The Marvel Rivals Ignite Mid Season Finals, the game’s first international LAN esports event, has sparked debate among fans over the state of the current meta. Many have voiced concerns about hero balance, role distribution, and how the game plays in both casual and professional settings.
Marvel Rivals currently features 41 heroes, with 22 of them being Duelists—over half of the roster. In comparison, there are only nine Strategists. This uneven distribution has been a longstanding community concern, as Duelists remain dominant while other roles lag behind in variety.
In competitive play, teams can ban four heroes and lock two, meaning a significant portion of Strategists can be removed from the pool. By contrast, Duelists still have 18 available picks even after bans, giving them a far deeper selection. One Reddit user noted that teams often hard-ban supports or tanks, forcing opponents into less effective compositions.
During the finals, some underused characters like Jeff the Landshark appeared due to bans on stronger healers such as Luna Snow and Loki. While his inclusion entertained viewers, his selection was more about necessity than creative strategy. Meanwhile, Duelists like Human Torch remained strong options even when top-tier picks like Phoenix and Wolverine were banned.
Analysts and creators have argued that adding more Strategists and Vanguards could improve competitive variety, making off-meta picks a choice rather than a forced fallback. Winning compositions often featured two heroes from each role, but with Duelists so heavily represented, bans currently hit supports and tanks harder.
Content creator ‘Flats’ explained that a healthy meta avoids situations where matches hinge on mirror matchups between the same overpowered hero. Another creator, Siarhei ‘Bogur’ Alekau, suggested prioritising new supports and tanks over Duelists, noting that the latter already outnumber the other two roles combined.
With NetEase releasing a new hero each month, some fear the rapid expansion could destabilise the meta further. Suggestions to address the imbalance include increasing the number of bans and extending them to all ranked modes, potentially creating a fairer experience across the board.
While perfect balance may be unrealistic, the Ignite Finals in Guangzhou made clear that adjustments are needed to ensure more even competition and a better viewing experience.
