Look, let’s be real. Whenever a movie tie-in drops in a hero shooter, there’s usually that moment of collective breath-holding. Are we getting a lazy recolor? Or are we getting something that actually makes the character feel new? With the Marvel Rivals First Steps skins models, NetEase basically leaned into the retro-futurism of the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot, and honestly, the results are kinda surprising. They didn't just slap a logo on the default suits.
The Aesthetic Shift of Marvel Rivals First Steps Skins Models
If you’ve been playing the game since the beta, you know Marvel Rivals usually sticks to a very specific, high-contrast comic book vibe. It’s loud. It’s stylized. But these Marvel Rivals First Steps skins models feel different. They’re based on the 1960s-inspired "First Steps" film, which means we’re trading the typical sleek, metallic armor for something that looks more like a high-end sweater or a vintage space suit.
The textures are the first thing you notice. On Mister Fantastic, the fabric has this ribbed, knitted quality that catches the light differently than his default spandex. It’s a softer look. Then you have the facial hair. In a move that clearly nods to Pedro Pascal’s casting, the Reed Richards model here gets a groomed mustache and slightly different hair geometry. It’s a subtle change, but it’s enough to make the model feel like its own entity rather than a simple texture swap.
Ben Grimm—The Thing—is probably the standout for most people. His "First Steps" model keeps the iconic orange rock texture but puts him in that sleeveless white-and-blue jumpsuit. It’s bulky, it’s retro, and it feels surprisingly grounded for a giant rock monster.
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What’s Actually in the Bundle?
Most players are debating whether to grab the individual skins or the "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" combo bundle. If you’re a completionist, the bundle is the only way to get the Devourer of Popcorn spray, which is a cheeky Galacta reference. Here is the breakdown of what these Epic-tier cosmetics actually include:
- Mister Fantastic: The First Steps costume, a unique nameplate, a spray, and an emote.
- Invisible Woman: The Sue Storm suit, nameplate, spray, and her specific emote.
- Human Torch: The "I love you, Johnny!" inspired look, plus the usual nameplate and spray.
- The Thing: The Ben Grimm variant, emote, nameplate, and spray.
Price-wise, you're looking at about 1,400 Units per character. If you want the whole family, the combo bundle sits at 3,400 Units. That’s roughly $34 if you're buying Lattice from scratch. Is it steep? Maybe. But compared to some of the Legendary skins that push 2,000+ Units, it’s a bit more palatable for an Epic-tier drop.
The Model Details Most People Miss
One thing that bugs me about some skin reviews is that they don't talk about the "feel" in-game. When you're playing as Invisible Woman in the First Steps skin, the model's silhouette is actually quite clean. Because it lacks the extra "busy" details of her default costume, she feels a bit more agile on screen.
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It's also worth noting the Human Torch model. When he goes full "Flame On," the suit's colors shift to a darker blue-orange gradient that looks incredible against the 60s white trim. NetEase clearly spent time on how these materials react to the lighting in maps like Tokyo 2099.
Pro-Tip: These are Epic skins, not Legendary. That means you aren't getting new MVP animations. If you were hoping for a cinematic movie-inspired victory screen, you’re out of luck. You’re strictly paying for the model and the emotes.
The Team-Up Mechanic Synergy
One of the coolest things about using these skins is how they look during Team-Up abilities. Seeing the "First Steps" version of Human Torch and The Thing trigger their combined attack just feels right. It gives the game that "movie scene" vibe without breaking the core gameplay loop.
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How to Get Them Right Now
Getting your hands on the Marvel Rivals First Steps skins models is straightforward, but you have to navigate the store UI, which can be a bit of a maze.
- Open the Store tab from the main menu.
- Look for the Featured section; the Fantastic Four bundle usually sits right at the front.
- If you want a specific hero, go to the Heroes tab, select your character (like Reed or Ben), and view their individual "Costume" list.
- You’ll need Units, which you can get by converting Lattice.
If you're short on cash, remember that some Units can be earned through the Battle Pass, though usually not enough to cover a full 1,400 Unit skin unless you've been hoarding them for a while.
Why These Models Matter for the Future
The release of these skins sets a precedent. It shows that NetEase is willing to tweak face models—like giving Reed a mustache—to match actor likenesses without fully committing to a "photorealistic" look that would clash with the game’s art style. It’s a middle ground.
We’ve seen other tie-ins, like the Armor Model 42 for Iron Man or the Scarlet Spider skin for Peter Parker, but those are mostly comic-based. The First Steps collection is the first major "live-action" influence we've seen on the character models. It makes you wonder what they’ll do when the next big Avengers flick or X-Men project rolls around.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're on the fence about spending your Units, here is how you should approach it:
- Check the Practice Range first: You can often "test" the feel of a character's default model, though you can't preview the skin's physics until you buy it. Watch a high-res gameplay showcase on YouTube to see how the white fabric of the "First Steps" suits looks in motion.
- Calculate your Lattice: Don't just buy the smallest packs. If you want the bundle, the 3,400 Unit price point is best hit by getting the larger Lattice packs to save a few bucks on the "bonus" currency.
- Prioritize Ben and Reed: In terms of model changes, The Thing and Mister Fantastic have the most significant "First Steps" alterations. If you only have enough for one or two, those are the ones that actually feel like a new character model.