Since the highly successful launch of *Marvel Rivals* in December, players have been using mods to create custom skins, despite warnings about potential account bans. These mods have allowed players to transform characters like Iron Man into Vegeta from *Dragon Ball*, Mantis into a goth, and even Jeff the Land Shark into Pochita from *Chainsaw Man*. However, with the launch of Season 1 and the introduction of the Fantastic Four, *Marvel Rivals* implemented a new measure against modding—asset hash checking.
Developer NetEase has made it clear through statements to IGN that the game's terms and conditions prohibit the use of mods, cheats, bots, hacks, or any unauthorized third-party software. They reiterated the risks associated with modifying game files, stating, "It is not recommended to modify any game files, as doing so carries the risk of getting banned."
Despite these warnings, some players are undeterred. A workaround has been discovered and is circulating online, though it requires more steps than before. Modder Prafit, who shared their workaround on Nexus Mods, cautioned users: "Use at your own risk." Prafit's description notes that the workaround bypasses the new system designed to prevent modding on the Season 1 patch. While there's no evidence of permanent bans issued by NetEase so far, the uncertainty remains.
New mods have emerged following the addition of Fantastic Four characters, such as Ercuallo's mod that turns Mister Fantastic into Luffy from the *One Piece* manga. This Luffy mod has seen over 5,000 downloads in just two days since its release, according to Nexus Mods statistics.
Modding Marvel Rivals lives on but it needs extra steps to pull off pic.twitter.com/VEeiiHyxiA
— Marvel Rivals - Leaks & Info (@RivalsLeaks) January 12, 2025
The *Marvel Rivals* community is now questioning whether NetEase will follow through with bans. No confirmed cases of bans for mod usage have surfaced yet, but the existence of workarounds might prompt further action from the developers.
NetEase's stance against modding is driven by concerns over lost revenue from skin sales, intellectual property issues, and potential disruptions to gameplay balance and performance. Modder Prafit advised that their workaround is suitable only for those with powerful PCs.
While the modding scene continues to evolve, players can stay updated with the *Marvel Rivals* Season 1 patch notes, and check out official stats on pick and win rates for Season 0 in Quickplay and Competitive modes. Don't forget to redeem the latest Marvel Rivals codes for free skins, and participate in our community tier list to vote on the strongest characters.
