Overwatch Community Alerts Marvel Rivals Fans About “Harmful” Hero Ultimate Nerfs

Fans of Marvel Rivals are calling for hero nerfs, but many seasoned players from Overwatch strongly advise against it. Their past experiences with balance adjustments have taught them hard lessons that might serve as a cautionary tale for newer games like Marvel Rivals.

Both titles are prominent entries in the hero shooter genre. While Overwatch debuted in 2016 and has since undergone numerous community-driven changes, Marvel Rivals is a fresh contender that is quickly attracting a substantial player base. Interestingly, the current number of players in Marvel Rivals surpasses that of Overwatch 2. However, Overwatch players are all too aware of what can happen when balance changes are taken too far.

Overwatch has experienced significant pitfalls through its game-balancing endeavors. Over the years, frequent nerfs diminished the impact of hero ultimates, leading to a consensus among players that these once powerful abilities now feel lackluster and ineffective—almost like “soft slaps” instead of the intended impactful moves.

Moon Knight in Marvel Rivals casting Hand of Konshu, his ultimate move — Moon Knight utilizing his ultimate in Marvel Rivals, courtesy of NetEase Games

Learning from Overwatch: The Risks of Nerfs in Marvel Rivals

Veteran Overwatch players have raised the alarm about potential nerfs in Marvel Rivals. One user highlighted the recurring discussions about ultimate abilities by stating that they mirror the conversations that ultimately led to Overwatch’s disappointing ultimate capabilities. They caution against the misconception that nerfing healer ultimates can simply balance out damage per second (DPS) abilities, and likewise for tank ultimates. This balancing act often leads to a scenario where ultimate abilities merely become longer cooldowns rather than truly impactful moves.

Take, for example, Genji’s Dragonblade. As one critic succinctly put it, “You never see Genji pop off with his Blade anymore because it basically blows ass and is a wiffle bat.” These frustrations reveal the cascading effects of excessive nerfs on gameplay.

In the case of Marvel Rivals, certain ultimates—such as those belonging to Cloak and Dagger—have drawn the most requests for nerfs. Moon Knight’s abilities have also been under scrutiny, particularly due to a damage-doubling glitch that complicates the game dynamics. However, Overwatch experts remind players that ultimates are designed to be formidable. They are vital for defining the hero shooter experience, creating memorable moments that keep players engaged. Without this excitement, matches can become monotonous.

The developer behind Marvel Rivals, NetEase, has shown responsiveness to player feedback by making swift adjustments, such as reversing an unpopular ranking system change on the same day it was proposed. They also raised the power level of Storm significantly, propelling her to a top-tier status in the current meta. Some, like popular Fortnite streamer Ninja, view this as a potential warning sign for the future of balance in the game.

Marvel Rivals is currently riding on a wave of momentum. However, the historical lessons from Overwatch suggest that poorly executed balance changes can jeopardize a game’s appeal. In this competitive landscape, maintaining the potency of ultimates could prove essential for keeping the player base engaged and satisfied.

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