Marvel Rivals’ latest patch adds a new event and more balance changes.
NetEase Games has announced a brand-new patch for Marvel Rivals, adding buffs for Strategist players, a new Hellfire Gala event, and more cosmetics to the game. Following recent player feedback over Strategists being underpowered in gameplay, the group will be getting a series of buffs while other heroes like Captain America and Spider-Man get nerfed.
A new event is also on the way, offering a free Patch skin for Wolverine upon completion:
Marvel Rivals adds new Hellfire Gala Moments event
NetEase Games’ latest patch for Marvel Rivals drops on 30 April, 2025 at 9AM UTC. This patch adds an all-new event called Hellfire Gala: Moments, allowing players to explore the mutant island of Krakoa. According to the event’s trailer, new missions will have players “explore iconic spots across Krakoa, earn exclusive gifts, and vote for the star who will dazzle us with a new look next year!”
It sounds like the Hellfire Gala will return as an annual event in Marvel Rivals, much like it does in Marvel Comics. That’s not the only similarity between the two, however–much like the voting period Marvel Comics holds to decide new X-Men members every year, Marvel Rivals will also allow players to vote for their favourite heroes to get a new skin next year.
As for cosmetics, Hellfire Gala Moments will also give away the Wolverine Patch skin for free during the event’s runtime, along with an Emma Frost emote, Chrono Tokens, and more.
Marvel Rivals 30 April, 2025 patch notes: hero balance changes
This week’s patch also brings a number of balance changes to Marvel Rivals. First off, Strategists like Adam Warlock, Cloak & Dagger, Luna Snow, and Mantis are getting buffed to help with their survivability and damage output. Adam Warlock, in particular, has been bumped up by an entire tier of playability, thanks to a new change that allows him to reduce the cooldown time of Avatar Life Stream by one second when he gets a headshot.
For Vanguards, Captain America and Groot have been nerfed ever so slightly, while Doctor Strange’s ultimate now takes less energy to cast. Spider-Man has had the damage range of Amazing Combo reduced from five metres to four metres, while Winter Soldier now has two charge levels on his Tainted Voltage ability.
Here are the full patch notes for these balance changes:
VANGUARD
Captain America
The Sentinel of Liberty will see some reduction to his survivability.
- Reduce base health from 650 to 600.
Doctor Strange
Stephen will experience a reduction in the Energy Cost of his Ultimate Ability, amplifying his mystical menace on the battlefield.
- Decrease the energy cost to unleash the Eye of Agamotto (Ultimate Ability) from 3400 to 3100.
Groot
The Flora Colossi's ability to isolate enemies and block damage will take a minor hit.
- Reduce the health of Ironwood Wall from 700 to 600.
DUELIST
Spider-Man
We're tightening the webbing on Spider-Man's hit detection range.
- Decrease the damage range of Amazing Combo from a 5m radius to a 4m radius.
Winter Soldier
Bucky is getting a combat upgrade, ramping up his threat level and firepower on the field.
- Adjust the Tainted Voltage ability to have 2 charge levels, while keeping the cooldown time unchanged.
STRATEGIST
Adam Warlock
We're enhancing Avatar of Life's sustainability to keep him fighting for cosmic justice.
- Add a new effect to Quantum Magic: When a critical hit lands on an enemy, reduce the cooldown time of Avatar Life Stream by 1s.
Cloak & Dagger
Ty and Tandy are sharpening their blades and cloaks for more impactful strikes.
- As Cloak, increase the damage of the Darkforce Cloak from 75/s to 80/s; As Dagger, increase the damage of the Lightforce Dagger on hit from 15 to 18.
Luna Snow
We're ramping up this K-Pop sensation's damage output when she strikes enemies from a distance.
- Adjust the Damage Falloff of Light & Dark Ice from 60% at 40m to 75%.
Mantis
We're empowering Mantis' damage output to reflect her true fighting spirit.
- Increase the hit damage of Life Energy Blast from 50 to 55.
TEAM-UP ABILITIES
Stars Aligned (Captain America - Winter Soldier)
A legendary alliance gets an even mightier boost!
- Upon leaping to a teammate, Stellar Impact will provide 50 Bonus Health to allies within range.
You can find more information on Marvel Rivals’ latest patch, including new cosmetics and bug fixes, here.
