The excitement of Marvel Rivals Season 1.5 is getting overshadowed by player concerns about matchmaking issues and character role imbalance. NetEase Games’ 6v6 hero shooter, featuring over 37 Marvel legends, has been a hit since its 2024 release, but cracks in its competitive foundation are beginning to show. Fans are growing impatient, demanding changes before the game’s meta spirals further out of control.
Skill-Based Matchmaking Feels More Like Luck Than Skill
One of the biggest pain points for Marvel Rivals players right now is its matchmaking system. Many feel that Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) isn’t working as intended, often placing skilled players in lopsided matches that either feel too easy or brutally unfair.
Some players report being stuck in never-ending losing streaks, while others say the game pairs them with teammates who don’t match their skill level, leading to frustratingly one-sided battles. This has led to widespread calls for NetEase to tweak the system to ensure a more balanced experience.
For a competitive game, matchmaking is everything. Players need to feel that their skill matters and that every match is a fair test of their abilities. Right now, many feel like they’re rolling the dice instead of competing on an even playing field.
Duelist Overload: Why Teams Feel Unbalanced
While matchmaking is one issue, the bigger elephant in the room is the imbalance between the game’s character roles. Marvel Rivals currently has:
- 20 Duelists (DPS heroes like Iron Man and Winter Soldier)
- 8 Vanguards (Tank-style characters like Hulk and The Thing)
- Fewer Strategists and Supports in comparison
This uneven distribution has created a meta where aggressive, damage-dealing characters dominate matches, while frontline tanks feel like an afterthought. With so many Duelists, teams often lack the defensive stability that Vanguards provide.
Some players believe this imbalance forces chaotic, high-damage matches where strategy takes a backseat. Others argue that adding more Vanguards could restore some of the tactical depth that hero shooters thrive on.
Leaked Heroes Raise More Questions Than Answers
Leaked information about upcoming heroes has only made fans more anxious. Rumors suggest that Blade, a highly anticipated addition, will be another Duelist. Meanwhile, other leaked names like Deadpool and Phoenix are also speculated to be DPS-focused, adding even more fuel to the fire.
Some fans are pointing out that certain existing characters could have easily been Vanguards instead of Duelists. Wolverine, for example, has a tank-like fighting style in comics, yet in Marvel Rivals, he’s classified as a Duelist. Mister Fantastic, another character with potential for frontline play, also falls into the Duelist category despite his adaptability.
If future seasons keep leaning towards DPS-heavy rosters, the imbalance could get worse before it gets better.
What Players Want From NetEase
While players are enjoying the fast-paced combat and iconic Marvel characters, they’re hoping for a few key changes to bring more balance:
- Improved SBMM – A matchmaking system that better considers skill levels and prevents frustrating losing streaks.
- More Vanguards – Adding tankier heroes to even out the Duelist-heavy meta.
- Better Role Classification – Adjusting existing heroes who could function as Vanguards instead of Duelists.
- Balanced Hero Releases – Ensuring future seasons introduce a mix of roles rather than stacking more DPS characters.
With Season 2 on the horizon, all eyes are on NetEase to see if they’ll address these concerns. Players love Marvel Rivals, but if matchmaking and roster balance issues continue, frustration could start outweighing the fun.
