Despite the risk of account bans, players of *Marvel Rivals* are still using mods to customize their game experience, even after a significant crackdown with the launch of Season 1. Since the game's successful debut in December, enthusiasts have been customizing skins, with popular mods transforming characters like Iron Man into Vegeta from *Dragon Ball*, Mantis into a goth persona, and Jeff the Land Shark into Pochita from *Chainsaw Man*.
Last week, with the introduction of the Fantastic Four and the start of Season 1, *Marvel Rivals* implemented a new mod restriction through asset hash checking. Developer NetEase reiterated to IGN that their terms and conditions explicitly prohibit the use of mods, cheats, bots, hacks, or any unauthorized third-party software. They had previously cautioned players about the risks of modding and reinforced this warning: "It is not recommended to modify any game files, as doing so carries the risk of getting banned."
Yet, some players remain undeterred. A workaround has been discovered and is widely shared online, requiring more steps but still accessible for most PC users. Modder Prafit, who shared their workaround on Nexus Mods, warned players: "Use at your own risk." They noted that this workaround bypasses a system designed to prevent modding from the Season 1 patch onward, and while there's no evidence of permanent bans from NetEase, the risk remains.
Following the addition of the Fantastic Four characters, new mods have emerged, such as Ercuallo's mod which turns Mister Fantastic into Luffy from *One Piece*. According to Nexus Mods statistics, this Luffy mod has been downloaded over 5,000 times within just two days of its release.
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 ongoing use of mods raises questions about whether NetEase will enforce account bans as they've threatened. No confirmed cases of bans for modding have surfaced, but the existence of workarounds could provoke further action. NetEase's potential reasons for banning mods include protecting revenue from skin sales, safeguarding intellectual property, maintaining game balance, and ensuring performance stability. Prafit mentioned that their workaround is best suited for users with high-performance PCs.
For the latest updates, check out the *Marvel Rivals* Season 1 patch notes, and official stats on pick and win rates in Quickplay and Competitive modes for Season 0. Stay tuned for the latest Marvel Rivals codes for free skins, and participate in our community tier list to vote on the strongest characters in the game.
