Storm has rapidly emerged as the dominant force in Marvel Rivals season 1, overtaking other contenders in a spectacular fashion. Thanks to recent enhancements, she has transformed from a mediocre damage dealer into a force to be reckoned with across all skill levels in the game’s ranked mode.
According to RivalsMeta, a stats tracker that aggregates data from the game’s comprehensive API, she currently boasts the highest win rate among the 35 heroes, hovering around 57%. Just last season, her win rate lingered at a modest 51%, and she wasn’t seen as a formidable duelist compared to fan favorites like Hela, Hawkeye, and Psylocke. However, minor improvements to her damage output and her hurricane ultimate’s survivability have significantly shifted the balance in her favor.
Storm’s real power doesn’t lie just in her ability to dominate from the skies—it’s her capacity to amplify her entire team’s damage output that makes her exceptionally powerful. She’s effectively a support character masquerading as a damage-dealer, sharpening any team she joins. Considering that other support characters equipped with damage boosts, like Mantis, already enjoy immense popularity, a lineup featuring both these heroes becomes nearly invincible.
At the higher echelons of play, Storm has notably bolstered the success rates of heroes who thrive with her support, such as Magik and Wolverine. These heroes need to close in on enemies for maximum impact, and with Storm’s damage enhancements, they can engage and disengage more effectively, much to the dismay of opposing support players. Even heroes like Black Widow, who struggled in finalizing kills on durable targets, are seeing a rise from the depths of the tier lists.
This scenario showcases how just a few adjustments can significantly alter the game’s dynamics, even when they seem minor at a glance. While no one is calling for a downgrade in Storm’s abilities immediately, calls for changes may arise as more players grasp the advantages of a difficult-to-target airborne hero with team-wide benefits. Game director Guangyun Chen recently mentioned to Metro that the team aims to foster player experimentation rather than impose rigid rules, such as limiting roles within teams. If this also suggests there might not be another balance update this season, it’s about time you start getting acquainted with this formidable psionic goddess.
