Marvel Rivals in 2026: Remembering The Thing and Human Torch's Arrival

Marvel Rivals Fantastic Four update adds The Thing and Human Torch, enhancing gameplay synergy and competitive ranked rewards.

I’ve played Marvel Rivals since the early days of Season 1, and I still remember the February 21 update as the moment the Fantastic Four finally felt complete. The Thing and the Human Torch officially joined the roster, turning half a team into a full family. Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman had already arrived on January 10, complete with alternate skins based on their villainous personas, The Maker and Malice. So when NetEase Games confirmed the other two members would arrive in due time, I kept asking: when would I finally get to clobber and flame on? The answer was February 21, the second half of Marvel Rivals’ first season.

Before launch, leaks suggested Human Torch would be a ranged Duelist specializing in fire-based attacks, with a team-up move with Storm. The Thing was rumored to be a tank-like Vanguard, fitting for a hero with superhuman strength and near-impenetrable rocky skin. Those details weren’t officially confirmed at first, but they matched the fantasy. Was it just wishful thinking? Not entirely. When the update landed, the roles made perfect sense for Marvel’s First Family.

A Full Fantastic Four Roster

For me, the best part wasn’t just adding two heroes. It was the synergy. Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman gave the team a stretchy strategist and a force-field support. The Thing brought the frontline muscle. Human Torch brought aerial pressure and area denial. I could finally build a full Fantastic Four squad and watch the banter play out in matches. The wait between January 10 and February 21 felt long, but the payoff was worth it.

The Ranked Reset That Changed My Season

The two new playable characters weren’t the only change on February 21. Player ranks were reset as part of Season 1’s second half. I remember the deadline clearly: ranks locked at 8 AM UTC, which was 3 AM Eastern Time and 12 AM Pacific. If I wanted rewards, I had to finish my competitive climb before that. Rewards were doled out based on performance. Reaching Gold rank or above before the deadline earned an alternate Marvel Rivals costume. Grandmaster rank or above earned a Crest of Honor based on exact rank.

Starting in the second half of Season 1, players were required to complete at least 10 matches in competitive mode and meet the required conditions to claim rewards. That changed how I approached the reset. I couldn’t just place and stop. I had to actually play. Division resets also took place at least twice per season, with players dropping six divisions at the start of the season and only four at the midway point. NetEase suggested this would be tweaked over time as more fans shared feedback while playing Marvel Rivals.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what that February 21 update included:

Feature	Details
New heroes	The Thing and Human Torch
Existing Fantastic Four	Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman, added January 10
Villain skins	The Maker and Malice
Human Torch role	Leaked as ranged Duelist with fire attacks and Storm team-up
The Thing role	Rumored Vanguard tank with rocky durability
Rank lock	8 AM UTC / 3 AM ET / 12 AM PT
Gold+ reward	Alternate costume
Grandmaster+ reward	Crest of Honor
Competitive requirement	At least 10 matches
Division resets	Six at season start, four at midseason

Why It Still Matters in 2026

Now, in 2026, Marvel Rivals has grown far beyond that first season. But I still think February 21 was a turning point. It proved NetEase could deliver on its promises and keep the Fantastic Four fantasy alive. It also showed how the game would handle midseason resets: not just a quiet rank wipe, but a structured event with rewards, requirements, and feedback loops. Did every player love the reset? No. Some hated dropping divisions. Some wanted more transparency. But the update gave us something to chase.

If you ask me, the Human Torch and The Thing were more than roster additions. They were the final pieces of a family. The Thing’s rocky charge into a crowded point, the Human Torch’s flames cutting off a choke, the Invisible Woman’s shield saving a teammate, Mr. Fantastic stretching to peel a diver—those moments made Marvel Rivals feel like a comic book come to life. And for a first-person account from someone who queued through it, that’s the real reward.

Would I do the February 21 grind all over again? Absolutely. I’d just start my competitive matches earlier. 😅