NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, has unveiled its strategy to alleviate the challenges faced by Strategists players, just days after a community-initiated Support strike gained traction. Season 2 of Marvel Rivals has been largely successful, with new characters, maps, and modes propelling the hero shooter forward. The promise of faster seasons and an expanding roster of heroes has been well-received, but recent balance changes have shifted the dynamics, particularly affecting the Strategist class, which primarily serves as the game's Support pool. As Vanguards and Duelists have surged in power, Strategists have found themselves struggling to keep up, leading to less enjoyable and often toxic gameplay experiences.
AnswerSee ResultsThe community's frustration with the diminished effectiveness of the Support class has been palpable since the launch of Season 2. With other classes gaining dominance, Strategists have reported not only challenging but also toxic matches, where they often face blame from teammates via text and voice chats. The situation escalated last week when numerous players took to social media, vowing to avoid the healer role until NetEase addressed their concerns and improved the gameplay experience for Strategists.
"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
In response to the Support strike and the broader community's feedback, NetEase has announced plans to enhance the Strategist class's experience. In a Dev Talk post on their website, the developer outlined a two-pronged approach: buffing the Support role and making Competitive mode more rewarding for all players.
NetEase plans to elevate the "threat levels" of Strategists in an upcoming patch. This may involve 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. Specific details about which characters will be affected remain undisclosed.
"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 also seen adjustments in performance stats since Season 2 began. Duelists have enjoyed a performance advantage, whereas Vanguards and Strategists have faced slight disadvantages. To address this, NetEase intends to modify the performance rating calculations to promote 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 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 a new Vanguard hero, with Season 2.5 set to feature Ultron. As the community awaits the impact of the forthcoming balance changes, especially on those participating in the Support strike, players can look forward to potential new content, including a teased collection of swimsuit skins.
