Season 2.5 of Marvel Rivals is just around the corner, bringing a wave of balance updates that tweak numerous heroes – some getting buffs, others nerfs, and a couple undergoing complete overhauls. Alongside the arrival of Ultron, this patch reshapes the battlefield dynamics, potentially shaking up which heroes dominate and which fall behind.
Season 2.5 Buffs: Heroes Getting Stronger
Several characters receive boosts designed to enhance their damage output or utility, especially those previously weakened. For example, Doctor Strange now benefits from reduced damage falloff on his Daggers of Denak and Maelstrom of Madness, making him more potent at range. Magneto’s alternate fire attack charges faster, while Hawkeye’s arrow damage and Focus mechanics get notable improvements, helping him sustain pressure longer.
Other buffs aim to balance mobility, matching the aerial threat Ultron brings. The Punisher’s ultimate now slows him less, allowing him to move freely and target more foes. Likewise, Luna Snow’s healing and damage from Light & Dark Ice grow, albeit at a higher ultimate energy cost.
| Character | Role | Buff Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Strange | Vanguard | Reduced damage falloff on key attacks |
| Magneto | Vanguard | Faster ring charge for alternate fire |
| Hawkeye | Duelist | Increased base damage, faster Focus charge, better spell field damage |
| Hela | Duelist | Bigger charge capacity on Nightsword Thorn |
| Squirrel Girl | Duelist | Burst Acorn capacity up, cooldown reduction, ability optimizations |
| Star-Lord | Duelist | Increased ultimate energy cost but extended target range and reduced damage falloff |
| Storm | Duelist | Higher damage on Omega Hurricane ultimate |
| The Punisher | Duelist | Less movement slow on ultimate, bigger magazine, tighter shot spread, higher single-target damage |
| Luna Snow | Strategist | Increased healing/damage on Light & Dark Ice, bonus health on hit from Absolute Zero |
Season 2.5 Nerfs: Reining In Overpowered Heroes
Some heroes who dominated Season 2 have been dialed back to foster more diversity in competitive play. Captain America’s health pool shrinks, and his shield recovers slower, while Emma Frost’s defensive and offensive capabilities get trimmed. Groot’s attack damage per hit decreases, and his Ironwood Wall cooldown gets longer. The Human Torch sees damage cuts and increased cooldowns on key abilities.
Iron Fist, Iron Man, Namor, Psylocke, and Rocket Raccoon also face nerfs targeting either damage output, cooldowns, or survivability, nudging players to rely more on team synergy than individual might.
| Character | Role | Nerf Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Captain America | Vanguard | Lower base health, slower shield recovery, increased ultimate cost |
| Emma Frost | Vanguard | Reduced shield value, longer cooldowns, less damage on key attacks |
| Groot | Vanguard | Less damage per hit, longer wall cooldown |
| The Human Torch | Duelist | Damage reduction, slower charge, weaker shields |
| Iron Fist | Duelist | Lower damage block conversion, reduced dash distance, longer cooldowns |
| Iron Man | Duelist | Decreased projectile and spell damage, less max bonus health |
| Namor | Duelist | Increased ability cooldowns, adjusted ultimate damage and radius |
| Psylocke | Duelist | Shorter invisibility, reduced damage on retrieval |
| Rocket Raccoon | Strategist | Lower healing from Repair Mode |
Season 2.5 Reworks: Big Gameplay Shifts for Thor and Jeff the Land Shark
This patch also revamps two fan favorites with significant gameplay changes:
Thor (Vanguard):
Hammer Throw is now a regular ability with a 6-second cooldown instead of relying on Thor Force.
Produces Thor Force but with less damage and lowered shield gain from consuming it.
Bonus health from Thor Force consumption has been adjusted.
Jeff the Land Shark (Strategist):
Joyful Splash now deals damage and heals allies, but heals less per second.
Aqua Burst is converted into a charge ability with up to 3 charges and launches enemies on hit.
Healing Bubble switches from instant healing to healing over time, with fewer max charges.
Hide and Seek drains energy when submerged.
Ultimate “It’s Jeff!” heals more and has increased energy cost, with better damage reduction on critical hits.
These reworks completely change how these heroes are played, emphasizing different strengths and requiring players to adapt their strategies.
What This Means for Marvel Rivals
With buffs designed to counter flying heroes like Ultron, nerfs targeting dominant dive-comps, and drastic reworks shaking up familiar playstyles, Season 2.5 promises a fresh competitive landscape. Team compositions will need more thoughtful construction, especially with changes to Team-Up synergies – four existing synergies are removed while six new ones are added, shaking up who works well with whom.
The update rolls out on May 30, 2025, alongside Ultron’s debut as a new Strategist. This balance shake-up will undoubtedly keep the Marvel Rivals battlefield dynamic, challenging players to rethink their hero picks and strategies.
