Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has responded swiftly to the concerns of its community, particularly focusing on easing the burden on Strategist players just days after a widespread Support strike was initiated by fans. The launch of Season 2 brought with it new characters, maps, and modes, propelling the hero shooter forward with promises of faster seasons and an expanded roster of heroes. However, the balance adjustments implemented have inadvertently shifted the power dynamics, leaving Strategists feeling sidelined as Vanguards and Duelists dominate the battlefield.
AnswerSee ResultsThe diminished effectiveness of the Support class has sparked heated discussions within the Marvel Rivals community since the start of Season 2. As other roles have gained more battlefield prowess, many Strategist players have faced not only challenging but also toxic gameplay experiences, with teammates often venting frustration in text and voice chats, wrongly attributing losses to the Support players. This tension culminated in a significant outcry on social media last week, with hundreds of players vowing to avoid the healer role until NetEase addressed their grievances and proposed solutions to enhance the gaming experience for Strategists.
"We just want basic respect." One Reddit user commented, "We’re not asking to be glorified or seen as the ‘hardest’ role - because I don’t think we are. We just want basic respect. It’s tiring to be called brain dead or worthless when your stats are solid and you’re playing your role the way it’s meant to be played."
I Need Healing
In response to the community's feedback and the Support strike, NetEase has outlined a comprehensive plan to address the issues. In a Dev Talk post released on their website, the developer has pledged to take action to alleviate the pressure on the Strategist class. Their strategy includes enhancing the Support role and making Competitive mode more rewarding for all players.
NetEase intends to increase the "threat levels" of Strategists in an upcoming patch, which could mean boosting heroes like Invisible Woman or Jeff the Land Shark, while simultaneously nerfing the survivability of Vanguards such as Captain America and Groot. Additionally, Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability will see a reduction in its damage range. The specific characters affected by these changes are yet to be disclosed.
"Since this is a mid-season balance adjustment, we aim to be cautious, keeping changes minimal to enhance the experience of certain heroes without drastically altering the overall meta," NetEase stated. "As we move into S2.5, with Ultron's arrival and new Team-Up Ability adjustments, we'll consider broader, more comprehensive balance changes."
In Competitive mode, which has seen slight shifts in performance stats since Season 2 began, Duelists have enjoyed an edge in performance ratings, while Vanguards and Strategists have faced a disadvantage. To rectify this, NetEase plans to recalibrate the performance rating calculations to promote fairness across all hero classes.
"Balancing the game and rank adjustments is a challenging endeavor, and we can't guarantee perfection 100% of the time," the Dev Talk acknowledges. "However, we remain humble and attentive, striving to address issues promptly and enhance your experience. Stay tuned for official patch announcements for more updates. Thank you for your support and patience!"
Season 2 of Marvel Rivals introduced Emma Frost as its latest Vanguard hero, with Season 2.5 poised to bring Ultron into the fray. As the community eagerly awaits the upcoming balance changes and their impact on the Support strike, players can also look forward to a potential addition of a collection of swimsuit skins, as hinted in a recent Marvel tease.
