A recently introduced team-up ability in Marvel Rivals, while visually impressive, is reportedly leading to more frustration than strategic advantage for some players. Human Torch players are using it to intentionally throw their teammate, The Thing, off the map, resulting in comedic, yet fatal, outcomes.
NetEase`s superhero shooter, Marvel Rivals, is marking the premiere of Marvel Studios` Fantastic Four: First Steps with various in-game additions. This includes new skins and cosmetic items inspired by the film for all four playable Fantastic Four characters. Furthermore, a new “First Steps” team-up ability has been implemented for Human Torch and The Thing, directly mirroring a scene from the movie. This ability sees Human Torch grabbing Ben Grimm, flying him while engulfed in flames, and then slamming him into the ground, causing area damage and disrupting enemy mobility.
Regrettably for players embodying The Thing, the effectiveness of this new ability hinges entirely on the Human Torch player`s execution, as they maintain full control. This dynamic has led to numerous instances of players `trolling` their Thing teammates. Human Torch users bait them into initiating the team-up, only to deliberately hurl them off the arena, resulting in hilarious, albeit frustrating, eliminations. Examples of these antics have been widely shared.
Examples of players trolling The Thing with the new ability:
(Original content included embedded social media clips here.)
Fortunately, when utilized as intended, the “First Steps” ability proves to be a valuable asset. It excels at securing objectives or initiating aggressive engagements against opponents. This contrasts with certain other team-up abilities that range from overwhelmingly potent to virtually ineffective. A less impressive example cited is Hulk and Wolverine`s “Fastball Special,” which shares a similar mechanic of one hero launching another, yet often falls short in practical application.
Marvel Rivals Season 3 commenced on July 11th, introducing Jean Grey (Phoenix) to the expanding character roster, with Blade slated for a later release within the same season. The update also initiated a summer event featuring various swimsuit-themed skins for characters such as Luna Snow, Thor, and even The Thing.
While Marvel Rivals plans to continue incorporating content inspired by recent Marvel Cinematic Universe films and series, NetEase has clarified that the game`s content roadmap will not solely depend on MCU release schedules. Instead, new content will primarily be guided by the game`s distinct universe and its ongoing seasonal narratives.
The cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps recently engaged in a Marvel Rivals gameplay session, playing as their respective characters. They offered commentary on the game`s alternative costumes, specifically mentioning the Fantastic Four`s wedding skins and Invisible Woman`s revealing Malice skin, which actress Vanessa Kirby humorously suggested might make an appearance in a future film.
