The Fantastic Four's roster in Marvel Rivals will be complete 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 Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm remain under wraps, their introduction is anticipated to significantly alter the game's meta, much like the previous additions of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. Reed Richards' elastic powers and Sue Storm's invisibility mechanics redefined gameplay; similar innovations are expected from the new heroes.
The Season 1.5 update also includes a rank reset for Ranked players. All players will be demoted four divisions (e.g., Diamond I to Platinum II). Future season updates will feature a six-division drop, while mid-season updates will maintain a four-division drop. NetEase plans to adjust this system as needed based on player feedback.
However, the update isn't entirely negative. Gold-ranked players can anticipate new costume rewards, and new Crests of Honor will recognize top performers (Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and One Above All – top 500).
Creative director Guangyun Chen previously committed to releasing a new playable character every six weeks. Following the Fantastic Four, speculation points towards Blade as the next addition, although this remains unconfirmed amidst ongoing community discussions and leaks.
For those eager to prepare, a current Marvel Rivals Season 1 tier list is available online, offering insights into the current meta before the mid-season update reshapes the competitive landscape. The impact of the initial Season 1 patch and community concerns regarding potential bot issues are also discussed elsewhere.
