Marvel Rivals is expanding its roster with two unmistakable Fantastic Four staples: Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (The Thing). NetEase Games confirmed both heroes will join the free-to-play hero shooter on February 21, alongside fresh gameplay footage that shows how the pair fit into the game’s fast, ability-driven team fights.

### Human Torch Brings Speed, Aerial Pressure, and Fire Control
Human Torch appears built for mobility and space control. The footage leans into his signature flame-on fantasy: quick repositioning, midair harassment, and fire-based area denial that can flush enemies out of cover or punish clustered teams. In a game where verticality and chaotic skirmishes are central, a flyer with reliable pressure tools could reshape how teams hold objectives and contest high ground.

### The Thing Looks Like a Frontline Bruiser
The Thing, by contrast, is portrayed as a brawling anchor—an up-close tanky presence designed to start fights, soak damage, and disrupt enemy formations. His kit reads as a classic frontliner: heavy hits, crowd control, and the kind of momentum-stopping play that enables squishier allies to follow up safely.

### Team Synergy and Combo Potential
NetEase’s showcase also hints at how the duo may complement each other. Human Torch can force movement and split teams, while The Thing capitalizes on that disorder by locking down targets and winning scrums at point-blank range. If the developers balance their power appropriately, the pairing could become an appealing plug-and-play combo for coordinated squads without feeling mandatory.

Marvel Rivals has been steadily positioning itself as a big-budget contender in the hero shooter space, leveraging the Marvel license for instantly readable roles and crowd-pleasing matchups. Adding two fan-favorite Fantastic Four characters is also a smart signal that NetEase plans to go deep on Marvel’s wider roster rather than relying solely on the usual headliners.

For players, this update matters because it introduces two very different playstyles at once—one focused on aerial tempo and zone pressure, the other on durable frontline control. If their kits land well, February 21 could mark a meaningful shake-up in the meta, pushing teams to rethink positioning, counterpicks, and how they build around objective fights.

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