Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has responded to community feedback just days after fans initiated a Support strike aimed at highlighting the challenges faced by Strategists. This action was taken in response to the balance changes introduced in Season 2, which have shifted the power dynamics in favor of Vanguards and Duelists, leaving the Support class, known as Strategists, feeling undervalued and overpowered.

Much of Marvel Rivals Season 2 has been a success, with new characters, maps, and modes propelling the game forward. The team has promised faster seasons and an expanded roster of playable heroes. However, the balance adjustments have sparked significant issues, particularly for Strategists, who are integral to the game's Support pool. These players have reported not only more challenging matches but also toxic interactions, with teammates often blaming them for losses in text and voice chats.

"We just want basic respect."““We’re not asking to be glorified or seen as the ‘hardest’ role - because I don’t think we are,” one Reddit user commented. “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 broader community feedback, NetEase has outlined a plan to alleviate the pressure on Strategists. In a Dev Talk post on their website, the developer detailed a two-pronged approach: enhancing the Support role and making Competitive mode more rewarding.

NetEase plans to increase the "threat levels" of Strategists in an upcoming patch, which may involve buffing characters like Invisible Woman or Jeff the Land Shark. Conversely, Vanguards such as Captain America and Groot will see nerfs to their survivability, and Spider-Man's Amazing Combo ability will have its damage range reduced. The exact details of 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 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."

"Balancing the game and rank adjustments is a challenging endeavor, and we can't guarantee perfection 100% of the time," the Dev Talk adds. "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. As we await the impact of the upcoming balance changes on the Support strike, keep an eye out for a recent Marvel tease that could see a collection of swimsuit skins joining the game.