Marvel Rivals Season 1: The Thing Arrives!
Season 1 of Marvel Rivals kicked off strong with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman, but fans eagerly awaited the arrival of The Thing and Human Torch. The wait is finally over! Here's the release date for The Thing and a breakdown of his abilities.
The Thing's Marvel Rivals Debut
Marvel Rivals has announced the conclusion of Season 1's first half and the commencement of the second half on February 21st. This update brings rank adjustments and, most importantly, the remaining members of Marvel's First Family!
The Thing, alongside the Human Torch, will officially join the Marvel Rivals roster on February 21st, bolstering the relatively small Vanguard lineup.
Related: Marvel Rivals: Analyzing Character Win Rates
The Thing's Abilities: A Tank's Arsenal
The Thing is designed as a Vanguard—a tank—in Marvel Rivals. His gameplay centers around melee combat, utilizing powerful punches and close-quarters attacks. While he shares similarities with The Hulk, his unique abilities set him apart. While full details await his release, leaked information reveals the following:
- Furious Charge: A dash forward that launches enemies into the air, leaving behind a stunning seismic zone.
- Battlefield Support: A quick jump to aid a teammate, providing damage reduction for both.
- Slam Moment (Ultimate): An ultimate ability that launches all nearby enemies into the air, creating kill opportunities for the team.
- Solid as a Rock (Passive): Immunity to knockback and crowd control (CC) effects.
- Team-Up Ability: Similar to Hulk, The Thing can throw Wolverine across the battlefield. His primary attack consists of rapid, low-damage punches, while his secondary attack is a charged punch for increased damage.
The Thing appears to be a frontline tank, absorbing damage for his team. While sharing some similarities with Hulk or even Venom, he's not a dive tank. He could potentially replace primary tanks like Doctor Strange or Magneto, but his exact role will be clearer upon release.
Optimal Team Compositions
Based on his abilities, The Thing synergizes well with tanks like Thor, Hulk, and Peni Parker. Wolverine is a strong DPS choice, as are ranged DPS characters like Hawkeye or Namor. Healers like Mantis and Luna Snow are also good options, given The Thing's limited mobility.
Conclusion
The Thing's release date is February 21st. His abilities suggest a powerful frontline tank role in Marvel Rivals. Only time will tell how effectively he fits into various team compositions.
Marvel Rivals is currently available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
