In a recent “In the Pens” podcast host Greg Leo asked the question: just how are powerups distributed in Zwift? We decided to find the answer and went straight to the source: Game Master Jon Mayfield himself. Here’s his answer:
Note: in mid-2019 Zwift began allowing event organizers to customize the distribution of powerups in their events. So while the chart above applies to free riding and is the default setup for events, specific events may distribute powerups differently.
To learn more about how Zwift powerups work, read Your Guide to Power Ups in Zwift.
I annoying received 10xp four times concurrently riding the innsbruck stage yesterday. Dropped on the kleine hugel on the third lap by people using the feather 🤦♂️
Yes, same here
What about “none of the above?” That definitely occurs.
Events can disable powerups entirely. And if you get the XP bonus, it just flashes up for a second, so it can seem like you didn’t get a powerup at all.
Why do I keep getting the small bonuses and never any others?
Are you riding a TT bike? That’s all you get on a TT bike frame.
So on a time trial bike you always get 10XP.
On other bikes your expectation value is 29% 10 XP, 1% 250 XP, total expectation value = 5.4 XP.
You get on average 4.6 XP more per banner by riding the time trial bike.
Yeah, I get 10XP WAY more than 29% of the time. Closer to 40%, probably
And lately, I have been getting it more than that! Maybe the event I was in made it so you got it more frequently? But there was nothing posted about changing the powerup ratio. But I did the BMTR Fundo the other day, got 10XP at least 70% of the time.
How does the distribution look, now that there also is a Breakaway Burrito? And is there a default distribution of the three event-only boosts?
Randomise is broken on MACs. Everytime on free roam I get the same order. Plus the random ride, no turns.
Today, I was riding in France. I got the large bonus for a certain sprint. I went back to do it again and I got again the large bonus. I did it 3 times in total and got it 3 times. I should have kept going, but I signed up for a TdZ ride and got teleported out of France. I could have been 5 levels higher by now if I would have kept going.
Sounds like a handy “feature”
I’ve been on Zwift for 4/5 years and have NEVER had a ghost, burrito or anvil PU.
Is this normal?
Are u riding with a TT Bike only?
Those are event-only powerups, and only used if the organizer specifically requests them.
If you aren’t racing, you won’t see ’em.