The Thing's Beach Body: Everything You Need To Know About The Viral Marvel Rivals 'Summer Skin' (And How To Get It)

The "The Thing Beach Skin" became an instant internet sensation upon its reveal, sparking widespread curiosity and amusement across the gaming and comic communities. As of December 2025, this cosmetic—officially known in its various forms as the 'Summer Surprise' and 'Rocky Tide' skins—remains one of the most talked-about additions to the *Marvel Rivals* character roster. It’s a bold departure from the standard rocky form of Ben Grimm, trading his usual blue shorts for minimal beachwear and proving that even a pile of orange rock can embrace the summer vacation aesthetic. The skin's notoriety stems from its sheer audacity, giving the beloved Fantastic Four member a truly unique and, for some, shocking look. This deep dive covers the character's history, the two distinct versions of the controversial skin, the original event details, and, most importantly, the current methods for adding this viral collectible to your *Marvel Rivals* locker now that the main event is over.

The Thing: Benjamin Jacob Grimm Biography and Profile

The Thing, whose real name is Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm, is one of Marvel Comics' most iconic and enduring superheroes, a founding member of the Fantastic Four. His life story is one of hardship, friendship, and transformation, making his lighthearted beach skin a stark contrast to his serious origins.

• Real Name: Benjamin Jacob Grimm
• Place of Birth: Yancy Street, Lower East Side, New York City
• Affiliations: Fantastic Four (Founding Member), Future Foundation, Avengers
• First Appearance: *The Fantastic Four* #1 (November 1961)
• Creators: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
• Powers & Abilities: Superhuman strength, durability, and stamina due to his orange, rock-like hide. His catchphrase is famously "It's Clobberin' Time!"
• Origin Story: Ben Grimm was a college friend and roommate of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic). He was a skilled pilot who flew the experimental spaceship into cosmic radiation alongside Richards, Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), and Johnny Storm (Human Torch). The radiation mutated him, transforming him into the super-strong, rock-skinned Thing.
• Cultural Note: Ben Grimm is also one of the few explicitly Jewish superheroes in the Marvel Universe, a detail that adds depth to his working-class, Yancy Street roots.

The Two Versions of The Thing's Controversial Beach Skin in Marvel Rivals

The *Marvel Rivals* Summer Special Event introduced not one, but two highly sought-after summer-themed outfits for The Thing. Both skins were part of the limited-time event, which ran from July to August 2025 and saw other heroes like Thor, Luna Snow, and Psylocke also get beach-ready cosmetics.

1. The 'Summer Surprise' Skin (The Viral Thong Version)

This is the skin that broke the internet. The 'Summer Surprise' costume for The Thing features Ben Grimm in a minimal, bright-colored bathing suit, which many fans quickly dubbed the "Thong Skin" due to its revealing nature. The skin’s design leaned heavily into the meme-worthy potential of a giant, rocky creature wearing such a small piece of clothing, generating massive buzz for the game.

Acquisition Details (Original Event):

• Event: Summer Special Event (Volume 1)
• Method: This skin was primarily obtained via the Premium Battle Pass for the event.
• Cost/Requirement: Players needed to purchase the Premium Battle Pass (approximately $9.99 USD) and then earn event points (often up to 1500 points) by completing challenges to unlock it on the premium track.

2. The 'Rocky Tide' Skin (The Free Version)

To ensure all players could participate in the fun, NetEase Games also released a second, slightly more modest (but still beach-themed) skin for Ben Grimm, often referred to as 'Rocky Tide' or the 'Sunshine Thing' variant. This skin was a generous inclusion on the free track of the event.

Acquisition Details (Original Event):

• Event: Summer Special Event (Volume 1)
• Method: This skin was available on the Free Event Track.
• Cost/Requirement: Players simply had to reach a specific level on the free track, typically Level 14, by playing the game and completing daily/weekly challenges. No purchase of the Premium Battle Pass was required, making it accessible to the entire *Marvel Rivals* player base.

Current Availability: How to Get The Thing Beach Skin in December 2025

Since the Summer Special Event concluded in August 2025, the original method of unlocking the 'Summer Surprise' and 'Rocky Tide' skins via the event track is no longer available. For an article written in December 2025, the focus shifts to the post-event availability, which typically means the in-game store or a potential re-release.

Checking the In-Game Store and Vault

In games like *Marvel Rivals*, limited-time event cosmetics often enter a "vault" and are re-released at a later date, usually for a premium price in the in-game currency, Units or Lattices.

• The Shop Rotation: Regularly check the rotating in-game shop. The 'Summer Surprise' skin, due to its popularity, may be offered as a standalone purchase or as part of a bundle, possibly priced around 2,200 Units (roughly $22 USD), similar to other premium bundles released during the event, such as those for Invisible Woman or Human Torch.
• Seasonal Re-releases: Keep an eye out for a potential Summer Special Volume 3 event or a "Vault Unlocked" seasonal sale. Developers like NetEase Games often bring back popular seasonal items during the same time of year in the following cycle. While the initial event is over, a re-release is highly probable for mid-2026.
• The Free Skin Status: The 'Rocky Tide' free skin is less likely to return as a direct shop purchase, as its value was tied to event participation. However, it could be bundled with other cosmetics in a future promotional offering.

The Topical Authority of Marvel Rivals Cosmetics

The release of The Thing's beach skins highlights a key strategy for *Marvel Rivals*: using bold, attention-grabbing cosmetics to drive player engagement and conversation. The developers have shown a willingness to explore non-traditional looks for their heroes, moving beyond classic comic-inspired outfits to include fun, often viral, designs. This approach ensures that characters like Ben Grimm, alongside newcomers like Mantis and established icons like Loki, remain fresh and relevant in the competitive hero shooter landscape. The enduring popularity of the 'Summer Surprise' skin is a testament to the power of curiosity-based content in gaming. It successfully tapped into the humor of seeing a character known for his gruff, rocky exterior embrace the most casual of human activities, making it a legendary cosmetic in the *Marvel Rivals* pantheon. If you missed it, your best bet is to save your Units and keep a close watch on the store rotations—it’s only a matter of time before this iconic piece of summer fun returns.

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