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It is finally December, which means one thing for Marvel Contest of Champions players: The Banquet Event is back.
This year, Kabam is calling it the "Asgardian Gala." If you’ve played through previous Banquets (formerly known as the Gifting Event), you know this is usually the most lucrative time of the year for your roster. However, last year left a sour taste in some players' mouths regarding the crystals.
The good news? It looks like the game developers have listened. Based on the "Pre-Mortem" and the reveal slides, the 2025 event is focusing heavily on consistency and better rewards for more players.
Here is the simple guide to surviving and thriving in the 2025 Banquet.
1. The Dates You Need to Know
Mark your calendars because the timeline is packed:
- December 10th to Dec 17th 2025: Anniversary Calendar begins.
- December 17th 2025: Holiday Accolades Return.
- December 19th 2025: The Banquet Event Officially Begins (Milestones, Crystals, and Realm events unlock).
- December 23rd 2025: The Holiday Sale starts (perfect for stocking up on Units).
- December 24th 2025: A special Holiday Gift lands in your inbox.
- December 31st 2025 to January 7th 2026: New Year Arenas.
- January 2nd 2026: The Banquet ends.
2. The Crystal Overhaul: No More "Bad" Opens?
The biggest complaint last year was that opening a Banquet Crystal felt risky. You could spend units and get almost nothing. This year, they have completely reworked the Superior Banquet Crystal (SBC).
What’s New in the SBC: Instead of getting just one item, every single Superior Banquet Crystal will now drop FIVE items at once:
- The Main Prize: (The big ticket item).
- Catalysts: (T3A, T6B, or T6CC Catalysts or fragments).
- Shards: (7-Star or Titan Shards).
- Relic Alloy: (For upgrading relics).
- Gold or ISO.
This means even if you don't hit the "jackpot," you are still progressing your account with every single pop.
3. Enter the "Jubilant Crystal" (The Jackpot)
There is a new, ultra-rare crystal called the Jubilant Crystal. Think of this as the "Super Jackpot."
- What's inside: Massive rewards like Nexus Titan Crystals, Full Tier 7 Basic Catalysts, and "First Appearance Founders Keeper Crystals."
- Drop Rate: It has a 7.77% chance to drop from a regular Banquet Crystal.
- Bad Luck Protection: This is the best part. They added a "Grace System." If you open 15 Superior Banquet Crystals without getting a Jubilant Crystal, the 16th one is guaranteed to be Jubilant.
Important Note: The Jubilant Crystal contains amazing items, but opening it gives you 0 Points toward the event milestones. It is purely a reward, not a scoring mechanism.
4. Milestones and Unit Costs
The event is split into three tracks: Solo, Alliance, and Realm.
If you are planning your Unit spending, here is the math Kabam provided:
- 10,800 Units (Net Cost): This will get you 3 "Box Keys" from completing the Solo, Alliance, and Realm events.
- 15,600 Units (Net Cost): This pushes you far enough into the Realm event to snag a Kingpin or Absorbing Man Selector.
They also mentioned that the cost for the Solo Event has actually decreased compared to last year, which is a rare and welcome win for free-to-play players.
5. Ranked Rewards: Easier to Win Big?
In previous years, you had to be in the absolute top tier (Top 90 players) to get the best Rank-Up Gems. That was impossible for 99% of the community.
For 2025, they have expanded the brackets significantly.
- Now, the Top 600 players will receive a 4-to-5 Rank Up Gem Crystal.
- They have added more ranked brackets generally, meaning better rewards have "trickled down" the ladder so you don't have to be a "whale" to get something nice.
6. The Holiday Sale (Dec 23rd 2025 - Jan 1st 2026)
If you are planning to buy Units with real money, wait until December 23rd. The Unit packs will include:
- +50% Bonus Units (more bang for your buck).
- Bonus items in all packs.
- Founders Keeper Box Keys (essential for the Webstore Milestone track).
Summary: Is it worth it?
This year's Banquet seems to be addressing the "feel bad" mechanics of the past. The addition of guaranteed prizes in every crystal and a "pity system" (Grace System) for the top-tier rewards makes this look like one of the safest times to spend your saved-up Units.
Get your Alliance ready, save your units for the 19th (or the 23rd if you're buying), and good luck with those Jubilant drops!
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