5 Reasons The Thing's Marvel Rivals Render Is The Most Comic-Accurate Tank Design Yet
The "Ever-Loving, Blue-Eyed Thing" has officially made his colossal debut in the world of *Marvel Rivals*, and the initial render and gameplay reveal have sent shockwaves through the hero shooter community. As of December 19, 2025, the latest updates confirm that Benjamin J. Grimm, the stalwart heart of the Fantastic Four, is now a playable hero, introduced as part of the highly anticipated Season 1: Eternal Night Falls expansion. This article breaks down everything you need to know about The Thing’s character model, his role as a Vanguard, and why his design is being hailed as one of the most faithful comic-to-game adaptations in the new title.
The core focus for many fans has been on the visual fidelity of the character, a crucial element in a competitive game like *Marvel Rivals*. The developers have clearly prioritized a classic, robust aesthetic for The Thing’s render, ensuring his rocky hide, iconic blue eyes, and signature "It's Clobberin' Time!" attitude are perfectly captured. This deep dive explores the specifics of his design, his powerful abilities, and how he fits into the dynamic 6v6 team-based combat.
Benjamin J. Grimm: The Thing's Complete Biography Profile
The character known as The Thing is one of Marvel Comics’ most enduring and beloved figures, a powerhouse whose rough exterior hides a deeply sensitive and loyal core. His introduction to *Marvel Rivals* brings a foundational piece of Marvel history into the game’s ever-expanding roster of heroes and villains.
- Real Name: Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm
- Codename: The Thing
- First Appearance: *The Fantastic Four* #1 (November 1961)
- Origin: Exposed to cosmic rays during an experimental space flight piloted by his friend, Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Ben Grimm’s body mutated into a massive, rock-skinned form.
- Birthplace: Lower East Side, New York City
- Affiliations: Fantastic Four, Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Key Characteristics: Unbreakable loyalty, a deep sense of humor often masked by grumbling, and his signature catchphrase: "It's Clobberin' Time!"
- Love Interest: Alicia Masters, a blind sculptor who loves him for who he is, not what he looks like.
- Role in Marvel Rivals: Vanguard (Tank)
The developers at NetEase and Marvel Games have focused on translating this rich backstory into the game, giving The Thing a presence that feels both massive and emotionally grounded. His role as the unwavering heart of the team is immediately apparent in his Vanguard designation, designed to take the brunt of the damage and protect his allies.
The Thing's Vanguard Role and Clobberin' Time Gameplay Breakdown
In *Marvel Rivals*, The Thing is categorized as a Vanguard hero, which is the game’s term for a tank or frontline defender. This role is perfectly suited to his comic book persona, where his super-strength and impenetrable rocky hide make him virtually immune to most forms of attack. His gameplay is centered around disruption, crowd control, and absorbing enormous amounts of damage to create space for his damage-dealing teammates.
The Core of The Thing's Arsenal: Punch Combos and Disruption
The Thing's primary attack is a series of devastating punches, reflecting his classic "clobbering" action. Unlike many other heroes with projectile or energy-based attacks, Ben Grimm relies purely on brute force. This makes him a high-impact, close-range brawler.
A key aspect of his kit is his ability to initiate fights and control enemy positioning. His main initiation tool is the Embattled Leap. This ability allows The Thing to leap into the fray, knocking up enemies upon landing and immediately drawing their attention. Crucially, using Embattled Leap grants him a temporary damage reduction buff, making him even harder to take down right after he engages. This mechanic is essential for any Vanguard player, as it rewards aggressive, well-timed dives with increased survivability.
Other rumored or confirmed abilities further solidify his tank role:
- Rock Solid Defense: A defensive stance or shield ability that further reduces incoming damage, allowing him to anchor a capture point or blockade a chokepoint.
- Ground Pound/Quake: An area-of-effect (AoE) attack that uses his immense strength to smash the ground, stunning or slowing enemies in a radius.
- Team-Up Skill: As with all *Marvel Rivals* characters, The Thing will have unique Team-Up abilities with specific allies. His interaction with other Fantastic Four members—Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, and Human Torch—will be a major factor in high-level play. For instance, a Team-Up with Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) could involve him being encased in a force field while charging, or a combo with Human Torch (Johnny Storm) could create a fiery, explosive slam.
Mastering The Thing requires excellent positioning and knowing when to use your defensive cooldowns to maximize your time on the frontline. He acts as a literal shield, buying precious seconds for heroes like Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, or Magik to unleash their devastating ultimates.
The Marvel Rivals Render: A Deep Dive into The Thing's Aesthetic
The central point of discussion surrounding The Thing’s debut is the quality and accuracy of his character render. The *Marvel Rivals* art style generally leans into a vibrant, slightly stylized, yet highly detailed look that perfectly bridges the gap between classic comic book art and modern AAA game visuals. The Thing’s design is a testament to this philosophy.
1. The Classic, Jagged Rocky Texture
The render features the iconic, orange-hued, jagged rock texture that has defined The Thing since his earliest appearances. This is not a smooth, armored look, but a rough, porous, and highly detailed skin that emphasizes his transformation by cosmic rays. The texture is rendered with a level of detail that makes him look truly massive and physically imposing on the battlefield. This comic-accurate aesthetic is a major win for longtime fans of the Fantastic Four.
2. The "Blue-Eyed" Detail
The Thing is famously known as the "Ever-Loving, Blue-Eyed Thing," and the render ensures this detail is prominent. His eyes have a noticeable, bright blue glow that contrasts sharply with his orange hide. This small but significant detail reinforces his human identity (Benjamin Grimm) beneath the monstrous exterior and provides a focal point that conveys emotion and determination, even in a fast-paced shooter.
3. Proportions and Silhouette
As a Vanguard, The Thing's silhouette is crucial for gameplay recognition. The render depicts him with massive, broad shoulders, thick arms, and a powerful, low-to-the-ground stance. He is visibly one of the largest characters on the roster, making him an immediate target—as a tank should be. His proportions are exaggerated in a way that is faithful to his comic book depiction as a powerhouse, ensuring players instantly recognize his role and threat level.
4. The Iconic Trunks
The default render features his classic, simple blue trunks. This minimalist costume is his most recognizable outfit and grounds the design in his foundational history. However, the game also features a range of cosmetics and alternative skins. Players can expect to unlock various costumes, nameplates, and MVP animations, including potential variants like his sleeveless jacket look or perhaps a more armored aesthetic, catering to different player preferences.
5. High-Fidelity MVP Screens and Animations
The render is brought to life through dynamic animations, especially visible in his MVP screen and gameplay footage. His movements are heavy, impactful, and deliberate, with every punch carrying a visible sense of weight and force. The animations perfectly sell his character fantasy as a relentless brawler, making his gameplay feel immensely satisfying. The developers have successfully merged a classic comic book design with the high-octane requirements of a modern hero shooter.
In conclusion, the official Marvel Rivals The Thing render is a masterclass in faithful adaptation. It delivers a character who is visually stunning, true to his comic book roots, and mechanically essential as a Vanguard. His inclusion, alongside the rest of the Fantastic Four roster, signals a massive commitment from the developers to include the biggest and most iconic entities in the Marvel Universe, promising a bright future for the game's competitive scene.
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