Marvel Rivals took customization to the next level by introducing Unstable Molecules, a special currency that lets you recolor specific hero costumes. But before you start imagining your heroes decked out in vibrant new color schemes, here’s how you get these Unstable Molecules in Marvel Rivals, because it’s not as straightforward (or free) as you might hope.
What are Unstable Molecules?
You can think of Unstable Molecules as a currency purely made for fashion. They don’t work to unlock new heroes or gameplay advantages, but are only used to customize the look of your favorite costumes. So, if you want a bold new shade for Winter Soldier or a glowing recolor for Luna Snow, this currency is your ticket to that. The name is directly from the Marvel universe—originally a creation of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), these molecules are known for their adaptive properties.
How Costume Color Customization Works in Marvel Rivals
NetEase recently rolled out a costume recolor feature in Marvel Rivals, but it’s still in the early stages. It lets you change the color palette of character skins, adding an extra layer of flair to the battlefield. But it’s not available for every skin or character just yet. Right now, only four heroes have skins that support this feature, including:
- Magik – Punkchild → “Rosy Resilience”
- Psylocke – Vengeance → “Phantom Purple”
- Winter Soldier – Blood Soldier → “Winter’s Wrath”
- Luna Snow – Mirae 2099 → “Plasma Pulse”
If you own the base skin for any of these heroes, you can buy their new color variations using Unstable Molecules. These changes don’t just affect how they look in-game; they’ll also reflect in emotes, MVP screens, and other animations.
How to Get Marvel Rivals Unstable Molecules
The only current way to get Unstable Molecules is by exchanging Lattice, Marvel Rivals’ premium currency, in a 1:1 ratio. So 600 Lattice = 600 Unstable Molecules. Every costume recolor costs exactly 600 Unstable Molecules, which means you’ll need that much Lattice at minimum to make a purchase.
When you don’t have any Lattice in your inventory, you’ll have to buy them using real money, which costs:
- 1,000 Lattice for around $9.99 / £8.49
- Or you can buy 100 Lattice + 500 Lattice for $5.98 / £5.28
Unfortunately, there’s no option to buy only the required 600 Lattice directly, which is a bit of a pain. You’ll end up with leftovers unless you’re buying multiple recolors.
How to Use Unstable Molecules for Customization
Once you’ve got your 600 Unstable Molecules ready, here’s how to use them:
- Head to the Heroes tab in the main menu.
- Select a hero with a compatible skin.
- Go to the Costumes tab and pick the base skin (must be owned).
- Click the Customize button.
- Choose the available color palette (look for the small color icon).
- You’ll be prompted to convert Lattice into Unstable Molecules, confirm the exchange to get the job done.
After purchasing, you can freely switch between the original and the recolored skin version through the Cosmetics tab.
Currently, there is no way to earn Unstable Molecules for free. Your only option is to use Lattice, which requires you to pay hard-earned real money. However, NetEase has teased more options coming in Season 3 to get Unstable Molecules. These could include unlocking via events or challenges, earning through the Battle Pass, or direct purchase without needing Lattice. Marvel Rivals’ Season 3 is expected to drop around mid-July 2025, so we have to wait for a while and see if the developers will bring what they have claimed.
