Doreen Green is weird. Let's just be real. She’s a character who defeated Thanos and Doctor Doom, yet she spends most of her time worrying about her computer science homework or finding the perfect acorn. When NetEase announced her for the hero shooter roster, the first thing everyone started whispering about wasn't her moveset—it was the Marvel Rivals Squirrel Girl skins. People wanted to know if we were getting the classic "Iron Man" armor version or the modern, chunky-cardigan look from the Erica Henderson era.
She isn't just another DPS character. She’s a vibe.
In a game like Marvel Rivals, where the art style leans heavily into that stylized, "Into the Spider-Verse" inspired aesthetic, skins aren't just palette swaps. They’re a statement. If you’re playing Squirrel Girl, you’re already choosing chaos. You might as well look the part while you’re siccing Tippy-Toe on a confused Magneto.
The Default Look and Why it Works
The base design for Squirrel Girl in Marvel Rivals pulls heavily from her "Unbeatable" run. It’s practical. It’s messy. It’s got that signature aviator jacket and the oversized tail that actually looks like it has physics—which is a nightmare for the dev team but a win for us. Honestly, most players stick with the default for a while because it just feels correct. It captures that "I just rolled out of bed and now I'm saving the multiverse" energy.
But the default is just the starting line.
NetEase has shown a clear pattern with their skin tiers. You’ve got your basic recolors, which are fine for a bit of variety, but the real meat is in the Epic and Legendary tiers. These aren't just texture changes. They’re full model swaps.
Marvel Rivals Squirrel Girl Skins: Digging Into the Variants
One of the most talked-about skins is the Iron Squirrel suit. In the comics, Tony Stark actually built Doreen a suit of armor. It’s ridiculous. It’s got acorn-shaped thrusters. Seeing this translated into the game’s engine is a treat because it changes the sound cues of her abilities. Instead of the soft thump of a squirrel jump, you get that metallic clank.
Then there’s the GLA (Great Lakes Avengers) throwback.
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For the hardcore comic nerds, this is the holy grail. It’s a thinner, more "classic" superhero spandex look from her early days. It’s a bit more "90s awkward," which fits her perfectly. Some players find it a bit too plain compared to the high-detail default, but it’s a massive flex to show you know her history before she became a meme-tier powerhouse.
The Problem With Hitboxes
Here is a nuance most "guides" won't tell you: the tail is a visual lie.
In competitive shooters, hitboxes are king. If a skin makes a character look three times wider, players get worried. NetEase has been pretty careful here. Even though some of the Marvel Rivals Squirrel Girl skins make her tail look fluffier or add bulky winter gear, the actual "hittable" area remains consistent with her base model. You aren't actually at a disadvantage if you wear the bulkier holiday skin, though your brain might tell you otherwise when you’re trying to dodge Hela’s projectiles.
The Semantic Soul of Doreen’s Closet
We need to talk about the "Ultimate" skins.
In Marvel Rivals, skins often tie back to the "Chronovariants" lore—different versions of heroes from across the timeline. This gives the designers an excuse to get really weird. We’ve seen leaks and concept art suggesting a "Galactic" Squirrel Girl, where her tail is literally a nebula. Is it canon? Sorta. It fits the game's narrative of Timestream Entanglement.
Actually, the variety is what keeps the game fresh.
Imagine a match where you have three different Squirrel Girls because of the "No-Limit" modes. One is wearing a lab coat (University Doreen), one is in full plate mail, and one is the "Tiara" version from her brief stint as a "Disney-style" princess in the comics. It’s visual noise, sure, but it’s delightful noise.
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What Actually Matters When Choosing a Skin?
If you're looking to spend your units or credits, don't just look at the rarity glow. Look at the squirrels.
Yes, really.
The best Marvel Rivals Squirrel Girl skins also change the appearance of her summons. In her high-end Legendary skins, Tippy-Toe and the rest of the pack often get little accessories. In the "Cyber" variant, the squirrels have glowing neon eyes and metallic fur. If you’re spending the equivalent of twenty bucks on a skin, you want the whole kit to change, not just the girl herself.
- Visual Clarity: Does the skin blend into the background of Yggsgard? (Avoid greens if you want to be seen, or use them if you want to be sneaky).
- Animation Smoothness: Some heavier skins feel slower, even if they aren't. It’s a psychological thing.
- The Flex Factor: Wearing a skin that was only available during a specific seasonal event (like the Midgard snow festival) tells your teammates you’ve been playing since the beta.
Why Skins Drive the Marvel Rivals Economy
Let’s be honest. This is a free-to-play game. NetEase needs you to love these skins so they can keep the servers running. Squirrel Girl is a "fan-favorite" in the sense that her fans are obsessed. They don't just want a red version; they want the 1992 Steve Ditko original version.
There’s a complexity to designing for her that characters like Captain America don't have. Cap is easy—give him a different shield and a different helmet. Squirrel Girl has a massive appendage attached to her spine that needs to move naturally during wall-clings and triple jumps.
I’ve noticed that the community tends to gravitate toward the "Casual" skins. There’s something inherently funny about beating a literal God of Mischief while wearing a "I Heart NY" t-shirt and cargo shorts. It leans into the absurdity that makes Marvel Rivals fun in the first place.
Historical Context: From Ditko to NetEase
When Steve Ditko first drew her, she was... well, she was a bit creepy. She had a very different facial structure. Modern Squirrel Girl is much more "Adorkable." The Marvel Rivals Squirrel Girl skins actually pay homage to this evolution. You can see the shift in facial animations depending on which era the skin represents.
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It’s that level of detail that separates a good hero shooter from a cash grab.
Reference the Marvel Rivals Discord or the subreddit, and you'll see heated debates. "The tail on the 'All-New' skin is too stiff!" or "Why doesn't the 'Doreen Green: Computer Science' skin have her laptop?" These details matter to the people who main her.
Limitations of the Current System
Not everything is perfect. Currently, the game doesn't allow for "mix and match" pieces. You can't take the hat from one skin and put it on the outfit of another. This is a bummer. Many players have pointed out that Squirrel Girl would be the perfect candidate for a "modular" skin system because her accessories are so iconic.
Also, we have to talk about the "Gold" skins. Like many shooters, there’s a mastery track. It’s a grind. A long, painful grind. But seeing a Squirrel Girl in full reflective gold, tail and all, is a terrifying sight in a ranked match. It means they know exactly how to combo their nut-flinging abilities to stun-lock you into oblivion.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Doreen Main
If you’re ready to dive into the world of Squirrel Girl fashion, here is how you should approach it:
- Check the Squirrels First: Go to the hero gallery and rotate the model. Check if the skin changes Tippy-Toe. If it doesn't, it’s probably not worth the high price tag.
- Test in the Practice Range: Some skins have different "VFX" (Visual Effects). The "Summer" skin might have water splashes instead of dust clouds. This can actually help with your own visual tracking during a chaotic 6v6 fight.
- Wait for the Bundles: NetEase frequently bundles Marvel Rivals Squirrel Girl skins with emotes or MVP poses. Doreen has some of the best MVP poses in the game (one involves her burying the camera in acorns), so getting the matching set is way more satisfying.
- Watch the Patch Notes: Occasionally, certain skins get "optimized." If a tail is clipping through a wall and giving away your position, the devs are usually quick to tuck it in.
Ultimately, Squirrel Girl is about joy. Her skins reflect that. Whether you’re going for the high-tech armored look or the "just a girl with a tail" vibe, make sure it’s something that makes you laugh when you see yourself in the kill cam. Because at the end of the day, if you aren't having fun playing a girl who talks to rodents, you're playing the wrong game.
Focus on the skins that change her "vibe" rather than just her color. The legendary variants that overhaul her squirrels provide the most bang for your buck, especially if you plan on spending dozens of hours mastering her unique vertical movement. Keep an eye on the seasonal shop rotations, as that's where the most "out of character" and creative designs usually land.