NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, has recently announced plans to alleviate the frustrations of Strategist players, just days after a community-initiated Support strike. Season 2 of Marvel Rivals has been a hit overall, introducing new characters, maps, and modes, while promising shorter seasons and a broader roster of playable heroes. However, the balance adjustments have sparked significant concerns, particularly among the Strategist class, which primarily serves as the game's Support pool. These players have felt overpowered by Vanguards and Duelists, leading to a less enjoyable gaming experience.
AnswerSee ResultsThe decline in the effectiveness of the Support class has been a hot topic within the Marvel Rivals community since the launch of Season 2. With other roles gaining more battlefield dominance, Strategists have faced not only challenging but also toxic gameplay, with teammates often blaming them in chats. The situation escalated last week when numerous players took to social media to declare a strike, refusing to play the healer role until NetEase addressed the issues and improved the overall experience.
"We just want basic respect," expressed a Reddit user, encapsulating the sentiment of many. "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 influenced their decision or if players are simply avoiding the challenging class, NetEase has responded with action. In a Dev Talk post on their website, the developer outlined a two-pronged approach to ease the burden on Strategists. This includes enhancing the Support role and making the Competitive mode more rewarding for all players.
The upcoming patch aims to elevate the "threat levels" of Strategists. This could mean buffs for heroes such as Invisible Woman or Jeff the Land Shark, and nerfs to the survivability of Vanguards like Captain America and Groot, with Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability receiving a decreased damage range. Specific details on which characters will be affected are still under wraps.
"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."
Meanwhile, the Competitive mode in Marvel Rivals has seen changes in performance stats since Season 2's launch. Duelists have had an edge in performance ratings, while Vanguards and Strategists have been at a slight disadvantage. To address this, NetEase plans to recalibrate 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 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 the latest playable Vanguard hero, and Season 2.5 is set to feature Ultron. As we await the outcome of the upcoming balance changes and their impact on the Support strike, keep an eye out for a recent Marvel tease suggesting that a collection of swimsuit skins may soon join the game.
