How the tiers map to rewards
The tier ladder isn't just a status label — each tier corresponds to a reward bracket in the program. In 2026, Trooper starts at 50 points, Ranger at 75, Champion at 95, and Legend at 120. When you cross a threshold, you become eligible for that tier's reward pool. The higher you climb, the better the pool.
What makes the Arcade different from a simple leaderboard is that rewards are not guaranteed — they're allocated based on how many participants land in each tier and how much stock is available. This is what the program calls the waterfall system.
How the waterfall system works
Here's the key mechanic: if the top tier (Legend) has more eligible participants than available stock, the overflow doesn't just lose out — the excess participants waterfall down to the Champion pool, where they're prioritized for that tier's reward. The same cascading happens from Champion to Ranger, and from Ranger to Trooper.
This means that even if you don't reach Legend, landing in Champion can still get you a top-tier reward if the Legend pool overflows. Conversely, it also means that if the lower tiers fill up from overflow, there may be less stock left for people who earned those tiers outright. The practical takeaway: aim as high as you can, because the waterfall rewards the people nearest the top of their tier, not just the people who crossed the threshold.
Why the thresholds move between seasons
Point thresholds shift when the program rules change. In earlier seasons the ladder included a Novice tier at a lower threshold; for 2026 that tier was removed and the ladder was compressed to four tiers. The tracker keeps those values in one config file so the calculator, guides, and tier meter all follow the same 2026 ladder.
If you're returning from a previous season, don't assume your old target is still the cutoff. Always re-check the current season's thresholds before planning your point target — a tier that was reachable at 60 points last year might now require 75.
Which tier should you aim for?
If you're time-constrained, the smart target is the tier just above your natural pace. If you can comfortably earn 50 points in a season, aim for Ranger (75) — the stretch goal pulls you through the mid-season slump. If you're already on pace for Champion (95), push for Legend (120) because the waterfall gives you a shot at the top reward even if you land just short.
The tracker shows your current tier and the exact number of points you need for the next one. Use that number to decide whether to grind arcade games (fast, 1 point each) or invest in skill badges (slower, 0.5 points each, but they often build toward milestone requirements too).