NetEase has unveiled the first details of Season 2 for Marvel Rivals, showcasing a variety of character adjustments and system enhancements. This exciting game has made a significant impact in the market, especially as a free-to-play live-service title, thanks to its engaging gameplay, intuitive mechanics, and the powerful Marvel brand backing it.
Following the expansive First Season, which was notably larger than typical seasonal offerings, players can anticipate fresh content in future updates. Each season is expected to introduce two new heroes, at least one additional map, and various balance modifications to ensure a well-maintained gaming environment. NetEase has demonstrated its commitment to community engagement by actively considering player feedback in its design decisions.
Character Changes for Season 2
Balancing Damage Output
Season 2 is set to bring significant balance alterations, primarily focusing on Vanguards and Duelists. Details can be found on the official Marvel Rivals website. The new heroes, Emma Frost (a Vanguard) and Ultron (whose role remains speculative but is rumored to be a Strategist), are slated for release, with Emma Frost available from the start and Ultron debuting later in the season.
Focusing on Vanguards, there are expected adjustments: Captain America will experience minor reductions in his base and shield health. Doctor Strange is anticipated to receive a slight nerf to his primary fire and Maelstrom damage, although there are rumors circulating regarding potential enhancements to his survivability. Additionally, the cost associated with charging Magneto’s ultimate will rise by 300, and The Thing’s damage-reduction shield will see a decrease from 30% to 25%.
On the buff side, Hulk is receiving enhancements to mobility alongside a reduced cooldown on his shield ability. Thor will also see his effectiveness as a solo tank improved, with boosts to both health and movement speed. Peni Parker stands out with the largest buff, gaining an additional 75 health and increased speed when firing her primary attack, along with a chance for critical hits.
Regarding the Duelists, Hawkeye will receive intriguing buffs aimed at enhancing his movement speed while charging, along with a substantial upgrade to his ultimate ability. Hela, in contrast, will experience damage increases paired with a lengthening of her escape ability’s cooldown. Additionally, Iron Man and Human Torch will benefit from temporary health boosts when utilizing their Armor Overdrive and Flaming Meteor abilities, respectively.
Iron Fist will see several balance changes that lower his survivability while increasing his damage output. Star-Lord, often a source of frustration for opponents, will have damage fall-off introduced to his ultimate for better balance. Winter Soldier’s health damage will shift, reducing his effectiveness against Vanguards but maintaining his impact against smaller opponents. Meanwhile, Wolverine retains his prowess in dealing with Vanguards but will experience a reduction in crowd control capabilities.
Major buffs are also on the way for Mr. Fantastic and Moon Knight. Mr. Fantastic will see substantial increases in both damage and health; however, he will lose speed in achieving his Inflated State. Concurrently, Moon Knight’s primary fire will have increased speed, allowing him to accumulate up to 100 additional health for enhanced survivability, and his ultimate, Hand of Khonshu, will last longer and fire more projectiles.
Strategists will face the most significant nerfs with slight adjustments, notably to Loki’s Regeneration Domain and Adam Warlock’s Bond of Life, enhancing counterplay. Sue Storm will have a marginal decrease in her Guardian Shield’s maximum health, while Cloak and Dagger, Mantis, and Rocket Raccoon benefit from various buffs aimed at improving their healing efficiency against quick bursts of damage.
System Changes for Season 2
Fostering a Positive Player Environment
Though fewer in number, the system changes in Marvel Rivals hold tremendous significance. Notably, starting with Season 3, the duration of each season will be condensed to two months, with a new hero introduced each month. This evolution represents an almost unprecedented pace for character releases in the hero shooter genre, positioning Marvel Rivals as a frontrunner.
In contrast to the typical pace seen in similar games that may only roll out four new characters annually, Rivals is setting the stage for 12 new characters each year — a monumental shift.
Moreover, the new season will revamp popular team-ups. Emma Frost will launch Season 2 with a duplication team-up alongside Magneto and Psylocke, while Scarlet Witch will acquire a burst ability from Doctor Strange, and Captain America will team up with Bucky for an offensive strategy. In response, certain existing team-ups, including the Magneto/Witch and Thor/Storm/Cap collaborations, will be phased out.
Competitive play will also undergo adjustments. Individual performance will now carry greater weight when gaining or losing ranked points, enhancing the competitive landscape. To balance this change, the pick/ban feature is being introduced at Gold III, rather than Diamond, alongside a smaller, rotating map pool that mirrors Quick Play maps. While these adjustments may not directly target the issue of rank inflation in Marvel Rivals, they have the potential to alleviate other underlying problems.
Marvel Rivals Redefining Live Service Gaming
Raising Industry Standards
The collective changes herald an era where Marvel Rivals reshapes the live-service gaming paradigm, drawing parallels to Fortnite’s early success with its battle pass system. While the battle pass in Rivals may not be as inclusive as Fortnite’s, many of its features are appealing, especially when contrasted with other titles. The affordability of its battle pass combined with the ease of earning in-game currency enhances its value proposition.
The move to introduce a new character monthly is groundbreaking. With most hero shooters struggling to add even four characters annually, Rivals’ commitment to introducing at least 12 each year is likely to transform player engagement dynamics. While some may voice concerns regarding the influx of over 50 characters within a year for newcomers, the allure of the Marvel identity will likely retain interest among players.
Overall, Season 2 is set to be another pivotal milestone in the ongoing journey of Marvel Rivals. While it may not rival the scale of Season 1, its importance is undeniable. The additions of Emma Frost and Ultron are exciting, but the adjustments to existing characters and the intricacies of the competitive mode warrant attention as well. Players can experience all the new features of Season 2 when it officially launches on April 11.
Source: Marvel Rivals