Getting free Units in Marvel Rivals is both realistic and, probably, the smartest route for players who prefer not to spend money. Units buy costumes, emotes, sprays, and other cosmetics, and the game appears to offer several repeatable and seasonal ways to accumulate them. Below is a practical, readable guide that explains the main sources, realistic totals you might expect, and an action plan to prioritize what to do first. I use cautious language when totals are uncertain, as rewards change between seasons and events, and some features may be adjusted by the developers over time.
| Source of Units | Typical Units per source | Effort level | Notes |
| Heroic Journey achievements | ~1,500 total, variable | High | Character tasks, progress slowly but constant |
| Chronoverse Saga achievements | ~400 | Medium | Map or story related objectives |
| Free Battle Pass track | 300 to 600 | Medium | Depends on season pacing |
| Discord account linking | 100 | Very low | One time reward for binding accounts |
| Referral / Assemble code (per friend) | 300 per eligible friend | Low to medium | Repeatable if friend reaches level threshold |
| NGP / email registration | 100 | Very low | One time |
| Limited-time events and missions | 75 to 300+ each | Low to high | Varies by event window |
| Surveys, in-game mail promos | ~100 occasionally | Low | Unreliable but worth checking |
| Lattice conversion (free Lattice) | 1 Lattice = 1 Unit | Variable | Convert free Lattice into Units when available |
This table gives an essential snapshot to decide where to focus immediately, it is intended to let you open the article and know the main levers for free currency.
The Main, Reliable Sources of Free Units and How They Work
Achievements
Achievements, particularly the Heroic Journey track and Chronoverse Saga tasks, are among the most dependable ways to gain Units. Heroic Journey achievements are character specific, and they appear to reward large cumulative totals when you chip away at many characters over time. Chronoverse Saga achievements are often tied to map objectives or story progression, and they add a noticeable chunk of Units when completed. These achievement systems are likely to remain central to free progression, because they reward playtime and skill rather than payment, however exact totals and which achievements exist may change with new seasons.
Battle Pass
The free portion of the Battle Pass generally provides an accessible stream of Units, often spread across tiers or pages so players earn a little at a time. Typical free-track rewards seem to range from a few hundred to several hundred Units depending on season pacing and event tie-ins. In addition, Battle Pass systems sometimes give Lattice or other premium currencies that can be converted to Units, so completing even the free path may be more valuable than it first appears. This is likely a steady midterm strategy for accumulating Units.
Community and Account Linking
Community and account linking bonuses provide quick, low-effort Units. For example, connecting your game account to Discord frequently yields a small one-time Unit reward, signing up for the game’s promotional membership or email program may give small bonuses, and referral systems reward both the inviter and invitee once the new player reaches a certain level. These options are easy to do right away and typically require very little gameplay, so they are among the best first steps for new players.
Seasonal Events
Seasonal events, limited-time missions, and developer promotions can add significant extra Units quickly. As we on RivalsSector often report, events vary a lot, some giving small amounts for low-effort tasks, others gifting hundreds of Units when completing special tracks or milestones. Because these are time-limited, they require active attention—if you intend to collect the highest possible free total each season, monitoring the in-game event list and developer announcements is important.
Converting Lattice
Finally, Lattice is the premium currency that is normally purchased, but free Lattice occasionally appears in battle passes, events, or promotional bundles, and it seems convertible to Units at a straight ratio. If you earn free Lattice, converting it can be an effective way to top off your Unit balance for a desired cosmetic. This conversion mechanic means that even rewards which look like “premium only” can sometimes be turned into meaningful free-play currency.
Typical Totals You Might Realistically Reach in a Single Season, and Why Figures Vary
Combining achievements, Battle Pass progression, community bonuses, and event participation, many players of Marvel Rivals report accumulating a few thousand Units in a single season if they are methodical. Some player summaries and guides indicate seasonal totals that range from about 1,800 up to 3,600 Units depending on how many events are active and whether the player completes large achievement bundles. It is important to remember that these totals are estimates, they vary by season, and some rewards that were available in earlier seasons may be reduced, expanded, or replaced later, so ongoing checking is required.
In practice, achievements tend to provide the largest single pool of free Units, but they take the longest time and skill commitment. Battle Pass free tracks and event missions give medium sized infusions with a more predictable cadence. Community rewards like Discord linking and referral are small but immediate. Because developers can introduce new systems such as token conversion or combat chests, the ceiling for free Units may increase or decrease over time, hence a cautious expectation is warranted.
How to Prioritize Efforts – A Practical Step by Step Plan
- Bind accounts and claim low-effort bonuses first, linking Discord and verifying any required profile settings. These are fast wins that require almost no gameplay and secure guaranteed Units.
- Open the achievements panel, focus on Heroic Journey and Chronoverse Saga tasks, and map out which character or map achievements you can complete without changing your playstyle. Achievements give the biggest long-term returns, but you will likely need to grind several to reach top totals.
- Progress the free Battle Pass, completing daily and weekly objectives that are feasible for you. The Battle Pass tends to reward consistent play rather than perfect performance, so steady, moderate daily time commitments often pay off.
- Watch for seasonal and limited-time events, and prioritize short events that give Units for low-effort activities. Event calendars are usually time-limited, so completing these tasks during the event window will often be the most efficient way to multiply your Unit haul.
- Use referral codes for friends who plan to play seriously, since the referral reward can be repeated per eligible friend and scales well if you can recruit a few active players.
- Convert any free Lattice or promotional premium currency into Units if you need to purchase a specific cosmetic, but balance this against saving for future event or token uses.
Tips, Small Tricks, and Common Pitfalls
- Check your in-game mailbox frequently, because occasional promotional mail or surveys may drop Units spontaneously. These are not guaranteed, but they are very low effort to claim if present.
- Some achievements are niche or require unusual play patterns, so collect easy-to-reach achievements first and save more demanding ones for when you want a challenge.
- Do not assume current reward amounts will remain identical across multiple seasons. The best approach is to treat the totals as season-specific targets and adapt each season.
- Referral rewards may require the referred player to reach a level threshold before you can claim Units, so coordinate with friends to ensure eligibility.
- If you focus exclusively on one route – for example grinding just the Battle Pass – you may miss high-value event or achievement rewards. Diversify your efforts for the best yield.
A Realistic Example Build-Up, With Numbers
| Action | Units gained | Time / notes |
| Claim Discord link, NGP sign up | 200 | Immediate, low effort |
| Complete easy Battle Pass tiers | 300 | A few hours over days |
| Finish several Heroic Journey achievements | 1,500 | Many hours, steady progress |
| Complete Chronoverse Saga tasks | 400 | Moderate effort |
| Participate in 1-2 events | 150 to 300 | Time-limited bursts |
| Occasional surveys, mail drops | 100 | Opportunistic |
Using the example above, a diligent free-to-play player could reasonably target 2,650 to 2,800 Units in a season, possibly more if more events or free Lattice appear. These figures are approximations based on current season patterns and community reports, they are likely to change with new updates.
Final Thoughts and Caveats
Collecting free Units in Marvel Rivals is probably feasible if you are prepared to combine multiple strategies – achievements, Battle Pass progression, community linking, referrals, and event participation. Achievements are likely the most stable long-term source, while events and referral systems can accelerate accumulation for players who stay engaged. Because the live-service nature of the game means reward systems evolve, the exact totals and available methods may change, and the guidance here requires occasional verification against the current season’s announcements. Some experts and community guides debate which source is the most efficient, and opinions vary by playstyle and available playtime, so it is useful to balance the strategies described above based on what you find most enjoyable and sustainable.
