Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 Patch: Hero Nerfs, Buffs & New Team-Up Abilities Explained
Marvel Rivals’ Season 2.5 patch introduces major hero balance changes, new team-up abilities like Chilling Assault and Jeff-nado, and Ultron as a playable character. Find out who got nerfed, who’s stronger, and what this means for your team strategy.
Marvel Rivals dropped its highly anticipated Season 2.5 patch notes, shaking up the meta for this action-packed, team-based PVP shooter. Shared via an X post by Marvel Rivals Intel, the update introduces balance changes to a wide roster of heroes, new team-up abilities, and some tweaks that have sparked lively discussions among fans. Let’s break down the key changes in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re new to the game!
⚖️ A new Hero Balance update is on the way!
— Marvel Rivals (@MarvelRivals) May 22, 2025
With Season 2.5 arriving soon, check out what changes we’re implementing to refine your heroic journey >> https://t.co/iknzERYMnY
🌐 Our Hero Hot List has also been updated >> https://t.co/USvULItltX
🛠️ Maintenance will begin on… pic.twitter.com/ZbiTxZUdEz
Hero Balance Changes: Who Got Buffed and Nerfed?
The patch adjusts several heroes to ensure no single character dominates the battlefield, keeping gameplay fair and fun. For example, Captain America sees a slight reduction in durability—his base health drops from 600 to 575, and his shield recovery delay increases from 2 to 4 seconds. His ultimate, Freedom Charge, now costs more energy (3100 instead of 2800), making it harder to spam.
Jeff the Land Shark, a fan-favorite, gets a mix of changes. His Joyful Splash now damages enemies while healing allies, but the healing per second drops from 150 to 100. His Aqua Burst becomes a charge-based ability, and Healing Bubble shifts to healing over time. These tweaks aim to balance his support role while adding new strategic depth.
New Team-Up Abilities: Fresh Combos to Try
Season 2.5 also introduces exciting team-up abilities, encouraging players to experiment with hero pairings. For instance, Chilling Assault (Luna Snow and Hawkeye) boosts Luna’s healing by 15% and gives Hawkeye a new Ice Arrow. Jeff-nado (Storm and Jeff the Land Shark) lets Storm use Shark Surge, while Jeff gains It’s Jeff-nado!. These combos add thematic flair and tactical options, reflecting the game’s focus on Marvel’s iconic team dynamics.
Why These Changes Matter
The Season 2.5 update, as noted in a Blerd article, isn’t just a minor patch—it’s a “strategic reboot.” Alongside hero changes, the update includes quality-of-life improvements like hero proficiency avatars, new mood and emoji systems, and a shorter season length (now 2 months) to keep the game fresh. With Ultron joining as a playable hero (a floating powerhouse with energy beams and healing), the meta is shifting dramatically.
While some fans are upset about nerfs to characters like Thor and Psylocke, others are excited to test new strategies with buffs and team-ups. What do you think of the changes? Jump into Marvel Rivals and see how the updated heroes play!