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How to Get Units in Marvel Rivals for Free: A Complete Guide

As a veteran of countless hours spent in team-based shooters, I know the thrill of unlocking a killer new cosmetic. In a game like Marvel Rivals, where every hero’s look is a statement, earning those cosmetics without spending a dime feels even better. Units, the game’s primary currency for purchasing skins, emotes, and other goodies, are the key. While you can always buy Lattice and convert it, the free-to-play route is not only viable, it is probably the most rewarding way to experience the game. I have dug deep into the game’s reward systems to give you the most current, comprehensive guide to earning free Units.

This article is for the players who want to maximize their haul and show off their style with nothing but skill and dedication. I will break down the most reliable sources of Units, give you an action plan to prioritize your efforts, and share some expert tips to make your grind as efficient as possible. Forget spending your hard-earned cash, let’s get you that legendary skin for free.

The Main, Reliable Sources of Free Units and How They Work

My research and countless hours of playtime have shown me that a multi-pronged approach is the most effective way to accumulate Units. Relying on a single source will leave you with a slow drip, but combining these methods will see your Unit count grow steadily.

Achievements and the Heroic Journey

This is without a doubt your most stable and significant source of free Units. The Heroic Journey is an achievement system tied to each individual hero. It rewards you for mastering a character’s specific abilities and playstyle. The Chronoverse Saga achievements, on the other hand, are often tied to map or event objectives. Both of these systems are designed to reward consistent playtime and skill.

I found that the rewards for Heroic Journey achievements can be quite substantial, with players reporting a cumulative total of around 1,500 Units for completing a large portion of them across the roster. The key here is consistency. You don’t need to be a god-tier player, you just need to chip away at the achievements for multiple characters over time. They are a constant source of Units that doesn’t go away each season, making them a pillar of any free-to-play strategy.

Battle Pass Progression

The free track of the Battle Pass, or as the game sometimes refers to it, the Chronal Battle Pass, is a consistent and accessible way to earn Units. As you complete daily and weekly missions and gain experience, you’ll progress through the tiers. While the paid track naturally offers more, the free path usually provides a decent chunk of Units spread across its pages.

While the exact numbers change with each season, a typical free Battle Pass can yield several hundred Units. The game also uses Chronal Tokens, which are primarily for Battle Pass progression but can sometimes be converted to Units. This adds another layer of potential value to the free track, making it a crucial part of your mid-term Unit accumulation.

Community and Account Linking

marvel rivals communities

This is the easiest and fastest way to get a quick Unit injection. These rewards are typically one-time bonuses for connecting your Marvel Rivals account to other platforms.

  • Discord Linking: Connecting your account to Discord often grants a small, one-time Unit reward.
  • Twitch Drops: Watching eligible streams with Twitch Drops enabled can reward you with not only Units, but also sprays and other exclusive cosmetics.
  • Promotional Codes and Emails: Signing up for the game’s newsletter or following social media can sometimes yield promotional codes for free Units.
  • Assemble Codes: Find a code from a friend or use 241449759 and enter it when you create your account. This gives you a free 300 Unit bonus when you hit Level 10, giving you a massive head start on unlocking a new hero.

These are all low-effort, high-reward tasks that should be the first thing you do as a new player. They are easy wins that give you a head start on your Unit collection.

Limited-Time Events and Missions

This is where the game’s live-service nature really shines. Seasonal events and developer promotions offer unique opportunities to earn large sums of Units in a short amount of time. These can vary wildly, from simple login bonuses to multi-stage missions with significant Unit payouts.

My advice here is to stay vigilant. The event calendar is often time-limited, so you need to be active during the event window to claim the rewards. These are the opportunities that can significantly accelerate your Unit farming.

Lattice Conversion

lattice to units exchange

While Lattice is the premium currency you buy with real money, you can occasionally earn a small amount for free through events or the Battle Pass. The key here is that Lattice can be converted to Units at a straight 1 to 1 ratio. This means any free Lattice you acquire is essentially a free Unit waiting to be claimed. This is not a primary farming method, but it is a nice bonus that can help you reach a specific Unit amount for a cosmetic you want to buy.

The Unit-Farming Strategy: A Practical Plan

To maximize your free Unit income, you need to be smart about how you spend your time. Here is the step-by-step plan I recommend for any serious free-to-play gamer.

  1. Immediate Action – Claim Low-Effort Rewards:
    • Link your account to Discord for the one-time Unit bonus.
    • Check for any current promotional codes or sign-up bonuses.
    • Make sure you have Twitch Drops enabled and watch eligible streams when you can.
  2. Sustainable Grind – Focus on Achievements:
    • Open your achievements panel and identify the easiest Heroic Journey tasks to complete. Look for things like “use an ability X times” or “play with a certain ally.”
    • Don’t try to grind them all at once. Naturally work toward them as you play the heroes you enjoy. The Units will add up over time without you even noticing the grind.
    • As you progress, keep an eye on the Chronoverse Saga achievements for quick bursts of Units.
  3. Consistent Effort – Daily and Weekly Missions:
    • Complete your daily and weekly missions religiously. These objectives grant Chronal Tokens that progress your Battle Pass, which in turn gives you Units.
    • These missions are designed to reward consistent, moderate playtime, so you don’t need to dedicate entire days to the game.
  4. Event Prioritization – Time is of the Essence:
    • Keep an eye on the in-game event calendar and developer announcements.
    • Prioritize events that offer Units as rewards. Some events might offer other cosmetics, which are great, but if your goal is to get a specific skin, focus on the events that give you the currency to buy it.
  5. Bonus-Level Up – Referral Codes:
    • If you have friends who are interested in playing, get them to use your referral code. This is a repeatable bonus that can pay off big time, as you get Units for each eligible friend who reaches a certain level. However, be aware that your friend needs to reach level 10 for you to get your bonus.

A Realistic Example of Free Unit Accumulation

Let’s put this all into a table to give you a clearer picture of what a diligent player can expect to earn in a single season. These are approximations based on my experience and community reports, but they give you a solid target to aim for.

Source of UnitsTypical Units GainedNotes
Heroic Journey Achievements~1,500+The long-term, most consistent source, requires varied character play.
Free Battle Pass Track~300-600A steady drip feed of Units for consistent play.
Discord & NGP Linking200A one-time, low-effort, immediate reward for new players.
Seasonal Events & Missions150-300+Varies widely by event, a quick boost for active players.
Lattice Conversion (Free)VariableOpportunistic, but every free Lattice is a free Unit.
Referral System300 per friendGreat for players with active friends, a repeatable bonus.
Twitch Drops & GiveawaysVariableUnreliable, but passive and can yield high value rewards.

Using these figures, a dedicated free-to-play player could realistically earn anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000+ Units per season. This is more than enough to buy a few of the premium skins, or save up for a legendary one. The path is there, you just have to walk it.

Final Thoughts and the Path Forward

Earning free Units in Marvel Rivals is absolutely achievable, but it requires a strategic approach. It is not about mindlessly grinding, but rather about being efficient with your time and combining the various methods available. The Achievement system is your most stable source, the Battle Pass your most consistent, and events are your best bet for a quick burst.

Always remember to check your in-game mailbox for unexpected rewards and don’t be afraid to experiment with different heroes to knock out those Heroic Journey achievements. The game’s reward systems, as with any live service title, are subject to change, so stay informed and adapt your strategy as new seasons and events are announced.

Whether you’re a casual player or a competitive powerhouse, mastering the free Unit economy in Marvel Rivals is a key part of your journey.

Elias Daughtry is an expert on Marvel Rivals, specializing in meta-game analysis and the development of effective strategies. His articles are a valuable resource for anyone aiming to succeed in ranked matches and climb the ladder.

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