Clobberin' Time Controversy: The Thing's 'Thong' Edit And Massive Season 3 Changes In Marvel Rivals
The Thing has always been a rock-solid fixture in the Marvel Universe, but his arrival in the fast-paced, team-based action of Marvel Rivals has been anything but quiet. As of today, December 21, 2025, the game’s community is buzzing over significant Season 3 balance changes that have fundamentally altered how the Vanguard hero operates, coupled with the lingering, viral discussion around a controversial cosmetic "edit"—the infamous 'Thong' skin—that turned the lovable lug into an unexpected center of attention.
The character, a key member of the Fantastic Four, was designed to be the ultimate frontline protector, a bruiser who soaks up damage and disrupts enemy formations. However, recent updates have sought to refine his role, making him not just a damage sponge, but a strategic powerhouse. This deep dive explores the latest upgrades, breaks down his full moveset, and unpacks the fan-driven phenomenon of "The Thing Edit" that has defined his tenure in the game so far.
Benjamin J. Grimm: The Rock of the Roster
Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm, better known as The Thing, is one of the most iconic and enduring characters in comic book history. His presence in Marvel Rivals establishes a crucial anchor for the game's growing roster, bringing in the gravitas of the Fantastic Four. Here is a quick profile of the hero at the center of the latest game buzz:
- Real Name: Benjamin Jacob Grimm
- Alias: The Thing
- Team Affiliation: Fantastic Four, Avengers, Future Foundation
- Role in Marvel Rivals: Vanguard (Frontline Tank/Protector)
- Difficulty: 1-Star (Beginner-Friendly)
- Key Personality Traits: Gruff, loyal, self-deprecating, and possessing a heart of gold. Famous for his catchphrase, "It's Clobberin' Time!"
- Origin Story: Transformed into a rock-skinned behemoth after being exposed to cosmic rays during an experimental space flight with Reed Richards, Susan Storm, and Johnny Storm.
- Classic Rivalries: Doctor Doom, The Hulk, The Yancy Street Gang (though they are more of a nuisance).
- Synergy Highlight: Known for a powerful "Cosmic Fastball Special" team-up with Wolverine.
As a Vanguard, The Thing's primary function is crowd control, area denial, and protecting high-value teammates like the Human Torch or Iron Man. His design philosophy in Marvel Rivals is centered on being an immovable object.
The Massive Season 3 Changes: The Thing's Big Upgrade
Recent Season 3 patch notes have delivered a significant "upgrade" and a "massive change" to The Thing’s kit, shifting the meta around the Vanguard role. These adjustments aim to make him more impactful offensively while retaining his defensive core, moving him beyond a simple damage sponge.
The Focus on Aggressive Protection
While specific numerical changes are often detailed in patch logs, the general consensus among high-level players is that The Thing’s ability to initiate and maintain pressure has been significantly buffed. The changes focus on:
- Sustained Damage Output: Enhancements to his Primary Fire, Rocky Jab, and Secondary Fire, Stone Haymaker, likely giving them better scaling or reduced cooldowns to keep The Thing a constant threat in a brawl.
- Mobility and Engagement: His movement abilities, Yancy Street Charge and Embattled Leap, have seen refinements. These are crucial for a Vanguard to quickly close the gap, disrupt backlines, or swiftly return to protect an allied hero.
- Ultimate Utility: His Ultimate, Clobberin' Time, a powerful area-of-effect (AoE) attack, may have received an increase in charge rate or a larger effective radius, making it a more reliable game-changer in clutch moments.
This "big upgrade" means that The Thing mains can now play a more proactive, aggressive style, using his immense durability to force engagements rather than just react to them. It’s a strategic shift that has excited the community and led to a surge in "The Thing" gameplay videos and guides testing the new limits of the character.
The Viral 'Thong' Edit and Fan Scenepacks
The phrase "The Thing Edit Marvel Rivals" doesn't just refer to balance changes; it has become a popular term for the fan-driven content and discussions surrounding his appearance, most notably the viral "Thong" skin. This cosmetic choice by NetEase Games for a "Summer Special" event became an instant sensation and source of controversy.
The 'Thong' Skin Phenomenon
In a surprising move, NetEase released a skin for The Thing that replaced his standard blue shorts with a much smaller, more revealing piece of swimwear. The skin, often referred to as the "Thong" skin, immediately went viral across social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok.
The reaction was a mix of humor, shock, and appreciation for the developers’ willingness to embrace the absurdity of a giant, rock-skinned hero in such minimal attire. The developers, in a playful nod, seemed to "surrender" to player demand for fun, revealing summer-themed cosmetics, which also included a "hot" swim-themed Thor.
The Rise of Scenepacks and Fan Edits
The popularity of The Thing's animations and unique skins, including the "Thong" edit, has led to a major increase in fan-created content. Content creators are now releasing "scenepacks" on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. These packs include high-quality, un-watermarked clips of The Thing's various animations—intro, MVP poses, emotes, and idle stances—specifically for fans to use in their own video edits.
These edits range from serious highlight reels showcasing his combat prowess to humorous skits and memes focusing on his gruff personality or the sheer visual absurdity of his new cosmetics. The community's use of these scenepacks is a testament to the character's popularity and the unique, meme-worthy content he provides, solidifying "The Thing Edit" as a major fan trend in the Marvel Rivals ecosystem.
Mastering The Thing: A Vanguard Strategy Guide
To truly master the updated Ben Grimm, players must leverage his Vanguard kit to control the battlefield. His abilities are a powerful mix of defense, mobility, and pure brute force. Understanding the rotation is key to maximizing his potential in the latest season.
The Core Moveset Breakdown:
- Rocky Jab (Primary Fire): Rapid-fire punches that deal consistent damage. This is your baseline for keeping pressure on enemies.
- Stone Haymaker (Secondary Fire): A heavy, charged punch, ideal for burst damage or finishing off low-health targets. It requires timing but rewards with high impact.
- Yancy Street Charge (Movement/Utility): A quick dash or charge, primarily used for repositioning, engaging, or disengaging from unfavorable fights. It’s essential for a tank to control space.
- Embattled Leap (Mobility/Initiation): A powerful jump that allows The Thing to quickly cover vertical or horizontal distance, often used to initiate a fight by landing in the middle of the enemy team.
- Battle Blitz (Utility): A quick burst of speed or a utility move that synergizes with his Vanguard role, possibly a short-term buff or shield for himself or nearby allies.
- Clobberin' Time (Ultimate Ability): The signature move. When activated, it unleashes a massive AoE attack, often involving a series of ground-shaking slams or rapid, powerful punches, capable of clearing an objective or wiping out a clustered enemy team. Use it wisely to turn the tide of a match.
The Thing is a hero who thrives when constantly in the enemy's face. The recent Season 3 changes encourage players to embrace this aggressive playstyle. Utilize Embattled Leap to initiate, use Rocky Jab and Stone Haymaker for sustained damage, and always save Yancy Street Charge as an emergency escape or a quick peel for a vulnerable teammate. With his new upgrades and the sheer intimidation factor of his rock-hard exterior—even in a thong—The Thing is undeniably one of the most compelling and powerful Vanguards in Marvel Rivals today.
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