Marvel Rivals fans have been caught in an electrifying frenzy, grappling with the formidable force of Elsa Bloodstone. Last week, her debut sent shockwaves through the play community, igniting debates that flickered across social media like wildfire. With her dual-wielded guns and staggering speed, Elsa swiftly established herself as a go-to pick, leaving many players questioning the balance of the game.
Now, her ultimate ability, Apex Predator, is under fire. It didn’t take long for the community to express their concerns, and I felt the weight of their frustration. As her devastating power became apparent, it was clear that something needed to change.
NetEase Games clearly became aware of the rising tide of player discontent and announced an unscheduled balance patch set to release in a matter of days. This swift response is a testament to the overwhelming strength of Elsa’s abilities that have dominated these initial days of her launch.
“To keep S6 feeling stable for the entire season,” the developers stated, “the S6.5 changes were designed to be restrained, with a smaller impact on the overall meta.” They recognize the delicate dance of balancing power and fairness in a game thriving on competition. As they reassess, they’re paying close attention to the feedback swirling in the community.
So, what can we expect from the upcoming patch on February 19? Well, get ready, because significant nerfs have been announced for Elsa, along with adjustments to other heroes looking to bring a fresh depth to the meta.
Patch Notes – Feb. 19
How is Elsa Bloodstone being nerfed?
- Apex Predator (Ultimate):
- Health of Glartrox reduced from 500 to 400.
- Dash Duration reduced from 6s to 3.5s.
- Grab hitbox adjusted from 6m (L) × 6m (W) × 3.5m (H) to 5m (L) × 5m (W) × 3.5m (H).
Will Hawkeye’s effectiveness change?
- Piercing Arrow’s Base Damage decreased from 34 to 28.
- Fully charged arrow damage decreased from 85 to 70.
- With Archer’s Focus, the charged arrow damage drops from 175 to 160.
How does Hela’s damage falloff work now?
- Nightsword Thorn damage falloff starts at 18m.
- Max falloff at 30m drops to 70 percent of the base (was 80 percent).
- Beyond 25m, two critical hits will not KO a 250 HP target.
What about Gambit?
- Base health reduced from 275 to 250.
- Breaking Spades now grants a 10 percent Damage Boost (down from 15 percent).
This update will go live on Feb. 19 at 3am CT.
In a game where power is often a double-edged sword, will these changes strike the right balance? As the community grapples with the implications of these nerfs, one thing is clear: the ongoing evolution of Marvel Rivals keeps us on our toes. What’s your take on Elsa’s impending adjustments?