NetEase Confirms Buffs and Nerfs for Marvel Rivals Season 3, With Ultron and The Thing in Spotlight
- Sagar Mankar
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
NetEase has officially revealed the list of balance changes coming in Marvel Rivals Season 3, including a mix of hero buffs, nerfs, and a brand-new ability for The Thing.
Season 3 kicks off on July 11, and NetEase is pushing a more targeted update to better address lingering balance issues this season. Players can also expect Phoenix and Blade to join the roster as brand-new heroes this season.
According to lead combat designer Zhiyong, one of the more dominant compositions lately has been the triple Strategist setup with Ultron joining the traditional double Strategist core. Thanks to his powerful damage output, airborne mobility, and self-healing drones, Ultron has been a nightmare to deal with—often charging his Ultimate quickly and pressuring the backline with ease.
On the other hand, "rush down" comps—typically built around two hitscan Duelists and double-shielded Vanguards—have proven equally strong. This has allowed heroes like Wolverine to make a comeback, as his ability to isolate shield Vanguards makes him a direct counter to such setups.
Taking all of that into account, here’s a breakdown of the key changes in Marvel Rivals Season 3:
The Thing receives a significant buff with a new ability called Battle Blitz, letting him leap to enemies and strike mid-air with Stone Haymaker—a potential counter to airborne heroes like Ultron.
Venom is also getting a buff, likely to improve his viability in mid-range engagements.
Emma Frost, after her Season 2.5 nerf, gets another slight reduction in effectiveness.
Iron Man's ability to consistently target backline enemies is being curtailed.
The Punisher’s Culling Turret and Ultimate now charge slower, reducing his burst potential.
Mister Fantastic won’t be as durable in his inflated state, making him easier to take down.
Namor's primary attack is being enhanced for more offensive pressure.
Scarlet Witch receives a much-needed buff to her Ultimate, which had previously underperformed.
Mantis players will see improvements to her healing output and Ultimate efficiency.
Invisible Woman also gets a small buff to healing efficiency.
Loki’s Ultimate will take longer to charge, reducing how frequently he can disrupt fights.
Ultron will be easier to eliminate mid-flight, addressing his overwhelming survivability.
NetEase also hinted at future design plans to equip other Vanguards with anti-air tools, similar to The Thing’s new leap ability. “We will keep exploring options like this,” said Zhiyong, adding that these features will roll out gradually in upcoming seasons after sufficient testing and refinement.
With Season 3 just around the corner, fans of Marvel Rivals can expect a more dynamic and unpredictable battlefield—especially with new counters to flying heroes and strategic team comps on the rise.
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