The provided source material details the free-to-play model and progression system for the video game Quake Champions. The information is derived from an official game store page and a community discussion forum post. The official source confirms the game is free-to-play and available on the Steam platform. The forum post, which appears to be a user-generated guide, outlines specific methods for acquiring in-game items, such as champions and cosmetic items, without spending real money. This article will summarise the verified methods for obtaining these free items based solely on the provided data.
Free-to-Play Access and Game Availability
Quake Champions is offered as a free-to-play title. This model allows users to download and play the game without an initial purchase. According to the official store page, the game is currently in an "Early Access" phase, which typically indicates the game is still under active development but is available for play. The game is distributed through the Steam platform, a major digital distribution service for video games.
Earning Free In-Game Currency and Items
The forum post details a system for earning two primary types of in-game currency: shards and platinum. Shards are described as the free, faster-to-acquire currency used for unlocking champions, while platinum is the premium currency that can be earned slowly for free or purchased with real money.
Daily Login Rewards
A key method for acquiring free resources is the daily login system. According to the forum post, each day a user logs into the game, they receive a reward. The post specifies that logging in for seven consecutive days yields a cumulative reward of 5,000 experience points (XP), 5 shards, 100 platinum, and a "Reliquary" (a free loot box). Notably, the post states that users do not need to actively play the game to receive these login rewards; simply logging in every 24 hours is sufficient.
Experience Points and Leveling
As users play the game, they earn experience points (XP) from matches. Accumulating enough XP results in a level-up. Each time a player levels up, they often receive a reward. These rewards can include shards (sometimes several at once), platinum (very occasionally), or other items such as shaders or vanity items. The specific rewards available at each level can be viewed via the "battlepass" icon in the game's menu.
The Battle Pass System
The game features a battle pass system with two distinct streams. The top stream is free and available to all players. The bottom stream, which offers additional rewards, requires the "battle pass," which can be purchased with platinum.
Completing Challenges
Challenges provide another avenue for earning rewards. These are specific in-game objectives, such as "get 25 railgun kills." Completing a challenge grants XP and sometimes extra shards. Users can view available challenges and their progress by clicking the challenges icon in the game's menu.
Unlocking Champions Without Purchase
Champions are the playable characters in Quake Champions. The forum post outlines a pathway to unlock them for free using shards.
Shard-Based Unlocking
Once a player accumulates 10 shards, they can purchase a champion. This can be done from the store page or directly from the champion selection page. The post identifies daily logins, leveling up, and completing challenges as the primary ways to earn shards.
Platinum-Based Unlocking (Free and Paid)
Platinum can also be used to unlock champions, though it is generally slower to earn for free than shards. An individual champion can be purchased for 400 platinum. Alternatively, a "champions pack" is available for 2,000 platinum, which unlocks all champions at once. The forum post clarifies that purchasing platinum is not necessary to enjoy the game, as champions can be unlocked for free using shards. The post suggests players might choose to buy platinum to support the game or to acquire items faster.