When you’re already the least popular kid in school, the last thing you need is someone stealing your lunch money. That’s essentially what happened to Peni Parker in Marvel Rivals, where NetEase Games’ latest “bug fix” transformed one of the few viable Vanguards into a walking punching bag.

From trap master to sitting duck. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

In a game where Duelists outnumber Vanguards more than two-to-one, you’d think developers would handle their tank heroes with kid gloves. Instead, the March 13 update effectively kneecapped Peni Parker’s entire kit, leaving tank players wondering if they should just join the Dps bandwagon.

The community’s reaction? About what you’d expect when someone takes your already situational character and makes her “practically unplayable.” But in a surprising twist, NetEase has actually listened—and what they’re promising might just save Peni from the bottom tier.

How a...