Hero shooters likeMarvel Rivalslive and die by their roster’s overall balance. The developers need to ensure that each hero feels strong and fun to play without making them overpowered compared to others. Such a task is easier said than done, as evidenced by a post on the officialMarvel Rivalssubreddit arguing that heroes like Hawkeye must be nerfed. The OP does make some valid complaints about Clint’s overall damage and wealth of defwensive options, but there is also a fair case against nerfing him.
A Reddit post by u/ThrowRAmason argued thatHawkeye makesMarvel Rivalsmatches less funand many players seem to agree. The thread has received over 5,700 upvotes and 1,400 comments at the time of writing. There are various posts from different users about the same topic as well. Their arguments all boil down to two aspects of the hero’s kit: his one-shot potential and defensive abilities.
The Argument for Nerfing Hawkeye in Marvel Rivals
One-Shot Headshots
Hawkeye can do 320 Damage on headshots with his fully-charged Archer’s Focus arrows. These shots can completely obliterate Strategist andDuelist heroes inMarvel Rivals, as they usually have below 300 health. Some players report that they can aim one-shot headshots quite easily with Hawkeye, possibly because of his arrows’ large projectile size.
Instant kills are annoying to deal with in anycompetitive multiplayer game, soMarvel Rivalscould deal with Hawkeye’s seemingly easy lethality by making his arrow projectiles thinner, and therefore taking more skill to land. Making his fire rate slower can also make Hawkeye players more deliberate with their shots.
Strong Defensive Abilities
Hero shooters usually balance their snipers by making them weak at close range. However, Hawkeye seems to fend off any dive attempts with these skills:
This hero’s strong defensive capabilities make him seemingly impossible to kill up close. Therefore, nerfingHawkeye’s Blast Arrowdamage or Skyward Leap range could make Clint players work harder to stay alive during dive attempts.
The Argument Against Nerfing Hawkeye in Marvel Rivals
High Skill Ceiling
Even if Hawkeye’s arrows are relatively easy to land, they still require good aim. Players still need to learn to estimate the arrow’s arc so that it lands on their desired target. Plus, they also need to fully charge Hawkeye’s shots while running in and out of cover to get the most damage possible. Doing all of these in a match is easier said than done, so while the Avengers’ archer may seem overpowered, it still takes good timing and decision-making to get good at him. Therefore, nerfing his ability to one-shot enemies would just make his high-skill gameplay more frustrating than rewarding.
Counter-plays With Mobile Heroes
While Hawkeye may seem oppressive, there are ways to counter him. One example is to do a coordinated dive with multiple mobile and tanky allies like Venom or Thor. Hawkeye can’t easily kill these heroes with his Blast Arrow and they can easily keep up with him with their movement abilities if he double jumps. Cutting down Hawkeye’s Skyward Leap and other defensive abilities would make him even more of a sitting duck in solo queue situations wherein teammates don’t always help each other out.
Marvel Rivalswas only fully released on June 20, 2025, so it understandably has heroes with abilities that seem too strong at first glance. A great example is someMarvel Rivalsplayers’ difficulty with countering Jeff’s ultimate. However, some higher-ranked players have found ways to counter these seemingly OP mechanics. There’s no doubt that Hawkeye’s one-shot and defensive capabilities are strong enough to warrant at least minor nerfs, but it will be challenging to implement such changes without making the hero a drag to play. For now, players having difficulties against Hawkeye can use mobile heroes and some coordinated dives to counter him.
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
