Marvel Rivals competitive players have been embracing the triple-strategist meta, but the devs are not letting it dominate the higher ranks thanks to some upcoming nerfs. The new changes, which will go in effect at the start of the Season 1 second half, shouldn’t kill the triple-strategist meta, but will make it less “oppressive.”
Cloak & Dagger, Loki, Other Strategists to Receive Ultimate Nerfs
The triple-strategist meta has become very popular in competitive Marvel Rivals play. With three characters providing healing and support, vanguards (tanks) can absorb far more damage, making it hard to slow down attacking teams during convoy games. However, the devs have noted concerns that characters like Cloak & Dagger or Loki can charge their ultimate abilities really quickly. Because of this, teams running triple-initiator always seem to have an ultimate ready to counter one from an opposing duelist or vanguard.
In the Season 1 mid-season update, the energy costs for “frequent ultimates” like Cloak & Dagger or Loki’s will be increased. Certain ultimates will also receive targeted nerfs, and the devs have explicitly stated that Cloak & Dagger will be one of the recipients. Further more, some vanguards and duelists such as Venom and Magik will also get a lower energy cost to their ultimates, allowing them to be used more frequently.
These changes will go hand-in-hand with some more announced hero balance changes:
- Reduced survivability of Doctor Strange and Magneto
- Buffs to movement-based vanguards (likely Captain America and Venom)
- Nerfs to Storm and Moon Knight (reducing buffs from start of Season 1)
The game’s lead combat designer said the goal is not to get rid of playstyles like the triple-strategist meta, but only to encourage other playstyles and provide an appropriate amount of counterplay opportunities. These changes will officially go into effect when the second half of Season 1 begins on February 21.
Is nerfing the triple-strategist meta the right call for Marvel Rivals? Let us know down below in the comments or on the Insider Gaming forum.
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