Marvel Rivals Modding Persists Despite Season 1 Bans

Since the blockbuster launch of Marvel Rivals in December, players have been diving into the world of mods to customize their gaming experience, despite the looming threat of account bans. Mods like transforming Iron Man into Vegeta from Dragon Ball, Mantis into a goth character, and even turning Jeff the Land Shark into Pochita from Chainsaw Man have captured the community's imagination. However, with the launch of Season 1 and the introduction of the Fantastic Four, Marvel Rivals' developer NetEase has tightened the screws on mod usage with a new asset hash checking system.

NetEase has been vocal about its stance against mods, reiterating to IGN that the game's terms and conditions strictly prohibit mods, cheats, bots, hacks, or any other unauthorized third-party software. The developer warned players that modifying game files could lead to bans, a message reinforced during the Season 1 launch: "It is not recommended to modify any game files, as doing so carries the risk of getting banned."

Despite these warnings, the modding community has found a way around the new restrictions. A workaround, which requires more steps but is still accessible to most PC players, has been shared widely online. Modder Prafit, who uploaded this workaround to Nexus Mods, cautioned users: "Use at your own risk." They acknowledged the mod bypasses the system introduced with the Season 1 patch, and while no permanent bans have been reported yet, the uncertainty remains.

The modding scene continues to evolve, with new mods taking advantage of the Fantastic Four characters. For instance, Ercuallo's mod transforms Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, which has seen over 5,000 downloads in just two days since its release on Nexus Mods.

The question on every modder's mind is whether NetEase will follow through with bans. While no bans have been reported, the possibility of action from NetEase looms large, especially considering the potential impact on in-game revenue from skin sales and concerns over intellectual property rights. Mods could also affect game balance and performance, as noted by Prafit, who suggested their workaround is best suited for those with high-end PCs.

As the situation develops, keep an eye on the Marvel Rivals Season 1 patch notes, the official Marvel Rivals' pick and win rates for Season 0 in Quickplay and Competitive modes, and don't miss out on the latest Marvel Rivals codes for free skins. Engage with the community by voting on the strongest characters in our community tier list.