In the much-anticipated Marvel Rivals Season 2, players are in for an exhilarating ride as their favorite heroes gather for the Hellfire Gala. However, amidst the celebration, a looming threat emerges as Ultron attacks Krakoa, the iconic sentient island that serves as a sanctuary for mutants. Its a call to arms for the heroes, compelling them to abandon their dance shoes and prepare for battle, while the afterparty awaits.

The dynamic landscape of Marvel Rivals, a competitive live-service game, hinges on seasonal patches that significantly alter hero functionality. Players can expect fluctuations in health pools, damage outputs, and ability cooldowns, creating a continually shifting battlefield. Some characters may lose specific abilities, while others receive new enhancements, fundamentally impacting their gameplay. This constant evolution means players must adapt not only to their own heroes but to the overall balance of power.

In this hero shooter, success is determined by more than just individual skill; the synergy between characters is crucial. Effective teamwork can allow players to triumph over opponents who may have superior mechanical skills. For those serious about climbing the ranks, identifying a character or two that aligns with their playstyle is essential. Flexibility is key, as players must be ready to adapt to their teams needs throughout the season. While certain heroes have undeniably received boosts in Season 2, players should ultimately choose characters they feel comfortable with.

This season offers a wealth of opportunity to learn and master new heroes. Heres a deeper look at the biggest winners of the Marvel Rivals Season 2 patch:

The Biggest Winners in Marvel Rivals Season 2

The latest patch has introduced significant buffs for characters who previously struggled, transforming them into more well-rounded heroes capable of providing greater utility to their teams. Those players who have dedicated their time to mastering these characters will find that their efforts have paid off handsomely in increased competitive viability.

Peni Parker

Peni Parker has long been a formidable pick on defense for specific maps, but her performance in varied situations has been lackluster due to slow movement speed and a large hitbox. The developers recognized her potential to lock down areas but also understood her vulnerability in self-defense. In response, a series of buffs were implemented, enhancing her firepower, mobility, and overall survivability. Peni can now shoot her primary fire, the Cyber-Web Clusters, with a reduced 20% movement penalty instead of the old 40%. Additionally, she received a 100 health point increase, bringing her total up to 750, allowing her to remain in the fight longer.

One of the most impactful changes is her newfound ability to land critical hits with her primary fire, significantly amplifying her damage potential when played accurately. This adjustment will be invaluable, especially when targeting agile flying heroes. With these enhancements, Peni Parker emerges as a stronger choice for players looking to secure defensive zones and provide utility to their teams.

Scarlet Witch

Wanda Maximoff, known as the Scarlet Witch, has evolved from a decent anti-dive duelist into a more robust character offering consistent damage output. Previously reliant on team support for her ultimate ability, her changes this season have drastically increased her threat level. Scarlet Witch's primary fire damage has been raised from 60 to 80 damage per second, allowing her to eliminate squishy targets in just three seconds if they lack healing.

Her alternate fire, the Chthonian Burst, also saw an upgrade, now dealing 80 damage on direct impact. These numerical tweaks enhance her effectiveness in one-on-one encounters, where she could previously be forced to retreat. A crucial addition to her kit is the team-up ability, Sorcery Surge, which transforms the Chthonian Burst into a devastating field of magic missiles capable of obliterating even the toughest opponents. Teamed up with Doctor Strange, players can expect to see Scarlet Witch frequently navigating the battlefield, using her capabilities to control engagements effectively.

Psylocke

Psylocke, the mutant assassin, may not have received direct buffs to her damage this season, but she now benefits from new team-up mechanics. The introduction of Emma Frost's ability allows players to create an AI-controlled clone of Psylocke that can utilize her primary fire and special abilities, effectively doubling her damage output against enemies. This new addition makes Psylocke an even deadlier force on the battlefield, especially in surprise attacks.

Hawkeye

The Avengers expert archer has undergone significant adjustments in Season 2. While his abilities were previously balanced with intentional weaknesses, the latest patch has lifted some restrictions. Hawkeye can now move more quickly while aiming, and his ultimate ability, Hunter's Sight, requires less charge to activate, reducing from 3,700 to 3,100. This means he can unleash high-damage arrows with greater frequency, turning him into a more formidable threat.

Rocket Raccoon

Rocket Raccoon has seen one of the most significant revamps in Season 2. Previously a controversial pick due to his subpar healing and underwhelming ultimate, he now offers improved healing abilities, delivering 55 burst healing upon contact and providing 50 healing per second afterwards. His ultimate, the Cosmic Yarn Amplifier, has also been upgraded, granting teammates a 25% damage boost and a substantial health increase of 100 per second, aligning him more closely with other strategists healing capacities.

Mantis

Mantis, another key character among the Guardians of the Galaxy, has also received notable enhancements. Although she now has slightly reduced health, her healing and damage buffs are more impactful than ever. The changes to her Healing Flower and Allied Inspiration abilities allow her to stack buffs on teammates, providing them with prolonged healing and damage boosts, which is a game-changer, especially when coordinating with dive DPS teammates.

Heroes Who Took a Hit in Marvel Rivals Season 2

Despite the numerous buffs across the roster, some heroes faced nerfs or mixed adjustments in Season 2, impacting their competitive viability. While these characters remain playable, they no longer operate at their previous peak form.

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, has faced yet another setback in the latest patch. Changes have been implemented that affect his damage output, with each dagger in his primary fire now dealing two less damage, resulting in a total loss of 10 damage per full volley. This nerf could hinder his ability to secure eliminations, especially when critical damage is needed.

Bucky

Bucky, known for his burst damage, underwent a series of nerfs that brought him more in line with other duelists. The cooldown for his Bionic Hook has increased, and his Kraken Impact ability now demands more precision to achieve instant eliminations. Although he gained a new team-up ability with Captain America, it may not be as versatile in various situations as his previous infinite ammo team-up with Rocket Raccoon.

Namor

Namor, while still a formidable anti-dive character, has lost his effective team-up with Luna Snow. This change means that although his new ability is powerful, it requires a different strategy that may not always be feasible against agile opponents.

Adam Warlock

Finally, Adam Warlock has received minor changes that have raised the stakes for players who choose him. While his ultimate ability now resurrects teammates with a portion of their health, the cooldown for his core abilities has increased significantly. This alteration makes it much more challenging for players to manage their resources effectively throughout battles, especially when under pressure from dive compositions.

As Season 2 unfolds, players will need to adjust to the shifting power dynamics among heroes. The patch has introduced both exciting opportunities for some characters and challenges for others, ensuring that the competitive landscape remains as thrilling as ever. With new strategies and team compositions emerging, the battle for supremacy in Marvel Rivals promises to be more engaging than ever.