – Black Widow: Reduced Hawkeye's season bonus.
• Hela – Thor – Loki: Reduced Hela's season bonus.
• Luna Snow – Namor: Increased Frozen Spawn damage and slow effect.
• Rocket Raccoon – The 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.

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