Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has unveiled plans to alleviate the challenges faced by Strategists just days after the community initiated a widespread Support strike.
Season 2 of Marvel Rivals has been largely successful, introducing new characters, maps, and modes that have propelled the hero shooter forward. The team has committed to delivering faster seasons and an expanded roster of playable heroes. However, recent balance changes have shifted the dynamics, putting Strategists – the game's Support class – at a disadvantage compared to Vanguards and Duelists.
AnswerSee ResultsSince the launch of Season 2, the diminished effectiveness of the Support class has sparked intense discussions within the Marvel Rivals community. With other classes gaining more battlefield power, Strategist players have faced not only difficult matches but also toxic interactions, with teammates often blaming them in text and voice chats. The situation escalated last week when numerous players took to social media to announce a boycott of the healer role until NetEase addressed how it would improve the experience."We just want basic respect.""We’re not asking to be glorified or seen as the ‘hardest’ role - because I don’t think we are," one Reddit user commented. "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 strike and the challenges faced by Strategists, NetEase has outlined a plan to ease the pressure. In a Dev Talk post on their website, they detailed a two-pronged approach to support the Strategist class and enhance the Competitive mode's rewards.
NetEase plans to increase the "threat levels" of Strategists in an upcoming patch. This could involve boosting heroes like Invisible Woman or Jeff the Land Shark, while nerfing the survivability of Vanguards like Captain America and Groot, and reducing the damage range of Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability. Specific details on which characters will be affected 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 explained. "As we move into S2.5, with Ultron's arrival and new Team-Up Ability adjustments, we'll consider broader, more comprehensive balance changes."
Meanwhile, the Competitive mode in Marvel Rivals has seen adjusted performance stats since Season 2 began. Duelists have had a performance advantage, while Vanguards and Strategists have been at a slight disadvantage. To address this, NetEase intends to adjust performance rating calculations to ensure fairness across all heroes."Balancing the game and rank adjustments is a challenging endeavor, and we can't guarantee perfection 100% of the time," the Dev Talk adds. "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!"
Marvel Rivals Season 2 introduced Emma Frost as its newest playable Vanguard hero, with Season 2.5 set to include Ultron in the near future. As we await the impact of the upcoming balance changes on the Support strike, keep an eye out for potential new additions like a collection of swimsuit skins teased by Marvel.
