Wed Apr 30 09:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Marvel Rivals Devs Respond to Strategist “Strike” with Buffs and Reworks
**London, UK** – Following a player-led protest sparked by a streamer’s controversial comments, Marvel Rivals developers have announced changes to address the underperformance of Strategist characters in competitive play. Last week, streamer Necros ignited a controversy by insulting support mains, leading to a widespread refusal by Strategist players to participate in ranked matches.
Initially dismissed as a fleeting online trend, the “strike” proved unexpectedly effective. Developers responded swiftly, outlining plans in a recent blog post to enhance the damage output of several Strategist characters, increasing their viability in team compositions. The changes aim to improve the role’s effectiveness in the current meta, which has seen an increased focus on coordinated team attacks and flanking maneuvers that leave Strategists vulnerable.
The patch will also include several character reworks. Groot and Captain America will receive slight survivability nerfs, while adjustments are planned for Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Winter Soldier to fine-tune their power levels. Developers emphasize a cautious approach, aiming for minimal disruption to the overall game balance.
However, the article notes that the issue is more complex than simple balance adjustments. The game’s design philosophy, prioritizing “fun first” over strict competitive balance, has created an inherently unbalanced competitive scene. While this approach appeals to a large casual player base, it’s detrimental to ranked play where overpowered characters can be easily exploited. The article concludes that the game may struggle to balance both casual fun and competitive integrity simultaneously. Despite this, anticipation remains high for the upcoming introduction of Ultron in Season 2.5.
First Piper 