Marvel Rivals Confirms Major Changes to Boost Vanguards and Strategists in Future Updates

Marvel Rivals has quickly became one of the most talked about team-based shooters in the past few months, but the roster balance has been an ongoing point of concern. Many players have often pointed that the focus on Duelists has left tanks (Vanguards) and supports (Strategists) underused, leading to repetitive team setups and a meta too centered on raw damage. Now, the developers finally acknowledged the issue and confirmed change is on the way.

How Marvel Rivals Plans to Rebalance Roles

Image Credits: Rivals Assembled Youtube

In a recent interview given on the Rivals Assembled YouTube channel, creative director Guangyun Chen admitted the imbalance, saying the game at the moment has 22 Duelists, 10 Vanguards and 9 Strategists. This difference got worse with the latest updates, as Season 3 brought Phoenix and Blade, both being Duelists, pushing the meta even further into DPS-focused gameplay.

Chen mentioned that while the team is determined to work on fixing this, the long development cycle means all characters planned for this year are already locked in. That makes significant role diversity something that will take more time, with new Vanguards and Strategists more likely to appear from 2026 onwards.

Along with adding more heroes in these roles, the developers are also exploring design tweaks to make both Vanguards and Strategists more engaging to play. The goal is that these characters take a more active part in how a match unfolds, instead of being treated only as defensive barriers or background support. This approach fits into a broader design shift meant to encourage more varied gameplay and push players to try different team roles.

The near future of Marvel Rivals might still be in the hands of Duelists, however the development path points to a healthier, better balanced roster. If the planned updates land well, both Vanguards and Strategists could end up being just as appealing as their high-damage peers, bringing back more variety to the competitive scene.

James Steward

James Steward is an experienced writer with a deep passion for the gaming and esports space. With years of experience in the industry, he has a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics, trends, and evolution of competitive gaming. His writing offers precise insights and reflects his expertise.

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