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

Exciting news for fans of Marvel Rivals as The Fantastic Four team will be complete with the addition of The Thing and Human Torch, set to launch as playable characters on February 21, 2025. This announcement comes alongside the reveal of an update for the second half of Season 1, although specific details about the Season 1.5 update remain under wraps. However, a Dev Talk blog post on the Marvel Rivals website hinted at "major balance adjustments" on the horizon.

While we eagerly await the reveal of The Thing and Human Torch's new moves and abilities, it's worth noting that Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman were introduced as the first post-launch heroes during the launch of Season 1 last month. Both characters brought unique mechanics to the game, with Reed Richards utilizing his elastic powers for goofy yet effective attacks, and Sue Storm introducing invisibility to the battlefield. We can only imagine the impact Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm will have when they join the roster in a few weeks. Hopefully, NetEase will share some gameplay footage soon to give us a sneak peek.

The upcoming Marvel Rivals Season 1 update will also feature a rank reset for Ranked players. On February 21, expect your Rank to drop four divisions. For example, a Diamond I player on February 20 will find themselves at Platinum II the following day. NetEase has outlined future plans, stating that new seasons will bring a six-division drop, while half-season updates will result in a four-division drop. As the game evolves, NetEase assures players that they will "tune this as necessary" to meet player expectations.

But it's not all about the challenges; there's something to celebrate, too. Competitive players in the Gold rank can look forward to new costume rewards with the launch of the second half of Season 1. Additionally, NetEase will introduce new Crests of Honor to recognize players at the Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and One Above All ranks (the top 500).

The anticipation has been building among superhero fans eager to learn more about Marvel Rivals' post-launch strategy. The Fantastic Four's arrival is just the beginning. Last month, creative director Guangyun Chen stirred excitement by promising to release a new playable character every half-season. This means a new Marvel hero will enter the fray approximately every six weeks, keeping the game fresh and engaging. Rumors and leaks have sparked discussions among players, with many believing that the vampire-hunting Daywalker Blade might be next in line, though Marvel Rivals' future remains shrouded in mystery.

In the meantime, you can check out our current Marvel Rivals Season 1 tier list to discover the best characters as you await the mid-season update that promises to shake up the meta. You might also want to review how the original Season 1 patch transformed the game's dynamics and why the community has been vocal about Marvel Rivals' alleged bot issue.