Riot Pickems are back, but this time, there's a twist that’s got Valorant players strategizing beyond just champion matchups. Forget solo glory; now you're repping your favorite content creator in the new Factions system. Will your allegiance pay off with exclusive rewards and bragging rights?
At a glance:
- Understand the new Factions system in Riot Pickems and how it impacts your rewards.
- Learn when to make your picks for both Groups and Playoffs stages in the Valorant Champions Tour.
- Discover the various rewards up for grabs, from in-game sprays to exclusive titles.
- Get a quick start guide to jump into Pickems right now.
What's New with Riot Pickems? Factions Explained
For the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Champions Paris event, Riot Pickems have introduced Factions. Instead of solely competing individually, you now align with one of ten global creators. Your picks contribute to your chosen creator's overall score, adding a team-based competitive layer. This means your individual success is tied to the collective performance of the faction.
Think of it like this: previously, you were a lone wolf trying to predict the tournament. Now, you're part of a pack, and the pack leader’s reputation is on the line based on how well everyone in their faction picks. This addition encourages community engagement and friendly competition, but your faction choice doesn't affect your individual rewards.
Key Dates and Deadlines for VCT Champions Paris Pickems
Timing is everything in Riot Pickems. Miss the deadline, and you're out of the running for that stage's rewards. Here's what you need to know for VCT Champions Paris:
- Groups Pick'Ems: Open September 4 at 9 AM PT; Lock September 12 at 6:20 AM PT (start of Groups). This is your first chance to prove your knowledge of the teams and their strategies.
- Playoff Pick'Ems: Open September 22 (estimated by 6 PM PT, after the draw and schedule are available); Lock September 25 at 6:20 AM PT (start of Playoffs). This phase requires quick thinking and adaptability as you react to the results of the Groups stage.
Failing to set your picks before the lock-in time means missing out on the potential rewards and contribution to your chosen Faction's score for that stage. Set reminders!
Rewards: Beyond Bragging Rights
Riot Pickems offers a tiered reward system, so even imperfect predictions can earn you some swag. Here's a breakdown of what's up for grabs for Valorant Champions Paris:
- Tejo "¡Eureka!" Spray: Awarded for making at least one pick in either the Groups or Playoffs stage. A participation trophy, but still a cool addition to your collection.
- G.O.A.T. Buddy: Earn this by achieving a top 50% score at the end of the event. Time to step up your prediction game.
- Golden G.O.A.T. Buddy: Secured by placing in the top 20% of scores. This is where serious Pickems players aim to be.
- "100%" Title: The ultimate reward for achieving Perfect Picks. A rare badge of honor proving your clairvoyance.
These rewards are account-bound, requiring a valid Riot Account. Unfortunately, Pickems are unavailable in certain regions due to legal or policy restrictions. Make sure your region is eligible before participating.
Want a broader perspective on Pick'ems strategy and how it fits into the larger esports landscape? Worlds Pick'ems Guide will give you the background you need.
A Quick Playbook: Getting Started with Riot Pickems
Ready to dive in? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your Riot Pickems journey underway:
- Head to VALORANTEsports.com: This is your central hub for all things VCT and Pickems.
- Sign In: Use your Riot Account credentials. If you don't have one, create one.
- Join a Faction: Browse the available creators and choose wisely (or just pick your favorite). Remember, this choice is mostly for fun and community; individual rewards remain the same.
- Make Your Picks: Carefully analyze the teams, their recent performances, and the match-ups. Don't just blindly pick favorites!
Pro Tip: Research team compositions, recent map win rates, and head-to-head records. This extra effort can significantly improve your accuracy. Also, don't be afraid to go against the grain. Upsets happen, and correctly predicting them can give you a significant boost in the standings.
Riot Pickems in League of Legends Worlds 2024
Riot Pickems aren't limited to Valorant. Each year, League of Legends also features a Worlds Pick'Em event, allowing players to predict the outcome of the League of Legends World Championship. While the core concept remains the same (predicting match outcomes), the specific format and rewards differ.
Here's what you can expect from the League of Legends Worlds 2024 Pick’Em:
- Multiple Stages: Play-in Stage, Swiss Stage, and Knockouts. Each stage presents a new set of challenges and opportunities to earn points.
- Swiss Stage Specifics: In the Swiss Stage, predict which eight teams will advance to the Knockouts out of the sixteen participating teams. Bonus points are awarded for correctly predicting the teams that achieve a 3-0 record.
- Knockouts Stage: Pick the winners as the tournament progresses and matchups are determined.
- Crystal Ball: A separate set of predictions focusing on meta and tournament-long occurrences. It's scored separately from the main Pick’Em brackets.
The Worlds 2024 Pick’Em schedule is as follows: - Crystal Ball and Play-Ins Stage: Sept. 18 to Sept. 25.
- Swiss Stage: Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.
- Knockouts: Oct. 13 to Nov. 2.
Rewards for LoL Worlds 2024 Pick'Em
Riot provides a generous amount of rewards for participation and well-placed predictions in the LoL Worlds 2024 Pick'Em. Players can earn various emotes, capsules, event pass tokens, and even skins, based on their performance in the Pick'Em challenge.
Here's a list of all the rewards up for grabs.
*First Crystal Ball pick: *Kha’Zix “You Don’t Say” Emote
*Swiss picks: *Gragas “Here’s To You” Emote
*First Quarterfinals pick: *One Esports 2024 Capsule
*First Semifinals pick: *One Esports 2024 Capsule
*Finals pick: *One Esports 2024 Capsule
Scoring within the top percentages of global scores will net even more rewards. The rewards include:
*C-Tier (Top 70 percent of global scores): *One sports 2024 Capsule and the Galio “Gasp!” Emote
*B-Tier (Top 40 percent of global scores): *Two Esports 2024 Capsules and the Galio “Gasp!” Emote
*A-Tier (Top 20 percent of global scores): *Three Esports 2024 Capsules, the Teemo “Up To No Good” Emote, and the Galio “Gasp!” Emote
*S-Tier (Top five percent of global scores): *100 Event Pass Tokens + four Esports 2024 Capsules + Teemo “Up To No Good” Emote + Galio “Gasp!” Emote
Getting Perfect Picks is where things get really interesting. Those with a perfect bracket for the LoL Worlds 2024 Pick'Em will receive all seven Ultimate Skins.
For those participating in the Crystal Ball portion of the LoL Worlds 2024 Pick'Em can also earn rewards based on their rankings at the end of the event.
*C-Tier (Top 70 percent of global scores): *One Esports 2024 Capsule and the Briar “I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU” Emote
*B-Tier (Top 40 percent of global scores): *Two Esports 2024 Capsules and the Briar “I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU” Emote
*A-Tier (Top 20 percent of global scores): *Three Esports 2024 Capsules, the Oriana “I’m So Sorry, WHAT?” Emote, and the Briar “I WAS
ROOTING FOR YOU” Emote
*S-Tier (Top five percent of global scores): *100 Event Pass Tokens, four Esports 2024 Capsules, the Oriana “I’m So Sorry, WHAT?” Emote, and the Briar “I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU” Emote
Answering Common Riot Pickems Questions
Q: Does my Faction choice affect my individual rewards?
A: No. Joining a Faction is purely for community engagement and contributing to a creator's score. Your individual rewards are based solely on your accuracy.
Q: What happens if I miss the deadline for a stage?
A: You won't be able to make picks for that stage, and you'll miss out on any potential rewards and faction contributions for that period.
Q: Can I change my Faction after I've joined?
A: It's usually a one-time decision. Choose wisely, and represent your creator proudly!
Q: Are Riot Pickems available in all regions?
A: No, certain regions are excluded due to legal or policy restrictions. Check the official rules to confirm your eligibility.
Q: Is it worth trying for Perfect Picks?
A: While the reward is fantastic, achieving Perfect Picks is incredibly difficult. Focus on making informed predictions and aiming for the top percentage tiers for guaranteed rewards.
Jump In: Your Next Steps for Pickems Success
Riot Pickems is more than just a prediction game; it's a chance to engage with the community, support your favorite creators, and test your esports knowledge. Here's how to make the most of it:
- Mark your calendar: Don't miss those crucial deadlines.
- Do your homework: Research teams, players, and strategies.
- Join a Faction: Find a creator whose content you enjoy or whose predictions you trust.
- Make informed picks: Don't just blindly support your favorites. Analyze the matchups and make strategic decisions.
- Enjoy the ride: Even if your bracket busts, have fun and learn from the experience. There's always next time!