"The Thing and Human Torch Set for February Release in Marvel Rivals"

Marvel Rivals is set to complete The Fantastic Four lineup with the introduction of The Thing and Human Torch as playable characters on February 21, 2025. This exciting addition comes alongside the second half of Season 1, promising to shake up the game dynamics with a significant update.

Today's announcement detailed that the new heroes will join the fray during the Season 1.5 update. While the specifics of this update remain under wraps, a Dev Talk blog post on the Marvel Rivals website hinted at "major balance adjustments" that will likely alter the gameplay experience significantly.

As for The Thing and Human Torch, fans are eagerly awaiting details on their new moves and abilities. Following the launch of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman last month as the first post-launch heroes, expectations are high. Reed Richards and Sue Storm introduced unique gameplay mechanics—elastic swings and invisibility, respectively—that shifted the game's meta. Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are expected to do the same, but hopefully, NetEase will unveil some gameplay footage before their debut.

The upcoming Marvel Rivals Season 1 update also includes a rank reset for Ranked players. On February 21, players will see their ranks drop by four divisions. For instance, a Diamond I player on February 20 will drop to Platinum II the next day. NetEase has outlined that future updates will follow this pattern, with new seasons causing a six-division drop and half-season updates a four-division drop. As the game evolves, NetEase plans to adjust this system based on player feedback.

Despite the rank reset, there's something to look forward to for competitive players. Those in the Gold rank will receive new costume rewards with the launch of the second half of Season 1. Additionally, new Crests of Honor will be introduced to celebrate achievements at the Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and One Above All levels, recognizing the top 500 players.

Superhero enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting more details on Marvel Rivals' post-launch plans, and the expansion of The Fantastic Four is just the beginning. Last month, creative director Guangyun Chen sparked excitement by promising to release a new playable character every half-season. This means fans can expect a new Marvel hero to join the roster approximately every six weeks, keeping the game fresh and engaging. While there's evidence suggesting the vampire-hunting Daywalker Blade might be next, the game's future remains shrouded in mystery amidst rumors and leaks that have stirred the community.

While you wait for the mid-season update to shake things up, you can explore our current Marvel Rivals Season 1 tier list to discover the best characters. Additionally, check out how the original Season 1 patch turned the meta upside down and delve into the community's discussions around Marvel Rivals' alleged bot issue.