The highly anticipated Season 4 of Marvel Rivals is set to revolutionize the hero shooter`s gameplay, introducing a new character and a host of crucial balance adjustments starting September 12. Among the most significant changes is a long-awaited nerf to Luna Snow`s ultimate ability, which has been a point of contention for many players.
Developer NetEase recently offered a glimpse into the upcoming season through their latest Dev Vision video. While specific details were kept under wraps, they confirmed the addition of Angela, a new Vanguard hero, and widespread balance tweaks aimed at rebalancing the competitive landscape of the game`s roster.
Luna Snow`s Ultimate Ability Targeted for Nerf
A primary focus of these adjustments is a reduction in the duration of Luna Snow`s potent ultimate, “Fate of Both Worlds.” Although precise numbers are not yet available, this change addresses long-standing player feedback. Luna`s ultimate has consistently been one of the game`s most powerful abilities, offering near invincibility to allies within its radius and effectively halting enemy advances. Its extended duration often led to frustrating stalemates, impacting the pace of matches.
The frustration was often compounded when Luna`s ultimate was combined with Loki`s ability to copy ultimates, creating prolonged periods of invulnerability. In response, Loki will also receive nerfs to his damage and healing capabilities in Season 4.
Hero Adjustments: Nerfs and Buffs
Vanguard and Duelist Nerfs:
- Vanguard Heroes: Emma Frost and Captain America will experience nerfs.
- Duelist Heroes:
- Squirrel Girl: Her long-range poke damage will be reduced.
- Psylocke: Her burst-damage potential is being re-evaluated.
- Black Panther: His survivability is set to decrease.
Vanguard, Strategist, and Duelist Buffs:
Conversely, many heroes across the Vanguard, Strategist, and Duelist categories will receive buffs to enhance their viability:
- Damage Dealers: Blade, Moon Knight, and Scarlet Witch are slated for buffs to improve their damage output.
- Ultimate Abilities: Thor and Peni Parker`s ultimate abilities will be strengthened to offer “more playmaking material,” according to NetEase.
- Doctor Strange: Frequently adjusted in the past, Doctor Strange will now receive an offensive buff.
Strategist Role Diversity:
NetEase aims to broaden player choices and “bring more diversity in the role” for Strategist heroes. This goal is reflected in ultimate ability buffs for characters such as Invisible Woman, Ultron, and Jeff the Land Shark. These changes, coupled with Luna`s ultimate nerf, are expected to make the Strategist role more dynamic in Season 4. Notably, popular heroes like Cloak and Dagger, Magneto, and Phoenix will not see balance changes this season, though NetEase will monitor their performance.
New Hero, Team-Up Abilities, and Game Features
Beyond balance adjustments, Marvel Rivals Season 4 introduces the Asgardian Angela as a new Vanguard hero. Angela`s versatile kit allows her to adapt to different combat scenarios, utilizing a spear for dives, dual axes for offense, and a shield for defense.
Team-up abilities are also undergoing significant revisions:
- Thor and Angela: A new team-up will enable Thor to throw Angela`s spears and then dive to them.
- Dimensional Shortcut: This existing team-up ability will be removed.
- Magik: She will now join the Arcane Order team-up.
- Black Panther: He will integrate into Hulk`s Gamma Charge team-up, gaining a gamma shield when at critical health.
NetEase has also confirmed several additional features accompanying Season 4:
- Arcade Mode Additions: Clone Rumble and Giant-Size Brain Blast will become permanent fixtures.
- New Map: A fresh battlefield will be introduced.
- Custom Ultimate VFX: Player-customized ultimate ability visual effects will be visible to everyone, with an option to disable them.
- Summer Skins: A new collection of summer-themed skins for heroes like Mantis, Punisher, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing.
- Competitive Placement Matches: While not part of Season 4`s launch, NetEase is actively working on implementing competitive placement matches to address feedback regarding seasonal rank resets.
Marvel Rivals Season 4 is scheduled to launch on September 12, coinciding with the game`s release on PlayStation 4.