Valorant Battle Pass: Everything You Need to Know
VALORANT, a popular tactical shooter by Riot Games, features a comprehensive Battle Pass system that offers players the chance to earn exclusive cosmetic rewards. Understanding how the VALORANT Battle Pass works can enhance your gaming experience and help you maximize the rewards you earn as you play.
Understanding the VALORANT Battle Pass
The VALORANT Battle Pass is divided into tiers and chapters. Players progress through the Battle Pass by earning experience points (XP) from daily missions, weekly missions, and matchmade games. Each act in VALORANT has its own Battle Pass, and a new act resets the progress of the current pass, starting players back at the beginning.
Act Battle Pass Details
Every act, which lasts about two months, introduces a new Battle Pass with 55 tiers grouped into 11 chapters. Chapters 1-10 contain five tiers each, while the final Epilogue chapter also has five tiers. Players begin with Tier 1 completed, and the XP required to complete subsequent tiers increases incrementally.
XP Requirements
To complete a specific tier, players need: XP to complete a specific tier=(Tier number×750)+500\text{XP to complete a specific tier} = (\text{Tier number} \times 750) + 500XP to complete a specific tier=(Tier number×750)+500
Each Epilogue tier requires 36,500 XP, making the total XP needed to complete the entire pass 1,162,500 XP, with 980,000 XP required to reach Chapter 10, Tier 50.
Free vs. Premium Tracks
The Battle Pass consists of two tracks: Free and Premium. All players can earn rewards from the Free track, which includes a limited number of cosmetics. The Premium track, which costs 1,000 VP (Valorant Points), offers additional rewards and a 3% XP boost for matchmade games, though this boost does not apply to mission XP and is not retroactive.
Premium Track Benefits
Players can buy access to the Premium track at any point during the act to retroactively unlock rewards earned while on the Free track. This track includes exclusive weapon skins, player cards, gun buddies, sprays, and titles. Notably, the Tier 50 reward for Premium track owners is always a melee skin.
Event Passes
Occasionally, VALORANT introduces additional event passes to celebrate specific occasions. These event passes typically contain accessories and Radianite Points on a free track, providing players with extra content during an act.
Historical Development
The first VALORANT Battle Pass was launched on June 2, 2020, the game’s release day, with 50 tiers. Over time, Riot Games has made several updates to the Battle Pass system. For example, the addition of the Epilogue chapter in IGNITION: Act 3 introduced variants for weapon skins. The YR 1 Anniversary Pass in Episode 3 marked the first additional Battle Pass outside of the regular Act Pass.
Unlocking Past Battle Pass Content
With the launch of Episode 7, Riot introduced the Accessory Store and Kingdom Credits (KC), allowing players to purchase old Battle Pass accessories. This system provides a way to obtain previously unavailable items without diminishing the exclusivity of past rewards.
Maximizing Your Battle Pass Progression
To make the most of the VALORANT Battle Pass, players should focus on completing daily and weekly missions, which provide significant XP boosts. Participating in matchmade games also contributes to XP gains. Players on the Premium track can benefit from the 3% XP boost, making it easier to progress through the tiers.
Examples of Battle Pass Rewards
Each Act Battle Pass offers a variety of rewards, including weapon skins, player cards, gun buddies, sprays, and player titles. For example, in a typical act, Free track rewards might include:
- 3 player cards
- 3 buddies
- 3 player titles
- 2 sprays
- 3 lots of Radianite Points (RP)
- 1 sidearm weapon skin
Premium track players enjoy additional rewards, such as three new collections of weapon skins, with two being Select Edition and one Deluxe Edition. The final tier reward for Premium track players is a melee weapon skin, adding a prestigious item to their collection.
Maximizing Your VALORANT Battle Pass Experience
The VALORANT Battle Pass system offers a structured way to earn exclusive cosmetic rewards as you play the game. Understanding the mechanics of the Battle Pass, including the XP requirements and the differences between the Free and Premium tracks, allows players to strategically progress through the tiers and maximize their rewards.
Strategic Progression through XP Management
Earning experience points (XP) efficiently is crucial for progressing through the Battle Pass. Daily and weekly missions are significant sources of XP and should be prioritized. For example, completing a weekly mission might grant you a substantial XP boost, which can quickly move you through multiple tiers. Matchmade games also contribute to XP, making regular gameplay a consistent way to earn progress.
Differences Between Free and Premium Tracks
The Battle Pass has two tracks: Free and Premium. The Free track is accessible to all players and offers a limited set of rewards, including player cards, gun buddies, sprays, and some weapon skins. For example, players on the Free track might unlock three player cards, three buddies, two sprays, and a sidearm weapon skin by the time they reach Tier 50.
The Premium track, costing 1,000 VP, offers additional rewards and benefits. Players on this track receive a 3% XP boost for matchmade games, which accelerates their progression through the tiers. This boost is applied from the moment they purchase the Premium track and does not apply retroactively. Premium track rewards include more exclusive items like Select Edition and Deluxe Edition weapon skins, with the final Tier 50 reward being a prestigious melee skin.
Event Passes and Additional Content
Occasionally, VALORANT introduces event passes to celebrate special occasions. These event passes usually contain free accessories and Radianite Points, providing players with additional content within an act. For instance, the YR 1 Anniversary Pass offered exclusive rewards to commemorate the game's first anniversary, available on a free track during a specific period.
Historical Development and Updates
Since its introduction on June 2, 2020, the VALORANT Battle Pass has evolved. Initially, it featured 50 tiers, but updates in IGNITION: Act 3 added the Epilogue chapter, introducing variants for weapon skins. The introduction of the Accessory Store and Kingdom Credits in Episode 7 allowed players to purchase old Battle Pass accessories, offering a way to obtain previously unavailable items while maintaining the exclusivity of past rewards.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Rewards
To maximize the rewards from the Battle Pass, players should focus on completing missions and playing matchmade games regularly. For example, a player who completes all daily and weekly missions while playing a few matches each day can efficiently progress through the tiers. Investing in the Premium track can significantly enhance the rewards, offering a broader range of cosmetics and exclusive items.
The Battle Pass also includes the ability to purchase tier progression directly. For those who may not have enough time to play extensively, spending 300 VP per tier can help reach specific rewards faster, though this option is not available for Epilogue tiers.
Enhancing the VALORANT Experience
The Battle Pass not only offers a way to earn rewards but also enhances the overall VALORANT experience. Each act's new content and rewards keep the game fresh and engaging. Whether you're unlocking new weapon skins, player cards, or gun buddies, the Battle Pass provides a sense of achievement and progression. The ability to unlock items retroactively after purchasing the Premium track ensures that no effort is wasted, and players can always enjoy the full range of rewards for their gameplay.
Engaging with the Battle Pass in VALORANT adds an extra layer of excitement and motivation to the game. By understanding its mechanics and strategically managing your XP, you can make the most out of each act, enjoying the exclusive rewards and unique content that the Battle Pass has to offer.
Final Thoughts
The VALORANT Battle Pass system offers a structured way to earn exclusive cosmetic rewards as you play the game. By understanding the mechanics of the Battle Pass, including the XP requirements and the differences between the Free and Premium tracks, players can strategically progress through the tiers and maximize their rewards. Whether you opt for the Free track or invest in the Premium track, the Battle Pass enhances the VALORANT experience, making each act more engaging and rewarding.