In the Marvel Rivals 3.5 update, Tank characters are appreciating a generous boost, with the exception of Thor, who appears to be experiencing technical malfunctions.
Marvel Rivals is gearing up for its Season 3.5 update, set to launch on Friday, August 8. The patch notes reveal a host of changes for various characters, including tweaks to abilities, team-ups, and even the removal of a few underutilised team-ups.
Let's dive into the details of the changes for some of the popular characters:
Magneto
The tankiest of tanks, Magneto, is seeing a slight nerf to his survivability in Season 3.5. His shield value for Metal Bulwark and Iron Bulwark has decreased from 300 to 250.
Wolverine
Wolverine's ultimate ability, Last Stand, will cost more energy in Season 3.5, increasing from 2800 to 3400.
Thor
The God of Thunder is receiving power in Season 3.5, including a counter to flying heroes. He also gains one Thorforce upon exiting the Awakening Rune awakened state. Additionally, Thor has a new Lightning Realm effect that causes enemies leaving its boundary to be grounded for two seconds.
Mantis
Mantis' Soul Resurgence's excess healing to bonus health conversion rate increases from 0.7 to 1, but her Life Energy Blast projectile charges decrease from 20 to 15. Moreover, Mantis is no longer part of the Guardian Revival Team-Up and is now paired with Loki instead.
Cloak & Dagger
Cloak & Dagger's energy cost for Eternal Bond increases from 4000 to 4300, implying a slightly slower ability recharge.
Groot
Groot is receiving reach upgrades in Season 3.5. His Vine Strike damage per hit has been reduced, but the range for his attack has increased. Additionally, the effect range radius for Groot's Flora Colossus has increased from 20m to 24m.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man's ultimate ability, Spectacular Spin, is seeing a slight buff, with the damage per second increasing from 150 to 170. As part of the Ever-Burning Bond adjustments with Human Torch, the backflip distance for Spider-Man has been reduced for better combo potential.
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is receiving buffs in Season 3.5. The damage falloff for his Daggers of Denak has been adjusted, resulting in less damage falloff, so he's stronger at longer ranges. Maelstrom of Madness no longer has range damage falloff, dealing full damage at all ranges. Furthermore, the cooldown for Doctor Strange's Cloak of Levitation has decreased.
New Effects
New effects for Karmic Revival cause revived allies to gain bonus health equal to 70% of their maximum health, which lasts for five seconds before decaying to 0 over two seconds. Cosmic Cluster now causes each hit to reduce Avatar Life Stream charge times by 0.3s.
Lifesteal Changes
The lifesteal gained from the Primal Flame: Phoenix Warrior team-up ability no longer contributes to Wolverine's ultimate ability energy.
Team-Up Changes
The Guardian Revival Team-Up (Adam Warlock + Star-Lord + Mantis) and Atlas Bond Team-Up (Iron Fist + Luna Snow) have been removed as part of the Season 3.5 changes.
Characters with No Direct Changes
Thor, Black Panther, and Magneto have no specific balance changes reported for Season 3.5.
Iron Fist, already a challenge for healers, is receiving buffs in Season 3.5, but the details of these buffs were not explicitly mentioned in the patch notes.
Star-Lord, after the removal of the Guardian Revival Team-Up, weakens some synergy options.
Harmony and Yat Jee Chung Kuen Changes
The Harmony recovery bonus health decay start time for Iron Fist has been adjusted from one second to two seconds in Season 3.5. The percentage damage of the enemy's max health per strike for Iron Fist's Yat Jee Chung Kuen has increased from 2.1% to 2.7%.
Black Panther Nerf
After a recent hit detection bug fix, Black Panther is seeing a slight nerf in Season 3.5, with the cooldown for Spirit Rend increasing from 8 seconds to 10 seconds.
These updates aim to refresh meta synergies and balance gameplay ahead of Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 launch on August 8, 2025.
- The cost for Wolverine's ultimate ability, Last Stand, will increase in Season 3.5, shifting gameplay strategies for players who frequently utilize this powerful move.
- In Season 3.5, Magneto, the tankiest of characters, is facing a slight decrease in survivability, making him vulnerable to a potential shift in the game's meta.
- During the Season 3.5 update, Thor is being empowered with new abilities, including a counter to flying heroes and an increased potential for grounding enemies.
- By partnering with Loki instead of being part of the Guardian Revival Team-Up, Mantis' role in team dynamics changes, introducing new possibilities for synergies and strategies in Marvel Rivals.
- Gadget lovers might find the Season 3.5 update intriguing, with Groot receiving reach upgrades to his Vine Strike and Flora Colossus, expanding his ability to manipulate the battlefield with technology-free mechanisms.
