Marvel Strike Force The Thing - Theria Games

Introduction

Marvel Strike Force The Thing is a durable brawler with a strong presence on the battlefield, excelling in dealing significant single-target damage. Known for his high health and solid armor, he serves as a tough frontline character. Despite having a relatively low speed, this can actually work in his favor, as his slower turns can extend the duration of taunts and buffs, making him a resilient asset in certain situations. His primary role is as a damage dealer, but he also plays an important supportive role in the Fantastic Four team by providing armor bonuses to his allies, including Namor.

His effectiveness shines when paired with other Fantastic Four members, making him a key piece in synergies that focus on teamwork and strategic offense. While The Thing has potential in teams outside of the Fantastic Four, his true power lies in his synergy with the faction. He is a critical part of countering teams like the Emmarauders in Alliance War, thanks to his armor bonuses and strong survivability.

Abilities

The Thing in Marvel Strike Force is a powerful brawler who excels at single-target damage, and his abilities reflect this focus.

Knuckle Sandwich

Level: 1

Damage: 100

Pummeling Stone

Level: 1

Damage: 130

Haymaker

Level: 1

Damage: 260

Clobberin’ Time

Level: 1

Gains Extra Damage: 75

Basic – Knuckle Sandwich attack deals 300% damage to the primary target at level 6. Upgrading this ability to level 7 increases the damage by 50%, bringing it to 350%. While the upgrade adds a bit of damage, it’s generally considered a lower priority for orange material investment, as it only impacts single-target damage. The animation for this attack shows The Thing delivering a basic forward punch.

Special – Pummeling Stone is The Thing’s special ability, with a 2-turn cooldown, and it can be used from turn 1. At level 6, this ability attacks the primary target for 240% damage, followed by 1-2 bonus attacks for 180% damage. Upgrading to level 7 costs 220 orange materials and boosts the damage of both the primary and bonus attacks by 40%. This results in 280% damage to the primary target and 220% damage for the bonus attacks. This upgrade can be beneficial due to the multiple hits, which might also help break deflects before the bonus attacks land. The animation for this ability shows The Thing punching the target followed by additional blows.

Ultimate – Haymaker is fully charged at the start of battle, making it an immediate threat. At level 6, it deals 490% damage to the primary target. Upgrading this ability to level 7 costs 240 orange materials and increases the damage by 60%, bringing it to 550%. However, similar to the basic attack, this upgrade is not considered essential for orange material investment due to its single-target nature. The animation shows The Thing delivering an upward punch.

Passive – Clobberin’ Time is key to The Thing’s durability. At level 4, when attacked, he counterattacks the enemy for 125% damage. Additionally, he gains 10% armor, and Fantastic Four and Namor allies gain 10% armor as well.

Upgrading this passive to level 5 costs 200 orange materials, increasing the counterattack damage to 150% and raising the armor bonuses to 20% for both The Thing and his allies. The T4 upgrade further boosts the counterattack damage by 50%. This ability is essential for increasing The Thing’s survivability, especially in team compositions with the Fantastic Four, and is particularly valuable in Alliance War. The animation for this passive shows The Thing cracking his knuckles before countering with a punch.

Regarding Iso-8 Interactions, The Thing has two recommended Iso-8 class options: Skirmisher and Striker. The Skirmisher class increases his chances of applying Stun and flipping Buffs with his Ultimate and Special abilities, as well as adding more Vulnerable effects. The Striker class focuses on increasing his damage potential.

In summary, The Thing is a brawler with a strong focus on single-target damage. His abilities and passive make him a durable character capable of dealing significant damage while supporting his Fantastic Four and Namor allies with valuable armor bonuses. Prioritizing upgrades for his passive and special abilities is generally considered the best use of orange materials, while his basic and ultimate upgrades are less impactful given their high cost for single-target enhancements.

Synergies and Team Compositions

The Thing in Marvel Strike Force is primarily designed to synergize with members of the Fantastic Four team, which forms the core of his optimal team compositions. As a key member of this faction, The Thing’s passive ability, It’s Clobberin’ Time, provides a crucial armor bonus to himself and his Fantastic Four allies (as well as Namor), which is vital for their durability, especially in Alliance War.

At level 4, this passive grants +10% armor, and at level 5, it increases to +20%. This armor bonus plays an essential role in making the Fantastic Four team function effectively. Within the team, The Thing is often recommended as a Striker in Iso-8 to maximize his damage potential and take advantage of Vulnerable status effects applied by other Fantastic Four members like Mister Fantastic, who is commonly suggested as a Skirmisher. Invisible Woman serves as the team's Healer, and Human Torch is another Striker, creating a well-rounded and effective team composition.

While The Thing’s synergy with the Fantastic Four is his most prominent strength, he also holds the New Avenger tag, which opens up some potential interactions with other characters who share this tag. His passive ability allows him to counter-attack whenever a New Avenger ally is hit, in addition to his regular counter when he himself is attacked. This interaction suggests some potential, though not as pronounced, synergy with New Avenger characters, though the specific teams he can complement in this regard are less defined.

In addition to his Fantastic Four synergies, The Thing also has the Hero Brawler tag, which could theoretically make him a fit for Hero Brawler teams alongside characters like Ms. Marvel, Captain Marvel, and America Chavez. However, early tests show that The Thing may not perform as well outside of the Fantastic Four.

While he does contribute damage to a Hero Brawler team, his lack of additional utility—such as clearing positive effects or providing significant team-wide benefits—limits his effectiveness as a standalone damage dealer. His role within the Hero Brawler team is therefore seen as less impactful compared to his role within a fully assembled Fantastic Four team. That said, he can still serve as a placeholder in a Hero Brawler team until more Fantastic Four members are available.

When it comes to Iso-8 recommendations, The Thing benefits from two potential class options: Skirmisher and Striker. The Skirmisher class enhances his ability to apply Stun and flip Buffs with his Ultimate and Special abilities, as well as adding more Vulnerable effects, which synergizes well with his offensive capabilities. The Striker class, on the other hand, focuses solely on increasing his damage output, making it the favored choice within a Fantastic Four team where maximizing damage is a priority.

In conclusion, The Thing’s greatest synergies are within the Fantastic Four faction, where his armor bonuses and damage potential are most effectively utilized. While he has the New Avenger and Hero Brawler tags, his effectiveness in these roles is secondary to his place within the Fantastic Four team. When considering Iso-8, the Striker class is typically the best option to maximize his damage output, especially in a cohesive Fantastic Four squad.

Iso-8 Enhancements

For The Thing in Marvel Strike Force, Iso-8 enhancements are key to optimizing his role within your team. The Thing’s primary focus for Iso-8 upgrades is survivability and damage output, ensuring that he can withstand damage while dealing significant hits. The ideal Iso-8 class for The Thing is generally considered to be Striker, especially within a Fantastic Four team.

This class boosts his damage potential, allowing him to take full advantage of the Vulnerable status effects applied by other Fantastic Four members. In a typical Fantastic Four team, with characters like Invisible Woman as a Healer, Mister Fantastic as a Skirmisher, and Namor as a Raider, The Thing and Human Torch are both recommended as Strikers to maximize overall damage output.

Alternatively, Skirmisher is another viable Iso-8 class option for The Thing. This class increases his chances of applying Stun and flipping Buffs with his Ultimate and Special abilities, while also amplifying the number of Vulnerable effects on the field. Skirmisher can be particularly useful if you want to add more control and debuff potential to his kit, allowing him to disrupt enemy strategies more effectively.

Ultimately, the best Iso-8 class for The Thing depends on your team composition and strategic goals. If your primary focus is maximizing damage in a Fantastic Four team, Striker is the preferred option. However, if you need more control and debuff utility, Skirmisher might be the way to go. Both classes complement The Thing’s core abilities, making him a formidable force in either setup.

T4 Ability Upgrade Priority

When considering Tier 4 (T4) ability upgrades for The Thing in Marvel Strike Force, prioritizing his Passive Ability (It's Clobberin' Time) and Special Ability (Pummeling Stone) is generally seen as the most impactful. The Thing's passive grants him a counter-attack every time he is hit, and when upgraded at level 5 (T4), it increases his counter-attack damage to 150% and grants him 20% armor.

Additionally, Fantastic Four and Namor allies gain 20% armor as well. This upgrade is particularly valuable in team compositions that benefit from enhanced durability, and it can be especially useful in Alliance War. The counter-attack damage is also boosted by 50%, making it a solid early T4 priority, particularly once the full Fantastic Four team is assembled, with Namor benefiting from the synergy.

The Special Ability (Pummeling Stone) is another high-priority T4 upgrade. At level 7 (T4), the special attack will deal 280% damage to the primary target, with bonus attacks now hitting two times for 220% damage each. This upgrade also increases the number of bonus attacks from 1-2 to 4, enhancing both damage output and utility. The low cooldown of this ability allows it to be used frequently, and the ability to potentially remove deflects before the bonus attacks land makes it a strategic choice. Upgrading the Special ability can be an effective investment, especially when paired with the synergy in a full Fantastic Four team.

In contrast, upgrading the Basic Ability (Knuckle Sandwich) to level 7 is generally not considered a good use of T4 materials. While it boosts the damage to 350% (a 50% increase), the single-target damage increase is seen as less impactful, especially when weighed against the more strategic upgrades. The Ultimate Ability (Haymaker) suffers from similar concerns. At level 7, it would deal 550% damage (a 60% increase), but given its single-target nature, it is not recommended as an early priority for T4 investment. Both the Basic and Ultimate abilities are typically considered lower priorities compared to the Passive and Special abilities.

In summary, the most effective use of T4 materials for The Thing is to prioritize his Passive and Special abilities. These upgrades offer significant strategic benefits, especially in the context of the Fantastic Four team, while the Basic and Ultimate upgrades are generally considered less efficient uses of resources in the early stages of building The Thing.

Gameplay Tips and Considerations

The Thing in Marvel Strike Force excels as a high-damage brawler, primarily focused on single-target damage. His abilities, such as his basic attack Knuckle Sandwich, his special Pummeling Stone, and his ultimate Haymaker, all deal significant damage to a single enemy. When using The Thing, prioritize targeting high-value threats or enemies that need to be eliminated quickly to maximize his effectiveness in combat.

One of The Thing's standout features is his passive ability, It's Clobberin' Time, which allows him to counter-attack when he is hit. This makes positioning important, as his automatic counter-attacks can deal substantial damage. Be mindful of enemy actions, as The Thing will retaliate whenever attacked, adding an extra layer of offense.

The Thing has a relatively low speed, which means he takes turns less frequently. While this can be a disadvantage in terms of frequency of actions, it can also benefit tanks, as it prolongs the duration of buffs and taunts. To mitigate his low speed, consider pairing him with characters who can manipulate turn order or provide speed buffs, although such synergies are not explicitly noted in the game. His slower speed can also be offset by assists from teammates, allowing him to deal additional damage, especially in team compositions that focus on extra attacks.

His synergy with the Fantastic Four is crucial. The Thing's passive grants armor to himself and allies in the Fantastic Four faction, as well as to Namor. This synergy is especially important in modes like Alliance War, where his ability to boost armor and provide counter-attacks can turn the tide of battle. In fact, his role as a key member of the Fantastic Four makes him essential for those looking to build a strong war offense team.

When it comes to Iso-8 enhancements, prioritizing Striker is recommended within a Fantastic Four team to maximize his damage output. The Thing benefits from both Survivability & Focus through Iso-8 upgrades, with additional Defense and Damage making him even more resilient in combat. Alternatively, Skirmisher can be considered for increased control through the ability to apply Stun and flip Buffs, but Striker is the more popular choice for boosting his raw damage potential.

For T4 ability upgrades, focusing on his Passive (It's Clobberin' Time) and Special (Pummeling Stone) is advisable. Upgrading the Passive increases the counter-attack damage and armor bonuses for himself and his allies, while the Special upgrade boosts both damage and the number of bonus attacks, which can significantly improve his utility in battle. Upgrades to his Basic and Ultimate abilities are generally considered lower priority due to their limited single-target damage output, making them less efficient for T4 investments.

In terms of team composition, The Thing performs best within the Fantastic Four faction, but he can also be temporarily integrated into Hero Brawler teams. If using him outside of the Fantastic Four, pairing him with characters who can provide assists, like Ms. Marvel, can help maximize his potential, especially to offset his slower speed and increase his damage output through additional attacks.

In conclusion, The Thing is a powerhouse within the Fantastic Four, providing substantial damage and team support, especially with his counter-attacks and armor boosts. His effectiveness in Hero Brawler teams may be limited compared to when paired with his Fantastic Four teammates, but he can still function well in those teams with proper synergy. Keep in mind that Marvel Strike Force is a constantly evolving game, and updates may further impact The Thing's role and team synergies.

Leveling and Gear Priorities

When leveling and gearing The Thing in Marvel Strike Force, a good starting point is to focus on reaching level 60-65 early on to unlock most of his abilities and provide a solid base of stats. This range allows you to see his core functionality in action and gives you enough power to utilize him effectively in battle. Once you have unlocked his abilities, you can focus on boosting his gear to enhance his performance.

For gearing, prioritize increasing his Health, Defense, and Damage. These attributes are crucial for improving The Thing's survivability and maximizing his damage output as a brawler. Since his role heavily revolves around single-target damage, enhancing his damage is key to making the most of his abilities. Additionally, his passive ability provides armor to himself and allies in the Fantastic Four and Namor factions, so boosting his overall stats will also indirectly benefit those teammates.

While The Thing's low speed doesn't directly impact his gear, it's worth noting when considering team compositions. His slower speed means he will take turns less frequently, so pairing him with characters who can provide speed boosts or manipulate turn order can be helpful. However, his gear should focus on his survivability and offensive capabilities, rather than trying to address his speed.

Overall, when leveling and gearing The Thing, aim to enhance his durability and offensive strength. Gearing him for Health, Defense, and Damage will allow him to thrive as both a brawler and a key member of the Fantastic Four team. As you progress and expand your Fantastic Four roster, further gear upgrades may be required to match the growing strength of the team.

Conclusion

The Thing in Marvel Strike Force is primarily a powerful brawler who excels at dealing massive damage to single targets. His passive ability, "It's Clobberin' Time," grants him the ability to counter-attack whenever he's hit, adding extra damage to his overall effectiveness. However, his low speed can limit his turn frequency, which can impact his overall performance, especially in faster-paced battles.

His role within the Fantastic Four team is critical. The Thing's passive grants armor bonuses to both himself and his Fantastic Four and Namor allies, making him an essential piece of this faction. While he does have the Hero Brawler tag, his effectiveness is significantly amplified when placed within a full Fantastic Four composition. He may function within a Hero Brawler team, benefiting from assists, but he performs best alongside his Fantastic Four teammates, particularly for team synergy in game modes like Alliance War.

When leveling and gearing The Thing, a good target is to bring him to level 60-65 and gear him to approximately Gear Tier 9. This setup allows you to unlock his core abilities and optimize his combat effectiveness. Gear priorities should focus on boosting his Health, Defense, and Damage to improve his survivability and offensive output as a brawler. For Iso-8 enhancements, Survivability & Focus are important, with specific recommendations to focus on Defense and Damage. Within a Fantastic Four team, equipping the Striker Iso-8 class is ideal to maximize damage output and capitalize on Vulnerable debuffs from other team members like Mister Fantastic.

For T4 upgrades, prioritize The Thing’s Passive ability, as this enhances his counter-attack damage and boosts the armor bonuses for his allies. The Special ability (Pummeling Stone) should also be considered for a T4 upgrade to increase damage and the number of bonus attacks, making it a valuable addition to his kit. Upgrading his Basic and Ultimate abilities is typically a lower priority due to the high cost for relatively small single-target damage increases.

In gameplay, focus on maximizing The Thing's single-target damage, and always consider his counter-attacks when positioning him on the battlefield. His low speed requires careful consideration in team compositions, especially when paired with characters who can manipulate turn order or provide speed boosts. Overall, The Thing shines when placed within a well-synergized Fantastic Four team, where his true potential is fully realized.