Okay, I’ll just say it: I still remember the exact moment NetEase dropped Marvel Rivals’ reveal trailer for The Thing, and I may have yelled “It’s clobberin’ time!” at my monitor back in the day. My cat was not impressed. The trailer was short, but it showed Benjamin J. Grimm doing exactly what I wanted—charging into the enemy team, throwing haymakers, and generally acting like a Vanguard with a personal grudge against physics.
Now, more than a year later, I still get a little giddy when I pick him. I know what you’re thinking: “Another Vanguard? Don’t we have enough beefy bruisers?” No. No, we do not. Especially not one who seems built to tell Hulk, Spider-Man, and Magneto to sit down.
That Passive Is an Absolute Middle Finger to Displacement
The thing about The Thing—pun very much intended—is his passive. From the trailer, it looked like he is simply too heavy to be moved. Let that sink in. Do you know how many strategies revolve around yanking enemies off the map or tossing them into a corner? Too many, that’s how many.
This passive means Hulk’s ultimate can’t just scoop him up and slam him around like a ragdoll. Spider-Man can’t web him off the objective. Magneto can’t shove him back with a well-timed spear. He is, quite literally, an immovable object. I can already hear the Strategist mains weeping with joy. Finally, someone can stand between them and a rampaging Hulk without getting turned into a fastball special.
| Threat | Typical Nonsense | The Thing’s Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Hulk | Grabs and slams you around | “Sorry, buddy, I’m too dense.” |
| Spider-Man | Webs you off the map | “Nice try, wall-crawler.” |
| Magneto | Knocks you back | “Magnet? I’m a rock. Do the math.” |
What makes this even better is how it fits the character. The Thing has always been the team’s immovable anchor. If you can’t move the guy, you have to go through him—and going through him looks painful.
His Kit Is Basically a Walking “No” Button
Beyond the passive, the trailer gave us a peek at some abilities that look genuinely fun. He has a shockwave that throws enemies backward, which is perfect for creating space on a contested point. He seems to have a shield similar to Hulk’s, because why not make the big orange man even harder to kill? And he has a charge ability that reminds me of Mauga from Overwatch 2—except instead of two chainguns, he just has fists the size of small cars.
Am I saying The Thing is here to solve every ranked headache? Not exactly. But a Vanguard who can push the enemy team backward, body-block displacement, and protect the backline? That’s the kind of hero who makes solo-queue slightly less miserable.
The charge is especially juicy. Picture this: the enemy team is grouped up, your DPS are poking from range, and then you just barrel into their formation like a freight train with a Brooklyn accent. The shockwave hits, their supports panic, and suddenly your team has all the space it needs. Is that too much to ask from a video game? I don’t think so.
The Fantastic Four Finally Feels Complete
When The Thing and The Human Torch joined Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic, the Fantastic Four finally felt whole. We could run a full themed squad. Will it be good? Maybe. Will it be chaotic? Absolutely.
The Human Torch got his own reveal trailer around the same time, and his kit looked like it would pair nicely with Sue’s shields and Reed’s stretchy disruption. But let’s be honest: I’m here for the rock man. Someone has to be the one who walks into the objective and refuses to leave.
The Update Wasn’t Just About a Big Orange Boy
NetEase also packed that update with more than just two new heroes. There were balance changes, competitive play updates, and tournaments to jump into. Plus, a brand-new map was announced for the second half of the season: Empire of Eternal Night: Central Park. Central Park? In a vampire-adjacent night empire? Sign me up.
That map alone made me want to queue up immediately. Nothing says Marvel chaos like fighting over an iconic New York landmark while Dracula-adjacent nonsense is happening in the skybox. Combine that with The Thing refusing to be moved, and you have the recipe for some gloriously dumb matches.
Final Thoughts From a Very Normal, Definitely Not Obsessed Player
Look, I know not every character reveal needs a dissertation. But The Thing is different. He’s a Vanguard with a kit designed to counter some of the most frustrating parts of Marvel Rivals. His passive alone could shift how teams approach displacement-heavy comps. His shockwave and charge give him tools to make space without relying entirely on teammates. And his shield means he might actually survive the walk from spawn to the objective.
So, am I going to main The Thing? Almost certainly. Will I run directly into the enemy team and die because I forgot I’m not actually invincible? Also almost certainly. But that’s part of the charm. It’s clobberin’ time, and I am ready to be a menace.