NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, has announced its strategy to alleviate the pressure on Strategists players 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. However, the balance adjustments have sparked new challenges, particularly for the Strategists class, which serves as the game's Support pool. As Vanguards and Duelists have gained more power, Strategists are finding themselves in increasingly frustrating and toxic gameplay scenarios.
AnswerSee ResultsSince the launch of Season 2, the diminished effectiveness of the Support class has been a hot topic within the Marvel Rivals community. With other roles gaining prominence on the battlefield, many Strategist players have reported not only challenging but also toxic interactions, with teammates often blaming them for losses in chat. This frustration culminated in a community-led strike where hundreds of players declared they would avoid playing the healer role until NetEase addressed their concerns.
"We just want basic respect," expressed one Reddit user. "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
Whether the strike has influenced player behavior or if they are simply avoiding the challenging class, NetEase is committed to taking action. In a recent Dev Talk post on its website, NetEase addressed the issues surrounding the Strategist class. The company outlined a dual approach to ease the pressure: enhancing the Support role and making Competitive mode more rewarding for all players.
NetEase plans to increase the "threat levels" of Strategists in an upcoming patch, potentially buffing characters like Invisible Woman and Jeff the Land Shark, while nerfing the survivability of Vanguards such as Captain America and Groot. Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability will also see a reduction in damage range. 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 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."
Competitive mode in Marvel Rivals has seen altered performance stats since Season 2 began, with Duelists enjoying an advantage in performance ratings, while Vanguards and Strategists have been at a disadvantage. To address this, NetEase intends to adjust the 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 post added. "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 newest playable Vanguard hero, with Season 2.5 set to feature Ultron in the near future. As the community awaits the impact of the upcoming balance changes on the Support strike, players can look forward to potential new content, including a teased collection of swimsuit skins that might soon join the game.
