The Badge Collection event launches January 15, 2026, offering exclusive rewards including Playpal - Glory Tiger and Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight. Elite or Premium Dark Take Strike Pass holders access exclusive badges, while the MP5 - Guard EVO skin debuts during Guard Valor on January 23, 2026. This guide reveals optimal badge acquisition strategies and cost-effective pathways to unlock premium MP5 EVO variants through the 42-day event ending February 26, 2026.
Event Overview (Starting January 15, 2026)
Badge Collection launches January 15, 2026, with a tier-based reward system tied to Strike Pass ownership. You'll need Elite or Premium Dark Take Strike Pass to participate—Lite Pass and Collab Strike Pass holders can't access this event.
The system spans 50 levels over 42 days, concluding February 26, 2026. Dark Take Elite Strike Pass costs 520 Gold but refunds the full 520 Gold at tier 50, making premium content effectively free for players who complete full progression.
Badge collection unlocks Playpal - Glory Tiger and Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight cosmetics. For Gold reserves, Blood Strike golds top up for MP5 EVO skin through BitTopup ensures instant delivery with competitive pricing.
Key Dates
January 15: Badge Collection starts
January 23: Guard Valor event launches (MP5 - Guard EVO available)
February 26: Event ends, tier 50 deadline for 520 Gold refund
Daily missions refresh every 24 hours, weekly challenges reset every 7 days. The eight-day overlap between Badge Collection and Guard Valor creates opportunities for dual objectives.
How Badge Collection Works
Two-step process: acquire qualifying Strike Pass, then collect badges for rewards. Only Elite and Premium holders access exclusive badges.
Timed Gold Distribution by Tier:
Tiers 1-10: 80-100 per tier
Tiers 11-20: 120-150 per tier
Tiers 21-30: 150-180 per tier (peak earning)
Tiers 31-40: 120-140 per tier
Tiers 41-50: 50-70 per tier
Total Timed Gold across 50 tiers: 5,200-6,500. Focus intensive gameplay during tiers 21-30 for maximum temporary currency.
MP5 EVO Connection
MP5 - Guard EVO debuts January 23, 2026 through Guard Valor. EVO-class designation indicates enhanced visual effects and animation upgrades versus standard variants.
Elite Strike Pass provides:
Character skins: HANK - Corsair, JACK - Pirate, SPIKE - Pirate
Weapon skins: Kar98k - Glacier, Spear - Glacier
Emote - Ring-Ring Bounce
Execution - Borrowed Kill
Premium holders gain M4A1 - Sea Wraith. Free Pass users receive P90 BAS Attachment Burst Bolt only.
MP5 EVO Variants and Requirements
MP5 - Guard EVO introduces EVO-class cosmetics to the MP5 platform. EVO-class features dynamic visuals that evolve based on kill counts, creating prestige indicators visible in-match.
Guard-themed cosmetics typically incorporate military aesthetics with metallic finishes and tactical attachments. The Guard EVO likely follows this design while adding animated elements during specific gameplay moments.
Badge Requirements
Badge collection operates on cumulative qualification, not direct exchange. Maintain active Strike Pass status throughout the event, with badges tracking progression rather than functioning as currency.
520 Gold Elite Strike Pass establishes baseline investment for badge collection. This upfront cost grants access to all badge opportunities across 42 days, with tier 50 refund reducing net cost to zero.
Visual Differences
EVO-class skins provide purely cosmetic enhancements—no weapon stat changes. MP5 - Guard EVO maintains identical performance to base variants.
Visual progression typically activates at kill thresholds per match:
Initial state: Match start
First evolution: 5-7 kills
Second evolution: 10-12 kills
Final form: 15+ kills
Guard visuals likely include tactical rails, suppressor mods, and military-grade finishes evolving from standard issue to battle-worn to elite operator aesthetics.
Badge Rarity System
Badge Collection operates through Strike Pass progression, not traditional drop mechanics. Badges function as qualification markers earned through tier completion.
Elite Strike Pass badges unlock: HANK - Corsair, Kar98k - Glacier, Spear - Glacier, JACK - Pirate, SPIKE - Pirate, Emote - Ring-Ring Bounce, Execution - Borrowed Kill.
Premium Strike Pass badges provide M4A1 - Sea Wraith plus additional exclusive content.
Acquisition Rates
Badge acquisition uses guaranteed progression, not randomized drops. Each tier completion awards specific badges per predetermined schedules.
42 days ÷ 50 tiers = 1.19 tiers per day average for full completion. Casual players achieve tier 50 through consistent daily missions without extended sessions.
Qualification Model
Badges serve as progression markers unlocking reward tiers, not currency units. Collect badges by completing Strike Pass tiers—each tier awards predetermined quantities based on Elite or Premium status.
Accumulated badges qualify you for milestone rewards including Playpal - Glory Tiger and Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight.
Must-Buy Badges Priority
Dark Take Elite Strike Pass is the essential purchase: 520 Gold with full tier 50 refund. This unlocks all badge collection opportunities across 42 days.
Purchase Elite Strike Pass on January 15, 2026 to maximize progression time. Delayed purchases reduce available days, potentially preventing tier 50 completion and forfeiting the 520 Gold refund.
For secure Gold acquisition, buy Blood Strike gold recharge online through BitTopup for instant delivery and competitive rates.
Essential Purchase
Elite Strike Pass (520 Gold) provides:
Complete badge collection access across 50 tiers
Full Gold refund at tier 50 (zero net cost)
Five character skins, one weapon skin, one emote, one execution
5,200-6,500 Timed Gold accumulation
Event milestone qualification for exclusive rewards
No additional badge purchases exist—collection operates through progression, not direct purchase.
Budget Approach
Minimum viable investment: 520 Gold Elite Strike Pass. Tier 50 refund reduces long-term cost to zero for players completing full progression.
Prioritize daily mission completion over extended sessions. 24-hour refresh cycles provide consistent progression without marathon play. Weekly challenges supplement daily advancement with 7-day resets.
Free Strike Pass provides P90 BAS Attachment Burst Bolt but can't access badge collection or exclusive cosmetics.
Premium Strategy
Purchase Elite Strike Pass January 15, 2026. Focus intensive gameplay during tiers 21-30 for peak Timed Gold (150-180 per tier). This maximizes temporary currency for Guard Valor starting January 23.
Eight-day overlap between Badge Collection and Guard Valor creates strategic opportunities. Reach tier 21+ by January 23 for optimal Guard Valor participation while maintaining Badge Collection momentum.
Premium Strike Pass is optional, providing M4A1 - Sea Wraith and additional badges. Suits completionists pursuing comprehensive collections beyond MP5 EVO focus.
Cost Analysis
Dark Take Elite Strike Pass: 520 Gold baseline investment. Grants access to all badge collection, exclusive cosmetics, and Timed Gold accumulation across 50 tiers.
Tier 50 refund returns full 520 Gold to players completing all tiers by February 26, 2026. This transforms the Elite Strike Pass from purchase to temporary Gold allocation.
Timed Gold totals 5,200-6,500 across 50 tiers. This temporary currency expires after event, incentivizing active spending on time-limited offers.
Cost Scenarios
Minimum (Zero Net Cost): 520 Gold Elite Strike Pass with tier 50 completion = full refund. Requires consistent daily missions across 42 days, averaging 1.19 tiers daily.
Moderate: 520 Gold Elite Strike Pass + selective tier skips. Players missing multiple daily cycles may invest additional Gold in skips to ensure tier 50 completion before February 26 deadline.
Maximum: Premium Strike Pass upgrade + extensive tier skips for immediate progression. Suits late joiners requiring rapid advancement for time-limited rewards.
Best Value
Elite Strike Pass represents optimal value: comprehensive badge access, exclusive cosmetics, and full Gold refund at completion. No alternative acquisition methods exist.
520 Gold refund at tier 50 creates unprecedented efficiency—premium content at zero long-term cost for players completing full progression. Rewards engagement over spending.
Timed Gold accumulation provides additional value through temporary currency for event purchases. Maximize Timed Gold during peak tiers (21-30) for Guard Valor and time-limited opportunities.
Strategic Timeline (Week-by-Week)
42 days (January 15 - February 26, 2026) = six complete weeks. Daily missions refresh every 24 hours, weekly challenges reset every 7 days.
Week 1 (January 15-21): Establish momentum through immediate Elite Strike Pass purchase and daily mission completion.
January 23, 2026 Guard Valor launch (Week 2): Critical decision point for MP5 EVO collectors. Target tier 21+ by this date for maximum Timed Gold reserves.
Week 1 (Jan 15-21): Foundation
Purchase Elite Strike Pass immediately January 15, 2026 for maximum progression time. Complete all daily missions within each 24-hour cycle.
Target tier 10 by January 21 (1.43 tiers/day). This accelerated pace creates buffer room for potential missed missions while positioning for peak Timed Gold tiers in Week 2.
Week 2-3: Mid-Tier Optimization
Focus intensive gameplay during tiers 21-30 for maximum Timed Gold (150-180 per tier). Peak earning provides optimal reserves for Guard Valor starting January 23.
Coordinate Badge Collection with Guard Valor objectives for MP5 - Guard EVO while maintaining Strike Pass advancement. Eight-day Guard Valor window (through January 30) allows dual pursuit.
Target tier 30 by February 4, maintaining 1.19 tiers/day average for tier 50 completion by February 26.
Final Week: Event Completion
Prioritize tier 50 completion during final week (February 20-26) to secure 520 Gold refund before February 26 deadline. Consider selective tier skips if behind pace.
Complete remaining weekly challenges before final reset cycle. Last challenge cycle begins February 19, providing one last progression boost.
Spend accumulated Timed Gold on time-limited offers before event expiration—temporary currency expires with event conclusion.
Free Acquisition Methods
Daily missions provide primary free progression, refreshing every 24 hours. Complete all daily missions across 42 days for sufficient tier 50 progression without additional Gold beyond initial 520 Gold Elite Strike Pass.
Weekly challenges supplement daily progression with larger rewards, resetting every 7 days. Six complete weekly cycles provide substantial boosts reducing reliance on extended sessions or tier skips.
Free Strike Pass offers P90 BAS Attachment Burst Bolt for zero-cost players but can't access badge collection or exclusive cosmetics.
Daily Bonuses and Milestones
Daily missions require standard gameplay: match completions, kill thresholds, objective captures. Accessible for varying skill levels.
Event milestones: Playpal - Glory Tiger and Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight unlock through cumulative badge accumulation.
Tier 50 milestone unlocks 520 Gold refund, reducing Elite Strike Pass net cost to zero. Incentivizes sustained engagement throughout 42 days.
Gameplay Challenges
Weekly challenges provide substantial tier progression through 7-day objectives: total kills, match victories, specific weapon usage. Rewards consistent play across multiple sessions.
Challenge difficulty scales for 7-day windows—casual players complete through regular gameplay without exceptional skill or marathon sessions.
Six weekly cycles provide critical progression supplements bridging gaps between daily completions. Maximize weekly challenges to reduce tier skip reliance.
Match-Based Collection
Badge collection operates through Strike Pass tier completion, not match-based fragments. Earn badges by advancing through 50 tiers via daily missions and weekly challenges.
Progression-based system eliminates randomness—player effort directly correlates with badge success. Calculate exact requirements and plan schedules accordingly.
Match performance influences progression speed through mission/challenge efficiency. High kill counts, objective captures, and victories complete missions faster, accelerating tiers without additional Gold.
Common Mistakes
Delayed Elite Strike Pass purchase: Most costly mistake. Waiting beyond January 15, 2026 forfeits daily mission and weekly challenge cycles, reducing progression time and potentially preventing tier 50 completion.
Ignoring daily missions: Missing 3-4 cycles creates cumulative deficits requiring tier skip purchases, transforming zero-net-cost event into Gold-negative investment.
Hoarding Timed Gold: Wasting temporary currency that expires with event conclusion. Actively evaluate time-limited offers during peak accumulation (tiers 21-30) to maximize value.
Wrong Badge Types
Badge collection operates through Strike Pass progression, not direct purchases—can't buy incorrect types. Elite Strike Pass provides access to all badge opportunities, with tier completion automatically awarding appropriate badges.
Focus on Strike Pass tier selection. Elite Strike Pass (520 Gold with tier 50 refund) is optimal for most collectors. Premium suits completionists pursuing comprehensive collections.
Free Strike Pass holders can't access badge collection—unsuitable for players pursuing Playpal - Glory Tiger, Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight, or MP5 - Guard EVO.
Ignoring Completion Bonuses
Badge collection milestones (Playpal - Glory Tiger, Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight) unlock through cumulative accumulation, not individual set completions. Focus on consistent tier progression.
Tier 50 completion bonus (520 Gold refund) is primary incentive, reducing Elite Strike Pass net cost to zero. Rewards sustained engagement throughout 42 days.
Exclusive cosmetics distributed across tiers create natural completion incentives without complex optimization. Consistent daily missions automatically accumulate badges for milestone qualification.
Poor Timing
Avoid Elite Strike Pass purchase after February 10, 2026—remaining 16 days provide insufficient time for organic tier 50 completion. Late purchases require extensive tier skips, eliminating zero-net-cost advantage.
Avoid tier skips during early phases (January 15-31) when ample time remains. Premature tier skips waste Gold on progression daily missions and weekly challenges provide naturally.
Premium Strike Pass upgrades suit completionists but provide minimal value for players focused on badge collection and MP5 EVO. Budget-conscious players prioritize Elite Strike Pass.
Advanced Tips
Maximize Timed Gold during tiers 21-30 by concentrating intensive gameplay. 150-180 Timed Gold per tier provides optimal reserves for Guard Valor and time-limited offers.
Coordinate Badge Collection with Guard Valor starting January 23, 2026 for MP5 - Guard EVO while maintaining Strike Pass advancement. Eight-day overlap allows dual pursuit.
Complete weekly challenges immediately upon reset for maximum buffer time. 7-day schedule means early completion provides room for potential missed cycles.
Trading Strategies
Badge collection operates through progression-based qualification, not trading. Badges serve as milestone markers earned through Strike Pass tier completion, not tradable assets.
Non-tradable structure ensures identical qualification paths for all players, eliminating market manipulation while maintaining fair access. Can't accelerate through trading.
Focus on personal progression optimization. Badge collection rewards individual tier completion through daily missions and weekly challenges. Consistent engagement provides only reliable path to tier 50.
Limited-Time Patterns
Guard Valor launching January 23, 2026 establishes mid-event limited offer pattern likely repeating in future cycles. Anticipate similar mid-event launches during subsequent Badge Collection periods.
Timed Gold peaks during tiers 21-30, suggesting intentional design for maximum reserves before mid-event limited offers. Future events likely maintain this structure.
42-day duration with tier 50 refund represents player-friendly monetization establishing precedent for future events. Anticipate similar zero-net-cost opportunities in subsequent cycles.
Post-Event Utilization
Badges collected January 15 - February 26, 2026 serve as qualification markers, not persistent currency. Badge utility expires with event conclusion—subsequent events likely introduce new badge types.
Timed Gold expires with event conclusion, requiring strategic spending before February 26, 2026. Evaluate all time-limited offers during final week to maximize value.
Cosmetic rewards (Playpal - Glory Tiger, Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight, MP5 - Guard EVO) remain permanently accessible after event. These persistent rewards justify badge collection investment.
Secure Top-Up
520 Gold Elite Strike Pass requires secure Gold acquisition for account integrity and timely participation. Reliable top-up services provide instant delivery, competitive pricing, and transaction security.
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Account security is paramount during purchases—compromised accounts forfeit all progression and cosmetics. Prioritize established platforms with proven security over unfamiliar services with suspiciously low prices.
Why Reliable Services Matter
January 15, 2026 launch creates time-sensitive requirements where delayed delivery results in missed daily mission and weekly challenge cycles. Instant delivery ensures immediate Elite Strike Pass purchase, maximizing progression time.
42-day duration with tier 50 refund qualification creates strict deadline pressure where 1-2 day delays impact completion feasibility. Reliable services eliminate delivery uncertainty.
Limited-time events like Guard Valor (January 23, 2026) create mid-event purchase opportunities where instant Gold availability enables participation. Slow services may cause missed opportunities despite sufficient funds.
BitTopup Advantages
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Account Security
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Verify platform legitimacy before transactions—confirm secure connections and review independent user ratings. Established platforms with extensive user bases provide greater security confidence.
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FAQ
When does Badge Collection start? January 15, 2026 through February 26, 2026 (42 days, 50 tiers). Requires Elite or Premium Strike Pass.
How much does Elite Strike Pass cost? 520 Gold with full 520 Gold refund at tier 50. Net cost is zero for players completing all tiers by February 26, 2026.
Can Free Pass holders collect badges? No. Only Elite and Premium Strike Pass holders access badge collection. Lite Pass and Collab Strike Pass also ineligible.
When is MP5 Guard EVO available? Debuts during Guard Valor event January 23, 2026. Eight-day overlap with Badge Collection allows dual pursuit.
What rewards does Badge Collection offer? Playpal - Glory Tiger and Sedan - Gold Prism Starlight milestones. Elite holders receive HANK - Corsair, Kar98k - Glacier, Spear - Glacier, JACK - Pirate, SPIKE - Pirate, Emote - Ring-Ring Bounce, Execution - Borrowed Kill.
How many tiers per day for completion? 1.19 tiers/day average (42 days ÷ 50 tiers). Daily missions and weekly challenges provide sufficient progression for tier 50 without additional Gold beyond initial Strike Pass purchase.