Marvel Rivals patch 3.5 - nerfs, underperforming heroes, and meta impact ⇒ MarvelRivalsHub

Patch 3.5 for Marvel Rivals has delivered a series of nerfs, minor balance tweaks, and shifting meta trends that are leaving some heroes in a much weaker position. Coach_Mills breaks down which nerfed characters are actually struggling, which remain strong despite the changes, and which heroes are underperforming so badly you might want to shelve them for now.

Black Panther – reduced uptime, but still annoying

The cooldown increase on Black Panther’s dash lowers his overall engagement count during a match – meaning over time, he gets fewer opportunities to pressure and kill. While this can reduce his win rate slightly, it doesn’t address why players often ban him: frustration and disruption. If you banned Panther before, you’ll probably keep doing it. He’s still strong if not countered properly.

Magneto – nerf barely felt

Magneto’s barrier health was reduced, but the change is almost unnoticeable in practice. He remains one of the top two tanks in the game, especially with devastating pro-level combos like pairing Phoenix’s ult with Magneto’s to wipe supports. Expect him to continue dominating.

Cloak and Dagger – slower ult gain, still strong

The slight nerf to their ultimate charge rate doesn’t remove their strength. They can still build ult faster than many supports and use it to swing fights before opponents have their key abilities ready. They remain a top-four support, especially when their blind is comboed with big damage ultimates from Thor, Magneto, or Phoenix.

Wolverine – ult cost increase but still dangerous

Wolverine’s ultimate now costs more, delaying its use in fights. This slightly reduces his potential for mid-match clutch plays when swapped in via teleport. However, his core “kidnap a tank” playstyle remains lethal, making him a continued high-priority ban in ranked.

Invisible Woman – ultimate too easy to counter

Currently sporting one of the lowest win rates among supports, Invisible Woman suffers from an ultimate that’s easily broken by AoE, dive, or displacement. Compared to Luna or Loki, she offers less consistent fight impact. Her best value comes from pocketing a high-impact DPS like Human Torch rather than relying on her ultimate.

Moon Knight – too vulnerable in today’s meta

Moon Knight can shine in niche scenarios (like pressuring triple-support or Loki comps), but is often hunted down by mobile tanks and duelists. His win rate drops further in higher ranks, making him a risky pick without strong team support.

Ultron – situational pick only

Ultron struggles when played as a secondary support, with one of the lowest win rates in that category. He excels only in two scenarios: protecting against dive in triple-support comps or enabling dual-flyer lineups. Outside these, Adam, Mantis, and others provide better utility and damage.

Hela – overshadowed by Gan

Hela’s win rate and pick rate have dropped due to Gan’s release. Gan offers more versatility, tank damage, and a stronger ultimate, making her the go-to over Hela in most situations. Hela still outperforms Gan in long-range 1v1 duels, especially versus enemy Gans, but struggles elsewhere.

Punisher – heavily team-dependent

Punisher has one of the lowest win rates in the game, declining further at higher ranks. His ultimate can end fights, but only with full team coordination. Against the meta’s long-range poke (like Gan) and tank counters (like Magneto), he struggles to find openings unless heavily supported.

Tanks – all performing well

Unlike many DPS and supports, every tank is currently winning games across ranks. Even the “worst” tank options can outperform half the DPS roster in terms of consistent value. Coach_Mills stresses that tanks are underplayed relative to their strength.

Source: Coach_Mills via YouTube

How did the Black Panther nerf affect him?

The dash cooldown increase lowers his total engagements per match, slightly reducing his overall pressure. He’s still strong and often banned for annoyance rather than raw power.

Is Magneto still top tier after his nerf?

Yes. The barrier health reduction is barely noticeable, and he remains one of the top tanks in the game.

Did Cloak and Dagger get significantly weaker?

No. Their ultimate charges a bit slower, but they still gain it faster than most supports and can swing fights before opponents have their key ults.

Is Wolverine still worth banning?

Yes. Despite the increased ult cost, his “kidnap a tank” playstyle remains deadly and can win fights if unchecked.

Why is Invisible Woman underperforming?

Her ultimate is too easy to counter with AoE, dive, or displacement. She works best when pocketing a high-impact DPS instead of relying on her ult.

What’s Moon Knight’s biggest weakness right now?

He’s too easy to chase down and kill in a meta full of mobile tanks and duelists, making him a risky pick without strong team support.

Why is Ultron struggling?

He’s ineffective as a second support in most comps, excelling only in anti-dive triple-support or dual-flyer setups.

Why has Hela dropped in the meta?

Gan offers more versatility, better tank damage, and a stronger ultimate, overshadowing Hela in most situations.

Why is Punisher’s win rate so low?

His ultimate is powerful but requires heavy team coordination. Without support, he’s easy to shut down, especially against long-range poke and tank counters.