Marvel Rivals Sets February Release Date for The Thing and Human Torch

Marvel Rivals' Fantastic Four team completes its lineup on February 21, 2025, with the arrival of The Thing and Human Torch as playable characters. This launch coincides with a Season 1.5 update, promising significant balance adjustments as detailed in a recent developer blog post.

While specific gameplay details for The Thing and Human Torch remain under wraps, their introduction, following Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman's debut last month, is anticipated to significantly impact the game's meta. Mister Fantastic's elastic powers and Sue Storm's invisibility mechanics already redefined gameplay; similar innovation is expected from Ben and Johnny Grimm.

The Season 1.5 update also includes a rank reset for Ranked players. All ranks will be lowered by four divisions (e.g., Diamond I becomes Platinum II). Future seasons will see a six-division drop, while mid-season updates will maintain the four-division decrease. NetEase plans to adjust this system as needed based on player feedback.

However, the update isn't all negative. Gold-ranked players will receive new costume rewards, and new Crests of Honor will recognize top performers (Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and One Above All – the top 500).

Creative director Guangyun Chen previously confirmed a new playable character every six weeks, suggesting a steady stream of Marvel heroes. While speculation points towards Blade as the next addition, official confirmation remains elusive.

For current hero rankings and meta analysis, consult our updated Marvel Rivals Season 1 tier list. This list provides valuable insights while awaiting the mid-season update and its potential to reshape the competitive landscape. The impact of the initial Season 1 patch and community concerns regarding potential bot issues are also discussed.