Paladins (PC, PS4, Xbox One) receives the new VIP system in patch OB58. Since the VIP program was introduced, there has been confusion in the community and players are uncertain. There have been accusations that the system is Pay-to-Win (Pay2Win) and for some, it is unclear what the program is actually intended for. According to a Redditor, this may be due to the poorly chosen name.
The MOBA shooter Paladins receives a VIP system with update OB58. In the future, players can earn VIP points through gameplay and use those points to obtain exclusive cosmetic items.
Additionally, there is a VIP pack that costs $14.99 and the VIP membership costs 200 crystals, Paladins’ premium currency. Those who unlock a VIP membership or purchase the VIP pack will receive some benefits.
Studio Hi-Rez has a tradition of introducing new updates in a preview live stream. In the preview stream of patch OB58 accusations arose in the Twitch chat that Paladins is now Pay-to-Win. This accusation was also expressed on various community platforms. Some feel that the VIP system is too vague.
Is Paladins’ VIP system a “Pay to Win” model?
No, not by the strict definition. “Pay to Win” means that one can buy a gameplay advantage. This would be the case if there were exclusive cards in the VIP store that strengthen champions. In Paladins’ VIP store, only cosmetic items are available.
Players can unlock things like exclusive skins, voice packs, or icons with VIP points.
It is even possible to earn VIP points without a VIP pack or membership. However, those who spend money on the various VIP packs will get significantly more out of the system.
This is what the price-performance ratio of the VIP system looks like:
- 200 crystals cost €4.99 in Paladins’ shop.
- It costs 70 crystals to unlock 10,000 VIP points directly. That can be 10,000 free VIP points every two weeks if you spend your “Weekly Login Reward” on it.
- Epic skins cost 30,000 VIP points in the VIP store. This means players have the option to buy an exclusive epic skin for 210 crystals directly. Most epic skins cost 400 crystals in the standard shop.
- If one decides to buy the VIP pack for $15, they will receive: An epic skin (with weapon and body) and enough VIP points to unlock a legendary and another epic skin. Additionally, there are 25 radiant chests, 5 VIP memberships, and boosters for the VIP points earned.
It is possible to earn a legendary skin completely for free. However, it would take a long time. For winning matches, one gets 50 VIP points, and for losing matches, there are 25 VIP points. Here on Reddit is a detailed calculation of how long it would take to unlock the legendary VIP skin “Raeve Maeve” for free.
So yes, there are more benefits if you purchase the VIP offers for real money. But these are merely cosmetic items. No one gets a gameplay advantage by purchasing a VIP membership.
Paladins is completely free to play and the VIP system is supposed to be a way to financially support the development of the hero shooter. At the same time, players should receive something special for their support.
Did the name “VIP” lead to this misunderstanding?
The Redditor Kers_ has examined the VIP system and included in a post that the name “VIP” is poorly chosen.
Kers points out that the name “VIP system” sounds as if one must spend money to gain any benefit and purchase advantages. It evokes the feeling of a paid membership that offers boosts or similar.
This misunderstanding could seriously damage Paladins’ reputation, according to the Redditor. Kers_ described the following situation: Imagine someone is looking for a new game and hears that it has a VIP system. The first thought for the newcomer would surely not be to examine the system in detail and understand it. They hear VIP and think of Pay2Win boosts and spread that idea.
Objectively, the name is simply poorly chosen.
The Redditor would suggest to Studio Hi-Rez to adjust the name and rename it to something like “Loyalty System” or “Prestige System.” This would better represent what the system is intended to be.
Everything you need to know about the VIP system can be found here:
