NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, has responded swiftly to community feedback just days after fans initiated a widespread Support strike. Season 2 of Marvel Rivals has been largely successful, introducing new characters, maps, and modes that have propelled the hero shooter forward. The team has committed to shorter seasons and an expanding roster of playable heroes. However, recent balance changes have shifted the dynamics unfavorably for Strategists, the game's Support class, leaving them overshadowed by Vanguards and Duelists.

Since the launch of Season 2, the Marvel Rivals community has been vocal about the diminished role of the Support class. With other classes gaining more battlefield influence, Strategist players have endured not only challenging but also toxic matches, where teammates frequently criticize them in chats. The situation escalated this week, leading hundreds of players to declare a strike from playing the healer role until NetEase addresses their concerns.

"We just want basic respect," a Reddit user commented. "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 challenges faced by Strategist players, NetEase has announced plans to improve the Support role's gameplay experience. In a Dev Talk post on their website, the developer outlined a two-pronged strategy to alleviate the pressure on Strategists. This involves enhancing the Support role's capabilities and making the Competitive mode more rewarding for all players.

An upcoming patch will see an increase in "threat levels" for Strategists, potentially boosting heroes like Invisible Woman or Jeff the Land Shark, while nerfing the survivability of Vanguards such as Captain America and Groot. Additionally, Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability will experience a reduced damage range. Specific details on which characters will be affected are forthcoming.

"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 explained. "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 been adjusted since Season 2 began. Duelists have benefited from an advantage in performance ratings, whereas Vanguards and Strategists have faced slight disadvantages. To address this, NetEase intends to recalibrate performance rating calculations to ensure a more equitable experience 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 states. "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 its latest Vanguard hero, with Ultron set to join the fray in Season 2.5. As the community awaits the impact of these forthcoming balance changes, there's also buzz about a potential addition of swimsuit skins, as hinted in a recent Marvel tease.