NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, has recently outlined a strategy to alleviate the challenges faced by Strategists, just days after a community-wide Support strike was initiated by fans. Marvel Rivals Season 2 has been a success in many ways, introducing new characters, maps, and modes that have propelled the hero shooter forward. The promise of quicker seasons and an expanded roster of playable heroes has been well-received. However, the balance changes implemented have sparked new issues, particularly affecting the Strategists, who serve as the game's Support class. These players have found themselves at a disadvantage as Vanguards and Duelists have gained more power.

Since the launch of Season 2, the community has been vocal about the diminished role of the Support class. With other roles gaining more battlefield dominance, Strategist players have faced not only difficult matches but also toxic interactions, with teammates often blaming them via text and voice chats. The situation escalated this past week when hundreds of players took to social media to announce a strike against playing the healer role, demanding that NetEase address the issues to enhance their gameplay experience.

"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 strike and the ongoing challenges, NetEase has taken action. In a Dev Talk post published today, the team outlined a two-pronged approach to ease the pressure on Strategists. This involves enhancing the Support role while also making the Competitive mode more rewarding for players.

NetEase plans to increase the "threat levels" of Strategists in an upcoming patch. This could mean buffs for heroes such as Invisible Woman or Jeff the Land Shark, while reducing the survivability of Vanguards like Captain America and Groot. Additionally, Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability will see a decrease in damage range. Specific details on the characters affected by these changes 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 also seen adjustments since Season 2 began. Duelists have enjoyed an advantage in performance ratings, whereas Vanguards and Strategists have been at a slight disadvantage. To address this, NetEase intends to modify 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 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!"

Marvel Rivals Season 2 introduced Emma Frost as its newest playable Vanguard hero, with Season 2.5 set to include Ultron in the near future. While we await the impact of the upcoming balance changes on the Support strike, you can learn more about a recent Marvel tease that could see a collection of swimsuit skins joining the game.