The latest season of Marvel Rivals by Netease is a big topic in public discourse, but not only regarding usual balance changes, skins, or shaders. The controversy has centered this time on one character having been provided special VIP treatment by the developers. Of course, gamers have opinions.
An alternative account of Marvel Rivals, almost blatantly signaling, said “Netease clearly has a favorite character this season…” and linked to a tier list. The image presented an outright visual ranking of characters, with one hero flattered right at the top level, while others hovered in categories barely asking for help.
So who’s the golden child this season? If the comments are anything to go by, it’s none other than The Thing. Players are calling him busted for insane survivability and damage, and for having not one but two panic buttons to get out of bad situations. One player, Awaken Europa, put it even better: “He’s a nightmare to play against.”
In fact, not everybody is complaining: Some are positively gleeful about it, like user saip13__, who said, “As a Thing main I’m so happy.” The others expound their suspicions of foul play by Netease; user londonk541 speculates, “They made him OP to promote the movie coming out.” Hmmm.
Of course, for every favorite there must be an underdog, and this season, it seems the Undergods belong to Black Panther and Iron Man, with players joking about them sharing being “down in hell” or “completely useless.” Thor mains aren’t having an easy time either, as many are claiming he got nerfed to pure irrelevance, despite that flashy summer skin.
As always, the spicy competitive conversation doesn’t stop. Some players have taken an interest in buffs to Thor, either by reverting changes to his hammer throw or tweaking his health values, while others (Dylan/alwaystiredish) give an in-depth look at the meta to determine if Thor “threatening offense” even should be considered. Spoiler alert: the answer is that they agreed it shouldn’t be.
Casuals are not paying the drama any mind: Jim Prophet asked “Is this a competitive thing? I only play casuals,” citing the fact that imbalance is obvious even in lazier matches. Then there are Widow mains: User Six said, “Imagine how us Widow players feel, smh.”
So what’s the takeaway? NetEase likes to stir the meta from time to time, yet this season it’s especially blatant favoritism. For hype, for balance experiments, just for shaking things up-one thing’s for sure: everybody—in good or bad-has their name on the lips of The Thing.
And if you sympathize with Black Panther or Iron Man? Maybe take this off-season or embrace the challenge. Regardless, the Marvel Rivals community remains as loud (and split) as ever.
