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Season 4 of Marvel Rivals is coming out on September 12, 2025. Along with the new season, there will be a big update that adjusts many characters’ abilities—some heroes will be buffed, and others will be nerfed. Strong characters have been toned down a bit, while characters that struggled will see improvements to help them succeed. This update is more significant than usual, with dramatic changes that will influence team strategies for the new season.
When Season 4 begins, Angela, the first flying Vanguard hero, will also be introduced. Many of the balance changes may relate to her addition. Some adjustments are small, but others are major, fundamentally changing how some heroes work. Paying attention to these changes can help you be ready for your matches once the season starts.
Character Buffs in Season 4
In this season, many heroes will receive improvements. Some heroes are getting new traits added to their abilities—such as applying Stun effects on their ultimate moves or allowing multiple uses of certain skills that were once limited. These changes offer exciting new ways to play and can unlock fresh team combinations.
Notable Buffs
- Doctor Strange: Reduced cooldown on his Maelstrom of Madness ability.
- Peni Parker: Spider-Drones now slow enemies, stack slows with each hit, and have a faster release during her ultimate.
- Thor: Moves faster during his ultimate and stuns enemies for one second afterward.
- Others like Magik, Moon Knight, Scarlet Witch, and Squirrel Girl received enhancements like increased damage, additional charges, or debuffs on enemies, making them more versatile in battles.
Many heroes have gained new debuff effects or enhanced existing ones, giving teams more options to control opponents and create synergies.
Character Nerfs in Season 4
Some of the game’s most dominant characters will see adjustments to balance gameplay. Most notably, heroes like Captain America, Emma Frost, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Psylocke, and Luna Snow will have their strengths slightly diminished. These nerfs aren’t massive, but they aim to make matches more fair and allow other heroes to shine.
For example:
- Captain America’s team-up damage boost has been removed.
- Emma Frost’s cooldowns are increased, and her shield energy gain is reduced.
- Doctor Strange’s health is slightly decreased.
These nerfs are designed to curb overpowered strategies and encourage players to explore a broader range of heroes.
Team-Up Changes
Only one Team-Up ability is being adjusted this season. Some existing Team-Ups will lose or gain members, and one will be retired for now. With Angela’s arrival, a new Team-Up will debut later, though it won’t have any changes at launch. Notably:
- The Arcane Order Team-Up featuring Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch is being nerfed by reducing Scarlet Witch’s Sorcery Surge explosion damage, balancing her powerful abilities.
Summary
While some heroes see minor adjustments, the overall changes are set to shake up the game’s meta. Top heroes like Magik and Scarlet Witch are getting significant buffs, adding new effects like slows and stuns that open up new team strategies. Conversely, powerful characters are being slightly weakened to promote diversity in hero choice.
These updates aim to make Marvel Rivals more balanced and interesting, encouraging players to try out new combinations and strategies in the upcoming season.
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