Marvel Rivals’ Developers Detail Plans for Midseason Update

Marvel Rivals’ developers released a video detailing their plans for the midseason update – a plan that evidently did not include game director Thaddeus Sasser‘s team, who were all recently laid off from the the studio.

The Dev Vision Vol. 4 video covers gameplay changes, hero updates, new maps, and esports updates, providing a broad overview of what is to come.

Keep in mind, specific numbers and balance details will be readily available when the update is released on February 21, 2025. Until then, the information below is all that is known. 

Hero Changes

Cloak and Dagger

• Cloak and Dagger’s ultimate charge up time is likely being nerfed. 

Venom and Magik 

• Ultimate charge up time buffed 

Dr. Strange and Magneto 

• Survivability decreased

Moonknight

• Ultimate nerfed/rebalanced

Storm

• Damage nerf

Balancing Goal

The devs communicated that they are aware of the Triple Strategist Terror taking over the highest levels of play. As a whole, Netease is okay with the prevalent meta – but they are balancing key picks to provide “fun counterplays and amp up the excitement.” 

They plan on bumping up the Energy Cost for frequently occurring strategist (healer) ultimates – namely Cloak and Dagger. Other nerfs to strategist ultimates appear to be in the works, but no other hero names were specified. 

New Heroes: The Thing and Human Torch

The two new heroes join the fray on February 21, 2025 – right when the first half of the season ends. Trailers for both The Thing and Human Torch were revealed by Netease, showcasing their in-game mechanics alongside models. 

Marvel Rivals Tournaments 

After the midseason update, developers will increase the faction registration limit for the Marvel Rivals Championship (MRC), which previously reached maximum capacity in North America.

The Marvel Rivals Invitationals, an invite-only tournament, will begin in late February and run through March.