Seven months since the game’s release, Marvel Rivals continues to be a staple in discussions around competitive hero-shooters. Part of that is thanks to its iconic roster of Marvel heroes, the latest addition being Jean Grey, also known as the Phoenix. Every month moving forward, more heroes will join the roster. But with this kind of content update, more players are beginning to complain that the game has reached a point of power creep.
And it’s the Vanguards, essentially the game’s version of Tanks, who are feeling it the most.
Vanguards have had a rough time over the past few weeks. As a result, many players have taken to the game’s subreddit to voice their concerns, saying that NetEase's decision to nerf Vanguards hasn’t been a great move. It’s made the role less fun and far less viable overall.
Now, Vanguard players are stuck in a tough spot. Should they keep picking the same frustrating role just to win? Or switch to a more dynamic one like a Duelist?
This problem stems from the game’s ongoing power creep, which NetEase doesn’t seem to be addressing. With more heroes entering the game (Blade is expected to drop next month), the balance between Duelists, Strategists, and Vanguards is getting worse.
Of course, this isn’t new to hero-shooters. Tanks and healers often get overlooked. But with NetEase pushing out a new hero every month, the game doesn't really need more DPS characters. If anything, it only makes life harder for the Vanguards.
Buffing The Thing was a step in the right direction. It helped improve his mobility and damage output. But he’s still an easy target and an ult battery for the enemy team, especially with his lack of shields and defensive tools. And with fewer players running a second tank, the pressure often falls entirely on one Magneto or Emma Frost to carry the team.
Every new patch seems to bring more nerfs to tanks. High pick-rate heroes like Magneto, Doctor Strange, and Emma Frost have all been hit recently. While this might seem like a non-issue to those who don’t play Vanguards, it’s a real blow for tank mains who’ve been forced into solo-tank strategies for weeks now.
Vanguards are in a tough position as the game’s roster continues to expand. There are very few tools available to counter the rising number of triple Duelist or Strategist team comps, especially with limited crowd control and mobility options.
If NetEase continues to ignore the concerns of Vanguard players, it could end up hurting the overall health of the game in the long run.
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