Last Updated on 17 February, 2025
The Thing and Human Torch will be two new characters in the most recent Marvel Rivals mid-Season 1 update, which will be released on February 21, 2025. There will also be major balancing changes.
We now have a preview of the patch notes, thanks to dataminers, which show a ton of gameplay changes, nerfs, and bonuses. This is all the information you want on the Marvel Rivals 202521 update.
New Playable Marvel Rival Heroes: The Thing & Human Torch
Two Fantastic Four members are making their way into Marvel Rivals, each bringing unique abilities to the battlefield:
- The Thing – A tanky brawler with immense durability and knockback power.
- Human Torch – A highly mobile damage dealer with fire-based attacks and aerial superiority.
These additions will shake up the 6v6 team dynamics, offering fresh playstyles and new synergy opportunities.
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Major Character Balance Changes in Marvel Rivals
Venom
- Frenzied Arrival: Now applies an inward knockback at a 75° angle, improving enemy crowd control.
- Ultimate Cost: Reduced from 2800 to 2500, allowing for more frequent ultimate usage.
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Captain America
- Absolute Will: Now usable while jumping, improving defensive mobility.
- Vibranium Energy Saw: Projectile speed increased from 60m/s to 80m/s. Ejection speed after a hit increased from 100m/s to 150m/s.
Thor
- Rune Awakening: Cooldown removed after duration ends, enhancing overall uptime.
Groot
- Wall Placement: Range increased from 15m to 18m, improving area control.
Magneto
- Primary Attack: Damage increased from 35 to 40.
- Curtain Ability: Energy cost increased from 50 to 65; duration reduced from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
Doctor Strange
- Base HP: Reduced from 650 to 600.
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Iron Fist
- Harmony Recovery: Bonus HP increased from 50 to 150; now decays at 25 HP per second.
- Dragon’s Defense: HP converted from block increased from 150 to 200.
- Jeet Kune Do: Multiple attack damage reductions for balance.
- Sun Punch: Damage per hit reduced from 19 to 10.
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Mr. Fantastic
- Flexible Elongation: Increased spell field from 2.5m to 5m; now knocks enemies outward.
- Brainiac Bounce: Damage increased from 50 to 70 but energy cost raised from 2800 to 3400.
Iron Man
- Unibeam: Damage increased from 120/s to 140/s.
- Armor Overdrive Unibeam: Boosted from 180/s to 190/s.
Hawkeye
- Base Health: Increased from 250 to 275.
- Explosive Arrow: Damage reduced from 20 to 15, but Spell Field damage increased from 25 to 32.
- Crescent Slash: Cooldown reduced from 15s to 12s.
- Ultimate: Bow charge speed accelerated, draw speed increased from 1.2 to 1.35.
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Storm
- Wind Blade: Damage at 30m reduced from 70% to 60%.
- Aura: Self-boost reduced from 16% to 12%; team boost increased from 8% to 10%.
- Goddess Boost (Thunder): Self-boost damage reduced from 30% to 25%.
Spider-Man
- Web Shooters: Recharge time decreased from 3s to 2.5s.
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Scarlet Witch
- Ultimate: Now grants 100 bonus HP on activation but decays at 50 HP per second if interrupted.
Loki
- Ultimate Cost: Increased from 3400 to 4000.
- Ammo Capacity: Increased from 10 to 12.
Mantis
- Ultimate Bonus HP: Reduced from 100 to 75.
Invisible Woman
- Ultimate Cost: Increased from 4000 to 4300.
Team-Up Ability Adjustments
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Gamma
- Unibeam: Damage reduced.
- Hulk HP Bonus (Anchor Position): Reduced from 150 to 100.
Psionic Disc (Rewind)
- Teleport time reduced from 5s to 3s.
- Bonus HP conversion increased from 0.5 to 0.8.
Symbiote Bond
- Skill duration reduced from 4s to 1s.
- 50% damage reduction removed.
- Now provides complete invincibility during activation.
Frozen Chi
- Healing increased from 50 to 75.
- Enemy slow effect boosted from 20% to 30%.
Summary of Key Changes
- New Heroes: The Thing & Human Torch.
- Buffs: Venom, Captain America, Thor, Groot, Iron Fist, Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Storm, Spider-Man, Loki.
- Nerfs: Doctor Strange, Magneto, Scarlet Witch, Mantis, Invisible Woman.
- Team-Up Abilities Adjusted for better balance and fairness.
Future squad compositions, tactics, and meta viability in Marvel Rivals will be greatly impacted by these gameplay changes.
To fully adjust to these changes, players should try out new hero synergies and ability interactions.
Final Thoughts on the Marvel Rivals 202521 Update
The Marvel Rivals mid-Season 1 update introduces substantial balance tweaks, new heroes, and meta shifts that will redefine how battles unfold.
Whether you’re looking forward to mastering The Thing’s brute force or unleashing Human Torch’s fiery attacks, this update is bound to create fresh, exciting gameplay dynamics.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Marvel Rivals 202521 update? Let us know how you plan to adapt your strategy in response to these changes!
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