NetEase Games has revealed upcoming balance adjustments for Marvel Rivals in their latest Dev Talk. The mid-season patch aims to enhance Strategist heroes' damage output while making minor tweaks to several popular characters, all designed to maintain competitive balance without drastically altering the current meta.
Season 2.0 Combat Shifts Prompt Hero Adjustments
In their thirteenth developer update published on April 25, 2025, the Marvel Rivals team acknowledged significant changes in gameplay dynamics since Season 2.0 began. Combat has evolved from focusing on ability management to emphasizing coordinated team attacks and focused targeting.
This shift has particularly impacted Strategist heroes, who now face increased pressure monitoring teammates' health while managing their positioning and ability usage. To address this, the upcoming patch will boost damage capabilities for certain Strategist characters, aiming to increase their viability and expand team composition options.
Hero-Specific Balance Changes Coming
Several heroes will receive targeted adjustments in the upcoming patch:
- Groot and Captain America: Slight reductions to survivability
- Spider-Man: Decreased damage range for Amazing Combo
- Doctor Strange: Reduced energy requirement for ultimate ability
- Winter Soldier: Buffs to Tainted Voltage and Team-Up Ability
The development team emphasized these mid-season changes are intentionally minimal to avoid disrupting the established meta. More comprehensive balance adjustments are planned for Season 2.5, which will introduce Ultron as a playable character alongside new Team-Up Ability mechanics.
How Are Performance Ratings Calculated?
The Dev Talk also addressed concerns about competitive performance ratings, explaining that hero performance is calculated based on average combat data for that hero at a player's current rank. The system compares key combat metrics to established baselines, with adjustments for hero usage time when players switch characters mid-match.
Developers acknowledged that in Season 2.0, some Duelist heroes have gained slight advantages in performance ratings, while certain Vanguards and Strategists are at a disadvantage. To address this imbalance, the upcoming patch will optimize performance rating calculations using the latest data to ensure fairness across all hero classes.
Looking Ahead to Season 2.5
While the upcoming mid-season adjustments focus on targeted improvements, players can expect more substantial changes with Season 2.5. The addition of Ultron to the roster will coincide with comprehensive balance updates and Team-Up Ability adjustments that could significantly reshape the meta.
NetEase Games hasn't announced specific release dates for either the upcoming balance patch or Season 2.5, but players should watch for official announcements in the coming weeks.