When I first started playing around with the Vanguard testnet I honestly didn't expect much more than just a bunch of technical stress tests. Usually these things are just for developers to break stuff but Vanar actually made it feel like a bit of a scavenger hunt for the rest of us. It is kind of addicting to jump into the Velocity campaign and see those points stack up. I found myself checking the faucet every single day like it was some kind of morning ritual just to get those test tokens and try out the next task.
The whole setup with the different phases is actually pretty clever because it walks you through everything from basic swaps on AuriSwap to more complex stuff like deploying your own meme coins or bridging assets. I never really thought I would be the type of person to deploy an NFT contract but the way they integrated it with the Thirdweb portal made me feel like some kind of tech wizard for a second. It is funny how a few points and the promise of a potential airdrop or an exclusive NFT can make you want to learn things you usually find boring.
I have been holding onto my Velocity Points like they are actual gold because nobody really knows what they will turn into once the mainnet is fully settled. There is this weird community energy in the Discord and on Galxe where everyone is trying to figure out the best way to maximize their score. It doesnt feel like a dry beta test it feels like we are all part of this messy early experiment that might actually pay off. Even if the rewards are just digital badges or early access to some gaming perks it is the thrill of being there at the ground floor that keeps me coming back. Sometimes I mess up a transaction or forget to claim a daily drip but then I see the leaderboard and I am right back in it trying to climb one more spot. It is a good reminder that web3 can actually be engaging if you give people a reason to participate beyond just pure speculation.
