1Lock when
The lobby needs this job
Anchoring simple brawls, absorbing attention, and making space when your team is ready to walk behind you.

Benjamin J. Grimm is unquestionably the rock star of any team he's on. Always at the forefront of the fight, the Thing shields his allies with his unbreakable form, selflessly fending off any harm that comes their way.
Queue briefing
1Lock when
Anchoring simple brawls, absorbing attention, and making space when your team is ready to walk behind you.
2Swap when
Swap or reset earlier if every fight becomes a slow walk through damage before you reach the enemy team.
3Practice first
Take one step of space, check that your team followed, then decide whether the next step is engage or reset.
Pocket Rivals ranked read
The Thing: Anchor space first, then spend cooldowns to start or stop a fight when your team can follow.
Editorial note: this section is Pocket Rivals advice for everyday ranked lobbies. Use the official source panel for canonical ability text, then use this ranked read to decide what to practice next.
Pair with a second Vanguard or a durable Duelist who can hold space when you reset.
Do not spend every cooldown crossing empty space. Arrive with at least one tool left.
Hero-specific editorial
Anchoring simple brawls, absorbing attention, and making space when your team is ready to walk behind you.
Sustained tank pressure, ranged kiting, and speed or control tools that deny long close-range fights.
Swap or reset earlier if every fight becomes a slow walk through damage before you reach the enemy team.
Standing in the open to prove you are durable instead of moving from cover to cover with your supports.
Take one step of space, check that your team followed, then decide whether the next step is engage or reset.
Based on Pocket Rivals counter notes that use Wolverine brawl pressure, Punisher ranged damage, and Mantis speed or control to kite The Thing.
Official details
Official article date: 2025/02/20
When Ben Grimm signed up to pilot an experimental spacecraft for his pal Reed Richards, he never imagined he'd return from the flight transformed into a monster. Even though cosmic rays turned him into the Thing, Ben still has a heart of gold beneath his rocky exterior.
Since New York City plunged into eternal night, Ben has devoted himself to protecting his home from the monsters plaguing it.
Skills

Normal Attack
Rapidly punch forward

Ability
Deliver a devastating Heavy Blow. Can Knock Down flying enemies.

Ability
Continuously charge forward, launching up enemies and leaving behind a zone at the final position that prevents the use of mobility abilities

Ability
Jump toward an ally and apply damage reduction to yourself and allies within the landing area

Ability
Jump toward an enemy and apply Vulnerability to enemies within the landing area

Ability
Use immense power to launch up all enemies in front of the Thing into the air

Ability
Immune to launch-up, knock-back, and other displacement effects

Ability
Wolverine and The Thing can interact with each other. Once both parties confirm, The Thing can lift Wolverine and press the key to hurl him forward

Ability
Hulk charges Black Panther and The Thing with gamma radiation. When Black Panther's health is low, he gains a gamma shield, becoming Unstoppable and blocking attacks. The Thing gains Gamma Gauntlets, boosting Damage and range of his Rocky Jab and Stone Haymaker. Dealing damage with these attacks grants Bonus Health, and maximum Bonus Health cap is increased

Ability
Human Torch can lift The Thing into the air and slam him down, dealing damage, launching enemies, and creating a zone that disables mobility abilities
Hero handoff
Leave with one matchup rule instead of a whole new checklist.
Read official details, then turn the hero into one job, one matchup rule, and one avoid call.