The ever-expanding universe of Marvel Rivals might be getting a darker twist, as a potential symbiote skin for The Thing appears to be on the horizon. Thanks to some clever sleuthing and a new comic tie-in, players are buzzing about what could be the next big cosmetic drop for the fan-favourite Vanguard hero as Season 3 continues to unfold.
New Symbiote tease hints at what’s coming
Recently, popular dataminer X0X_LEAK took to social media to spotlight a fresh image from an upcoming Marvel Rivals comic book. In it, The Thing is visibly rocking a new symbiote-influenced appearance. The kicker? All the other heroes featured in the artwork are already wearing skins that exist in-game. While this isn’t a lock for a confirmed release, it’s a strong hint that the symbiote version of The Thing could be making its way into player loadouts soon.
The comic is tied into Marvel’s upcoming “King in Black” story arc, a narrative that strongly aligns with Season 3’s central villain, Knull. Given how tightly the game’s storylines parallel Marvel’s broader multiverse arcs, this skin would make perfect thematic sense.
The Fantastic Four get their time to shine
If you haven’t logged in recently, you’re missing out on some seriously cool synergy. As part of the July 24 update, NetEase Games added a new team-up ability called “First Steps”, featuring The Thing and the Human Torch. Here’s how it works: when both characters are part of the same squad, Human Torch can literally scoop up The Thing, fly him across the map, and drop him like a living meteor onto unsuspecting enemies. Oh, and during the fall? The Thing gets to unleash an attack. Surprise, surprise!
This combo seriously ups The Thing’s mobility, closing the gap between this brawler and high-mobility enemies in flashy, devastating fashion. But heads up: team-up abilities like these tend to rotate out, so you’ll want to jump in and experience it before it potentially disappears in a future patch.
Already rocking new fits
This symbiote teaser follows a string of recent skins for The Thing, showing just how much love the developers are giving to this rocky brawler. Let’s break it down:
- Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Collaboration – You may have caught The Thing decked out in a sleek, powder blue and white costume as part of the Fantastic Four: First Steps film tie-in. It doesn’t include an MVP animation, but the suit nailed the nostalgia for fans of the classic team design.
- Summer Special Event – True to that fun-in-the-sun vibe, The Thing got a summery makeover complete with black swim trunks and leis. This one’s locked behind the premium Summer Special event pass, which also includes heatwave-ready skins for Thor and Luna Snow.
The consistent stream of cosmetics suggests that NetEase sees The Thing as a central pillar in the game’s roster, and the community doesn’t seem to mind one bit.
What’s next for Marvel Rivals?
All this content is just the lead-up to Marvel Rivals’ mid-season update, launching August 8. That patch promises to introduce Blade as a playable hero, further expanding the heroic roster and potentially hinting at more supernatural themes, something that would fit perfectly alongside a symbiote skin, no?
With Season 3 in full swing, Knull leading the narrative charge, and more Fantastic Four-focused features showing up, it feels like the perfect storm for something big. And if the tease from the new comic pays off, The Thing’s symbiote transformation could be a game-changer both visually and tonally.
The Future’s looking Fantastic
Honestly, it feels like Marvel Rivals is hitting its stride. Constant content updates, meaningful character synergy, and fantastic cosmetic support are making it a standout in the hero shooter genre. The possibility of a symbiote skin for The Thing just adds fuel to the hype train. Whether or not the datamined visuals become reality, one thing’s for sure: this game isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
If you’re a fan of The Thing — or just want to see what it’s like to be plucked out of the sky and body slam your enemies — now’s the time to jump back in.