Marvel Rivals Season 1: The Thing's Arrival and Abilities

Season 1 of Marvel Rivals kicked off with the addition of 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

The first half of Marvel Rivals' Season 1 concludes, making way for the second half launching February 21st. This update brings rank adjustments and, most importantly, the remaining members of Marvel's First Family. The Thing, alongside the Human Torch, officially joins the Marvel Rivals roster on February 21st. This is exciting news for players, as the Vanguard roster has been relatively small.

The Thing's Abilities: A Leaked Look

The Thing is designed as a Vanguard—a tank—in Marvel Rivals. He's a melee character, specializing in close-quarters combat with punches and devastating smashes. While comparisons to the Hulk are understandable, his unique abilities set him apart. While the full kit awaits his release, leaked information reveals the following:

• Furious Charge: A forward dash that launches enemies into the air, leaving behind a stunning seismic zone.
• Battlefield Support: A rapid jump to aid a teammate, providing both the teammate and himself with damage reduction.
• Slam Moment (Ultimate): An ultimate ability that sends all nearby enemies airborne, creating kill opportunities for The Thing and his allies.
• Solid as a Rock (Passive): Immunity to knockback and crowd control (CC) effects.
• Team-Up Ability: Similar to the Hulk, The Thing can hurl Wolverine across the battlefield. His primary attack is a rapid-fire, low-damage punch, while his secondary attack is a charged punch delivering increased damage.

Based on these abilities, The Thing appears to be a frontline tank, acting as a damage sponge for his team. While sharing similarities with characters like Hulk or Venom, he doesn't function as a dive tank. He could potentially replace primary tanks such as Doctor Strange or Magneto, but his true effectiveness will be determined upon release.

Team Compositions Featuring The Thing

Considering his abilities, The Thing synergizes well with tanks like Thor, Hulk, and Peni Parker. Wolverine could be a strong DPS partner, as could ranged DPS characters like Hawkeye or Namor. Healers like Mantis and Luna Snow offer valuable support, compensating for The Thing's limited mobility.

This covers The Thing's release date and abilities in Marvel Rivals. The game is currently available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.