Marvel Rivals’ Latest Patch Notes Make Its Most OP Duelist Even More OP

Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals

The next season of Marvel Rivals is almost here, and the roster won’t look the same.

New heroes, team-up reworks, buffs, and nerfs are all on the table, but the one name dominating discussion is Black Panther.

After being the most-banned duelist in competitive play during Season 3.5, T’Challa was expected to receive changes that would finally tone down his dominance.

The latest update leaves him in a contradictory state—nerfed statistically, yet more deadly in real-world use.

What Changed for Black Panther in the Patch?

His numbers are being trimmed as his base health falls from 300 to 275, and Spirit Rend’s healing on Vibranium-marked enemies is lowered.

Marvel Rivals screenshot
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Credit: NetEase Games

His sustain may be toned down, but the strengths that make him oppressive are still there.

The shift that matters most is the removal of Magik and the addition of Hulk to his team-up.

This grants him access to Gamma Vibranium Armor, an overshield, and a short window of crowd-control immunity.

Plainly put, it works as a reset button that lets him power through stuns and bursts without losing momentum.

For skilled players who have already mastered his damage cycle, this shield can be the difference between being shut down and wiping an entire backline.

Many argue that melee duelists already stretch balance with their mix of strong damage, speed, and resilience. Black Panther sits at the top of this pile.

His ability to erase supports instantly has led to calls for heavy nerfs, with some saying he needs to be “nerfed into the ground.”

Critics counter that he shines only with skilled players, but falters when picked up by beginners. 

Did NetEase Accidentally Buff Black Panther?

The problem is that balance changes often trade strengths for weaknesses.

Marvel Rivals screenshot
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Credit: NetEase Games

In Black Panther’s case, the developers reduced some of his survivability but provided him with an even stronger safety tool in return.

For casual players, that might mean he feels slightly weaker. Competitive veterans may find that it works in their favor in the long run.

He attacks with the same strength, but this time the shield takes away most of the danger.

The broader adjustments across the roster also indirectly benefit him. Supports saving stuns and shields for Scarlet Witch’s ult leave fewer tools to stop Panther’s dives.

That leaves the door open for his oppressive combos to land again and again.

The developers may have meant for Season 4’s patch to dial back Marvel Rivals’ most oppressive duelist, but it ended up going in the other direction.

Black Panther’s numbers are slightly reduced, yet the addition of Hulk’s shield and CC immunity might make him even harder to deal with in the hands of skilled players. 

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