Marvel Rivals is set to welcome back Marvel’s iconic first family with the launch of its Season 1.5 update. This new patch will introduce Human Torch and The Thing, finalizing the integration of the Fantastic Four into the game. On Tuesday, both characters received their own distinct trailers, alongside a video in which the development team for Marvel Rivals detailed various balance adjustments included in this mid-season update.
As anticipated, Human Torch emerges as an aerial combatant whose abilities share similarities with Storm’s. He unleashes fireballs upon adversaries, generates a fiery zone that inflicts damage on foes within its radius, and can even conjure a swirling firestorm. However, players will quickly discover that Johnny possesses a unique skill that allows him to crash down to the ground, creating a substantial fiery area—a move that is distinctly different from Storm’s arsenal.
Similarly, The Thing incorporates elements from existing characters in the game but fuses them into a compelling and original gameplay experience. As expected, he takes on the role of a durable Vanguard character, primarily focused on charging into combat—sometimes quite literally. His punch deals area damage, and he has the ability to propel himself forward to tackle opponents, reminiscent of Wolverine’s tackle, albeit executed in a different sequence. His ultimate ability creates a shockwave upon impact with the ground, launching enemies into the air.
Regarding the balance adjustments, the announcements made by the Marvel Rivals team in their video are largely predictable. The developers are reducing the effectiveness of certain Strategist Ultimates, such as those of Loki and Cloak and Dagger, which have been recharging at an unusually fast rate compared to others in the game. This change aims to diminish the overwhelming presence of the triple Strategist meta while maintaining some of its viability. Additionally, several characters, including Hawkeye, will receive much-needed buffs, while others like Doctor Strange and Magneto will experience some nerfs.
For an in-depth look at all the modifications coming with the Marvel Rivals Season 1.5 patch, check out the video below.
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