Support mains in "Marvel Rivals" can finally catch their breath; weeks of being pushed around by high-mobility heroes are coming to an end, thanks to the mid-season patch.
NetEase is finally addressing the increasing frustration of Strategist players, particularly those trying to keep up against lightning-fast foes like Spider-Man and Iron Fist. The patch, which is set to drop in early May, promises buffs, nerfs, and a new face to the hero roster.
Strategists Finally Receive Love in 'Marvel Rivals' Update
As soon as Season 2 was released, the Marvel Rivals meta leaned predominantly toward mobility and damage output. Characters such as Iron Fist have ruled the meta, forcing Strategist players to fight to stay alive, let alone heal or defend, according to Polygon. Support roles have been stretched to the limit, handling team health alongside avoiding repeated ambushes from enemy aggressors.
NetEase finally spoke about the matter in a recent Dev Talk post, acknowledging that "support players have been under more pressure," with too much responsibility and insufficient tools to survive. The solution from the developer? Buff Strategist damage to make support characters more dangerous in combat.
Support Buffs and Meta Adjustments in May Patch
NetEase is bringing damage buffs specifically to support heroes to boost their threat levels. With strategically empowering Strategists for offense, more ways of holding back on behalf of defenders instead of a passive defensive experience await players. In doing this, more variability for team formation and play is available as well.
Also, two Vanguard heroes, Groot and Captain America, are being adjusted to become more accessible to kill, tilting power slightly away from heavy sustain. Spider-Man's notorious uppercut, a spell that's turned into a support nightmare, will also be less easy to get off, creating more space for healers.
Ultron Enters the Battle as a New Strategist
The patch is not only balancing—it's roster expanding. Ultron is slated to make an appearance in this next update, and, as evidenced by official videos, he will be a Strategist. That implies that NetEase is hard at work making the support position stronger, not only through buffs but also by adding new picks for players who like to play tactically.
Ultron would add depth to the existing meta, particularly if he brings a special set of tools that enable him to hold his own against the game's speedier assassins.
If this change sticks, support mains will no longer need to feel like cannon fodder on a DPS-dominated battlefield. That would be an exciting development while we wait for the two Omega-level mutants, Jean Grey and Elixir, to come into the game soon.
