Marvel Rivals is gearing up for its Season 1 balance changes, set to launch shortly, and developers at NetEase Games have shared some intriguing details about the adjustments. Players can expect significant tweaks for fan-favorite heroes including Captain America, Cloak & Dagger, and Jeff the Land Shark.
Understanding the Changes
In a recent announcement on their official website, the development team explained their rationale behind the upcoming buffs and nerfs, which will be implemented with version 20250110. Despite the game only launching last month, NetEase has expressed satisfaction with the “vibrant diversity of lineups” that players have created. However, they believe that fine-tuning is necessary to enhance gameplay dynamics.
“Our goal is to create a richer and more engaging gaming experience for all players,” the team stated. As such, the first half of Season 1 will bring balance adjustments that will allow a broader range of heroes to engage in complex gameplay.
Key Nerfs to Dominant Heroes
Some of the most notable nerfs will target heroes that have been performing exceptionally well. For instance, Hulk’s Indestructible Guard gamma shield will see its health reduced from 250 to 200, and Hela’s base health will drop from 275 to 250. Additionally, Hawkeye’s effective damage at medium-long range will be slightly decreased, while he will gain some resilience in close combat. Luna Snow will also experience a delay in her ultimate ability, making the transition from damage to healing longer.
Buffs for Underperforming Heroes
On the flip side, many heroes will receive much-needed buffs. Cloak & Dagger, Storm, Punisher, and Moon Knight, among others, will see improvements across the board. Captain America is in line for substantial adjustments aimed at enhancing his survivability, ensuring he can more effectively engage in battles. Jeff the Land Shark will benefit from an increase in his healing ability from 140/s to 150/s, alongside adjustments to the warning marker for his ultimate ability to better reflect its radius.
Launch and Maintenance Schedule
Marvel Rivals Season 1 is set to officially launch on Friday, January 10. In preparation, NetEase has announced a maintenance period starting on January 9, from 11 PM to 1:10 AM PST. During this time, servers will be offline, and return times may vary based on the update progress.
New Features and Hero Introductions
In conjunction with the balance changes, NetEase introduced the Hero Hot List, a new feature that provides statistics on pick and win rates for heroes in both quickplay and competitive matches. This list is anticipated to shift significantly with the arrival of four new heroes from the Fantastic Four. Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman will debut in the first half of the season, while The Thing and Human Torch will join later on.
Detailed Balance Changes
The planned balance changes for the first half of Season 1 are extensive and include adjustments for various hero classes. Here’s a summary of the notable modifications:
Vanguard Class Adjustments
– **Captain America**: Enhanced survivability with reduced shield restoration delay and increased base health.
– **Hulk**: Reduced gamma shield value to balance his combat capabilities.
– **Thor**: Increased base health and immunity to control effects during his ultimate ability.
Duelist Class Adjustments
– **Hawkeye**: Reduced long-range damage and improved close combat resistance.
– **Black Panther**: Decreased health gain from abilities for better balance.
– **Black Widow**: Enhanced ability range and reduced recovery time to optimize her effectiveness.
Strategist Class Adjustments
– **Cloak & Dagger**: Increased healing ability and ultimate ability coverage.
– **Luna Snow**: Adjusted ultimate ability to prevent overuse of healing.
– **Jeff the Land Shark**: Improved healing and adjustments to ultimate ability range.
Team-Up Ability Modifications
– Adjustments to various team-up abilities, enhancing gameplay dynamics among heroes.
Conclusion
With these exciting balance changes on the horizon, Marvel Rivals players can look forward to a refreshed gameplay experience that aims to enhance diversity and strategic depth. Keep an eye out for the official launch on January 10 and prepare for a new era of competition in the Marvel universe!
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN, known for his work with various gaming outlets. Follow him on Twitter @MikeCripe for more updates!
