PUBG Mobile x KOF Prize Path Guide: Skins, Cost & Rewards (2026)

The battlegrounds are heating up with the flames of the Kusanagi. Following the massive success of the Dragon Ball Super and Spy x Family collaborations, PUBG Mobile has announced its next heavyweight partnership: The King of Fighters (KOF) '98 Ultimate Match.

Released alongside the Version 4.3 Update, this collaboration introduces the iconic fighters Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Mai Shiranui to Erangel. However, unlike standard Lucky Spins where RNG (Random Number Generation) determines your fate, this event utilizes the "Prize Path" mechanic.

The Prize Path is a controversial system. It promises guaranteed rewards for a fixed entry fee, but hides the best items behind a grind-wall of missions and "Adventure Points." Is it cheaper than a crate opening? Can you actually unlock Mai Shiranui for 600 UC? Or is this another trap for your wallet?

In this comprehensive guide, ManaBuy dissects the KOF Prize Path. We will analyze the unlock requirements, calculate the total UC needed to clear the shop, and provide a strategy to maximize your rewards without overspending.

What is the "Prize Path"?

Think of the Prize Path as a mini-Royale Pass specifically for a collaboration.

Mechanic: You pay a one-time fee to unlock the "Premium" track. Once unlocked, you complete in-game missions (e.g., "Survive for 30 minutes," "Get 10 kills with SMGs") to earn Points.

Leveling: As you earn Points, you level up the Path (Level 1 to 20 or 40). Each level grants rewards like Emotes, Avatar Frames, and Voucher Tokens.

The Redemption Shop: This is where the real loot is. The Path gives you specific tokens (KOF Coins) that you use to buy the Mythic Sets.

Unlock Costs: Standard vs. Advanced

To participate effectively, you must spend UC. There are two entry tiers:

Tier	Cost	Benefits
Standard Unlock	600 UC	Unlocks the Prize Path missions. Grants immediate access to Level 1 rewards (usually a Weapon Skin or Emote). Allows you to earn KOF Coins.
Advanced Unlock	1200 UC (or more)	Instantly unlocks the first 10-15 Levels. Grants extra KOF Coins immediately. Recommended only if you start the event late and need to catch up.

Verdict: For 90% of players, the Standard Unlock (600 UC) is sufficient if you play daily. You can grind the levels easily over the 30-day event duration.

The Rewards: Analyzing the Fighter Skins

The collaboration features three main character sets. Understanding how to get them is crucial because they are distributed differently.

1. Kyo Kusanagi (The Base Reward)

Rarity: Mythic (Purple/Gold)

How to get: Usually unlocked by reaching Level 20 of the Prize Path.

Cost: Effectively 600 UC (if you complete missions).

Review: This set comes with his signature "Bodysuit" style from KOF '99 or his Classic School Uniform. It includes a custom Emote "Ura 108 Shiki: Orochinagi" (fire blast).

2. Iori Yagami (The Shop Reward)

Rarity: Mythic

How to get: Purchased in the Redemption Shop for KOF Coins.

Cost: You need to complete almost the entire Prize Path to earn enough coins. If you miss missions, you may need to buy extra coins with UC.

Review: Features his iconic red pants and moon emblem. The set often includes unique voice lines (Japanese CV).

3. Mai Shiranui (The Chase Item)

Rarity: Mythic (High Tier)

How to get: This is the tricky part. In previous Prize Paths (like Dragon Ball's Frieza), the most popular character required more coins than the path provided for free.

The Trap: You might finish Level 40 and have 800 Coins, but Mai costs 1200 Coins. You must then open "Prize Path Crates" (using UC) to get the remaining coins.

Estimated Cost: ~3,000 - 6,000 UC depending on crate luck.

Weapon Skins & Accessories

Besides the characters, the event introduces themed weaponry.

• Kusanagi Flame M762: An Upgradable Firearm (Level 1-5). Features orange fire effects. Unlocked via a specific crate within the Prize Path interface.
• Yagami Claw UMP45: Purple flame design. Available in the shop.
• Orochi Parachute: Free reward for reaching Level 10.

For players focused on competitive play, check our Weapon Tier List to see if investing in an M762 or UMP skin is worth it for the current meta.

Step-by-Step Strategy: Maximize Rewards for Minimum UC

If you want Kyo and Iori without spending a fortune, follow this roadmap.

Step 1: The Initial Investment

Top up 660 UC via ManaBuy's Safe Top-Up. Why 660? You need 600 for the unlock and 60 for emergency mission skips. Using ManaBuy ensures you get the best rate.

Step 2: Mission Management

The Prize Path missions are divided into weekly sets.

Week 1-4: Do not miss a single daily login. The "Play Time" missions give the most points.

Team Missions: Some missions require playing with friends who also unlocked the path. Find a squad in the World Chat or Discord.

Step 3: The Coin Calculation

DO NOT SPEND COINS EARLY.

Do not buy the Avatar Frames, Sprays, or Scrap Coupons until the very last day. Save every single coin for the Character Sets. You might end up with exactly enough for Iori, but if you bought a Frame on Day 1, you will be short.

Step 4: The Crate Gamble (Optional)

Only open the Prize Path Crates if you are aiming for Mai Shiranui or the Upgradable Gun. If you are happy with Kyo/Iori, ignore the crates entirely. They are a UC sink.

Comparison: Prize Path vs. Lucky Spin

Is this event better than the standard X-Suit spins?

Feature	Prize Path (KOF)	Lucky Spin (X-Suit)
Entry Cost	600 UC (Fixed)	0 - 300 UC (Per Spin)
Guarantee	100% Guaranteed Mythic (Level 20)	No Guarantee (Pity at ~200 spins)
Grind	High (Must play matches)	None (Instant open)
Max Cost	~6,000 UC (For all skins)	~100,000 UC (For Max Suit)

Conclusion: The Prize Path is infinitely better for Low Spenders and F2P+ (players who spend small amounts). You get a guaranteed Mythic set for 600 UC, which is unheard of in Lucky Spins.

ManaBuy Top-Up Strategy

Since the Prize Path requires an upfront UC payment, you need to have your wallet ready before the event starts.

The "Fighter's Pack" Strategy:

1. Pre-load UC: Buy a 660 or 1800 UC pack from ManaBuy a few days before the update. Servers often lag on launch day.

2. Regional Pricing: Check if ManaBuy offers regional bundles. Sometimes, a "Global" code is cheaper than buying directly in your local currency.

If you are also playing other games, remember that ManaBuy supports titles like Last War: Survival, so you can consolidate your gaming budget in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I gift the Prize Path to a friend?

A: Yes! You can purchase a "Prize Path Unlock Card" in the shop and gift it. This is a popular way for Clan Leaders to reward members.

Q: What happens if I unlock it but don't play?

A: You waste your money. You must complete missions to level up. If you don't play, you stay at Level 1 and get nothing but the basic entry reward. If you run out of time, you can pay UC to buy levels (usually 100 UC per level), but that gets expensive fast.

Q: Are the skins permanent?

A: Yes. All skins unlocked via the Prize Path are permanent additions to your inventory.

Q: Does Mai Shiranui have special physics?

A: According to leaks, yes. The developers have added specific physics to her fan idle animation and skirt movement, similar to the console games.

Q: Will this event return?

A: Collabs rarely return. Evangelion and Jujutsu Kaisen never came back. If you want these skins, get them now. Do not wait.

Conclusion

The PUBG Mobile x KOF Prize Path is one of the best-value events of 2026. For a mere 600 UC investment and some active gameplay, you can secure at least one, possibly two, high-quality Mythic sets from fighting game history.

Just remember: The Prize Path rewards effort, not just spending. Unlock it early, do your dailies, and save your coins for the Redemption Shop. And for that initial UC boost to get the ball rolling, trust ManaBuy to deliver the ammo you need.

Ready to fight? Top up now at the PUBG Mobile Top-Up Center.