NetEase's hero-based shooter Marvel Rivals has once again drawn player ire following the release of a recent patch that has buffed numerous heroes, some of whom were already considered top-tier. The changes, deployed just one day after the start of season 9, have been met with confusion and frustration from the community.
According to a blog post from the developers, the patch was implemented after "temporal scanners" analyzed "battlefield telemetry and listening to chatter from you, the community." The developers stated the goal was to "ensure the combat arena remains as dynamic and competitive as possible" and that further adjustments would be made. However, the specific buff targets have raised eyebrows.
Heroes like Cyclops and Gambit have received buffs that players report feel detrimental to gameplay. Gambit, in particular, has been a perennial ban in ranked play for seasons, leading to bewilderment at the decision to further empower him. Streamer Flats expressed disbelief on social media, questioning the rationale behind buffing a character already perceived as overpowered and a consistent ban.
While some hero adjustments aimed to address pick rates, the implementation has been criticized. Black Widow's kit has been improved, but some argue it has made her too similar to other hitscan characters. The patch also introduced general buffs to the Strategist class, including increased ultimate ability charge for healing actions. This class saw buffs to Invisible Woman, Jubilee, Rocket Raccoon, and Ultron, with their healing-to-energy conversion efficiency increasing to 70%.
Some Strategists did receive minor nerfs, such as Mantis, whose healing from Healing Flower was slightly reduced. The developers noted a partial reversion of ultimate ability energy gains for Strategists due to them absorbing significant pressure. Despite these nuanced changes, the overall perception among many players is that the patch has disrupted the game's balance in unfavorable ways, with a segment of the community calling for a return to more neutral, skill-based gameplay.