14/07/2004
Welcome, asphalt racers, to a deep dive into one of the most crucial yet sometimes perplexing aspects of Asphalt 9: Legends – the Car Hunt. For those looking to expand their garage and unlock powerful new vehicles, understanding the intricacies of Car Hunts is paramount. These special events are your primary gateway to acquiring blueprints, the very building blocks of car progression in the game. From the initial 'Car Hunt Start' to the challenging 'Car Hunt Riot', and the exclusive 'Legendary Hunts', this guide will equip you with the knowledge to conquer them all.
What Exactly is a Car Hunt?
At its core, a Car Hunt in Asphalt 9: Legends is a time-limited event designed to let players collect blueprints for a specific featured car. The primary objective is to win races repeatedly, with each victory rewarding you with a chance to earn blueprints for the car in focus. These events are essential for upgrading your existing cars and unlocking new ones that might otherwise be difficult to obtain. Understanding the structure and mechanics of Car Hunts is key to efficient progression in the game.
The Two Pillars: Car Hunt Start and Car Hunt Riot
A standard Car Hunt is typically divided into two distinct stages, each with its own characteristics and challenges:
Car Hunt Start
This is the initial phase of any regular Car Hunt, usually lasting for a period of 8 days. During the 'Car Hunt Start' stage, your main goal is to accumulate blueprints for the featured vehicle. What makes this stage particularly interesting is the requirement for supporting cars. To earn additional blueprints (typically 5), you'll need to use two other specific cars in certain races. A crucial detail here is that one of these supporting cars will almost always be an 'Exclusive-Event' car, unless the featured car belongs to Class D. The tracks featured in these races are generally the 60-second variants, offering a brisk pace.
Car Hunt Riot
Once the 'Car Hunt Start' concludes, the 'Car Hunt Riot' begins, typically running for 3 days. This stage acts as a sort of tournament or extended challenge. Unlike the 'Car Hunt Start' which uses 60-second tracks, the 'Car Hunt Riot' switches to the longer 120-second track variants. Starting a race in the Riot stage usually requires 3 tickets, although players with the 'Daily Event Pass' only need 1 ticket. The rewards in the 'Car Hunt Riot' are based on your finishing position within your leaderboard bracket. It's important to note that most Car Hunts will feature a Riot stage, providing another opportunity to snag those valuable blueprints.
Ticket System and Evolving Mechanics
Car Hunts, like many other events in Asphalt 9, operate on a ticket system. Each race typically consumes 2 tickets. However, the Nintendo Switch version of the game, and players holding the 'Daily Event Pass', enjoy a reduced cost of just 1 ticket per race. This makes a significant difference in the number of races you can participate in over the event's duration.
The game's developers have also tweaked the mechanics over time. As of 'The American Season Update', the total number of races in a Car Hunt was removed, opening the door for potentially infinite blueprint earnings. More recently, starting from the 'Fire and Lightning Update', Car Hunts have become more closely tied to 'Special Events' for other cars, often serving as a component within a larger event structure.
Variations on the Car Hunt Theme
Beyond the standard Car Hunt, Asphalt 9 offers several specialised variations, each catering to different player segments or offering unique rewards:
Legendary Hunt
Introduced in the 'Full Throttle Update', Legendary Hunts are exclusive to 'Legend Pass' holders. The cars featured in these hunts are typically those that were previously available as premium rewards in past Seasons. This adds an extra layer of exclusivity and value for players who invest in the Legend Pass.
Key Hunt
The 'Fire and Lightning Update' brought us the Key Hunt. These hunts are specifically for cars that were previously unlockable using keys from Grand Prix events. To participate effectively, you generally need to have the featured car fully starred up. Only then can you obtain the pack containing the car's key and subsequently use a free try of the car to earn it. A notable instance was the Bentley Continental GT3 Key Hunt, which briefly moved to the daily events section due to issues with season pass missions, before being reverted.
Special Event Car Hunt
These are Car Hunts that are integrated directly into 'Special Events'. The key differentiator here is that to earn blueprints for the Special Event car, you often need to have the car itself at a certain star rank. Additionally, blueprint packs for the featured car are usually made available for purchase in the in-game store. This type of hunt often requires specific supporting cars that also need to meet certain star level requirements, as seen in the ATS Automobili GT Special Hunt.
Special Hunt
Similar to Special Event Car Hunts, Special Hunts are also found within the 'Special Events' tab. However, the method of obtaining blueprints differs. Instead of packs being purchasable or earned randomly, you claim an 'Event Pack' after finishing each stage. These packs can also contain valuable 'Epic Import Parts'. The cars featured in Special Hunts are typically key-unlockable vehicles, with the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 being a notable exception. The process often involves maxing out the featured car and meeting other specific requirements to obtain the necessary key.
Tips for Maximising Your Car Hunt Earnings
To get the most out of every Car Hunt, consider these strategies:
- Prioritise Your Targets: Focus on Car Hunts for cars you genuinely need or want to upgrade. Don't spread yourself too thin.
- Manage Your Tickets: Keep an eye on your ticket regeneration. Plan your racing sessions to maximise the number of races you can complete within the event's duration. Using the Daily Event Pass can be very beneficial if you're a regular player.
- Prepare Supporting Cars: For 'Car Hunt Start' stages, ensure you have the required supporting cars ready and at a decent level to avoid missing out on extra blueprints.
- Understand the Tracks: Familiarise yourself with the track layouts, especially the 60" and 120" variants, to optimise your race times and performance.
- Check for Bundles: Sometimes, special offers or bundles related to the featured Car Hunt car might appear in the store, offering a direct way to boost your progress, though this often comes at a real-world cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many tickets does a Car Hunt race cost?
A standard Car Hunt race costs 2 tickets. However, it's 1 ticket for Daily Event Pass holders and on the Nintendo Switch version.
Q2: What's the difference between Car Hunt Start and Car Hunt Riot?
'Car Hunt Start' is the initial phase focusing on collecting blueprints using 60" tracks. 'Car Hunt Riot' follows, using 120" tracks and often acting as a tournament with leaderboard-based rewards.
Q3: Are Legendary Hunts available to all players?
No, Legendary Hunts are exclusive to players who hold the Legend Pass.
Q4: Can I still do Car Hunt races after the event ends?
No, once a Car Hunt event concludes, it is no longer accessible. You must participate while it is active.
Q5: What are 'Exclusive-Event' cars?
These are specific cars required as supporting vehicles in certain 'Car Hunt Start' stages, typically linked to other ongoing or past special events in the game.
By understanding these mechanics and variations, you'll be well on your way to mastering the Car Hunt system in Asphalt 9: Legends and building the ultimate garage. Happy racing!
If you want to read more articles similar to Asphalt 9: Decoding Car Hunts, you can visit the Automotive category.