Marvel Rivals Johnny Storm and The Thing update is heating up—literally—with the arrival of Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (the Thing)! These two Fantastic Four legends are finally joining the game on February 21, 2025, as part of a highly anticipated midseason update. If you’ve been waiting to complete the Fantastic Four lineup, your time is almost here.
What’s Coming in the Midseason Update?
The Marvel Rivals Johnny Storm and The Thing update isn’t just about adding new heroes—it’s bringing a whole batch of fresh content. Here’s what players can expect:
- New Map: Central Park – A dynamic battleground set in the heart of New York City.
- Ranked System Updates – Midseason rank resets have been canceled based on player feedback, so your grind won’t be disrupted.
- Balance Adjustments – Tweaks to characters and abilities to keep the gameplay fresh and competitive.
For full patch details, check out the official Marvel Rivals News Page.
How Will Johnny Storm and The Thing Play?
Each new character brings their own unique playstyle and abilities to shake up the meta. Here’s a breakdown of their roles and powers:
🔥 Human Torch (Johnny Storm) – Duelist
- Fire Cluster – Rapid-fire flames for consistent ranged damage.
- Omega Fire – A powerful ability that gets stronger when paired with Storm.
- Supernova – His ultimate move, dealing massive AoE damage.
🪨 The Thing (Ben Grimm) – Vanguard
- Solid as a Rock – A passive ability that increases durability.
- Combination Punch – A series of devastating melee strikes.
- Thunderbolt Punch – A high-impact move that knocks back enemies.
Expect to see team compositions with Iron Man, Storm, and Johnny Storm flying around and wreaking havoc on your back line. Their ability to attack from range will make them a nightmare for most tanks to deal with, forcing teams to adapt their strategies in Marvel Rivals Johnny Storm and The Thing update.
In Marvel Rivals, once Human Torch is introduced as a flying duelist and The Thing as a bulky tank, their synergy could greatly impact team composition. Human Torch would provide high mobility and ranged damage, perfect for harassing enemies and securing eliminations, while The Thing would serve as a durable frontline tank, absorbing damage and controlling the pace of battle. Teams with a mix of these two would likely be favored for their balance of offense and defense. Additionally, with Iron Man, Storm, and Johnny Storm being the only confirmed flyers, their aerial abilities could make them key assets in team strategies.
Why This Update Is a Big Deal
The addition of Johnny Storm and The Thing means that all four members of the Fantastic Four will be playable, following the earlier debuts of Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman. This update gives fans the chance to finally assemble Marvel’s First Family and dominate the battlefield.
Beyond the new heroes, the introduction of Central Park as a new map brings fresh opportunities for strategy and engagement. And with rank resets adjusted to better fit player feedback, the overall experience of competitive play is getting a welcome tweak.
If you’re looking for more great games to play while waiting for this update, check out our list of the Best Free-to-Play Console Games in 2025 for some top-tier recommendations.
When & How to Play
The Marvel Rivals Johnny Storm and The Thing update drops on February 21, 2025, and will be available to all players. If you haven’t already, make sure your game is up to date so you can jump in as soon as it goes live.
Are you excited for Marvel Rivals Johnny Storm and The Thing update? Who else do you want to see join the roster next? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
