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This controversial new Marvel Rivals item stinks of P2W and fans are already divided
Marvel Rivals' next update, dropping on May 15, is adding a new feature called Chrono Shield Cards, and the competitive scene is about to get a whole lot worse because of it. And I have just one question: Why? Chrono Shield Cards function the same way as the already existing Chrono Shield feature, with one major difference that makes them a problem rather than a nice reprieve: You can hold up to 20 at once and use them whenever you like. Screenshot by Destructoid This new mechanic feels incredibly pay-to-win since having these special cards in your inventory means you can literally pay to stay put and rank up. Competitive is meant to be a fierce battleground where players can demonstrate their skills and work hard to move up, so this new system goes entirely against everything it's meant to be. Initially, eight of the Chrono Shield Cards will be available for free by progressing in the event starting on May 15. We don't know what other acquisition methods there will be for this feature down the line, but even if they remain solely free items earned by playing, it still feels like a pay-to-win system since these cards can be spent whenever to block losses. Most items end up in the shop eventually, and since there's room for up to 20 of these passes in your inventory, there will certainly be other methods for obtaining them outside of the event. Regardless of how it works, there's just too much room for players to abuse this system. https://twitter.com/MarvelRivals/status/1922698427239907657 Trolling and throwing are both going to be even more rampant than they already are since there's now a system in place protecting players who do so. The competitive scene is going to vastly change with Chrono Shield Cards in play, and it won't be for the better. Player reactions are, understandably, pretty divided over this choice. Popular Marvel Rivals creators like Eskay, Flats, and Bogur have already shared strong stances against what they see as a pay-to-win system, with Flats saying, "There ain't NO WAY y'all put a way to pay money to not lose points in a COMPETITIVE LOSS???" Some players think this feature could be a good thing, though, especially for those struggling to reach Gold to get the free skin. There have been many complaints about the ranked mode throughout season two, including massive Strategist buffs and Vanguard nerfs to combat some of these issues. "If it only works at Gold and below, maybe this is just NetEase trying to ease the process of getting the ranked reward skin to those struggling with it," one player said on Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelrivals/comments/1kmku9u/new_chrono_shield_card_galactas_gift_event/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Even if their intentions are in the right place with this idea, NetEase is missing the mark. Sure, Chrono Shield Cards may genuinely help a few honest, hardworking players, but they will harm the vast majority. Trolls are being encouraged to throw match after match with no consequence thanks to this system, and there's going to be far more people who use it to cause chaos than there are those who use it as intended. I wouldn't be as opposed to Chrono Shield Cards if we were only being given one or two to use, but allowing everyone to store up to 20 is just ridiculous, especially when we already have the Chrono Shield effect that takes place automatically after a few losses. There's just no point to the ranked mode if everyone can freely toss around special cards to rank up. There are certainly many issues with the current competitive scene, like Strategists not earning enough points compared to Duelists, and the match continuing even after a player disconnects. But Chrono Shield Cards aren't the right fix for this situation—they're just another even worse problem that's being thrown into the mix. Coming alongside the battle pass exclusivity changes that brought back OG battle pass skins, this feature announcement has led to quite a bit of controversy among the community. NetEase has been really good at listening to community feedback so far, though, so hopefully they'll hear and address our concerns with this one too. What do you think about Chrono Shield Cards blocking losses in competitive mode? The post This controversial new Marvel Rivals item stinks of P2W and fans are already divided appeared first on Destructoid.
Marvel Rivals' next update, dropping on May 15, is adding a new feature called Chrono Shield Cards, and the competitive scene is about to get a whole lot worse because of it. And I have just one question: Why?
Chrono Shield Cards function the same way as the already existing Chrono Shield feature, with one major difference that makes them a problem rather than a nice reprieve: You can hold up to 20 at once and use them whenever you like.
This new mechanic feels incredibly pay-to-win since having these special cards in your inventory means you can literally pay to stay put and rank up. Competitive is meant to be a fierce battleground where players can demonstrate their skills and work hard to move up, so this new system goes entirely against everything it's meant to be.
Initially, eight of the Chrono Shield Cards will be available for free by progressing in the event starting on May 15. We don't know what other acquisition methods there will be for this feature down the line, but even if they remain solely free items earned by playing, it still feels like a pay-to-win system since these cards can be spent whenever to block losses.
Most items end up in the shop eventually, and since there's room for up to 20 of these passes in your inventory, there will certainly be other methods for obtaining them outside of the event. Regardless of how it works, there's just too much room for players to abuse this system.
Trolling and throwing are both going to be even more rampant than they already are since there's now a system in place protecting players who do so. The competitive scene is going to vastly change with Chrono Shield Cards in play, and it won't be for the better.
Player reactions are, understandably, pretty divided over this choice. Popular Marvel Rivals creators like Eskay, Flats, and Bogur have already shared strong stances against what they see as a pay-to-win system, with Flats saying, "There ain't NO WAY y'all put a way to pay money to not lose points in a COMPETITIVE LOSS???"
Some players think this feature could be a good thing, though, especially for those struggling to reach Gold to get the free skin. There have been many complaints about the ranked mode throughout season two, including massive Strategist buffs and Vanguard nerfs to combat some of these issues.
"If it only works at Gold and below, maybe this is just NetEase trying to ease the process of getting the ranked reward skin to those struggling with it," one player said on Reddit.
Even if their intentions are in the right place with this idea, NetEase is missing the mark. Sure, Chrono Shield Cards may genuinely help a few honest, hardworking players, but they will harm the vast majority. Trolls are being encouraged to throw match after match with no consequence thanks to this system, and there's going to be far more people who use it to cause chaos than there are those who use it as intended.
I wouldn't be as opposed to Chrono Shield Cards if we were only being given one or two to use, but allowing everyone to store up to 20 is just ridiculous, especially when we already have the Chrono Shield effect that takes place automatically after a few losses. There's just no point to the ranked mode if everyone can freely toss around special cards to rank up.
There are certainly many issues with the current competitive scene, like Strategists not earning enough points compared to Duelists, and the match continuing even after a player disconnects. But Chrono Shield Cards aren't the right fix for this situation—they're just another even worse problem that's being thrown into the mix.
Coming alongside the battle pass exclusivity changes that brought back OG battle pass skins, this feature announcement has led to quite a bit of controversy among the community. NetEase has been really good at listening to community feedback so far, though, so hopefully they'll hear and address our concerns with this one too.
What do you think about Chrono Shield Cards blocking losses in competitive mode?
The post This controversial new Marvel Rivals item stinks of P2W and fans are already divided appeared first on Destructoid.
